Occupation:
Editor at Tuttle-Periplus/
Freelance writer
Time in Japan:
One year, 7 months
Where are you from?
I was born in Russia but moved to New Zealand when I was six and grew up there.
What brought you to Japan?
I used to teach travel and tourism and that gave me the travel bug. I was feeling really
restless and had to leave and go somewhere. At the time I had two Japanese flat mates and
they were really funky and told me that I should go, so I quit my job and left for Japan.
What do you do here?
I work for Tuttle publishing as publicity person and assistant editor - basically, looking
over incoming manuscripts with the senior editor and promoting existing books. When I'
not in the office I write for various publications freelance some in New Zealand and
some here. I was also the arts editor for Being A Broad magazine and look forward to
continuing that when it's relaunched.
How do you promote your books?
Well, this is a new area since Tuttle became part of Periplus Singapore. Now, not only do
we have the existing titles that Tuttle has been so well known for, but also these
beautiful books on art, cooking, travel etc. It's just a matter of getting them out to the
public, maybe through reviews in magazines, events or book launches. The company has
changed a lot in the last few years and the new books are a very refreshing direction to
go in.
How did you find this job?
I had always imagined (or hoped) that my work would somehow be connected to books, even in
New Zealand. Then, when I came to Japan, I reviewed Tuttle books for Being A Broad, so I
knew something about the company and liked their titles and decided that I wanted to do
this sort of work on a full time basis. It was maybe an equal amount of persistence and
luck to get here.
How do you choose which books to publish?
Many books come from our offices in Singapore and the US. But when we publish Japan-based
works they are either from manuscripts that we have received, or from ideas that have been
pitched. Very, very few of the manuscripts we receive ever make it to publication, and
it's not that we don't like them, just that they are just not the direction we are going
in now.
What's the most difficult part of your work?
Saying no to books or book ideas because they may not be marketable or right for the
company. For example, as much as I love poetry there's just not enough of a market for it
here, which is really a shame. I hate having to mix business with creativity.
What do you like about Japan most?
The unusual and amazing people. And the fact that no matter how long you've lived here,
there is always something new to find, like entire areas. It's limitless.
What's your favorite area of Tokyo?
It used to be Shimokitazawa but now it's Kichijoji.
What's the weirdest thing you've ever seen or experienced in Japan?
It has got to be those orange people with gray hair in Shibuya. I can't stop looking at
them, they're so strange. And I can't get used to the weird stuff which happens on trains
- I wouldn't know where to begin with my "bizarre train encounter" stories.
If you could take one thing back from Japan to your native country, what would it
be?
Having even one Shinjuku in New Zealand would do the trick for me. I love the idea of
walking around town and not bumping into anyone you know. And did you know that Shinjuku
station has the equivalent of the whole population of New Zealand passing through it every
day!
What's your recipe for a happy and successful life in Japan?
Not to get too upset about things and feel like I have no way out. To put myself in a work
environment that I enjoy - since most of my time is at work. And to call my parents every
week for a cathartic whinge!
Occupation:
LIFE IN JAPAN: