That's a wrap.

Submissions are closed now, and we thought this would be a great way to say "thank you" to everyone for your beautiful work and generosity.



Children Full of Life -- Toshiro Kanamori instructs students in compassion and empathy in this documentary about a fourth grade class in Japan.

Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Last day to submit

It's the last day for submissions, so if you've been working on something for the book, or have something that you've been planning on sending but haven't, get it emailed to us by midnight tonight, okay?

submissions@booksthathelp.org

(Remember, written work should be pasted into the email, we aren't opening attached .doc files. Only art should be submitted as attachments.)

If you've sent a submission and haven't heard back yet, you should get  a response by next weekend.

On the creation of a book

I am learning a lot about what goes into putting together an anthology. It's not just slapping a bunch of stories between some covers and calling it a book. There's has to be balance, an internal structure. And one of the most amazing things is reading the work people have sent and being able to see themes developing. Of course we're still reading, still taking submissions, and the shape is not complete. But I'm starting to see the outline.

With that in mind, I'd love to see some more stories (especially stories, but also art) about:

• Schoolgirls and salarymen and subcultures and modern Japanese pop culture.
• Japan outside Japan (we have two beautiful submissions that capture the delicate way Japanese culture touches the rest of the world; I would love one more of these set in LA.)
• Animals -- foxes and catfish and koi and herons and cats.
• Food. (If someone has a story built around an actual recipe, that would be amazing.)
• Folklore and legends -- I would love to see some of vibrant characters from Japanese folktale and mythology brought to life in new stories. 
• Cherry blossoms and origami. ('Nuff said.) 

Some things I would love to see, that we have not seen much of yet, are:

• Futuristic Japan--robots, cyberpunks, high-tech. (Go ahead, send us that near-future science fiction!)
• Manga! I know there are some coming our way--but we haven't seen it yet. We would love at least one story in manga.

I think these stories must be out there, and we would love to see them.

(Please do not send stories about the tsunami and the earthquake; we have received so many eloquent, touching stories about the disaster, but if we included them all, this book would read like a dirge when it is meant to be a celebration--a reminder that Japan is still a beautiful country.)

Thank you, everyone, who has already sent us something. It's because of you that this book is going to be beautiful.

Your Questions Answered

We've got a form on our website where people can ask us questions. I promised to answer on the blog. So here they are!

So first, a bunch of you guys want to know if we take non-fiction.

No, we are collecting fiction and poetry and art. There are some other projects going that are open to non-fiction, especially Write for Tohoku. They are asking for non-fiction from authors in Japan.

Lindsay asked: How many submissions have you received already?

Over a hundred, and that's not counting the ones that have sent document attachments (which we can't open, only art should be attached) or multiple submissions (please wait to hear from us before you send more work).

A lot of people have asked to know more about the project, and the people behind it.

We've got an About page on the website where you can read more about who we are. I'm sorry it took so long getting it up; I didn't really feel like editor bios were the most important information about this project. But now you can read all about us. (Though I have no idea why so many of you want to!)

And finally, James asks do I retain the (C) copyright?

Yes. To be perfectly clear, we are asking for permission to use your work in our ebook and print book. We may also ask that you let us make video or audio adaptations of your work in support of this project, permission for it to be read aloud, etc. But only for things that support the New Sun Rising anthology project. All funds in perpetuity go to the Red Cross. We aren't asking to hold onto the rights to your work or limit reprints.

I hope those are good answers! If you've got any additional questions, you can ask them from the website, post them in the comments here, or shoot me an email. (The address is on our Helping Out page.)

New Sun Rising - Call for Submissions

New Sun Rising: Stories for Japan is an anthology of writing and imagery celebrating Japan, proceeds of which will all go to Japanese disaster relief.

Watch the video and learn how you can get involved in this amazing project.

Video, Love.

You guys, I love you so much right now. All of you. There has been so much support, I think we've got enough editors. It's volunteer, and life comes up, so if people have to drop out, I will ask again. But for right now we're okay.

What we need, now, is your work -- and your word of mouth. But Greg really says it right here:




Did Greg inspire you to send us something? Well, That Girl Tyson has you covered. She's done a video of our submission guidelines:



You guys are so awesome.

Thank you so much.

Questions about Submissions (1)

I'm getting a lot of questions about submissions--thank you so much, guys, for being excited about this project and so generous with your work.

(And to the people that are getting in touch with me, saying "I don't have any work, but is there anything I can do to help?" -- you rock. If I haven't already put you to work, I'll be in touch shortly. ;)

I've updated the guidelines slightly. We'll look at slightly longer stories--up to around 7,500 words.

The previously published question

For the people that have been asking, we will consider previously published work. Just tell us where and when. We're biased toward previously unpublished work, but I don't want you to hold back sending us something awesome because it was in a now-defunct webzine three years ago. I don't consider work posted on your blog or in an online workshop published.

The simultaneous submission question

Please don't do this to us. It is so much work, going from idea to book in a matter of weeks. Submissions are only open until 11 April, you'll hear from us within 6 weeks for sure. I have nightmares about having to root through our submissions, finding withdrawals, and scrambling at the last minute to readjust the book around gaping holes where someone else has scooped up a work we love. I know it's hard, but please be patient.

Artwork and Photos

As much as I would love beautiful color artwork and photos, it adds a layer of complexity in the "printing" and we just do not have the time. It is okay to attach your art submission--.png, .jpg, or .gif format. Please select one to send--your best, your favorite, something that you feel embodies Japan.

I love the offers to select anything we'd like from your photo blog or your Flickr album; by all means, if you would like to extend that offer, mention it with your submission. (This also applies to people who use their blogs as a place to post poetry or stories.)

But.

We are working really hard on the submissions coming into our email, and some of you are amazingly prolific. We just do not have the time to browse hundreds or thousands of your photos. Have pity, at least send us a sample so we can see what your work is like. If what you send is great but just doesn't quite fit, then we know there's more on offer and we'll get back to you about it.

And thank you guys, again, for all the work you are sending our way. You are amazing.

-Frankie