Noran Nijino Talk & Signing — Publication Celebration for Newest Work 'Akari no Tomoru Hello' (Sakurayama-sha)

Noran Nijino Talk & Signing — Publication Celebration for Newest Work 'Akari no Tomoru Hello' (Sakurayama-sha)

Noran Nijino, who made a striking major debut with 'Sono Humming wa 7' at KADOKAWA. Her new book, 'Akari no Tomoru Hello', which the author says is her favorite work, has been published by her local Nagoya publisher Sakurayama-sha. To commemorate the publication, we will hold an author talk and signing event. On the day there will be a reading by Tomoko Shio. Please look forward to it.

Saturday, August 15, 2026 14:00〜15:30
8 participants
(ephemere) (ephemere)
Creation
I Just Wanted Words

I Just Wanted Words

(ephemere)'s first ZINE 20 poems collecting the fleeting, heartbreaking emotions of a breakup A person you can't forget who makes you ache when you remember them But you want to keep them as glittering memories... A poetry collection for those who have such a person I just wanted words Even a parting that pushes you away would be fine Not silence, but your words 'It was only then that I realized I had entrusted all of myself to you'

(ephemere) (ephemere)
Creator
(ephemere)

(ephemere)

I run a shared bookshelf at a bookstore called 'Hon no Sumika' 💭 I made a poetry ZINE Instagram→@ephemere_atelier_ 8/22 Machi no ZINE Fest 9/27 ZINE FEST Kyoto Selling texture art and original goods

Hello Lit by Akari +6

Hello Lit by Akari

Akane, about to enter sixth grade, lost her mother at age five and developed a stutter. She sings a rapid tongue-twister from her memories and, today as always, heads to the library alone. Seen with special eyes and having no friends—Akane treats her stutter as proof of her love for her mother and cannot bring herself to pursue treatment. One day she receives an email on her computer from an unknown sender that reads, "Let's be friends." The sender is Akari, and the two quickly become close. Battling resistance to speaking and the fear of expressing her feelings—while troubled by how to relate to friends, she gradually reevaluates herself and deepens her trust in Akari. Meanwhile, Akane finds a picture book in her father's room... [From Sakurayama-sha] ★Who do we want to read or buy this? We want upper elementary to middle school students to read it. In practice buyers may be mostly adults, such as school librarians, teachers, and parents with children. It’s for anyone who has ever wanted to say "hello" but couldn't—just as I once couldn't. ★What is the best thing about this work? I recommend the whole book. I often think, "What is life?" In the story there is a Ferris wheel. Although it moves forward, it looks as if it circles the same place. Even if it seems to be going down, that descent may be the path to rise again. That mirrors Akane's emotional movements. I found myself identifying with Akane and, for a while, losing track of time while thinking about life. Life felt like a Ferris wheel. ★What I fell in love with in this work The entire work is exceptionally gentle. I became a fan of Akane. I also loved the presence of Mr. Anzai. The coming-of-age story of a sixth-grade girl who lost her mother and struggles with a stutter is portrayed very gently alongside her father; although the setting is everyday, the plot draws you into its extraordinary moments. While dealing with "things you can't say well," the book turns them into language that arrives very beautifully. Above all, it was the author's passion. I was truly glad when the author candidly said, "I have a work I cherish." I think I fell for the writer Noran's intensity along with the work.

Flamingo on the Ice +3

Flamingo on the Ice

B6 format, 198 pages. Published February 1, 2026. Author: 虹乃ノラン [Who this book is for] For those who have grown a little tired from trying to meet someone else's expectations. Those who tend to carry everything alone thinking 'I must be independent.' Those who are fed up with the role they keep playing. Those who want a beautiful binding to keep and admire. [Stock status] As of February 16, online stock has fallen below 20 copies. Restocking after sellout is undecided. "Skating, you see, is like a small silvered garden on the ice; struggling with constraints, you desperately spread your wings to express freedom, like an art." A pure wish to 'meet expectations' can quietly turn into chains that bind you. It's not because she lacks talent. It's not because she didn't try hard enough. It's just that by continuously performing a 'role' for others, she lost a place for her heart. The protagonist Darlene came to hate figure skating for such painfully plausible reasons that could happen to anyone. This work, Flamingo on the Ice, is neither a lonely comeback story nor a flashy success tale. What it records is a **quiet and sincere rebirth**: wrapped in her parents' deep love and rescued by the hands of her friends, she slowly heals her broken wings. Independence is not about gritting your teeth alone; it's about believing in your own worth again while accepting the support around you. Nijino Noran traces that journey delicately, like the tracks carved on the ice. Instead of pushing 'You can do it,' the book affirms 'It's okay to stop.' After finishing it, a warmth like the echo of cheers left on the cold ice quietly spreads through your heart. Reader impressions: For those tired of facile happy endings: "This is not an easy growth story. What exists here is the author's courage not to indulge the characters' uncertainties and a realistic form of salvation." — (reader comment) For fans of foreign dramas and translated literature: "An American-like dry atmosphere and a prose that avoids wet dependency. It feels like reading quality translated literature — a fresh immersion." — (reader comment) For those who have struggled with relationships with their parents: "Believing she was respecting her daughter, she ended up taking away her freedom. The book even shines a light on such a mother's 'regret' with terrifying objectivity and kindness." — (reader comment)

Zindies Zindies
Event
Jan
24
Sun

ZINE Fest Kagoshima(Unofficial)

A ZINE fest held in Kagoshima. The venue is Li-Ka Nangkoku Hall (Li-Ka1920, 5th floor), and admission is 11:00〜16:00. Information for exhibitors—such as booth sizes, exhibition fees, rules for cooperating with event operations, prohibited items/acts, and application procedures—is provided. Photography and posting on social media may occur.

Sunday, January 24, 2027 11:00〜16:00 Li-Ka Nangkoku Hall (Li-Ka1920, 5th floor), Kagoshima
Zindies Zindies
Event
Nov
3
Tue

ZINE Fest Kobe(Unofficial)

A zine sales and exhibition event held at KIITO (Design and Creative Center Kobe). The event will take place on November 3, 2026, from 11:00 to 16:00; admission is 500 yen. Exhibitor applications are open, with single- and two-person exhibitor plans (fees vary depending on promotional cooperation). Information is provided about delivery/setup and operational assistance, prohibited items (e.g., erotic or grotesque content), and a no-refund policy.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026 11:00〜16:00 KIITO | Design and Creative Center Kobe (Kobe City)
meznokte
Creation
People Who Stitch and Bind — Palestine

People Who Stitch and Bind — Palestine

Introduces motifs of Palestinian traditional cross-stitch embroidery and includes short essays. A ZINE printed by risograph. The cover uses paper reused from origami cranes offered to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Includes a sticker of the protective motif 'Scissors and Roses'. All sales will be donated to humanitarian aid organizations.

meznokte
Creation
The People Who Stitch and Bind — Tsugaru +1

The People Who Stitch and Bind — Tsugaru

ZINE introducing traditional embroidery Explains the history, designs, and motifs of kogin-sashi passed down in Tsugaru. It conveys the art created by farmers who were forbidden to wear anything other than hemp. Includes a bookmark with actual embroidery featuring the motif called "猫の足" ("cat's paw").

Zindies Zindies
Event
Oct
4
Sun

Queer Feminist Zine Fest (QFZF)(Unofficial)

The Queer Feminist–themed zine event “Queer Feminist Zine Fest (QFZF)” will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at the A Dashwork Creative Center in Osaka. Details on the date, time, and venue will be posted on the blog; calls for exhibitors and organizing committee members will be announced on social media and the website as they become available.

Oct 4 00:00 A Dashwork Creative Center (Osaka)
meznokte
Creation
People Who Stitch and Bind — Fes +1

People Who Stitch and Bind — Fes

A ZINE introducing traditional embroidery Explains the history, designs, and motifs of embroidery handed down in present-day Fes, Morocco. Please enjoy the beauty of the geometric patterns nurtured by Islam, which forbids idolatry. An actual embroidered bookmark is included.

meznokte
Creator

meznokte

I make zines about traditional embroidery. I started exhibiting at the Literature Flea Market and ZINE Fes in 2026. Please also check out my Instagram: @meznokte

Zindies Zindies
Event
Jan
10
Sun

ZINE Fest Fukushima(Unofficial)

'ZINE Fest Fukushima' is an event for enjoying zines. It will be held at Corasse Fukushima on January 10, 2027, from 11:00–16:00. Exhibitor applications are open, and details about exhibition plans, move-in/operations cooperation, and other information are provided (there are prohibited items for sale and cancellation rules).

Sunday, January 10, 2027 11:00〜16:00 Corasse Fukushima, 3rd floor — Planned Exhibition Room
U-ZINE Library 2026summer

U-ZINE Library 2026summer

We will hold a consignment sale of zines (self-published booklets) by borrowing the space of the share-type bookstore "HONBAKO Kyoto Uji". This event is a consignment-sales format, so exhibitors do not need to be present at the venue on the day. If you can’t make it to the venue because you live far away but want people in Kyoto to pick up your work, if you’d like to leave your work while visiting Kyoto, or if you are interested in share-type bookstores, please feel free to participate.

Friday, July 17, 2026 14:00〜20:00 Uji Umoji 2-38, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture — Share-type bookstore HONBAKO Kyoto Uji
U-ZINE Workshop

U-ZINE Workshop

We will hold a workshop to actually create ZINEs (small booklets produced by individuals or groups) using the space of the share-style bookstore "HONBAKO Kyoto Uji" in Uji, Kyoto. For more details, please see the application page. Thank you.

Sunday, June 28, 2026 13:00〜16:00 京都府宇治市宇治宇文字2-38 (share-style bookstore HONBAKO Kyoto Uji)
U-ZINE Library 2026 Summer

U-ZINE Library 2026 Summer

We will hold a consignment sales event for ZINEs (self-published booklets) using the space of the shared bookstore “HONBAKO Kyoto Uji”. This event is a consignment-sales format, so exhibitors do not need to be present at the venue on the day. *There will be a small number of booth exhibitions only on 7/19. If you can’t come to the venue because you live far away but would like people in Kyoto to pick up your work, if you’d like to leave your work while visiting Kyoto, or if you’re interested in shared bookstores, please feel free to participate.

Sunday, July 19, 2026 12:30〜17:30 京都府宇治市宇治宇文字2-38 Shared bookstore HONBAKO Kyoto Uji
U-ZINE Library 2026summer

U-ZINE Library 2026summer

We will hold a consignment sale for ZINEs (self-published booklets) using the space of the shared bookstore “HONBAKO Kyoto Uji”.\r\nThis event is a consignment-style sale, so exhibitors do not need to be present at the venue on the day.\r\nIf you can’t travel to the venue but want people in Kyoto to pick up your work, if you’d like to leave your work while visiting Kyoto, or if you’re interested in shared bookstores, please feel free to participate.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 12:30〜18:30 京都府宇治市宇治宇文字2-38 シェア型書店HONBAKO京都宇治 (Share-type bookstore HONBAKO Kyoto Uji)
Wandering Along the Borderline

Wandering Along the Borderline

An essay by a freelance writer who pushes forward as a minority. Written anew on themes that couldn't be included in the "If We Removed the Borderlines" series. It strings together queer stories, an account of a shared bookstore, and various musings on being single. Size: Bunko (Japanese pocket paperback) Pages: 36P

A Life of Selective Dislikes! +2

A Life of Selective Dislikes!

ZINE isn't just for talking about the things you like! It's okay to talk about the things you dislike too! If you're just going to hold it in, let it out. An odd collection of essays of questionable demand that relentlessly talks about everyday things I dislike. Size: Bunkobon (pocket paperback) Pages: 76P [Contents] Introduction 4 I Hate Shiitake 11 I Hate Love Stories 16 I Hate Makeup 22 I Hate Body Hair 26 I'm Not Fond of Old Commercial Logos 30 I'm Uncomfortable with "Sorry to bother you" 34 I Hate the Sound of Typing on a Keyboard 38 I'm Not Good with Being Recommended Entertainment 43 I'm Bad at Single-Tasking 47 I'm Bad at Getting Up 52 I Hate Emojis 58 I Hate Being Ordinary 64 Afterword 70

If You Remove the Boundaries — Complete +2

If You Remove the Boundaries — Complete

A collected volume that brings together volumes 1–3 of the essay series "境界線をなくしたら" by freelance writer Nao Ishikawa, a non-binary, aromantic-asexual (aroace) creator who moves forward as a minority. A book of thoughts written from a queer, slightly off-kilter perspective. Format: bunkobon (pocket paperback) Pages: 208 [Contents] Introduction 6 If You Remove the Boundary...? 10 What is X-gender? 14 'Don't know' and 'Don't want to know' 19 I don't fall in love, to begin with 24 The theory that invisible things do not exist 30 Not enough expression 35 Increasing information 40 It's okay to stay unpleasant 44 If you don't like it, quit 49 Regret doesn't help, but 53 Farewell to nightmares 58 Why am I working, how have I worked? 62 No-stress, so to speak 66 People I'm bad with 71 Lack of imagination 74 Echo chamber? 78 Steps that don't match 83 Words of curse 88 Sensitive to guilt 92 Afraid of being ready to be shot 96 Not being 'as oneself' 101 Conflict of reading desire 105 Piling up again 109 What to call myself 113 BL is just BL 117 Fashionable minorities 123 Learning from predecessors 130 Just a story about how the drama "Slow Train" was amazing 136 Expos are fun — Part 1 146 Expos are fun — Part 2 152 Expos are fun — Part 3 165 Bad with kids, but still 173 For those who don't have to rush through life 178 Photo allergy 182 An age you can resist 186 No one is entirely okay 190 Self-esteem improvement plan 195 Resoluteness to be alone 199 Afterword 204