Ben Applegate
About Ben Applegate
Ben Applegate is the Director of Publishing Services at Penguin Random House in the Greater New York City Area, with extensive experience in editorial and localization roles, particularly in adapting Japanese graphic novels for English-speaking audiences.
Title and Current Position
Ben Applegate currently holds the position of Director of Publishing Services at Penguin Random House, based in the Greater New York City Area. In this role, he leads a team responsible for maintaining the backlist of Kodansha USA Publishing, ensuring the continued availability of popular titles. His expertise in localization and his extensive knowledge of Japanese culture and history are critical to his responsibilities.
Past Roles at Penguin Random House
Before becoming the Director of Publishing Services, Ben Applegate served in several key roles at Penguin Random House. From 2015 to 2018, he was the Associate Director of Publishing Services. Prior to that, he worked as a Senior Editor in 2015 for a brief period and as an Editor for RHPS/Kodansha from 2012 to 2015. His tenure in these positions allowed him to develop a strong background in managing editorial and production teams to produce high-quality manga.
Previous Experience in Media and Publishing
Ben Applegate’s career includes diverse roles in media and publishing. He worked at Digital Manga, Inc. as an Editor/crowdfunding manager from 2011 to 2012 and as a Translator from 2007 to 2012. He contributed as a Writer and copy editor at Hachette Eins Media from 2006 to 2007, and as a Reporter and Editor at JoongAng Daily from 2005 to 2007. These roles have given him a robust foundation in editorial work and content localization.
Early Career and Translation Work
Early in his career, Ben Applegate worked as a Pro-level translator at myGengo from 2010 to 2011 and as a Contributor at TBS eFM from 2009 to 2010. He also served as Deputy Editor for Culture at the International Herald Tribune/JoongAng Daily from 2009 to 2010. Additionally, he was the Director of Operations at Pop Japan Travel from 2007 to 2008. His early experiences laid the groundwork for his expertise in localization, especially in adapting Japanese graphic novels for English-speaking audiences.
Educational Background
Ben Applegate holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University, where he studied Political Science and International Studies from 2001 to 2005. His academic background, combined with his extensive professional experience, has equipped him with the skills necessary to excel in the publishing industry, particularly in the niche of Japanese graphic novel localization.