How to Buy Seven Seas Danmei in the U.S.
So, you want to buy some danmei? Your first step is to figure out if the story you want to read has been officially licensed, and if so who the publisher is. This will determine where you can buy it. I recommend referencing the fantastic list of licensed titles at danmeinews.com.
For officially licensed U.S. danmei translations, there are a small number of active novel publishers: Seven Seas, Rosmei, Via Lactea and Hai Tang books are the most active currently. If you’re looking for a Rosmei title, pop over to my blog post about how to order. For Via Lactea, Hai Tang, and other boutique publishers, you can check out this guide on how to order.
If the story you want to read has been licensed by Seven Seas, you’re in luck. Their books are in mass production and can be purchased at many stores on-line and in-person. My personal preference for purchasing from them is:
Bookshop.org
I love bookshop.org for a few reasons: first, they’re hugely supportive of local community bookstores, rather than competing with them. They’re also a certified B-Corp, meaning that over 80% of their profit margin goes to supporting independent bookstores. And they’re climate neutral, which means they operate sustainably.
Their books do tend to cost more than Amazon, but that’s because Amazon deliberately underprices their books in order to drive other booksellers out of business. I’m trying to do my part to limit my Amazon purchases, and pivoting to use bookshop.org for many online book purchases is part of that.
Please note: because I’ve been a lover of bookshop.org for years, I became an affiliate for this blog. If you use the links above, I may receive a small share of the profit from your purchase. If you don’t want me to benefit, you can select another bookstore to benefit or just type their URL into your browser directly. Any which way you go, they’re awesome.
Specialized Shops
There are two specialized stores in the U.S. that stock a lot of danmei and have a great reputation for packaging and shipping their books well (a major complaint with some of the larger retailers).
Yiggybean is an independent retailer, and has the advantage of not only carrying Seven Seas books but also partnering with smaller publishers. They’re currently the only U.S.-based partner of Rosmei and Via Lactea, and also offer books published by Hai Tang Books. They sell some gifts and accessories, so this can be a one-stop shop for many of your danmei needs. The only drawback I can see for Yiggybean is that it can be a little difficult to discover things on their website if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Crunchyroll Store is another store with a great reputation for packaging and shipping books well. In addition they offer frequent discounts and sales, making this a good option to check out if you’re looking for the best deals. They stock all Seven Seas danmei titles and preorders, as well as some merchandise, the Heaven Official’s Blessing manhua being published by Aloha Comics, and blu-rays of the first two seasons Heaven Official’s Blessing donghua. While they don’t offer other publishers right now, this can be a great store to stock up on Seven Seas books at a good price.
Large Booksellers
B&N is another one of my favorite places to buy danmei, for two reasons: first, they often have danmei on shelves in-store, which means I get immediate gratification. Additionally, they’ve also sometimes worked with Seven Seas to have bonus content only available through B&N. That’s why I have multiple copies of the last volume of TGCF…
I don’t live close to a BAM retailer, but I’ve heard they also often carry danmei in-store and provide a good online ordering experience. If you happen to live close to them, or have other local booksellers who will carry or order this for you, please support them!
Amazon
Finally, Amazon. Look, sometimes you have to hold your nose and use them. Maybe it’s because you can’t afford higher prices at other stores, or you’ve found something only available there (ebook editions for me, currently). It’s my last resort, but I haven’t completely cut them out of my life entirely. There is no ethical consumption under capitalism, but that doesn’t stop us from making better choices when we can.
10 Comments