Monkey rolls: Tokyo launch, new reviews

Roughly one month after its multiple New York City launch events, Monkey Business: New Voices from Japan landed in Tokyo for its debut at 'home' in Japan.

Tower Books in Shibuya hosted founding editors, translators and scholars Motoyuki Shibata and Ted Goossen for their introduction to the publication, readings, Q&As and photo-ops with the SRO audience.

A book-signing followed, as did an intimate and much quieter dinner conversation among the principals.

[Goossen and Shibata have a good time]

Monkey Business is now available in Japan at Tower Books, Tsutaya, Kinokuniya and other bookstores specializing in literature and global culture. Twenty-five percent of all sales benefit The Nippon Foundation/CANPAN Northeastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

Our launch events in Canada will take place in Toronto early this fall. Details TBA.

Meanwhile, Volume 2 is well underway, and as of this writing, nearly completed. It promises to be longer and thicker, so to speak, than its virgin predecessor, whose diverse suitors nevertheless continue to issue praise:

"There is no doubt that this endeavor will bring in new audiences for the amazing talent emerging from Japan." Chopsticks NY

"A primary reason to collect literature in translation is to provide a window to different perspectives. Monkey Business is a good choice for collections of contemporary literature." Library Journal

"I love that manga, short fiction, poetry, and interviews can all take their place next to one another... I would not hesitate to recommend Monkey Business to anyone interested in contemporary and experimental Japanese literature." Experiments in Manga

"A strangely fascinating look into the innovative writing that is currently coming out of Japan ... [with] a wonderful interview of Japanese novelist Haruki Murukami [and] a wide selection of material in which we can indulge." iSugoi

[Monkey receiving line]

[NYC-Tokyo jet lag jitters]

[...and Monkey makes three]

*thanks to Rie Muto, Lisa Kato and Yuko Matsukawa.

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