Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume1 Author's Notes

Author's Notes

To the readers who bought this book, nice to meet you. I am Kenji Inoue, who won the 8th ENTAME prize using this novel, and started my writer journey.

Since this was my first novel, it was obvious that I had no experience in publishing novels before. From the celebrating party for winning the prize, to the meeting before publishing the book, everything was so new for me, so I am always panicking. Among all these experiences, the one that I was panicking the most was being informed that I won the price, and need to meet with the editor. Please allowed me to use some space to explain what had happened.

On the day we first met, I went to the meeting place 20 minutes earlier. At the time I prepared the answers to the questions that I might be asked later. Such as what type of novel I would like to write in future, what I would do if there is second volume, and what kind of environment did I like when I was writing. As an adult who was working in the society, I already prepared the standard answers in my brain that wouldn’t disappoint him.

After thinking for about fifteen minutes, the editor finally arrived.

No problem, no worry. I was well prepared and I had practiced in my brain several times. The questions ranged from interest, specialty to local famous product without missing anything. No matter how he attacked, I won’t be defeated! Then, the first question the editor asked me was --

Mr. M (Editor) : “Inoue prefer big breast or flat chest?”

I was shocked.

Ah, he really was someone who work in the field of creativity, even the question he asked was so creative. Even if the question he asked was out of my expectation, if I couldn't reply with a satisfying answer, it would humiliate myself as an adult working in this society. Although I was a bit shy, I still expressed my preference like this “Big is better...... ”. After that the editor nodded, and asked the next question.

Mr M: “Are you siscon or prefer more mature women? ”

The professional was too scary. I never imagine that he was more interested in my personal liking than the plan for future. If I had planed for questions like this, I might be able to say mature answers such as “I forgot I had a cousin sisters around my age.”. I could only answer this question like a normal person, “I would like to have a pretty and gentle elder sister who won't bully the brother”. Now that I looked back, if I could answer the question calmly, I might not have such a weak position in the publishing company isn't it? If the someone among the readers would like to be a novelist, for the sake of your future position in the publishing company, you must prepare the answer for the two questions above.

If I stopped writing here, people might think of me as a normal idiot right? Please allowed me to make some explanation for myself. Although the content in the authors note was a bit stupid, the novel was not a boring story. Since it could be published, it must have something that were at least as good as other novels. This might sound a bit arrogant, I was full of confident with one part of this novel. What is it? I bet all readers had already knew it right? That's right! It was the illustration of this novel!

I would like to use the space left to thank some people again. First of all to the judges, I was really grateful and I would take 'The way this novel was written had some problem' as compliment. Also to the editor section and peoples who make this novel successfully published, and also the senpai who gave me lots of advices in the celebrating party. Last but not least, to the readers who bought this book, I present my most sincere thanks, and hope I had the chance to see everyone again.

Back to The Final Question

Return to Main Page

Forward to Translator's Notes