Getting into the Industry - February 24, 2022
I recently listened in on the MSU translation workshops that were going on last week, and more than a handful of people were wondering how to get into the localization industry, so I think I’ll cover that for this newsletter.
The most successful people I’ve seen, in any industry really, have been the ones who actively reach out to others. It’s easy to worry that you’re bothering someone or to fall into the trap of thinking others will seek you out if you have the skills, but the only way to get on anyone’s radar is to let them know you exist.
When I was first trying to find freelance work, I figured out who the major publishers were in the field I wanted to be in and started cold emailing them. When I couldn’t find an email (which was often), I’d submit to their contact form on their website and hope for the best. In some cases, I was lucky enough for someone to refer me to an in-house editor. The unfortunate truth of freelancing is that it takes work to find work. You have to be your own marketer, and you’re really your own advocate. You might be able to find others willing to help give you a leg up, whether through a resume review or an introduction, but you need to be the one reaching out to them first.
When you cold email, keep it positive. Don’t talk about your drawbacks (“I don’t have experience in translating, but I read tons of manga.”); instead, frame them as positives (“I read manga frequently and have a translation degree that I’m eager to put to use.”). If you’re new and don’t have prior work to reference, offer to take a test. Finally, send the email and forget about it. At the advice of a friend, I often schedule emails so they’re sent out later, which eliminates the trepidation of hitting the send button or the (even worse) gnawing feeling as I wait for a response. Out of sight, out of mind.
Once you have a test, work on it. If you’re allowed to have multiple days, sleep on it and read it over a final time before sending it in. For editing tests (and translation tests and all tests), run a spell-check. In fact, run multiple spell-checks. If you interview for a role, send a thank-you email after. Make sure they remember you and that you’ve made a good impression. The key is to be persistent, be nice, and you’ll get somewhere eventually.
Links around the Web
Registration for the My Path into Working in the Gaming Industry webinar is open (Free! March 1)
Class on How to Edit Comics and Graphic Novels taught by Jim Higgins ($$)
A game agency directory for those hoping to break into that industry
A list of Japanese-to-English translation competitions open for 2022
Job Listings
(New) Tooning is looking for a Korean-to-English Webcomic PM
(New) RIDI (Manta) is looking for a QA Editor
(New) Tappytoon is looking for Korean-to-English translators
(New) NPR is looking for a Senior Editor
(New) Penguin Random House is offering paid, remote internships in their marketing, sales, editorial, and legal departments
(New) Razorbill (PRHS) is hiring an Editor (remote okay)
(New) Tynker is hiring a Developmental Editor
(New) The Pokemon Company is hiring a Video Game Editor (12-month contract)
(New) Crunchyroll is hiring a Game Localization Specialist
(New) Tentai Books is looking for a typesetter and Japanese-to-English translators
(New) Flatpage is hiring Academic Developmental Editors, Academic Copyeditors, and Proofreaders
(New) Text Publishing is hiring a Finance Assistant (deadline: March 14)
(New) The Japan Foundation (Toronto) is hiring a Administrative Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator
(New) Poets & Writers is hiring an Associate Editor
(New) Soloman Page is looking for an Associate Copy Editor, Entertainment
(Some new) Webtoon is hiring for many editorial, content development, and management positions
(Some new) Yen Press is hiring an Editorial Assistant (manga & light novels), and Yen Press Editorial Assistant (manhwa)
IDW is hiring a Group Editor
Riot Games is hiring a Narrative Editor fluent in English and Mandarin
Kodansha is looking for a Reprint Production Manager
Pokemon is hiring a Publishing Coordinator
Simon & Schuster is hiring an Editorial Assistant
Viking Books for Young Readers is hiring an Editorial Assistant
Viz Media is hiring a Junior Designer, a Publishing Production Assistant (Temporary), and a Publishing Licensing Associate
Roboto Global is looking for a British or American English editor (freelance position)
Tapas Media is hiring a Freelance Contractor - Quality Control Editor (remote) and Freelance Typesetter (remote)
One Peace Books is hiring an Editor
Epic is hiring a Comics Editor (remote possible)
If you know of other listings focused on localization or comics, please feel free to email or DM them to me! :)
Her Excellency, the Doge
Replies to this email go straight to my inbox, so if you have any questions, suggestions on topics to cover, or anything else, please don’t be shy!
Thank you for all the resources.