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| December
13, 2005
Parasite
Eve, basis of the popular PlayStation 1&2 videogame of the
same name, now on
sale!
After much
anticipated waiting, the book that spawned a videogame legend,
Parasite Eve, has come out. The book, written by pharmacological
expert Hideaki Sena, was the first to win the Japan Horror Award,
and with the Koji Suzuki tome, represents the beginning of the
J-horror boom as we know it.
Parasite Eve Page
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| October
11, 2005
AWARD-WINNING
EDUCATIONAL FICTION NOVEL, A RABBIT’S EYES NOW AVAILABLE
Kenjiro Haitani is the recipient
of many awards for excellence in children fiction, including the
Hans Christian Andersen Award. A Rabbit’s Eyes
is Haitani’s ode to dedicated schoolteachers and is for
direct purchase on our website or at a bookstore near you. Find
out what The L.A. Times has called a “strange and
powerful little novel.”
A Rabbit's Eyes Page
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| October
3, 2005
ATTENTION:
VERTICAL IS ON THE MOVE!!!
Vertical is moving to a midtown
Manhattan location. We will have completed our move by the end
of the month, at which time we will post our new address on this
website.
Until then, the best way to reach
us is by email. We are at a temporary location right now, where
we don't have desk phones and cell reception is weak. Since our
current address is of short duration, to avoid confusion we've
decided not to post it here.
Please refrain from sending materials to us unless it is urgent.
Any mail sent to our old address will be rerouted to us, but this
will inevitably involve delays, at best. The safest thing to do
will be to contact us first by email for our temporary address,
or simply to wait until we've finished our move.
The new place that we'll be moving
into is twice as spacious as our old Park Avenue premises and
will be on Sixth Avenue.
Thank you for your understanding. When our former sub-letter abruptly
decided to move out, we've had to scramble, too, to find new accommodations.
We'll have settled down again in less than a month.
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| September
1, 2005
Peter
D'Angelo, grade-A summer intern for Vertical
Someone with the unequivocal physical
power, raw vocal talent, and genius that Peter exhibited really
deserved better than to have worked with a tiny publishing company
like ours, but he did it anyway. Yesterday was the sad last day
of Peter's summer tenure here as intern/lackey. If it weren't
for him, we would have had to actually do some real work, and
all you online Vertical book-buying folk wouldn't have ever seen
your purchases, so Peter, thank you thank you thank you. To quote
a friend, his picture is in God's wallet.
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| August
30, 2005
Spiral
(paperback) and The Fall of Constantinople now on sale
For the anxiously
awaiting and cheap, Spiral is finally out in paperback. Also,
don't forget to pick up a copy of The Fall of Constantinople,
by Nanami Shiono, an A-class narrative historian whose books grace
the libraries of Prime Minister Koizumi and the chairman of Toyota.
Be important, read these books.
Spiral
Page / The
Fall of Constantinople Page
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| August
1, 2005
BUDDHA
VOLUME 5 BACK IN STOCK
In a mixed blessing of sorts, we've
replenished our stock of Buddha: Volume 5: Deer Park with a recent
shipment of returned copies (fear not, they are perfectly sellable
and in great condition), so get your copies!
Buddha Page
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| July
28, 2005
Buddha
vol.s 3&4 win a second Eisner for Best American Edition of
Foreign Work
Beating incredible odds, the Buddha
series won its second Eisner Award at the San Diego ComiCon on
July 14. Scott McCloud presented the award to Vertical, adding,
"this is truly a beautiful series that everyone should read."
Vertical Director of Marketing & Publicity, Anne Ishii, gladly
accepted on behalf of Tezuka, noting that Japan's manga-great
is now joined by Will Eisner (the award's namesake and progenitor
of the Graphic Novel moniker) at ComiCon In The Sky.
Buddha Page |
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| June
20, 2005
Buddha
Wins the 2005 Harvey Award for Best American Edition of Foreign
Material
Buddha was voted Best
American Edition of Foreign Material by comics professionals who
make up the Harvey Kurtzman Award voting commitee. This momentous
occasion coincides with the release of our latest volume
of the series, Ananda. The first two volumes of Buddha
had already won the Eisner Award for Best Foreign Work, and its
two subsequent volumes have just been nominated again! This makes
the Buddha award count three, between the Harvey, Eisner, and
ForeWord awards for excellence in graphic novels. Keep 'em coming,
Buddha fans.
Buddha Page
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| May
18, 2005
Vertical's
Editor Gets an Award!
Vertical
Editorial Director Ioannis Mentzas accepts the S&R Washington
Award, given annually to key members of the American arts worlds
who have demonstrated an acute sense of the cross-cultural.
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| March
23, 2005
IMPORTANT
CHANGE IN TAGUCHI TOUR!!!
Randy
Taguchi's scheduled appearance at Barnes and Noble at Union Square
on March 26 (Saturday), HAS CHANGED LOCATION.
The new location is Kinokuniya at
Rockefeller Center, which is on 49th St. between Fifth and Sixth
Ave. The time of the event is still 3pm. If you have
further questions, please contact Anne
Ishii.
OUTLET Page
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| March
9, 2005
Saying
Yes to Japan authors Tim Clark and Carl Kay in the NY Times!
Tim Clark and Carl Kay were recently asked
to write an op-ed piece on the tapping of Wales-born American
Sir Howard Stringer for the CEO seat of SONY. Don't miss your
opportunity to read the article for free online at The
New York Times Op-Ed Section.
Saying
Yes to Japan Page
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| March
7, 2005
Don’t
miss Randy Taguchi on the Atlantic seaboard!
Randy Taguchi, queen of the e-zine, will
be in the NY-area from March 22nd to 28th, just in time for the
aftermath of the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the onslaught
of Easter bunnies and Purim Chocolates.
For anyone in the Boston area,
don’t miss her at the Olin Center at Tufts University on
March 28th from noon-2pm.
For anyone else in the general
tri-state vicinity, please contact our publicity director, Anne
Ishii, at 212-529-2350, for opportunities to sit in on the various
reading groups that will be convening on March 24, 25, and 26th.
*events are generously funded by
the Japan Foundation New York
Get ready to meet her by buying
her novel and checking
out our reading guide!
OUTLET Page
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| March
7, 2005
SASAKI
TOUR UPDATE!
Joh Sasaki in Seattle and San Francisco, the mystery
fiction capitals of the US!
Joh Sasaki, military-thriller afficionado
and author of Zero Over Berlin will be appearing at the
Seattle Kinokuniya on March 12th from 2pm to 3pm, and at the Mechanics
Institute Library on March 15th from 5:30pm, hosted by the
Northern California Japan Society.
Zero
Over Berlin Page
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| February
11, 2005
Saying Yes to Japan by Tim Clark
and Carl Kay already making waves.
Vertical’s first non-translation, non-fiction
title is being called, “a highly enlightening read”
(China Economic Review), and promises to “systematically
debunk the myth that Japan’s economy is a well-oiled machine,”
(Ken Belson, NY Times business writer and co-author of Hello
Kitty: The Remarkable Story of Sanrio and the Billion Dollar Feline
Phenomenon).
An author tour is in the works, and preview copies are available.
Look out for updates and the book in local stores this April!
Saying
Yes to Japan Page
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| February
11, 2005
Buddha
5 NOW AVAILABLE! Buddha 6 COMING IN APRIL.
In Buddha: Volume 5: Deer Park, Tezuka’s
Buddha sees a lot more bad before he comes to the good in all
of his travails. We are re-acquainted with the wiley likes of
Yatala the giant with a heart of gold, Devadatta, the title hero
of volume 3, and the well-meaning if not dangerous Tatta,
the bandit-warrior.
Buddha: Volume 6: Ananda, is Tezuka’s fictional
take on the origins of the Buddha’s most loyal aide, Ananda.
Watch as the conniving anti-hero becomes a lover, a killer, and
then finally a believer in Tezuka’s Buddha’s message
that all life is sacred.
Buddha Page
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| February
11, 2005
Randy
Taguchi, author of OUTLET comes to the New York City
area in March.
Randy Taguchi has been referred to alternately as
“Queen of the e-zine,” “the literary Bjork of
Japan” (The Japan Times) and “a hard-drinking country
woman” (BBC’s The World News Service). This Spring
(March 22-28), Taguchi comes to the New York City area to talk
about her first English debut, Outlet, as well as social
issues and trends that hit close to home, such as hikikomori,
or shut-in syndrome, which took her real-life brother’s
life and became the subject of many of her writings. Contact
us for details on upcoming appearances.
OUTLET Page
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| January
25, 2005
JOH SASAKI WEST COAST TOUR IN MARCH 2005!
Joh Sasaki, author of Zero
Over Berlin and Vertical’s resident military
history aficionado comes stateside to talk about his work through
the Japan Foundation’s new program to introduce Japanese
authors. Tentatively, Sasaki’s scheduled appearances are
as follows:
1. Seattle Kinokuniya
March 12, Saturday 2:00pm.
525 S. Weller St., Seattle WA 98104, 206-587-2477
2. Mechanics Institute Library
March 15, Tuesday 6:00pm.
57 Post St., San Francisco CA 94104, 415-393-0114
3. Los Angeles appearance TBA.
Get ready to meet him by purchasing
the book and checking
out our reading guide!
Zero Over Berlin Page
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| January
13, 2005
Gangsters Populate Best of 2004 Lists, Including
The
Village Voice
“A brilliant book is
a brilliant book, and no matter how far Takahashi’s prose
wanders from the status quo, there’s no way in the world
anyone could mistake its superiority.”
–Las
Vegas Mercury
Also
read the newest SG review:
“And now, for something completely
different: Genichiro Takahashi’s Sayonara, Gangsters, in
a sophisticated, eye-grabbing hardcover from Japanese pop-fiction
powerhouse Vertical.” –Bookslut
Sayonara, Gangsters Page
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| November
05, 2004
Koji Suzuki wraps up North American visit;
signed copies of Dark Water available!
Koji
Suzuki recently wrapped up his trip to Toronto and New York in
support of his new (to you English readers) collection of short
stories: Dark Water (two of which are already slated to become
major motion pictures). See photos of his book tour here:
www.vertical-inc.com/kojisuzuki_tour.html
There are a limited number
of signed copies of Dark Water available for sale - and this is
the only place to get 'em!
www.vertical-inc.com/buydirect.html
Koji Suzuki
Page
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| October
18 , 2004
Koji Suzuki comes to North America to unravel
Dark Water!
Koji
Suzuki, widely thought of as the progenitor of Japanese horror
fiction, will be making several appearances throughout New York
City and Toronto at the end of October. Don’t miss this
truly rare opportunity to listen to and speak with Suzuki, who
comes to discuss the release of his Dark Water, a collection
of short stories that share the sea as a theme.
Suzuki’s schedule of appearances is as follows:
October 24 (Sun), IFOA, Harbourfront Centre,Toronto.
25 (Mon), same.
26 (Tues), Borders Books & Music, 32nd St. and 2nd Ave. NYC
7pm
27 (Wed), Barnes&Noble, 22nd St. and 6th Ave. NYC 7pm media-open!
Koji Suzuki
Page
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| October
18 , 2004
Sakurai & Samurai-grrrlz, huge hit in NYC! T-shirts &
signed books available!
The “Innocent World” promotional appearances of Ami
Sakurai and the Samurai-grrlz were a huge success! Between girls
doing sommersaults in school-uniform skirts at the Big Apple Con,
Sakurai herself ragga-bumpin’ in her punk-courtesan attire
at the White Rabbit book launch and the Vertical crew pimpin’
our gear at Washington Square Park to a calligraphy performance,
lucky observers and potential fans caught a truly rare glimpse
of the innocent world Sakurai lauds and decries.
If you missed any of it, fear not, as pictures evince our travails,
and we have tour t-shirts available (sorry people, our very small
and medium sized adult compatriots in Japan only made small and
medium sized t-shirts) for the next dozen or so people who purchase
“Innocent World” directly from us. Note in
your purchase order that you’d like a t-shirt and indicate
whether you’re a small or medium.
Innocent World Page
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| September
15 , 2004
AMI SAKURAI AND THE SAMURAI-GRRLZ IN NYC!
Ami Sakurai and her entourage of samurai-grrlz come to New York
City this weekend to deliver a message of innocence and wisdom
blended up with New York-style edge and Tokyo-style funk. Brave
the rain and check out our chic chicas do their thang guerrilla-style.
Sakurai and the Samurai-grrlz will be closing the costume competition
at
this year's Big Apple Con at Penn Plaza
on Saturday 1pm with their performance. www.bigapplecon.com
They will also be doing a few "out of sight" guerrilla
style performances that we can't list for the record, but please
look out for them around St. Marks on Saturday
evening and near Union Square on Sunday
afternoon.
When you're done soaking up the
Big Apple Con and the "out of sight" performances, you
can come to the Launch Party at White Rabbit
(for more info, click on the flyer to your right) on Sunday evening
- Sept. 19 6-10pm.
And when you're done drinking up
sake-tinis, you can come to Ami Sakurai's book reading and signing
at the legendary Blue Stockings Bookstore on
Sept. 23 at 6:30pm (Thurs).
www.bluestockings.com
For even more information, drop
a line at info@vertical-inc.com
Innocent World Page
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| August
30, 2004
WE'D BE NOTHING WITHOUT THEM.
Thank you, Keika and Hansun, Vertical interns, Summer 2004. Our
Summer Interns did a lot of the things that we didn't want to,
and that's like a get-out-of-jail-free card for most of us. Stuffing
envelopes? Ask the interns. Writing incessantly to amazon about
page errors? Ask the interns.
Keika's swift feet and bubbling perseverance are to credit for
all the bookmarks, posters and postcards you see in New York City
bookstores. I think booksellers will agree that she made it difficult
to say no when it came to Vertical merchandise. Hansun's sharp
wits and computer smarts are wholly to credit for the detailed
database of our bookstore endeavors and publicity achievements
we now have, as well as our new blog, which should be up and ranting
very shortly. Hansun has a very large brain that any future employer
would be lucky to have around.
We want them (and the world) to know that better aides to full
hands, there are not. If anyone out there is looking to hire Keika
or Hansun, consider this a letter of high recommendation. We'll
miss you guys. World's Best Interns!
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Micah, Anne, Hansun, Keika, Yani and Kenji
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| August
18, 2004
Signed copies of Zero Over Berlin available to the first
seven people who contact us!
Vertical has exactly seven signed copies left of Zero Over
Berlin by Joh Sasaki, which we’re making available
to you for $32.95! Contact Anne Ishii at amishii@vertical-inc.com
to place your order.
Zero Over Berlin Page
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| August
13 , 2004
Ami Sakurai to tour New York City area to promote Innocent
World.
Sakurai comes to New York City on Sept 17 to 23, with an entourage
of sword-wielding samurai-kogyaru (tween girls). There will be
performances in Union Square and other New York City locations
during the weekend, and book-readings at the famous Blue Stockings
and Columbia University. More appearances to be announced. For
more information or booking questions, contact Anne at amishii@vertical-inc.com.
Innocent World Page
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| August
13 , 2004
New displays at Barnes & Noble at Rockefeller Center, and
Forbidden Planet at Union Square!
After the huge success of our promotional display at Posman books
in Grand Central, two new bookstores have taken us up on our poster
displays for Buddha by Osamu Tezuka, now an Eisner winner!
Don’t miss the opportunity to see our posters, and booksellers,
don’t miss the opportunity to take up our posters and sell
hundreds of copies of Buddha, like Posman.
Buddha Page
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| July
29 , 2004
Buddha: Vols 1 & 2 win the EISNER AWARD for BEST
US EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL!
Buddha was up against some heavy contenders
for the Eisner Award, and the audience was at a still hush when
Stan Sakai announced Vertical’s landmark win. Chip Kidd
and Anne Ishii accepted the award from Will Eisner himself, marking
what Vertical hopes is just the beginning of Buddha’s
path to the top.
Buddha Page
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| July
29, 2004
Joh Sasaki's NY tour huge hit!
Joh Sasaki spoke to several crowds of curious readers about the
first
English release of Zero Over Berlin. Simultaneous to
his tour was a signed
book promotion in mystery stores nationwide. Vertical has already
sent out
close to one hundred signed copies of Zero Over Berlin.
Check out the
photos of our favorite military thriller writer.
Zero Over Berlin Page
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| July
7, 2004
Zero Over Berlin by Joh Sasaki makes way to American
readers as Publishers Weekly hails its excellence.
A major Japanese talent in detective and thriller fiction appears
in English with this excellent, compact WWII tale. –Publishers
Weekly
Sasaki layers meticulous detail in (Zero Over Berlin),
inviting readers into his world.
–Asahi Shimbun
Sasaki has crafted a high quality thriller based on a conceit
of nonfiction that works – that the Zero Fighter actually
made it to Berlin. –Mainichi Shimbun
(Zero Over Berlin) is adventure fiction that sheds new
light on German-Japanese relations on the eve of war. –Tokyo
Shimbun
Don’t miss Joh Sasaki’s New York City appearances!
Sasaki will be part of a symposium on the two topics of 1. The
Middle East then and now, and 2. Japanese entertainment in the
US. Fellow discussants include Seiichi Miyake, bureau chief of
the Americas for Nikkei Shimbun and Ioannis Mentzas, editorial
director of Vertical. This event is taking place at Nippon Club
on July 14, 2004 at 6:30pm (free admission, W. 57th between 6th
and 7th). He will also be speaking and signing at Kinokuniya Bookstore
at Rockefeller Center on July 16, 2004 at 6:00pm. See you there!
(All events will be conducted in Japanese only.)
Zero Over Berlin Page
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| June
15, 2004
Vertical’s huge storefront window display at Posman Bookstore
in New York’s historic Grand Central Station is a big hit.
Beyond the lovely twi-lit concourse of Grand Central Station is
Posman Books, a small but meaningful independent bookstore, now
stocked with Vertical wares as part of a two month display that
looks more like an exhibit. Chip Kidd’s big-and-small design,
terrifically two-dimensioned across three axes spanning close
to 500 cubic feet, is proving effective. Check out our picture,
but see it for yourself while it’s up. New York in June
is simply gorgeous.
www.posmanbooks.com
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| June
11, 2004
Vertical places all medals for the Foreword Book Awards!
Foreword Magazine awards excellence in independent publishing,
and this year
Vertical's Ring by Koji Suzuki won gold for best Science
Fiction, Buddha
won silver for best Graphic Fiction, and Strangers won
bronze for best
translation. Yay!
Buddha Page
Ring PageStrangers
Page
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more news...
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