Selling manga the YP way

At the Yaoi Press blog, YP publisher Yamila Abraham writes about the realities of global manga publishing and the marketing mix that works for Yaoi Press. This is fascinating reading for anyone who is interested in the nitty-gritty of manga publishing. She begins by pointing out that it’s actually more expensive to produce OEL (original English language) manga than licensed titles, and that publishers are more interested in tie-ins to existing properties (Dean Koontz and CSI are the examples she gives) than original global manga. Then she discusses how Yaoi Press makes its money, and the importance of convention sales to the mix. (Image is of vol. 4 of Winter Demon, written by Abraham and illustrated by Rhea Silvan.)

David Welsh looks over this week’s new comics and thinks Solanin looks like a good risk. Park Cooper spotlights it in the latest Manga Life.

Dave White discusses character design in My Heavenly Hockey Club at 741.5 Comics.

Lissa Pattillo finds some more new Tokyopop titles on Amazon.

Apparently vampire manga cross cultural boundaries, as Vampire Kisses tops Tokyopop’s German manga chart this week, according to Manly Manga and More.

News from Japan: MegaMan NT Warrior artist Ryo Takamisaki will be the artist for a manga based on the game Shooting Star Rockman 3 in CoroCoro Comic.

Reviews: Carlo Santos critiques the latest new releases in his Right Turn Only!! column and Casey Brienza reviews vol. 6 of MPD-Psycho at ANN. Chris Mautner rounds up a trio of manga for adults at Panels and Pixels. Over at Manga Recon, Sam Kusek reads vol. 1 of Suzunari, Isaac Hale turns two thumbs up for vol. 2 of Dororo, and Sam and Kate Dacey team up for some manga minis. Kate also reviews the kid-friendly SUIHELIBE! at Good Comics for Kids. Alex Hoffman reads vol. 1 of I, Otaku: Struggle in Akihabara at Manga Widget. Deb Aoki checks out vols. 1 and 2 of Astro Boy at About. com. At the Manga Maniac Cafe, Julie thinks vol. 1 of Papillon is too much like Peach Girl, which isn’t suprising as it’s by the same creator. Lissa Pattillo reads Sugar Milk and vol. 4 of Moon Boy at Kuriousity. Tiamat’s Disciple checks out vol. 2 of Kieli. At Manga Life, Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane reviews vol. 9 of La Corda d’Oro and Joy Kim looks at vols. 16-18 of Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle. Michelle Smith gives vol. 2 of Akira an A at Soliloquy in Blue. Leroy Douresseaux looks at Ghostbusters: Ghost Busted at The Comic Book Bin.