Sunmark Publishing Rights Highlights
and NEWS Mail--September 2017 Issue

Hi. I’m Taku Hirasawa, an editor at Sunmark Publishing. Recently, a low carb diet has become a trend in Japan, and I decided to join it since I edited a related book the title of which is The Best Eating Habits That Changed the Lives of Top Executives. The biggest and the hardest point for me beginning the diet was that I had to stop eating the food I love more than anything else…RICE. Rice has been my favorite food from childhood, but what is unfortunate was that it’s a typical carbohydrate. Actually, I didn’t have to be so strict, but I made my decision and own rule to make this challenge more successful. Specifically, the rule is to abstain from rice until I make a bestseller which sells more than 100,000 copies. Until I achieve that goal, I can never taste my favorite food again. I’m hoping for the day from the bottom of my heart that I’m released from that vow, so please let me know if you have any book in mind that’s good to translate for the Japanese market.

 201709
If you have any questions or inquiries about this NEWS Mail, please contact Ms. Shino

Kobayashi, Rights Manager (rights@sunmark.co.jp).

Topics of the Month

Before the Coffee Gets Cold ranks #1 in translated literature in Taiwanese Bookstores.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold is selling well in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia as it has been translated into Complex Chinese.  It hits #1 in translated literature ranking, and keeps it for a month.  Now the story has the long-waited sequel, which was published in March 2017 and selling well in Japan.

Editors of the Month

<<Ruriko>>

12hen_rurikoHello, my name is Ruriko Ikeda. I’m an editor.

My hobbies are reading and running. These days I’m also into triathlons, and I participated in a race held in Taiwan. Someday I’d like to run a marathon race overseas too. At that time I would be happy if I could see you all.

The first novel I edited, Before the Coffee Gets Cold, reached sales of 500,000 copies in Japan and now is a bestseller in Taiwan, too. I’m very happy to hear that.

 

Outstanding Past Achievements:

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

You Are What You Ate Six Months Ago by Aya Murayama

 

 

 

<<Shin>>

04hen_shinAs I’m interested in the mechanism of the human body, most of the books I’ve been editing are about health and sports– though my books about vegetables became bestsellers, too.

One thing I try to do in editing is think about how I can present difficult topics in easily understood ways.

The accumulated number of books I’ve edited has sold more than 5,000,000 copies. With luck and sensibility I’ve been surviving in the publishing industry.

We made a trip to Taiwan in July to introduce some of our books.

 

Outstanding Past Achievements:

The World’s Best Way to Stretch  by Nakano James Shuichi

The Best Way in the World to Run and Lose Weight!  by Nakano James Shuichi

 

Hot Titles

Synchronicity Management

by Yasutaka Horiuchi

ISBN978-4-7631-3624-4 C0030

266 pages / May 2017 / 1,400 yen (w/o tax)

A method that’s changed over 4,000 people's lives.
Reveal what’s hidden inside you!

Description

Businesspeople, artists, creators, inspirational figures, and downright lucky people all have one habit in common. That’s the habit of placing importance on coincidence and insight when making life choices. This book explains how to use synchronicities to inspire your actions.

 

The method is called synchronicity management.

 

There are three steps to awakening your heart, mind and body. By following them, you’ll be able to escape the many constraints you’ve set for yourself, whether related to human relations, finances or lifestyle. Paying close attention to coincidences and inspirational signs will help you realize your dreams. This will help you get everything you’ve ever wanted in the most unexpected ways, like getting married to the person of your dreams, or landing the job you’ve always hoped for.

 

Rather than trying to manage people, time, and money, using your insight to manage synchronicity will help you transform your life.

From the table of contents

◎ Many success stories owe their achievements to coincidence.

◎ Inspiration doesn’t come from above, but from deep within.

◎ What do successful people have in common?

◎ How to prepare yourself for responding to inspirational events.

◎ Clean your subconscious.

◎ Find people you are meant to be with.

◎ You can increase your expendable funds to unlimited amounts.

◎ How to connect yourself to synchronicity fields.

◎ Follow your life’s mission to shape the world around you.

◎ Inspiration lies in the future.

From the editor "Nekoka"

09hen_nenoka

 

The author and I both found it interesting that a book on synchronicity turned into a book about a personal awakening. This book discusses synchronicity from an all-new perspective. Throughout the editing process, mysterious coincidences were taking place almost daily. I truly believe that things will fall into place for you as soon as you start reading.

Author:

Yasutaka Horiuchi

Yasutaka Horiuchi is a “power of inspiration” trainer and board representative at an association called LDM. He used his research on cognitive psychology, neuroscience and communication, and his experiences as a therapist to develop his very own “life design method,” which also became the name of his association (LDM).

 

He teaches people how to make use of their innate abilities by responding effectively to inspiration. As a popular lecturer, he receives invitations from all regions of Japan, as well as from countries such as the U.S., Italy, China and Singapore.

Why Do I Become Shy in a Group of Four or More?

by Takenori Iwamoto

ISBN978-4-7631-3626-8 C0030

205 pages / May 2017 / 1,100 yen (w/o tax)

Why are you able to converse one-on-one but not in a group of four or more?

Description

☆ This book will help you communicate better in a large group.

☆ This is the literary debut of Takenori Iwamoto, who analyzed over 300 billion human behavioral patterns at Kyoto University.

☆ Why we feel “the more people, the less merry,” and how we can deal with it.

☆ Learn why one-on-one conversations are easier than group conversations.

☆ Learn how to be more conversational in a group of four or more.

☆ Be comfortable around social partiers!

 

※ This book is for those who have a hard time socializing in large groups.

 

 

“I can talk one-on-one, but I become shy in large groups.”

 

“When at parties, all I want to do is go home.”

 

Does this describe you? Do you feel you’re the only one not talking? Are you the only one not having fun? Do you worry people assume you’re gloomy and don’t have any friends?

This book explores ways to break away from shyness in large groups, and introduces the “group of 4” hypothesis.

 

Here you’ll find the results of over 1,000 group interviews and studies of over 300 billion behavioral patterns to explain with scientific backing how to become sociable in groups of four or more.

 

◎ We now know the reason why talking in a group is difficult.

◎ Feel at ease at parties and in shared taxis.

◎ Learn why you find chat groups of more than four people annoying.

◎ Learn how to overcome struggles with one-on-one interaction.

◎ Which seat attracts the most conversation?

◎ Learn which colors make people want to avoid you.

◎ Learn a scientific method that gets your words flowing.

◎ Don’t talk about the weather! We have the best topics for large groups.

◎ Leave a good impression by standing a certain distance from people.

◎ Learn a secret technique for overcoming “group of four” anxiety.

From the table of contents

◇ Preface        The gap between 3 and 4

・ Sales decrease when three lines are made into four.

・ Being chatty doesn’t make chatting easier.

◇ Chapter 1    Why conversing one-on-one is easier than in groups of four or more

・With more people come more anxiety types

・Once people become silent, it’s harder to speak up again.

◇ Chapter 2    Why is the conversation always focused on that one person?

・Do people talk more to their left or right?

・Colors that will make people want to talk to you.

◇ Chapter 3    Put yourself in situations that get you talking

・ A scientific reason why gestures stimulate conversation

・A Tokyo University professor reveals what to do if you want to talk more!

◇ Chapter 4    Some people come across as shy, other come across as interesting

・Use the “3 how’s” to easily expand the conversation

・A particular word that makes people dislike you

◇ Chapter 5    What if all four of you have stranger anxiety?!

・Why telling heroic stories of your past makes people dislike you

・What creates awkward moments

 

and more…

From the editor "Umechan"

16hen_ume

 

I also had trouble talking in groups. With one person, I can just be that happy-go-lucky guy from Kansai to break the ice, but in a group that doesn’t always work. I figured there must be a clear, evidence-based explanation for why socializing is more difficult in large groups, so I was intrigued when Takenori Iwamoto told me there is actually a neuroscientific reason.

 

This book goes into detail about why that added fourth person makes things difficult. The author also provides the tools and methods you’ll need to improve your social skills. What’s more, it’s all very easy and fun to read. This book will prepare you for that dreaded party, meeting, and any situation where small talk is unavoidable.

Author:

Takenori Iwamoto

Takenori Iwamoto is a marketer and a board-certified behavior analyst born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, in 1975. Along with working in the marketing department of a railroad company in Shizuoka, he is currently studying human decision making and behavioral traits at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Engineering. He has recognized over 300 billion behavioral patterns and has also conducted group interviews with more than 1,000 people.

 

He began studying the brain after his daughter suffered brain damage in a traffic accident. This led him to develop a unique rehabilitation method, which in turn led him to discover that people’s behavior is related to the brain and heart. He then conducted further research into applying the structure of the brain to marketing and presentation layouts.

 

Putting his knowledge of how the brain works into practice, he increased sales at a supermarket run by his railroad company by seven times. He also helped the IC commuter train pass ownership rate in Shizuoka Prefecture to exceed 50 percent.

 

Outside of his business, he gives lectures on his research about human behavior, focusing on such themes as why we buy certain things and why we change our behavior. He is also a certified psychology counselor.