5/7/2006

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It seems like our best plan of attack is to find ourselves an agent. I've heard that most of them won't even pick up a manuscript if it doesn't come with a pretty comprehensive cover letter. We need to explain what the book is about (I still don't know myself), about the target audience, and also our own related history to the subject.

You can find the proposal below. I've yet to start it. Anybody want to have a crack?

Proposal

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It's up to you guys to write about yourselves.

OSCAR

JAMES_D

KANSAIVET- KansaiVet ater working professionally in his field quit it all after five years to pursue his dream to live in Japan. He lived in Japan for 4 1/2 years and loved nearly every minute of it. He is back in America again chasing the all mighty dollar but yearning daily to return to his first love. Japan.

EVILKRIS - EvilKris is a writer from London residing in Kyushu for the past 4 years, and has no plans to return! Having ridden the rollercoaster of failed romances for several years and suffering a million and one hangovers, EvilKris successfully discovered his perfect surfer babe (and now wife), and currently lives with her in a small - but comfortable - apartment in Fukuoka city.

SPANKSTER- A true Japanophile, Spankster has been living and working in Shizuoka for over ten years. He hails from Canada and calls Japan his home away from home. He enjoys izakayas, beer festivals, and beer festivals with izakayas. He has been heard on many ocassions passing on advice on living and getting along in Japan to many a fresh foreign bar patron, but has yet to retain any "useful" knowledge on his adopted country.

SPAZMAN- (FOR SPAZMAN TO FILL OUT)

PAGE 1 - What is so special about Japanese women? By Oscar/BATTLE REPORT: Who Made Who? By James_D

PAGE 2 - Noriko - It's Time to Tell the Tale By KansaiVet/Tokyo Miki - By EvilKris

PAGE 3 - Eri - By Spankster

PAGE 4 - Welcome to the Next Level- By Spazman

COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS - July 3rd 2006

Just a few quick suggestions/thoughts after looking at the book so far, by all means some feedback is welcome so let me know what you all think.

• How about expanding the introductions to about a normal book page in length? Talk about how you came to discover Japan, what made you fall in love with the place, your initial reactions, your thoughts about it now, stand out experiences, plans for the future etc?

• How many essays are we each submitting? An equal amount? Are we 100% sure on what we’re adding? Does anything need to be changed or re-written?

• The format too, I was thinking of starting with some newbie tales, then some about our exploits in Japan, then finishing off with one or two Japanese related adventures back home (for those of us who left) or more Japanese adventures for those still over there? The essays sort of come full circle that way and are in a readable order.

• A dictionary? Are we going to use any slang words which may need explanations? Things like gaijin, kawaii, hentai, love hotel etc.

• Dropping the AAA shit? I’m really embarrassed about it now to be honest.

*(KRIS)* What do you want to change the title too then?

• Pen names or real names? Are we going to talk about the site in the book?

Anyway dudes let everyone know what you think – James_D/El Returner

7/6/06 *I like your format idea since it would definitely make it easier to read. I also like the idea of longer introductions of the contributors but only if the number of contributors stays low. Kris, I'm not sure how many more essays you're thinking of adding but I've been reading quite a few good ones in the archives that could probably be worthy of being included. (although most of them are in dire need of editing) About the dictionary, I think that having footnotes for Japanese words that pop up in the text is probably sufficient. I also have one suggestion for a title. How about "J-files: Battle reports from life in Japan." I'm not in love with it but I like the "J-files" part. Oh, and I think pen names are better, but I'm not really sure how that would work. Can someone explain? - HANK (spankster)

COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS

Hey Kris, what type of things do you think we should write about ourselves?

//Reveal as much as you like, without being too revealing if you know what I mean. People will be keen to know just a little about your background or nationality, that sort of thing. Just throw in a couple of opinions about Japan or dating Asian women. Even if it's only a few lines long that's fine.