iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 25/08/2026

Working from home means copious opportunities for quick breaks to be spent with my cat

Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 29/05/2026

Procrastinated by rearranging my manga shelves. I used to a strictly organize alphabetically, but I threw caution to the wind and did it by vibes. Sorta alphabetical at the top, then a Splatoon goodies shelf, then all my Natsuki Takaya books, Madoka, Original, Spiral, and Orange b/c they fit well--

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 02/04/2026

My cats love to help me with my work.

Screenshot of tracked changes in a document in which a cat stepped on the keyboard to suggest an insertion of a cluster of letters and numbers, which reads: "weeeee=---cv -00000"

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 25/03/2026

I finished the first print volume of Magical Girl Dandelion, and I'm liking it so far! Eager to see which places the story takes us. It feels inspired by and in conversation with other magical girl series and tropes.

Cover of Volume 1 of the manga Magical Girl Dandelion by Kaeru Mizuho. Its primary color is yellow and features a yellow and orange magical girl at the center with a shadowy figure behind her leering at the viewer.

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 04/01/2026

My spouse got me a copy of Orwell's 1984 that I've been eyeing for a while. The book that propelled me deep into journalism and history studies. The book that I guess people could say "radicalized" me. And the book that people on the right constantly misunderstand!!!!!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 29/12/2025

It's that time of year... Tiny cover images to show off what I worked on this year! I edited 9 novels, 12 manga (though several of these were things I actually worked on previously but didn't publish until this year), and a whole heck of a lot of copy edits and proofreads of various books!

Collection of covers for light novels and manga that Carly Smith worked on (or published) in 2025. Light novel editing: The Legendary Witch Is Reborn as an Oppressed Princess (volumes 3–5), The Tiny Witch from the Deep Woods (volumes 1–3), My Magical Career at Court: Living the Dream After My Nightmare Boss Fired Me from the Mages' Guild! (volume 6), Buying You on the Day You Were to Die, and 1 gray box stand-in with the text "Coming Soon." Manga editing: After School Etude (volumes 2–3), Otonari Complex (volumes 3–5), Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire (volume 6), Throw Away the Suit Together (volume 3), Death's Daughter and the Ebony Blade (volumes 5–7), and 2 gray box stand-ins with the text "Coming Soon." Copy editing and proofreading (both light novels and manga): Dahlia in Bloom: Crafting a Fresh Start with Magical Tools (Side Stories, volumes 10–11), Lucia and the Loom: Weaving Her Way to Happiness (volume 3), Goodbye, Overtime! This Reincarnated Villainess Is Living for Her New Big Brother (light novel; volumes 3–6), The countess Is a Coward No More! (volumes 3–4), The Beginning After the End (volume 9), A Livid Lady's Guide to Getting Even: How I Crushed My Homeland with My Mighty Grimoires (light novel; volume 1), Lady Bumpkin and Her Lord Villain (volumes 3–5), This Gyaru's Got a Thing for...Vampire Hunters?! (volume 1), The Fearsome Witch Teaches in Another World (light novel; volume 1), Liar, Liar (light novel; volume 7; coming soon), Even a Replican Can Fall in Love (light novel; volume 4; coming soon), and a gray box stand-in with the text "Coming Soon."

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 28/11/2025

Late to mentioning this, but I am the editor for Buying You On the Day You Were to Die. I've really wanted the chance to edit more standalone books, especially ones for older audiences, and I enjoyed going through this book! It's heavy, and sometimes I want a story of someone REALLY going through it

Front cover of Buying You on the Day You Were to Die

“I’d like to buy your time—for two hundred thousand yen a month.” For Sakata, the winter of his junior year brings nothing but loss. His mother is dead, his useless father is gone, and each day nearly costs him everything he has left. Then a young man named Nishikawa approaches him with an offer—and generous pay that could give his mother a proper funeral. However, the deal comes with several bizarre conditions that Sakata must meet: go to school every day, get into the same university as Nishikawa, and lastly, act like his friend until the end of their contract. As their bond deepens, the two boys starved for love must face the question neither dared to ask: Can a friendship built entirely on money turn into something real?

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 06/10/2025

The conclusion to Otonari Complex is here. I received my comp copy in the mail recently--just in time for it to be in bookstores tomorrow 👀 It was a delight to serve as the adapter on this one! Though @jennichijou.bsky.social's translation was fabulous. And @cranchyroll.com's lettering is 💯 #manga

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 27/08/2025

The most sobering yet important panel I attended all weekend of Anime NYC was one on censorship, both "hard censorship" and "soft censorship," with discussions of our current political climate along with why US publishers might decide the things that they do. 🧵 incoming

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 26/08/2025

I received this jingly charm as a part of the owner of cutest pets award, and it is going to become a cat toy whether I want it to.

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 25/08/2025

I attended several panels at Anime NYC, and I love the educator track despite not being an educator or even having any kids in my life! This is from Teaching Manga Across Disciplines, where faculty spoke on the different ways they've incorporated manga into their teaching.

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 25/08/2025

It took a year, but I finally have the signatures of the Otonari Complex dream team! Featuring @cranchyroll.com (whose idea this was during Anime NYC last year), @editortiina.bsky.social, and @jennichijou.bsky.social

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 24/08/2025

On my way to the final day of Anime NYC! As always, it is easier for you to find me than for me to find you. My hair is a Pink Signal 😂 I will be attending the Manga Under Fire panel at 3:30 to listen to @editortiina.bsky.social and folks from PEN America and Japan Society talk about censorship.

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 23/08/2025

Hi friends! I have looser plans today if anyone wants to meet up! I'll definitely be at the Seinen and Josei manga panel, Create Your Own Magical Girl Wand, and maybe catch the latter part of queer manga in libraries panel. Otherwise, I'll be wandering and browsing artists!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 22/08/2025

Love a good pun that makes me giggle

Anime NYC 2025 Pro badge with a badge ribbon from light novel/manga company J-Novel Club that says, "I have no shelf control."

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 22/08/2025

I would like to thank the academy for-- Meowmeow, meowmeowmeow-meow

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 21/08/2025

I won't be at the Javits until around 4 pm, and then I'm gonna immediately book it over to the artist alley But here's Day 1 OOTD

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 18/06/2025

Another week, another book release! (Just waiting on my complimentary copies...) I'm not actually a great dancer, but I have been so into media that features dancing in a big way.

Screenshot from Seven Seas Entertainment's website, the page for the manga After School Etude, volume 3 by Hirune Cyan, translated by Jan Cash, adapted by Carly Smith, and lettered by Carolina Hernández Mendoza, published on June 17, 2025. The cover art on the left shows a lean, short man in dark hair and his arms stretched out behind him as he dances with his partner, a taller young man with light hair who embraces him.

Back cover copy:
SWEPT OFF HIS FEET!

Minobe is the type to give everything his all, whether it be his daily ballet practices or his relationship with Ichinomiya, an upperclassman with an awe-inspiring gift for dance. When their friend Takarai posts the pas de deux the couple danced to the internet, an American ballet troupe comes knocking at their door looking to recruit them. Soon the two young men are thrust into a new environment, and find their love for each other deepening. But while they might be on the same page as lovers, as dancers they still need to get in the same groove!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 10/06/2025

Otonari Complex vol 4 is out! In this volume, Makoto reflects on why he got into crossdressing and what he wants to do career-wise for his future. Meanwhile, Akira has to actually look her feelings for her friend in the eye!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 05/06/2025

I've loved this cover illustration ever since seeing the original Japanese version, but I had forgotten how GORGEOUS this dragon is.

Cover of the English print version of Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire, Volume 6.

Color illustration from the front pages of Reborn to Master the Blade, Volume 6. It shows Ancient Dragon Fufailbane, a white dragon drawn with an old sort of wisdom. The text attributed to him reads, "What is this?! The waves of your aether are those of the old king, but..."

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 29/05/2025

Related to my previous reposts, Orange (the AI company) is also partnering with Viz, Kodansha, and Yen. This is so depressing.

Screenshot from X from the account MangaAlerts that states, "Ai Localization Company Orange Inc announced they’ve partnered up with VIZ Media, Kodansha USA, & Yen Press to add their titles to the newly launched Emaqi Manga App

• It’s available now on IOS/Android"

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 27/05/2025

The newest light novel series I've worked on is The Tiny Witch from the Deep Woods, and the first volume is out! A young, sheltered girl gets thrown into the wider world and puts her medical knowledge to use!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 08/05/2025

The Legendary Witch Is Reborn as an Oppressed Princess has been a cute series, and we're almost caught up with the Japanese release! Five volumes are out in Japan, and we're working on that fifth one now.

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 11/03/2025

Otonari Complex volume 3 is out today!!! 🎀💖💄 #manga

The front cover of the manga Otonari Complex volume 3. Story and Art by Saku Nonomura. There is a tall, masculine-looking young woman on the left and a feminine, shorter young man on the right with various sweets around them as decoration.

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 19/02/2025

In celebration of the print edition of Reborn to Master the Blade vol. 5 releasing, this is one of my favorite manga pages I've edited.

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 17/02/2025

I'm glad to finally talk about The Tiny Witch from the Deep Woods, which was just announced and has the first two chapters available to J-Novel Club members at j-novel.club/series/the-t... It's a fantasy setting where a select group of people know much more about medicine than the rest of the world

The J-Novel Club cover for The Tiny Witch from the Deep Woods on the left shows a young girl with long blonde hair in a big witchlike hat as she sits at a cauldron. The summary to the right reads: Misha is a young girl living in the forest with her mother, learning how to make medicine. However, when tragedy draws her out of her forest home, she quickly learns how much more her world will expand.

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 07/02/2025

Good morning! The final volume of this yuri series I worked on is out now! Pictured: Throw Away the Suit Together, vol. 3

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 03/02/2025

David Evelyn always makes me laugh with how he tells it like it is. A+ colleague.

Screenshot from the article in the quoted post reads: "It broke my heart because [McArthur] didn't have to do that," Evelyn said. "What are you gonna gain from that aside from a few thousand likes on Elon Musk's masturbation platform? I don't understand dogpiling on someone to make yourself look better for decisions [Werry] might not have been responsible for. We're only a single person. We can only do so much."

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 29/01/2025

I keep having to turn down offers of projects that would essentially pay me $3 - $3.5 per page of light novel manuscript line editing *before taxes* because those rates are rather insulting. For comparison, here's the most recent Editorial Freelance Association's recommended rates.

A screenshot from the Editorial Freelance Association's rates page, accessed January 29, 2025. The table shows rates for Line Editing with columns of rates by the word, by the hour, and by the page. Highlighted are the rates for Fiction (2.5 to 4.0 cents per word, $45 to $60 per page, and $6.25 to $10.00 per page) and Graphic novels (2.5 to 4.0 cents per word, $40 to $55 per page, and $6.25 to $10.00 per page).

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 21/01/2025

Happy release day! After School Etude vol 2 🥰

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 30/12/2024

Reborn to Master the Blade volume 12 actually came out just today!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 30/12/2024

My 2024 Wrap-Up of manga and light novels I edited/proofread. It was a busy year! Many of the manga I worked on won't be out until 2025, and I hope you're excited to see them! We've got more Otonari Complex on the way, and I also took over editing Death's Daughter and the Ebony Blade.

A graphic of completed work edited in 2024, which has the covers of many light novels and manga (all published in 2024). Books that have not published yet have a gray box that says "COMING SOON." In the top left is a box that reads "Carly Smith" with a pink border. Below that reads "2024 Edits" and Carly's bluesky handle and website (carlysmith.net). Reborn to Master the Blade manga volumes 2 through 4 are listed as now in print as well as volumes 2 through 4 of the light novel. The next section of books is the list of edited light novels (including My Magical Career at Court, Reborn to Master the Blade, The Legendary Witch is Reborn as an Oppressed Princess, and The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady). The rightmost section at the top is the section of edited manga volumes, which includes After School Etude, Otonari Complex, Reborn to Master the Blade manga volume 5, and Throw Away the Suit Together. Below that is a line of light novels that Carly proofread, which inclues Goodbye, Overtime!, Lady Bumpkin and Her Lord Villain, Lucia and the Loom, My Stepmom's Daughter is My Ex, Miss Nicola the Exorcist, and The Countess is a Coward No More!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 12/12/2024

I'm wrapping up a part of volume 3 of this today, but volume 2 of The Legendary Witch Is Reborn as an Oppressed Princess is out today!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 27/11/2024

In case you missed it, Anime NYC Professional Badge registration is up now! There's a complimentary Friday-only option for librarians and educators, which is really nice. animenyc.com/badges/profe...

Screencap of Anime NYC's professional badge registration page. On the left, it says "4-Day Pro: The 4-Day Professional Badge is intended for industry professionals attending Anime NYC for business purposes. $80." On the right, it says, "Friday Only Pro: The Friday Professional Badge is intended for educators/librarians attending Anime NYC for professional purposes. Complimentary."

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 22/10/2024

MagiRevo 8 is coming soon 👀 Get ready for Anis's scorn!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 21/10/2024

Hi all! I figured it's time to do an introduction post. I'm a freelance editor. You may have seen my work in things like Qualia the Purple, Otonari Complex, The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady, and Reborn to Master the Blade, to name a few. よろしくお願いします 🙇

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 19/09/2024

Your next spicy series about young men in ballroom dancing is out! I wanna thank my friend @trickssi.bsky.social for her introduction classes to ballroom dancing at various anime conventions for giving me a basis to draw from when editing After School Etude!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 19/09/2024

Without downloading new pics where are you mentally

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 10/09/2024

Editing Akira's voice made me go back and examine my younger self, as I was also trying to figure out my gender and self-expression. Feminine styles of clothing felt so weird when I was young, and I was mistaken for a boy a lot. I wish I'd had a Makoto!!! Please read this manga 💕

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 10/09/2024

I loved working with @jennichijou.bsky.social again after so long! She started translating for companies around the same time I started editing, so it's been great growing up in our work together! And thank you to Saku Nonomaru for making this series. I can't wait for the rest to come out!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 10/09/2024

A belated #LettererAppreciationDay celebration of @coyboybeboy.bsky.social's lettering for Otonari. I knew it was gonna turn out great when Aidan showed me sampler pages at ANYC 2023!

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 10/09/2024

It's here! It's finally here! Otonari Complex, Vol. 1 was a delight to work on. Its release has been a long time coming, and I hope people love it.

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 01/09/2024

Elena always does a great job of meshing the text with the art so that it conveys a similar tone to the original source, and I swear--it looks so EFFORTLESS! (But I know it's not!)

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Carly Smith 📖✍️ @carlysmith.net · 01/09/2024

Happy Letterer Appreciation Day! I first want to kick off my thanks by shouting out Elena Pizarro, who I got to work with on the Reborn to Master the Blade manga. I kept leaving excited notes about the stylized SFX, and Elena did an amazing job setting the tone on vol 1!

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