Ok, this must be the dumbest question ever...

Christine N. · Sep 27, 2006

I know, I feel like a moron, but I just don't know. Does anyone have any idea if a published book can be turned into a manga? There's a reason for these questions, but I don't want to get into detail.

What I mean, I guess, is that is trade paperback format a different media right than graphic novel, since it's a different format? I guess it depends on your contract, yes, but in general. Anyone ever have both done for a book?

Thanks, this means tons!

icerose · Sep 27, 2006

So you are asking if a POD book can be republished as a Manga book without getting into legal trouble?? Not sure on that one. Ask the Manga publisher you wish to publish with, I'm sure they would know their point of view on it.

Azure Skye · Sep 27, 2006

I remember reading somewhere recently that this has been done but for the life of me I can't remember the title. I'll email this thread to a person who would know.

janetbellinger · Sep 27, 2006

I know a Japanese person I can ask. She has a million Manga books.

Christine N. · Sep 27, 2006

Ok, I'm sort of putting the cart before the horse. Let's say that, for some reason I have yet to fathom, a person who works at one of the biggest manga publishers on earth sent me an e-mail. (Yes, checked him out, he's legit)

He's asked to see my work. He's been reading my blog - ha! for those writers who think a blog is a waste of time.

I have to wait to see what his intentions for it are before I get into this any further. But the company has expanded into children's books. I don't want to get hopes up or anything, but I was flattered by the e-mail, because this company doesn't take writing subs of any kind - they seek out their own writers.

could be a good thing? I know some of Meg Cabot's books are coming out as manga, but I think this person wants to issue them as novels? I don't know, I have to wait until he e-mails me back.

Saundra Julian · Sep 27, 2006

Define "manga"...is that the same as a trade paperback as opposed to the mass market size book?

wordmonkey · Sep 27, 2006

Graphic Novels are big comic books. Trade Paperbacks tend to be collects of comic books single issues that make one story arc.

Things like "The Dark Knight Returns," "The Watchmen," "V for Vendetta" were all mini's that were gathered into trades even though most people think of them as Graphic Novels. "Maus" is a Graphic Novel.

icerose · Sep 27, 2006

I'm crossing my fingers for you Christine!

Christine N. · Sep 27, 2006

A manga is like a comic book. Wikipedia has a good article. This company also does 'light novels', which are graphically heavy books, but less like a comic.

He's interested in my series, the first of which is already contracted. But that's a whole other story. Nothing may come of it at all.

Saundra Julian · Sep 27, 2006

OIC, thanks!

David McAfee · Sep 27, 2006

Hmm.... this is the second time I have heard the word Manga. A beta reader told me she thought that I should try to find someone to manga my novel. Then she mentioned anime. I had thought the two were one in the same, was I wrong?

Akuma · Sep 27, 2006

Not sure about manga, but Stephen King is having his Dark Tower series made into graphic novels, with more in-depth stuff about Roland's past (the MC, of course).

Then again, Stephen King has a league of his own.

Akuma · Sep 27, 2006

David McAfee said:
Hmm.... this is the second time I have heard the word Manga. A beta reader told me she thought that I should try to find someone to manga my novel. Then she mentioned anime. I had thought the two were one in the same, was I wrong?

Animes are the Japanese tv shows while mangas are the "comic books". Usually, most animes are based off mangas.

smiley10000 · Sep 28, 2006

Congrats Christine! That's really exciting... Hmmm, maybe it's time to start blogging...

wordmonkey · Sep 28, 2006

Manga is just the Japanese word for Comic book. In Japan, Batman, The Amazing Spider-man, Action Comics, etc. would all be Manga.

Over here, Manga has become more specificaly linked with the Japanese style of art and comic book style, like the book "Akira." The art is heavily stylized and the biggest stylistic element is that western characters have overly huge, round eyes.

brianm · Sep 28, 2006

I think it would come down to who holds the N. American publishing rights for the original work that the manga would be derived from. I am no expert. Far from it. However, it appears you self-published and still hold the publishing rights for N. America. Just my non-legal opinion. If you have given the right to publish to someone else, then that contract would have language that covers derivative publishing rights. As always, hiring qualified legal counsel is money well spent when in doubt.

Mike Coombes · Sep 28, 2006

brianm said:
I think it would come down to who holds the N. American publishing rights for the original work that the manga would be derived from. I am no expert. Far from it. However, it appears you self-published and still hold the publishing rights for N. America. Just my opinion.

I was just about to say the same thing. If you own the rights, you can do what you want. If you don't, you'll need to check to see if the rights you've sold include adaptations.

Christine N. · Sep 28, 2006

Thanks. Actually my publisher is not self-publishing, but a small publisher. They guy asked for samples of stuff I've mentioned on my blog. They usually find writers for their series, so maybe he just wants me to write for a series they're developing. It hasn't been clear, the contact makes writer recommendations to his boss.

I'll let you all know as the situation devlops. It's cool though.

Saundra Julian · Sep 28, 2006

Very cool!

pdr · Sep 28, 2006

Manga...

my Japanese students here in Japan tell me that Manga started as erotic picture books for men way back in the 12thC. Soon though the picture book makers turned to other topics as well, a favourite was and still is 'The Tale of the Genji'.

icerose · Sep 28, 2006

I've always wanted to publish a couple of manga books but I could never figure out how to get the work to the publishers as they are always closed to submissions as you say.

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