I’m personally a bit higher than the level of the stories on the website (despite being only at level 5 on WaniKani itself, I’ve been studying Japanese for some time already), but I found them all really lovely regardless. Thank you for your hard work!
And I really love and appreciate the work your family member have put into reading them for us, as well. ^^
さざなみさん、
どいたしまして。Honestly, such meetings are enjoyable for me. Speaking with customers and business partners (all around the world) was fun and challenging. Sure, it was also stressful at times because, after all, I needed to cultivate business relationships for revenue and profit which was often challenged by competitors and myriad opinions and factors way outside my control.
Anyway!
As for what to do next, it’s totally up to you to decide of course. I believe you’re retired, right? Or maybe close to it? And you’ve discovered something you enjoy doing and creating. Bravo! I can tell that what you have done has taken a lot of work even with help from AI. You seem to have discovered a seam of gold that you may wish to explore further.
I think there are several ways to promote your book (and perhaps future works). Two that come to mind are:
There are many websites that sell books such as yours. You may wish to search for and contact them, judge their interest, and explore a business relationship with them. Maybe they will be a front end for distribution of licensed PDF copies and/or sell self-published books that are printed-on-demand like you’re doing on Amazon.
There is a difference between a publisher and a distributor. Distributors are like large warehouses that order their inventory from others (such as you). That would mean that you have to create and stock inventory. A publisher actually prints, stocks, and sells their inventory to companies like Kinokuniya. I could give you some ideas on how to pursue this strategy.
But maybe that all doesn’t sound fun or fulfilling! In which case we have a saying (which comes from Shakespeare), “The world is your oyster” which means: “You have endless opportunities, freedom, and the power to achieve or go wherever you want in life.”
Maybe you would like to create more books that help struggling 日本語 students like me to learn. Of course, I hope you do this!
じゃまたね、
エマ
さざなみさん、
Do you know of the TV series りくお？(Rikuoh in English.) I am watching it again on Netflix. Every time I watch it I hear more words that I can understand. That is very fun for me. I wonder if it could be a model for you.
I have no idea if you could build a business with your books and make much money. Maybe yes, probably not so much.
But that is not the point. The point, I think, is to create books and maybe other materials that help students of 日本語 learn the language.
Also, I am 70 years old. I am healthy and travel without a suitcase. I use a backpack. And I build things and am very active. But my memory is not as good as it was 50 years ago. It is harder for me to learn. So, I try harder, I come up with other ways to help me study and learn. I do not think I will ever be fluent but I love seeing the progress that I have made, even though that progress is small.
じゃ、またね、
エマ
Thank you so much! I am really glad you enjoyed them, even though they were a little easy for you.
I will pass your words on to my family. Recording each story took many takes, so this will make them very happy.
I am also working on something longer and harder, for readers like you. I hope to share it when it is ready.
エマさん、
Thank you for both messages. I read them many times.
I am not retired. I am 39, I have a day job and four children, and I make these in the small gaps in between. You are right that it takes a lot of work, even with help from AI.
Honestly, what makes me happiest is not the money. It is seeing people come to like Japan, and making friends like you through this. Of course I need a little support to keep making them, but that is not why I started.
Your first idea is very interesting to me: websites that sell books like mine. Do you know any sites that you use or trust as a learner? A few names would be a great place for me to start.
About Rikuoh: I watched it too, a while ago. The old tabi maker who makes running shoes, right? I was so busy then that I do not remember much, so maybe I should watch it again, like you. I love that you hear more words every time you watch it. That is exactly the feeling I want to make. Hearing the same thing again and again, and noticing that you understand a little more.
That is also why I just started a small weekly email: one Japanese sentence you will really hear in Japan, and the opening of one folk tale. It is free, and it is here if you would like it:
Small progress is still progress. Travelling with one backpack and still learning Japanese. I find that really inspiring.
じゃまたね、
さざなみ
さざなみさんへ、
I’m glad that you’re enjoying yourself in creating your stories and other work to help people become more familiar with Japan and Japanese. At 39 and with a large family, maybe you’re finding a creative outlet for yourself and that is important.
Regarding finding websites to contact I found several with a simple search on Google for “websites for students of Japanese for books”. Here’s a few:
Free Reading & Graded Readers
About Rikuoh: I am watching it again, one episode every evening. I am really enjoying it. I love Koji Yakusho! I keep a list of my favorites:
Favorite Japanese Series and Movies
About backpacking: A couple of years ago I hiked the Kumano Kodo, Nakahechi Trail. I didn’t have someone transport my backpack and it was extraordinarily difficult for me! Last April I did some of the coastal route with a friend and again, I carried my backpack. I am getting too old for backpacking on mountain trails. No more of that for me!
And, about your sentence emails: I believe I have subscribed but I’m not sure since I haven’t received an email from you on it. I have a couple of suggestions:
Please don’t use romaji. It’s what we call a “crutch” (which, to some extent, is what kana is for many people). Tofugu.com has excellent (and free) hiragana and katakana courses, and there really isn’t a good excuse not to study them. And then, in Japan, it’s fun to be able to read some of the signs, especially those in hiragana.
I love the idea of providing sample sentences we might hear. But maybe also provide another sentence? For example: りょうりは、とても よかったです。でも、もう たべられません！
I like to have things to say that are fun. At a やきとりや, while holding an empty beer mug, I might say: まんたんに しって ください！
Both of these examples are maybe too advanced for people you with to reach. But I hope this helps!
じゃまたね、
エマ
エマさん、
Yes, it arrived! Your reply came straight to my inbox, and you are the very first reader of the newsletter. Thank you for subscribing.
Thank you also for your long message on the forum. A few answers:
About romaji: I agree with you. The newsletter has no romaji at all. Every kanji has its reading in hiragana in brackets, and that’s all. The story pages on the website don’t show romaji either.
About a fun extra sentence: I really like this idea. Real conversations are not only about answering questions correctly. I’d like to try adding a small, fun phrase at the end sometimes.
Here is one for you, as a thank-you for yours:
エマさんは、顔(かお)が広(ひろ)いですね。
Word for word, it says “Emma, your face is wide,” but it means “you know a lot of people.” After your meeting at Kinokuniya and your list of websites, I think it fits you perfectly.
Thank you for the list of websites. I didn’t know some of them. I will look at Tadoku first.
One small thing, only if you have time: I looked around and added my book to Learn Natively, a site where learners rate how difficult books are. Right now it shows “??” because nobody has rated it yet. If you’d like to rate its difficulty, that would help other learners find it. But please don’t feel you have to.
I’m happy you’re enjoying Rikuoh again. Koji Yakusho is wonderful in Perfect Days too. And the Kumano Kodo with a full backpack — that sounds really hard! I’m impressed.
ありがとうございます。
さざなみ