Fujimi L Bunko (KADOKAWA) discusses "Works I want to read now" - Creative Awards RADIO Report 1 #CreativeAwards2023
The "Creative Awards", one of Japan's largest submission contests, kicked off on April 25th. For this second installment, we have the cooperation of 13 editorial departments, and we will support the success of creators through book publications and serializations for the winning works.
To answer your questions and concerns such as "What kind of contest is the Creative Awards anyway?" and "What kind of works should I submit?", we are hosting a weekly Twitter Space every Thursday featuring guest editorial departments. On May 11th, we were joined by Masayasu Ogiso, Editor-in-Chief of Fujimi L Bunko (KADOKAWA).
Fujimi L Bunko, which holds popular novel works such as "Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits" and "My Happy Marriage". For the Creative Awards, we are currently accepting submissions in the Work-Life Novel category and the Fantasy Novel category. In the broadcast, we delved into the characteristics of the label and how to showcase characters and world-building. The moderator is Takeshi Hagiwara, an editor and note director.
▼ You can listen to the broadcast archive below.
What kind of label is Fujimi L Bunko?
A label that produces hit works one after another, starting with fantasy
Hagiwara (hereinafter, Hagiwara) Fujimi L Bunko has an impression of having endless buzzworthy works. First, please tell us about the label.
Ogiso (hereinafter, Ogiso) Fujimi L Bunko (hereinafter, L Bunko) calls itself a character literature label, and we publish easy-to-read entertainment novels in paperback format.
Since our launch in 2014, we have reached our 9th anniversary this year, and we are now supported by many authors and readers.
As for our readership, it is mainly women in their 30s to 50s, and depending on the work, the male-to-female ratio can be 2 to 8. In that 2 to 8, the "8" is female.
The label's publications include various genres such as Chinese imperial court stories, Heian fantasy, Meiji/Taisho era stories, and Western fantasy. There are also ayakashi (supernatural), occult, romance, work-life, and gourmet stories. There are also works set in the modern day, but they tend to include mysterious elements, and we have a collection of works that depict fantasy for the reader. We currently continue to publish based on 4 or 5 books per month.
Publishing new generation works as well. Representative hit titles
Hagiwara What are some of L Bunko's hit titles?
Ogiso In the early days of the launch, we published "Devil Negotiator" and "Kaiha-ke no Tsukumo-gami". I think I should touch on my relationship with Hagiwara-san here... (laughs).
Hagiwara I was also waiting for the right timing (laughs). Actually, I was the editor-in-chief during the launch period of L Bunko, and at that time, Ogiso-san and I were running around in the same editorial department.
Ogiso The two works I mentioned earlier were popular works that came out during the launch period when Hagiwara-san was editor-in-chief.
Hagiwara Among the works released in the early days, these two were emergency reprints. After that, "Yuuyuuka-an ~Shunjudo no Kaikicho~" and "Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits" were published, and these genres became a foundation for the label. From that foundation, it flowed in the direction of fantasy next.
Ogiso Speaking of fantasy, the Chinese fantasy "Kouka Kokyuu Monogatari" and the modern-based "Bonkura Onmyoji no Oniyome" and "Oishii Veranda." were hits. Now, thanks to the author and readers, "My Happy Marriage" is a huge hit and is being adapted into film. Along with such works, new generation works like "Maydare Tensei Monogatari" by popular authors, and "Kokyuuhi no Kanrinin" and "Ryuu ni Kou", which are winners of the label's own contest, are also continuing to grow.
The PR phrase for the label's early days was "A literary girl who has grown up"
Hagiwara Please tell us about L Bunko's strengths and how it differs from other labels.
Ogiso That's a difficult question to answer (laughs). That's because by being pulled by popular works, the characteristics of the label also converge to some extent. However, compared to other labels, L Bunko definitely has a lot of light fantasy.
To speak a little seriously, I believe that entertainment exists for world peace. That's why it's important for readers to feel energized after seeing a work or to meet characters they want to support. This is what I am conscious of when creating works for the label. If that appears as a difference in color compared to works from other labels, that might be the strength of L Bunko as I see it.
Hagiwara That's a great story! I also think there are two main types of character literature. The first is a label born from an approach from general literature, and the second is a label born from an approach from light novels.
When L Bunko was launched, the parent company, Fujimi Shobo, was a publisher with strong TRPG and light novel roots, so it's the latter approach. Furthermore, in the early days of the label, we used the PR phrase "A literary girl who has grown up," positioning it as the next option for people who used to read girls' novels. When that happens, everyone was thinking, "Since it's a light novel, I want the reader to feel happy reading it. After all, it's entertainment."
I want to meet authors I can work with for 10 years
Hagiwara Are there any characteristics of current L Bunko authors, or the type of author you are looking for?
Ogiso: As for the characteristics of our authors, many of them start from the L-Bunko platform and, while discovering their own authorial identity, create works with a light novel approach. Rather than having established authors come and write something for us, it is more of a place where new authors grow. Therefore, to discover new authors with talent and vision, we hold our own new author awards and host contests on platforms like Kakuyomu and Shousetsuka ni Narou.
Hagiwara What are your thoughts when you encounter a new author?
Ogiso We have a desire not to end things with just one project when we team up with an author. As business partners, we want to discover people we can work with for the next 10 years. Well, it doesn't have to be 10 years, but not just me, all the other editors also want to have a long-term relationship with the authors.
Expanding the scope of the label. Expectations for the "Creative Award"
Ogiso We are not necessarily looking for something that feels like an existing label, but rather, we would love to work with works that expand the scope of the label or interesting works that have that kind of strength. However, if something close to our existing label is interesting, we naturally welcome it as well.
Hagiwara Does expanding the scope of the label mean you are looking for works that deviate slightly from existing genres or best-selling projects?
Ogiso If the category is completely different, I don't think there is a winning strategy to begin with, but I think there is some overlap between the fields of L-Bunko and note. This time, L-Bunko is recruiting for two categories in the Creative Award: the Work Novel category and the Fantasy Novel category, but if you ask whether the projects in the Work Novel category in particular can win in terms of sales, I expect that to be difficult.
This is because when people who have grown up reading fantasy novels and girls' novels think about what to pick up next, I don't think they will suddenly choose a work-related story, but rather something that is an extension of what they have read. Therefore, while considering the overlap between the two categories we are recruiting for and the L-Bunko of the past, I hope to encounter works that expand our scope.
Hagiwara Is the image that you want them to throw a ball that is right on the edge of the strike zone, but still counts as a strike? (laughs)
Ogiso Ah, that's a good expression (laughs). I want to hit a home run with that.
Hagiwara By the way, you mentioned earlier that this is a place where new authors are more active than established ones, but is L-Bunko also welcoming works from commercial authors for this "Creative Award"? (laughs)
Ogiso Of course. We hope that commercial authors will also submit interesting works. Whether you are a professional who has been writing in a different field or genre until now but wants to change your path, or if you are actually interested in girls' novels, please apply regardless of whether you are a professional or an amateur!
How to showcase characters and world-building
It is best to move characters and world-building as a pair
Hagiwara We have received messages from 13 editorial departments on the special page for this Creative Award, and after reading the L-Bunko content, I felt that it is a label that values characters and world-building very much. For example, what kind of person is an author who has the aptitude to write that kind of world-building?
Ogiso Someone who has things they want to do and can express that same theme in various ways, I suppose. Another thing is that such authors are well aware of the works they like. I feel that a work is fundamentally based on what that person has read. It depends on the author whether they are conscious or semi-conscious of this, but I think the depth of the world-building naturally changes depending on whether there is a foundation or not.
Hagiwara Is it ideal to have a foundation based on what you have read or seen, and have the world-building created naturally based on that, rather than consciously trying to write a complicated world-building?
Ogiso I think it is fine to consciously set up a complicated world-building. However, if complex settings are explained from the beginning, it might be difficult for readers to get into the story. Basically, readers are interested in the activities of the characters and their growth process. If you have consciously created a complex world-building, I think it is better to focus on each character and dig deeper into what would happen if that character went to this world, rather than just starting to write it as is.
Hagiwara So, instead of thinking about world-building and characters separately, you think about them so that they multiply each other?
Ogiso Well, when I listen to authors, it seems there are strengths and weaknesses (laughs). Some people have the world-building or story first and then move the characters on top of that, while others think about the characters first and then the world-building comes next. However, I think that if an author has a clear idea of what they want to write, the characters and world-building will naturally follow.
When I look at works for new author awards, I sometimes think it's a waste. The characters are well-defined, but the story progresses without knowing why those people act in that way, or they put too much effort into explaining the world-building from the beginning, and the story doesn't move forward. It is a difficult part, but I hope you can move both the world-building and the characters as a pair.
Hagiwara So, if you push the reader away with both world-building and characters, the work will become distant from the reader, so if it is a heavy high fantasy (*1) world-building, you want the characters to at least be close to our perspective, right?
(*1) A fantasy genre where the story takes place in a different world or fictional setting that is not the real world.
Ogiso That's right. Especially fantasy, I think it's the most difficult genre for readers to understand. Because there are few parts that overlap with us living in the modern age.
Hagiwara That is certainly true. Conversely, is the image that if you want to have a sharp or peaky character setting, you should bring the world-building closer to the reader?
Ogiso That is one way to do it. Speaking in general terms, I think of Sherlock Holmes and Watson (characters from the detective novel series by Conan Doyle). When you place a 'peaky' or eccentric character, you can create a 'window' that connects the reader to the world of the work by creating a perspective from a character with common sense, like Watson. Well, Watson is also an amazing person, though (laughs). Especially when the story is set in the modern day, if the characters are too familiar, it becomes a very ordinary work. Therefore, I think broadening the scope of your characters is essential to making a more compelling work.
L-Bunko also has an approach of incorporating mysterious elements into works set in the modern day, and modern elements into works set in a fantasy world. Also, romantic elements are like a 'trump card' that easily evokes empathy, so they are incorporated into many works.
Hagiwara By the way, how much detail should one think about regarding that kind of worldview?
Ogiso The density of a worldview is a very difficult part, and I think the way of creating it differs greatly depending on the author. While there are authors who calculate and write from 1 to 10, there are also authors who leave blank spaces, leaving room for possibilities to be touched upon.
Good works naturally attract attention. Awareness of media mix
Hagiwara Recently, L-Bunko has had a hit work called 'My Happy Marriage,' which has been made into a live-action movie and anime. How much is media mix awareness considered as a label?
Ogiso Media mix is considered difficult, but one of the reasons for participating in this Creative Award is that we are hoping for connections and possibilities with other publishers and TV stations. From that point of view, I would like to say that there is naturally an awareness of media mix.
However, for good works, people naturally raise their hands saying they want to make them into comics or novels. I am looking forward to such works. In a sense, media mix can be like a 'maximum instantaneous wind speed.' However, since novels are a long battle, I hope that while considering media mix that takes that length into account, authors can keep a sharp eye on how to complete their work.
Q&A
Q1. What are the tendencies of people who are suited to be fantasy authors?
Ogiso Perhaps people who grew up reading fantasy works? I think it's people who can add their own arrangements to what they have read, but I feel like I can hear voices saying, 'It's not that simple' (laughs).
Q2. What are the common elements of popular works, and what are the tips for making a work more attractive?
Ogiso As for L-Bunko specifically, it goes without saying that works that firmly reflect what readers want are common among popular works. However, what the author wants to write and what the readers want do not always match. I think it is important to find a compromise together, or rather, if you can aim for that, it will become attractive.
Hagiwara This might be a mean question, but what advice would you give to an author who says, 'I will write exactly what the readers want!'?
Ogiso I think there are various reader demands. For example, I think it's good to be able to pose questions to the reader, such as what triggers them to pick up the work or the catharsis developed in the work. However, I don't think a single work can last if it only has superficial questions. I think that without the author's true desire to write, the work cannot surprise the reader. I think it's good to think in terms of planning: 'Let's pitch this kind of work to these kinds of people. Then surely, they will be happy with this part.'
Hagiwara Is it better if the author's ego (what they want to do) or passion is balanced with the reader's demands?
Ogiso An author's ego is very strong, and if you output with an ego as strong as what the reader demands, I think the author's ego will always win. After all, we need to adjust the balance while consulting. The editor might lose to the author's ego sometimes, though... (laughs). But after all, because an author's talent is far from that of an ordinary person, if it can be output well, I am sure the readers will be even more surprised.
Q3. When submitting to the Fantasy Novel category, should the ending of the story be clearly defined as a happy ending or a bad ending? There is a question asking this, and does an L-Bunko-like answer mean expecting a happy ending?
Ogiso I think even a happy ending in the narrow sense is fine. I think it's good if the reader can have hope for the future, or if they want to support the characters. There are grand, happy endings like getting married and being happy, and there are also happy endings like 'the relationship between the two will continue from here on.' I want to expect that kind of taste in the end.
However, it's not that bad endings are bad. Bad endings are shocking, and I think they have strength as a 'maximum instantaneous wind speed.' L-Bunko hopes to be a label that can grow and spend time with readers in their daily lives. I think it would be good to think about what can be expressed in such a label.
Q4. I want to write based on personal experience, but are there any regulations such as taboo topics?
Ogiso As long as it does not violate public order and morals, there is basically no problem. After all, I think it's fine as long as you can firmly guarantee that it is fiction. Well, I think it would be difficult to publish a work that has continuous erotic or grotesque descriptions in the first place.
Q5. Is it difficult to pass the first screening if the number of 'likes' and comments is low?
Hagiwara The number of 'likes' and comments is just one indicator, so it does not mean that you cannot pass if these are not high. Conversely, it does not mean that you will pass the first screening if these are high.
Q6. Can I only apply if it is set in a complete other world or the future/past? Is it okay to apply with works like so-called 'low fantasy' that are continuous with the modern day?
Ogiso Yes. In the description of the Fantasy Novel category, it says we are looking for high fantasy, but what we are looking for is authentic fantasy or classic fantasy. It doesn't necessarily have to be set in a complete other world, and I think things that are originally called low fantasy (*2), such as reincarnating into another world, are also fine.
(*2) A fantasy genre set in the real world or a world connected to reality.
Q7. What if a work with strong SF elements is submitted?
Hagiwara First, let me answer from the management side: this time, SF is not a category for submission. If elements like romance or work are included in the work, I would like you to submit it to the category that includes those genres.
However, if it is SF that does not include those elements at all, I think it would be best to apply to the 'All Genres' category.
Then, with this as a premise, could you, Mr. Ogiso, answer how the label would perceive it if a work with strong SF elements were submitted to the Fantasy Novel or Work Novel categories that are being recruited?
Ogiso: First, regarding modern settings, I think if you make the sci-fi elements too strong, it starts to become a near-future work. Personally, I would like to see that, but when considering whether readers will like mechanical things, that might be one criterion for judgment. A little bit of mystery is fine, but sci-fi might be tough; I think that's a valid point in terms of matching with the label's readership. As for fantasy, if it's something like an ultra-ancient civilization, I think that's fine.
Hagiwara Should applicants think about what kind of work will reach readers by comparing it with the L Bunko readership mentioned at the beginning?
Ogiso I think so, and besides that, I think it's best for authors to do what they want freely. Since so many editorial departments are gathered for the Creative Awards, even if it's not necessarily for L Bunko, if it's a good work, it will surely catch the eye of another editorial department.
Speaker Profile
|Masayasu Ogiso|
Belongs to the Fujimi L Bunko Editorial Department, KADOKAWA Corporation.
Creative Awards Schedule
Application Period: April 25 (Tue) - July 17 (Mon) 23:59
Reader Support Period: April 25 (Tue) - July 24 (Mon) 23:59
Intermediate Results Announcement: Mid-September (Scheduled)
Final Results Announcement: Late October (Scheduled)
Notice of Creative Awards Related Events
[Every Thursday from 20:00] Creative Awards RADIO
Starting May 11, representatives from the sponsoring editorial departments will appear on a rotating basis to talk about the types of works they are looking for and offer advice on creation.
Reports on Past Events
Creative Awards Briefing Report — We Answered All Your Questions #CreativeAwards2023
The note management office answers your questions about the Creative Awards, such as "Are people with many followers at an advantage in reader selection?" and "Can I submit works that use AI?" If you have any questions regarding the Creative Awards application, please take a look.
For more details, please visit the Creative Awards special site.
text by Yuki Sugahara