Los Angeles, CA (December 17, 2003) - As TOKYOPOP Inc. launches its Third Rising Stars of Manga competition (January 1 - March 15, 2004), aspiring creators have more incentive than ever to enter. Not only are the Rising Stars anthologies in America's most popular bookstores and earning rave reviews, but our gifted winners are beginning to savor fame-their work the subject of local newspaper articles and national magazine features.
It gets even better... The publishing giant has also announced a book deal with Lindsay Cibos to turn her Grand-Prize-winning "Peach Fuzz" submission into a full-fledged manga series. Cibos is the first of several such winners with multi-volume book deals in the works and other opportunities knocking on their doors. Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting Rising Stars book deal news.
"Each Rising Stars of Manga competition is revealing the electrifying future of manga," said Mark Paniccia, the TOKYOPOP anthology's editor. "These talented, untapped creators are manga's icons of tomorrow. It's TOKYOPOP's goal to seek them out and give them the exposure they deserve."
TOKYOPOP's Third Rising Stars of Manga competition calls for aspiring manga-ka to submit their original 15-to-20-page stories for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be published in the anthology and get a well-publicized jump-start on their creative careers. They're also hoping for the chance to pitch TOKYOPOP on publishing a full graphic novel series-the ultimate payoff for winners such as Cibos. The competition officially begins January 1 and ends at midnight, March 15, 2004. Complete details may be found on TOKYOPOP's website at: www.tokyopop.com/news/mangatalent/index.php.
"Don't try to guess what subject matter will appeal to the judges," recommends Cibos. "Just do a story that interests you, do the highest quality work you can do, and most important, have fun with it."
ABOUT TOKYOPOP Inc.
TOKYOPOP Inc. is the leading North American publisher of manga, the fastest growing segment within the publishing industry. With exclusive rights to hundreds of licensed and original book, video and music properties, the company has rapidly become a media convergence leader. TOKYOPOP has millions of books in print and publishes many hit manga series, including Love Hina, Chobits, Rave Master, Initial D, GTO, Battle Royale and Cowboy Bebop. The company pioneered Cine-Manga(tm), releasing such titles as Finding Nemo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Lizzie McGuire and Transformers Armada. TOKYOPOP television properties include Rave Master, GTO and Reign: The Conqueror. The company has also expanded its presence as a licensor, representing merchandising rights for Rave Master, Initial D, Stray Sheep and others. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.
