Richard Nathan
and
Koji Chikatani
are two international publishing executives with a wealth of experience who have been friends for more than 20 years. Though fluent in Japanese, Richard has always wanted to read the very best Japanese creative writing in English; and for years it’s been Koji’s ambition to make the best Japanese contemporary writing accessible to readers outside Japan.
and
Koji Chikatani
Notes made at brainstorming dinner in London when the name, logo, and company branding were agreed.So together they have set up Red Circle Authors with the aim of bringing the works of some of Japan’s finest authors to a wider international public, while at the same time building their international reputations.
Convinced that readers, no matter where they live, will be captivated and thrilled by the sheer brilliance and inventiveness of contemporary Japanese writing.
In November 2018 Red Circle launched its publishing programme with its series Red Circle Minis. Each of the books is a first edition written specifically for the series and is being published in English first.
The company’s select circle of authors, profiled in detail on our website, are already established and well known in Japan. Indeed, many have won Japan’s main literary prizes, had their works adapted for film and television, and have had numerous titles included in the bestsellers in Japan. These authors are contributing new works of fiction to the Red Circle Minis series.
Red Circle is working very closely with its authors to build their careers, profiles and readership globally. With this in mind, Red Circle is creating a network of international partnerships. These currently include collaborations with TranNet, Tokyo’s leading book translation company that has translated hundreds of titles from leading international and local publishers into Japanese, English and other languages; and Japanese Writers’ House, a highly regarded Tokyo-based literary agency.
Koji Chikatani writing his circle to be combined with Richard’s for the company logo.Complementing its launch series, Red Circle Minis, Red Circle Authors also publishes the Circle Editions imprint. Circle Editions publishes books about, on, and from Japan, spanning Japanese literature, publishing and culture. This imprint was launched in 2024 with the publication of Kaleidoscope Japan: A nation through the lens of literature, by one of the company’s co-founders, drawing on his experience within the world of Japanese letters.
Red Circle’s logo, which consists of two fused circles, drawn using a traditional Japanese calligraphy brush and ink, by each of the Company’s founders, reflects its approach and strategy of bringing together companies, organisations and individuals with a love of and fascination with contemporary Japanese creative writing.
Red Circle Authors, though still vey much a small independent and self-funded boutique publisher embarking on its journey in the land of Japanese letters, takes a highly collaborative approach to its projects and welcomes others who share our passion and love of Japanese literature and fine writing.If you would like to be kept informed about Red Circle and its projects please register here.
Red Circle Authors Limited
Registered in England No. 10149629
Registered address: 2nd Floor, 168 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6RA.
Registered address: 2nd Floor, 168 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6RA.
