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Ascii Media Works will be starting a new light novel label titled "MediaWorks Bunko" (メディアワークス文庫) in the winter of 2009. The readers of Dengeki Bunko light novels who became adults, up to the the readers who think there aren't any interesting novels recently, getting a wider readership to enjoy is this label's aime. Also, a new section titled "MediaWorks Bunko Prize" will be established starting from the 16th Dengeki Shousetsu Taishou (Dengeki Novel Grand Prix).

Source: Dengeki Online News

Kodansha is starting a new label titled "Kodansha Birth" (講談社Birth). New writers and illustrators under the age of 29 are eligible to apply. The manuscript can be of any genre.

Mikumo Gakuto, the author of the Asura Cryin' light novel series (which has been announced to get an anime adaptation), has started a new light novel series titled "Dantalian no Shoka" (ダンタリアンの書架), thats being illustrated by G Yusuke.

Kadokawa Shoten published the first volume of the "Dantalian no Shoka" light novel under their light novel label Sneaker Bunko on November 1st, 2008, and also opened a website for it.

The light novel series "Bungaku Shoujo", by Nomura Mizuki (author) and Takeoka Miho (illustrator), got a manga adaptation in the manga magazine GanGan Powered, which is in serialization in the magazine since June 21st, 2008. A second manga adaptation titled "Bungaku Shoujo" to Oishii Recipe will start serialization starting from volume 17 of the manga magazine Beans Ace (on sale December 10th, 2008). The manga will be drawn by Hiyoshimaru Akira.

Source: Mogitate Bunko News

The Japanese visual novels publishing company Visual Art's enters the light novel industry with the start of the new light novel label "VA Bunko" (VA文庫). VA Bunko's light novels will be based on games that were published under Visual Art's game brands. The label will be sold through the Japanese publisher Paradigm.

VA Bunko will start on October 31st, 2008 with the release of the following light novels:

"Meitantei Shikaku na Kanojo" by Fushimi Tsukasa (author) and Hasumi Elan (illustrator)
"planetarian ~Chiisana Hoshi no Yume~" by Suzumoto Yuichi (author) and Komatsu Eeji (illustrator)

The first chapter of the "Meitantei Shikaku na Kanojo" light novel is available for download in pdf format on Visual Art's "Issue" website (Issue is Visual Art's new brand).

"Meitantei Shikaku na Kanojo" will also be getting a Kinetic Novel version. A release date of the Kinetic Novel hasn't been announced yet.

Source: AkibaOS, Mangaoh Club

Well, its been awhile since I last made the announcement about RNM standing for Raito Noberu Magazine.

Now, that translates into LIGHT NOVEL MAGAZINE.

The name has changed to KARUI SHOSETSU MAGAZINE (which means the same, lol).

The first issue is done, I am just editing one more page. We have close to 200 pages and almost 50,000 words and 11 stories.

We are looking forward to reviews and encourage anybody with a public blog or website to review the magazine and give their takes on it.

We are confident you will find at least one story you can really like in it.

I am thinking of maybe sending advance copies to a few for a pre-release review. Anyone want to sign up? lol

Anyways, will keep you updated.

However, the OFFICIAL website isn't how I want it. It's pitiful at the moment. :(

www.rnm.lightnovel.org

Oh well, it'll get better soon, I hope.

Tell your friends about it, hope for a release this week or next week, however, knowing how things go, it'll probably end up coming out at best next week.

Again, spread the word. :)

-Matt

The japanese publisher Kadokawa Shoten has opened an official site for Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko's 20th anniversary. The site has a short stories corner (currently with a Rental Magica short story), a downloads area (for downloading wallpapers), a history corner (not opened yet), a ranking corner (for voting for your favourite light novel character), and other corners...

Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko is Kadokawa Shoten's light novel label that centers on science fiction and fantasy.

Fujimi Shobo opened a special page for Fujimi Fantasia Bunko's 20th anniversary fair. Fujimi Fantasia Bunko is Fujimi Shobo's light novel label that was started in 1988.

The label is aimed at boys in their teens, and focuses on fantasy themes (though not only limited to fantasy).

According to the October issue of Dengeki Daioh magazine (released on August 27th, 2008), the light novel series Asura Cryin' (Asura Klein) by Mikumo Gakuto (author) and Watanuki Nao (illustrator) will be getting a manga adaptation that will start serialization from the next issue of the magazine (the November issue).

The manga will be drawn by Akizuki Ryou (the mangaka of the Uchuu no Stellvia manga).

Source: Muhyojo

In June 2008, The japanese publisher Kill Time Communication started (NSFW) a new adult light novel label that's titled "Real Dream Bunko". The new label is described as a sensual novel label. Currently 4 novels have been published under this label, which can be seen on the label's website. (NSFW)

Kill Time Communication also publishes adult light novels under the adult labels "2D Dream Novels" and "2D Dream Bunko", and publishes the monthly adult light novel magazine "2D Dream Magazine".