Swet Columns

Collaborating and Mentoring for Writers, Editors, and Translators

Notes on November 20, 2015 SWET Talk Shop

SWET members gathered on November 20th at the Books on Japan library in Jinbocho, Tokyo, to hear tips on collaboration from freelance writer Winifred Bird, and to discuss the possibility of establishing a mentoring program within SWET. The conversation meandered into the growing importance of social media, at which point several participants suggested... more

An Encouragement of Style Sheets

Setting your style—for the words in a document, book, report, newsletter, journal, website, or whatever you are working on—gives the product polish and professionalism. For an organization, a good in-house style sheet helps settle arguments authoritatively and expedites the little decisions that have to be made every day. Published style guides provide reliable and time-tested rules for most basic style... more

EVENT REPORT - SWET Shop Talk: Translation Quandaries

February 18, 2015 (Wednesday), Books on Japan Library, Jinbocho

Ten people gathered around the large table at the Books on Japan Library in Jinbocho for the February SWET Shop Talk, some with sandwich/onigiri and drink in hand as we introduced ourselves. Four present were completely new to SWET, though had clearly been involved in “wordsmithing” work for years in... more

EVENT REPORT - Walk ’n Write in Kyoto: A SWET Event with Rebecca Otowa

March 1, 2015, Kyoto

Excited to be part of a walking, writing, and sharing event led by Rebecca Otowa, author of At Home in Japan and My Awesome Japan Adventure, I was one of the eight people who gathered in the rain on March 1 in the shadow of the beautiful gate of Heian Shrine. Although we had prepared... more

SWET’s Presence at IJET-25 in Tokyo

On June 21-22, 2014, the Japan Association of Translators (JAT) held its 25th annual International Japanese-English Translators’ Conference (IJET) at Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan. A total of 560 people registered—the most in IJET’s history. The SWET Steering Committee thought it the perfect opportunity to advertise our organization to fellow wordsmiths who had gathered from Europe, Australasia, and the... more

An Afternoon with Amy Chavez

By Ted Taylor

Amy Chavez spoke to SWET Kansai about her life as a writer and the challenges of the profession, especially with the publishing of her latest book, Running the Shikoku Pilgrimage: 900 Miles to Enlightenment. (See also Japan Funny Side Up.) Chavez came to Japan in 1993 on an exchange program to fulfill her requirements... more