We Asked the Editors! What are the characteristics of the "creators they want to reach out to"? A guide to "getting discovered" that leads to your debut

I search in the genres I am personally looking for, read them regardless of point counts (an indicator showing popularity or evaluation), and actively reach out to works I find interesting.

A big deciding factor is whether they have originality while also being conscious of the market. When searching online, I can also see readers' impressions, so I think it's good to be able to judge from multiple angles.

I regularly look for works on online novel posting sites, and I check works that catch my eye by looking at titles and synopses, not to mention rankings. While it is a prerequisite that the work is in the genre I am looking for and has basic writing skills, I reach out when I think the work has its own unique merits (e.g., the characters stand out, the world-building is one-of-a-kind, the dialogue tempo is good and interesting, etc.).

I was looking for an artist who would fit an original story, and I reached out because their art and manga skills were good.

When I am reading various posted works on pixiv, I often reach out to manga artists who catch my eye. In the case of comic adaptations, I first look at their drawing ability and storyboard skills. In a medium like manga, which has no physical movement, the softness of facial expressions is extremely important. Storyboard skills are important not only for panel layout and direction, but also for whether the characters are conveyed. For original works, I look at drawing ability, but I also look very closely at the interest of the story... and their quirks. Even with newcomers, I often reach out to artists where I can understand "this is what this person wants to draw."

I discovered them through a manga that appeared on my X feed. It was interesting, so I checked their media tab and read their other works. I felt that this person could definitely draw more interesting manga. I sensed their appeal as an author and felt they had the potential for serialization, so I reached out.

While checking a large volume of social media posts, I reach out to those who have established their own unique style or who match the direction of the project I want to realize. I rarely judge based on just one social media platform; I check multiple platforms to confirm not only the quality of their output but also their personality and profile as much as possible before deciding if we can work together.

Someone who updates regularly on social media and seems to have stability not only in quality but also in scheduling and communication.

I reached out after watching their blog (note) and Twitter for years.

Their tweets were interesting, and I felt I could build a project from them.

There was someone who went viral for interesting explanations on note, and when I checked their profile, I saw they were a writer with experience writing for multiple media outlets, so I contacted them to request an article.

Whether on the web or social media, I basically search using keywords. While I am concerned about their track record and account strength, matching the creator's wishes with the work is more important.

At the time, their YouTube channel subscriber count wasn't that high, but because they had a high update frequency (showing the author's passion) and the interactions in the comment section were enthusiastic (showing that they had fans and were engaging with them sincerely), I judged that they would continue to grow and reached out.

Passion can be felt in the work. Good storyboarding (manga)

I feel that the probability of encountering an interesting work increases when I am drawn in by a title that conveys a sparkling sense. (Novel)

Is there originality? Does it include a perspective that only that author could write from? (Novel)

Someone who can create unique characters. Someone who can think about how they want the reader to feel in this scene, or what kind of reactions they want them to post. (Manga)

Above all, I reach out when I feel the work has its own unique merits (e.g., the characters are well-defined, the world-building is one-of-a-kind, or the dialogue has a good, interesting rhythm). (Novel)

(Assuming the work has charm) Someone who has not just one submission, but a consistent posting pace. (Novel)

A work with strong writing skills that shows a certain level of completion. I value the feeling of 'this is interesting' when I read it. (Essay/Novel/Manga)

Someone who has some kind of new perspective, or someone who seems to have many drawers of ideas. (Novel)

A sense of being one-of-a-kind. Having ambition. (Essay)

It is easy to reach out to people who have a clear strength that others do not have. For example, someone who seems more knowledgeable about a certain genre than anyone else. (Business/Reportage/News/Column/Review)

I contacted them after checking their number of followers on YouTube or X, the level of enthusiasm in their comments, the novelty and topicality of their themes, and whether they fit the current era. (Essay/Novel/Business)

I felt the charm of the writing of someone I saw on X (specifically, people who went viral and appeared on my timeline). (Essay)

I have reached out to someone because they posted on X that they wanted to write a book themselves. (Business/Design/Technology)

I had been paying attention to a creator active on X, and when the book they released was very interesting, I reached out. (Novel)

Because their tweets were interesting and I felt I could build a project from them. (Business)

I felt originality in their Instagram images. (Essay/Recipe/Lifestyle/Photo book/Art book/Illustration book)

Someone who has something they want to convey that is uniquely theirs—not just imitating someone else's viral success—and from whom it is clear through social media that their fans are deeply empathizing and resonating with it. (Essay/Manga/Recipe/Lifestyle/Children's educational book)

I was looking for an author who could fit an original story, and I reached out because their art and manga skills were good. (Manga)

The flow is often that I follow content that becomes a topic of conversation among friends and acquaintances inside and outside the industry as 'Hey, that's good,' and if I think it's good myself, I propose it at a company planning meeting. (Essay/Lifestyle)

I reached out at a time when I felt, 'There are probably many people who would be happy or support this person if they published a book now,' such as after they won an award. (Essay)

A writer I had been paying attention to went viral on social media, so I contacted them in a hurry. *This does not mean I contact everyone who goes viral. (Essay)

They possess information that fits our project. (Business/Design/Technology)

It is helpful and appreciated if there is contact information (email address) or a contact form! (Essay)

If your achievements are summarized, it is easy to use as a reference for whether we can plan a project in-house. (Novel)

If it is clear that you 'want to have a commercial serialization' or 'want to have a book published,' it is easier for editors to reach out. (Essay/Manga)

I think I would avoid someone if their social media posts are aggressive, unstable, or strongly biased. (Business/Reportage/News/Column)

For example, we sometimes search by titles like 'science writer' or '4-panel manga artist.' Including a simple title makes it easier to hit. (Essay/Manga/Recipe/Lifestyle/Children's study books)

It is easy to reach out to people who have clear strengths that others do not have. For example, someone who seems more knowledgeable about a certain genre than anyone else, or someone who happened to be at the scene of a legendary concert or incident. (Business/Reportage)

People with originality. I consider not only the work itself but also the methods and ideas as a type of originality. (Business)

A sense of being one-of-a-kind. Ambitious. Honest. Doesn't seem to lie. Seems sincere. Seems like a good person. (Essay)

Since we are looking for authors we can have a long-term relationship with, I am more likely to approach someone who has posted multiple works rather than someone who has only posted one. (Novel)

I want them to post a lot of work on social media. After all, if there is no work, it's hard to tell what their style is. (Manga)

Consistently publishing work is important because it gives us the expectation that "they will keep writing a lot in the future!" (Essay/Novel)

Do not be self-indulgent. When drawing commercially, the premise is that it must sell, so listen to the editor's opinions (this does not mean you have to do everything the editor says). Do not spare effort in making corrections or resubmitting. Be conscious of being able to constantly update your own sensibilities. Be sensitive to what is trending. (Manga)

Are they able to properly complete one work rather than having many unfinished ones? Are they not being self-indulgent? Do they have an objective perspective? Etc. (Novel)

Being able to sublimate what you want to write into entertainment that is demanded by the times, and having proper social skills as a professional. (Novel)

Ideas for creating interesting things are a given, but if I talk about things other than that, it's productivity. Excluding those who have already produced big hits, I think speed is required for newcomers to mid-career creators. In a monthly shojo manga magazine, it's about 30 pages per month, but if you think about just the drawing work, you'll probably be safe if you can produce about 45 pages per month. Also, being able to communicate properly. Being able to report, communicate, and consult. Being able to say what you can't do... I think authors who know exactly what they can and cannot do are strong. Finally, motivation. (Manga)

That there is a point clearly differentiated from other videos or artists in terms of content or theme, and that they do not run toward unprovable, unscientific themes. (Essay/Novel/Business)

I think the courage to put your own thoughts and expressions out into the world is required. (Business/IT Practical)

Mental toughness. It comes down to this. (Manga)

Continuity, the gentle coexistence of flexibility and conviction, and presence in a specific field. Continuous announcements, and having influence in a specific field, either by the person themselves or through connections. (Essay/Recipe/Lifestyle/Photo book, Art book, Illustration book)

The desire to convey something to society and the readers, the will to keep protecting the source of one's own energy, and the composure to maintain an objective view of that source of energy (whether it be positive or a complex) (Essays/Novels/Business)

An attitude and readiness to create together, sell together, and view things with a long-term perspective (Essays/Novels/Recipes/Lifestyle/Travel)

Ultimately, I think it's communication skills. When commercializing a work, you inevitably end up interacting with many people. This is even more true if the work is to be developed further (Essays/Novels/Manga)

Whether they can continue to polish their work, find ways to improve, keep sharing information, and listen to and absorb feedback from others—not just until they gain many fans, but even after they have—these are the people who are successful (Business)

The power to keep writing. And the ability to create the circumstances to do so (Recipes/Lifestyle/Business)