Yeeee-hawh!  Road triiii~p! Yaoicon 2009 here we come!  Half of the crew left yesterday and the other half is leaving today!  We are doing the last minute things… packing more books… squeezing more bags in the car… checking the tire pressures… fueling the gas tank… lots of coffee and energy drinks… snacks… where is my music-overloaded ipod?  oh and one important thing, my pillow!

I haven’t slept all last night ‘cuz I was so excited!  So I guess now is the good time as ever to catch up on my sleep!  We should be there late this evening!

See you there!
801-chan

YaoiCon is just around the corner!  Here at 801Media, all of our suitcases are packed and so are the books!  We just need to hit the road!  So who’s coming!?

This portion of the news has been mentioned at our corporate site, digitalmanga.com  but here it is - our schedule at YaoiCon:

Friday, October 30th, 7:30 PM
Yaoi Con Charity Auction
Tateno-sensei will be doing a live sketch in person for the winning bidder of any two of her characters of choice!

Saturday, October 31st, 9:30-10 AM
DMP/June’ Industry Panel
New title announcements, prize giveaways, tickets for Tateno signing(s).

Saturday, October 31st, 12:00-1 PM
Makoto Tateno Question & Answer
Panel, tickets for Tateno signing(s).

Saturday, October 31st, 2:30-3:30 PM
Makoto Tateno signing

Sunday, November 1st, 12:00-12:30 PM
Makoto Tateno signing

Whoever comes to the panel on Saturday morning will get a ticket, which means priority lineup for the Makoto Tateno signing later that afternoon. We will also be giving away tickets at the Makoto Tateno panel on Saturday (from 12-1pm) for her signing in the afternoon.

Anyone who doesn’t get a ticket can still get items signed, but depending on how busy it is, there is no guarantee. We’ll have a second signing on Sunday for a very short period.

heeheehee, I got mine ready for Tateno sensei!

Love, 801-Chan
Follow us on twitter - twitter.com/digitalmanga

(Translated by Crayon)
Hi everyone!  Kazuka Minami here!  Nice to meet you!  I was excited when 801-chan  contacted me with this opportunity!  I just wanted to say thank you!  …aaaand, thank you everyone for reading my manga.  I want to be sure to answer all of the questions (801-chan gave me 3 pages!) and hope you get to know me better at the end of this blog!

First of all… All I can think of is-  YaoiCon 2009!  You have no idea how excited I am!  And I can’t wait!  I’ve never been to America before and I am soooo looking forward to it!  I just want to get there and take it all in! Did I tell you?  I love love love American movies – mainly horror, suspense and fantasy movies.  My favorite actors are:  Bruce Willis, Keifer Sutherland, Wentworth Miller, Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki!  (I’m thinking – how can I possibly meet them during my stay…) If any of you have a connection, please let me know!!!

I’m actually an Anime Otaku!  My current obsession is Code Geass! Last time I cried, got little teary-eyed was when my favorite character died during the episode of Code Geass >_<   Yes, I’m an emotional person!  Speaking of anime – anime inspired me to become a manga artist.  Back in the day, I used to attend dojin-events and the publisher saw my work and recruited me.  I am very grateful of my career and I cherish every moment of it.  I have to say my most memorable work is 仔羊捕獲ケーカク!  (Kohitsuji Hokaku Keikaku! – “Capturing the Lambs”) because it was a made into PS2 game.  I felt very honored that they picked my work.  For my R&R, I like to take a loooong bath and then sleep as much as I can!  Oh, and of course, being otaku! But I don’t think I’ll be doing much of that since two of my new series of work starts this fall.  But I hope I can still fine the time to relax somehow… and also somehow find the time to go on my dream vacation, to Egypt!

Truly – thank you for support!  I want to deliver entertaining and interesting Yaoi/BL manga to your library collection!  So I’m going to get back to work and draw, draw, draw!

Love, Kazuka

Lots happening in month of October.  Both, my work and personal calendars are full!  Argh… I’m already seeing more gray hairs!  (That reminds me, I have to call my hairstylist… for color touch-ups…)

Both DMP & 801 Media is extremely busy promoting and cranking out October, November and December books.  We want to make sure that they are in stores just in time for this holiday season!  And we hope they are on your wish list!  But more than anything, “THE” most important thing for us - is YaoiCon!  I’m double’ly excited about YaoiCon this year… ‘cuz it’s on the halloween weekend (O_o)~~~ booo~~~  I can’t possibly imagine how WILD it is going to be!  Double the fun, double the spookyness!  Do you have your costumes picked out already?  And the guests from Japan!!!  Ohhhh, I can’t wait!!!!  We are sooooo looking forward to seeing you there and if anyone has any questions, please do ask!

Love,
801-chan
Keep following us on twitter - twitter.com/digitalmanga

[801-chan]:  Hi Everyone, it’s 801-chan here!  We have a special guest today with us today.  It’s my mommy, Botan Yamada!  She created me!  So let’s get this party started!

[801-chan] (801)   Hi mommy Botan!  (hugs!)
[Botan Yamada] (BY)  Hi 801-chan!  How’s it going?  (hugs!)
[801] Good!  Good!  Before we get started, I just wanted to say thank you for all the work you do!  It’s great to see me all cute and cuddly in every 4panel comic strip!
[BY]  (Chuckles)  You are very welcome!  I try my best…
[801]  So let’s get this party started!  What made you become a manga artist?
[BY]  Hm… I know you get this answer by other artists too… simply I just love reading manga - ever since I was a little girl.  So naturally, I said to myself, “I wanna become a manga artist too!”  … so here I am!
[801]  And where did you come up with your pen name “Botan?”
[BY]   When I first became a manga artist, I used to work together with a friend of mine.    We both needed a pen name but we couldn’t decide on it for a while.  Then one day, we were randomly talking about things and we both happen to like this pair of Japanese comedians named Nakata Botan & Kausu.  They are hilarious comedians!  Anyways, we liked them so much… so we got our names from them; we decided I’d be Botan and my friend be Kausu!
[801] That’s awesome!  I’ve seen them on TVs! They are funny!
[BY]  And my friend, Kausu and I, we still work together from time to time!
[801]  Friends are forever!  Just like me and Tomo-chan!  Speaking of work, Botan, What are you working on right now?
[BY]  Oooo… I have a lot on my plate right now but the priority goes short story for BL Comics!  … that reminds me… when is my deadline?   (chuckles)
[801]  I hope you aren’t stressed…
[BY]  No, no.  I’m not stressed.  I’d like to keep myself busy, but manageably busy!  I hate to stress out.  I’m very easy going for the most part, I don’t like being uptight.
[801]  Is there anything you’d want to do besides manga?
[BY]  Um… sometimes I wish that I were a school teacher…  I know it’s challenging but seems fun working with kids!
[801]  What’s your favorite movie?
[BY]   Spiderman!  Loooved it!
[801]  What’s your favorite drink?
[BY]  Coffee! Can’t live without it!
[801]  (Giggles)  What else can’t you live without?
[BY]  My family.  My cat.  Beauty sleep.  Udon & sukiyaki!
[801]  Udon & sukiyaki!?
[BY]  Yes, udon & sukiyaki!  My favorite things to eat!  Can’t live without them!
[801]  How about things you hate the most?
[BY]  ….. bugs….  I hate bugs…  nothing in particular… just ALL kinds of bugs…
[801]  hahaha.  No camping for you!
[BY]  Oh no no no!
[801]  What’s on your Christmas wish list for Santa this year?
[BY]  ……(a long pause)…….
[801] ……. Okay… I’m under the impression that your list is long?
[BY] …. Yes….  But if I had to choose ONE… I’d like a top-of-the-line scanner for work.
[801]  Botan, for my Christmas, would you draw more bishonen for us?
[BY]  Of course, 801-chan!  Any time!  Well, thanks for the fun one-on-one interview today!  And thank you for making me a part of this blog.  I hope everyone enjoyed it and got to know me a little better!  You can find my personal blog page here (it’s in Japanese)  http://yamadabotan.blog85.fc2.com/   Everyone, please take good care of 801-chan for me!

Hope to see you around!
Lots of love, Botan

First of all, from all of us from DMP & 801 Media and the affilliate vendors of Digital Manga Inc, want to say a big official THANKS to those who came to our booth and gave us lots of love and support at AX2009 and making this event a success!  None of this is would have been possible without YOU fans!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  Some of you stopped by in an unforgettable costumes made us laugh and became a good dinner conversation!  You know who we’re talking about!     And of couse, we’ll do it again next year! Only next time, bigger and better AND more manga!  Again, thank you so much for your support! 

Another review of On Bended Knee came in over the weekend!  (click here.)  This one is done by dear friend Michelle Smith.  And there’s another one - this one is done by Lissa Patillo (click here.)  Thank you both!  I’ll be sure to forward the link to Ruri.  She’d really appreciate that!  Oh, and another one:  This one also by Lissa (click here.)  on His Arrogance.  Thanks Lissa! 

Okay so remember, I told you I was going to look for Stupedia: The Most Useless Facts on Wikipedia… but DUH me, the pub date for this is September 15, 2009…  Why didn’t I catch that in PW weekly… aye aye…

This is for Cait who left me a comment for my July 3rd blog entry.  She asked, “if we, DMP, re-releasing Yellow? the omnibus version? Or is this something new?  The answer is yes, yes and yes.  YES, DMP will be re-releasing Yellow. and YES it will be re-released as an omnibus edition - yep, the link you gave me! (Omnibus volume 1 would contain volume 1 and 2 of the original series, and Omnibus volume 2 would contain volume 3 and 4 of the original series.)  And YES, the manuscript that I received on Friday is something new!  This is tentatively slated for October 2009 release, limited numbers of copies will be available - (hopefully) at Yaoicon 2009 as a Yaoicon Special Edition.  These are called Yellow 2: Episode 1.  It’s a sequel to the Yellow series.  These have never been published before, but they have been distributed only in Japan via cell phones and hand-held portable devices.  DMP is extremely lucky to be able to license these series!  Yes, there are many more to come, of course.  Episode 2, 3, 4 … etc etc  These will be hitting the US market as a short-comic style, containing approximately 60 pages or so.  It’s a classic Makoto Tateno!  I read this 5 times over the weekend!  It’s simply awesome and I can’t wait for everyone to have it!  

Speaking of Yaoicon 2009, yes, we will be there!  And that’s probably our last convention for the year.  Wait… but give us some time to unwind… and unpack…  let us go to the spa to recoop first…   We’ll make more official announcements then! 

If you need the gossip earlier, you know where to get it! twitter.com/digitalmanga 

Off to the spa now,
801-chan

Happy#1 = Alrighty!  One day down, 3 more days to go!  Today is Day 2 of AX2009!  Everyone is exhausted and working their rear-ends off ‘cuz we want to keep YOU fans happy!  Just wanted to say thank you x10 for those of you came to our booth and gave us lots of love & support!  Thank you for making this a success!  You ARE coming back again today, aren’t you!?  

Happy#2 = You know, I’ll take back the comment I made yesterday - about my non-yaoi weekend.  Today, I just got a new manuscript on my desk.  Ta da~~    Yellow 2:  Episode 1 by Makoto Tateno just arrived - fresh from Japan!  OMG, I might not wait until this weekend… I think I’ll read it during my lunch today!  And again, over the weekend! 

Happy#3 =  The 801 Media report card is here! 
Come ‘n look!  801 Media’s Best seller ranking: Jan 1st thru June 30th.

So, what do you think of the result?  Surprised? 
Share your comments & suggestions! 

Happy#4 = In June 29th blog, I mentioned Botan Yamada’s CELEBRITY BLOG and her “treats” for us.  Well, last night I found that out too!  To celebrate this special event this month and with www.801media.com is getting a makeover and all… she gave us new 801-chan and Tomo-chan artwork!  I’m so excited!  Thank you Botan sensei!  And and…  with this new artwork, our Multimedia section <-- section is going to have lots and lots of goodies!  Icons, avatars, wallpapers, calendars, etc etc...  OMG, it's about darn time, don't you think?  This page's been neglected for ever... My graphics gal just got this assignment (and she's hating me right about now... cuzshe got so much to do...) We don't have a definate ETA yet but I'll definately keep you posted!  Hope you love it!

Be safe, be good! Have a happy 4th!  I'll be back on Tuesday!

801-chan

Tweet out loud!
www.twitter.com/digitalmanga

Hello~~~!  AX2009 - Day 1 is here!  Hey, shame on you!  You should be at the event instead of reading this from home!    No, seriously… I hope everyone had a chance to stop by at the booth and say hello and check out our new and cool things!   Don’t be afraid to give us your feedbacks!  You can blog here, tweet twitter.com/digitalmanga , or send emails…  or give it to us straght up - say something to us at the booth!  I hope you are finding everything you are looking for!  Oh, just quickly - 801Media (and Digital Manga) is open tomorrow (Friday 3rd) - everybody is working thru the weekend at AX… and then we are closed on Monday the 6th in lieu of the 4th.  We’ll see you back here on Tuesday! 

Ah!  A current issue of Publishers Weekly… hmm… and I’m flipping it thru and found Stupedia: The Most Useless Facts on Wikipedia.  It sounds funny - I think I’m going to stay away from yaoi manga this weekend and this is going to be my reading material for the 4th!  I love useless facts and useless knowledge. I don’t know why - I just do!

Wow… it’s July already…  And I just finished crunching numbers for the Q2!  It’s somewhat  expected… somewhat surprising…  and of course, we always want to sell more!  But anyways, I will post 801 Media’s report card here tomorrow! 

What’s on your agenda for the weekend? BBQ? Pool? Beach? Fireworks? 

801-chan
Tweet, tweet, tweet!
twitter.com/digitalmanga

On Monday, we selected 2 winners for eManga.com promo.  (You can read about it here.)  Congratulations!

Sorry guys… I forgot to blog about Youka Nitta yesterday…  Otodama (音霊　オトダマ) - Airisu blogged/asked me “did you like Otodama?”  …. the answer is “YESSSSSS! and I LOOOOOOOOOVED IT!” … and Digital Manga will be publishing this book in February 2010, under DokiDoki imprint!!!  Yaaaaay!  I’m so excited!   I love love love her artwork.  I think it’s  brilliant!  (I don’t want to give you too much away…) it’s a crime-solving-murder-mystery-suspense-drama story.  I can totally see this book turned into a TV series or something.  Can I be a bit selfish and mention a little con?  The dialogue was a bit too technical - lots of police talk and $10 lawyer words (if you know what I mean…) and was a bit difficult to understand.  Perhaps she did that to keep the story real!  Anyways, I can’t wait for the English version of this manga - and trust me, you won’t be dissappointed!  This is so read-worthy!  Not to mention plenty of hot men in page after page! 

Today is the move-in day for AX2009!  Pallets of boxes are finally out of the office!  Now I can actually see everyone’s cubicles now! There’s only 3 of us in the office today - everyone else is at the site setting up!  My boss is gone too!  So 3 of us are planning on a lazy work day today!  I’m about to go out on a Starbucks run!  Shhhhh… don’t tell anyone!   

801-chan
I know you want to twitter with us!
twitter.com/digitalmanga

So, lots and lots of things are happening this week.  Let’s start with the obvious - THE ANIME EXPO 2009!  Ladies and gentlemen!  Come to booth number 801!   Trust me, you won’t be dissappointed!  Lots of new titles, lots of new releases, lots of import books, lots of costumes, lots of everything!  - and they are all on convention discount price!  We also have tons of stuff to give away!  Come early and grab yours! 

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Next, I just finished writing sales sheets for Q1 2010 book information.  They will be posted here this week!  So please be sure to stop by again soon!   

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This week, rolling out to reviewers are: Unsophisticated And Rude (June Manga), A strange And Mystifying Story v2 (June Manga), Steal Moon v2 (June Manga), Millenium Prime Minister v1 (DokiDoki), Color (DokiDoki) and Train Train v2 (DokiDoki) - so reviewers, listen for those doorbell ring “UPS Delivery!”   

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Since 801 Media has no new book for the month of July, I decided to put a spotlight on Botan Yamada.  She’s been with us since the grand opening of 801 Media Inc.  (Whaaat?  you didn’t know this?)  Who is she?  You ask? She is the creator of 801-chan & Tomo-chan characters.  Yep!  That’s right!  She’s the artist face behind our mascot!  801-chan & Tomo-chan’s mommy!  I think she’s under represented here so I decided to re-introduce here in July!  I will be doing a one-on-one interview and she will be here for the shout-out CELEBRITY BLOG!  Can’t wait!  She says she has treats for us too!  OOOhhh… I can’t wait to see what it is!  

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eManga.com - the 2 weeks x2 Double promo has ended and we will be selecting winners for those!  The winners will be annouced here and also in the NEWS section of eManga.com site! 
801-chan 
No excuses! 
Twitter with us!  twitter.com/digitalmanga