The Secret Story Behind the Birth of the Writing Salon 'After-School Writing Club'

Hello, this is Yasu, and I wanted to create a place where writers could belong.

December 2019. I was invited as a guest to an author's lecture (sort of like a guest appearance on Stand.fm) and I bombed so hard on stage that I felt completely dejected.


A few weeks later, the organizer of that lecture held a 'Yasu Consolation Party' at a bar. I was chugging wine to try and forget my failure. Beer, wine, wine, beer, wine, wine, wine.


"My writing course? ...Pfft. Is there anyone who would actually want to hear from someone who bombed that badly?"


Full-blown self-deprecation and whining. Just as I was complaining away with the help of alcohol, I was suddenly told the words at the beginning.


"Yasu's writing doesn't have that professional author-like feel, and it makes people think, 'I could probably write like this too.' But, well, they can't (laughs). So I think there's a demand for it. You're learning directly from a bestselling author and you've even published books. I want to hear it. Why don't you try it? I'll organize it for you."


I was battered and bruised from the lecture talk, so I had no confidence. I was a chicken. A chicken heart.


"I'm sure people will show up, right? Let's do it! Okay, I'll go ahead and book the venue!"


Before I knew it, my writing course'Popular Writing Course'was held. This was three months after my disastrous lecture. I charged money for the course and did it properly.


For about 90 minutes, I thoroughly taught about 10 students how to write in a way that 'makes readers like you (makes them want to read).' *The first session was 90 minutes. From the second session onwards, it was 120 minutes.


One of the students from that time isArkun, who is writing on note right now. He knows about my precious debut.


The'secrets of conveying'I learned from an author. The'writing methods for publication'I was taught by a professional editor. And my own thoughts on'what makes writing interesting'.


I shared all the writing knowledge and skills I knew and possessed in that course.


The feedback after the course was very good. Plus, the students were all like guardians watching over me, saying, 'It made me happy to see Yasu talking so joyfully.' The first session was definitely a 'congratulatory' course.


90 minutes just wasn't enough. I wanted to share more. I wanted to talk about the finer details. I wanted the students to actually write articles and use them as material to explain 'what's good and what's not.'


One of the students from the first course was a member of Japan's largest online salon. I was curious, so I asked them what an online salon is like and what they do there.


I see. So they send out daily posts like a paid newsletter, and they plan and host events themselves. I see, I see.


...If that's the case, couldn't I create a writing salon too?


I immediately asked the first course participants directly, albeit nervously.


"If I were to create an online salon for about 1,000 yen a month where I share various things about writing... would you join?"


Five people.


I decided that if five people gathered, I would open the salon. I didn't intend to open it if it seemed like no one would join. If there's no demand, well, you know.


I wanted a place to belong. Writing is lonely. I wanted a place where lonely writers could connect. I wanted to gather fellow writers.


I wanted to be surrounded by interesting writing.


And so, people who agreed with my vision gathered, and on April 5, 2020, the writing online salon'After-School Writing Club'was born.


It's almost been 3 years. I'm grateful to have been able to keep it going!


[Image courtesy of Sachiwa]
[1093 days since the salon started]

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