Tentai Books, a European gentle novel micro writer based mostly in Madrid, Spain that won’t have had the widespread recognition of giants like Yen Press or J-Novel Membership carved out a distinct segment for itself with a choice of titles that ventured virtually solely into romantic comedy. This method garnered them a devoted following amongst gentle novel lovers who appreciated their distinctive choices. Nonetheless, the current slowdown in Tentai Books’ operations has raised questions and considerations inside the gentle novel neighborhood.
After a vital replace in late Might, which detailed upcoming releases and new licenses, communication from the writer dwindled.
This relative silence was damaged by a preliminary assertion from Alejandro De Vicente, the proprietor and chief translator of Tentai Books, on the corporate’s Discord server early on Monday. The assertion indicated a winding down of the enterprise, with the second Sister Kiss quantity being the ultimate launch from the writer, despite beforehand introduced licenses and releases. The unique assertion is reproduced under:
Although I’ll clarify in additional element at a later date via our web site, Sister Kiss will successfully be the final launch we make. I plan to wind down the enterprise over the subsequent months. For many who need to proceed studying our releases, I’m at present negotiating the switch of licenses to a different firm, so don’t attain out to me about this! I’ll preserve the web site up, however over August/September all gross sales (bodily and digital) will stop. To those that have digital merchandise bought via our web site, I’ll stick with it to allow them to nonetheless entry them. To those that have pending bodily orders, we are going to proceed to a full refund of these purchases as all gross sales are terminated. Thanks!
De Vicente’s announcement additionally talked about ongoing negotiations for the switch of licenses to a different firm, making certain that followers may proceed to get pleasure from them, even when Tentai Books wouldn’t be behind the releases. Regardless of the cessation of gross sales within the coming months, efforts are being made to keep up entry to beforehand bought digital merchandise and refund pending bodily guide orders.
The preliminary assertion from De Vicente suggests an entire exit from the publishing enterprise fairly than being a short lived setback earlier than recovering. This improvement is especially poignant contemplating Tentai Books’ emergence throughout the international COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a time when the sunshine novel and manga markets skilled an enormous surge in gross sales and growth.
Whereas the winding down of operations is unlucky, Tentai Books’ dedication to its clients—evidenced by the meant upkeep of digital entry and the transparency of communication—speaks to a sure stage of integrity and accountability.
At present, the writer options 18 gentle novel titles from numerous Japanese publishers, with essentially the most notable being World Trainer initially printed by Japanese writer Overlap and one of many first titles launched by Tentai. One other key title is Learn how to Soften the Ice Queen’s Coronary heart, with two collected volumes, in addition to Sister Kiss which turned one of the in style books for the upstart model.
As a extra detailed official assertion from Tentai Books is anticipated within the close to future, the preliminary announcement serves as a reminder of the unrelenting nature of the publishing world, particularly as a small writer.