Philippine Speculative Fiction

Via Philippine Genre Stories: for a limited time only (until July 27, Sunday - I can still download from there right now, though), Tor offers free and legal downloads of some of its ebooks. There are some lovely desktop wallpapers by Luis Royo, Boris Vallejo et al up for grabs, too. Go here for them, quick!

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Something to add to our deadlines lists! For the record, Fully Booked has included the category “Short Films” to this contest.

Detailed guidelines and PDF download of the application form are on the official website.

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Philippine Genre Stories’ Image Inspiration Writing Contest #4 is also up! See the image and learn about the rules here.

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Am most behind on local spec fic news. Will at least try to keep up with events from now on.

In the meantime, there have been some interesting book-related posts that I think readers based in or near Manila may want to know about.

1. Kenneth Yu of Philippine Genre Stories talks about an Ateneo Press Anniversary Sale  - 10%-50% off all titles from June 16 to June 30, 2008.

2. Kenneth also blogged about the grand opening of Bookay-Ukay Bookstore on June 28 at 55 Maginhawa St., U.P. Village, Quezon City.

3. Charles Tan has written up a helpful and comprehensive guide to ordering books in the Philippines.

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Everybody’s talking about:

 

    Peter Gordon, Executive Director of the Man Asian Literary Prize, will be in Manila on Thursday, January 24, to promote the prize among Filipino writers and to speak on “International Opportunities for Filipino Writers.” The UP Institute of Creative Writing is hosting his talk, which will be held that day at 2:30 pm at the AVR Room, 2nd floor, Rizal Hall (Faculty Center), UP Diliman.

The Man Asian—informally known as the “Asian Booker”—was established in 2006 and made its first award in 2007 for the best unpublished novel in English or English translation by an Asian. Filipino fictionist and UP professor Jose Dalisay Jr.’s novel Soledad’s Sister made the shortlist of the inaugural prize, which drew 243 entries from all over Asia. The deadline for the 2008 Man Asian is March 31.

Gordon will speak about the prize and on literary publishing in Asia in general. The UPICW is inviting all interested writers, translators, publishers, teachers, and students to attend the lecture-discussion, which will also feature Dr. Dalisay and fellow novelist and columnist Alfred “Krip” Yuson.

Peter Gordon is also a founder and former Director of the Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival (held each March in Hong Kong), founder and editor of the Asian Review of Books, and publisher at Chameleon Press. He writes a weekly op-ed column in the Hong Kong daily The Standard and is chairman of the Russian Interest Group at the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

 

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I’m taking a break from updating the list - I think I’ve included most of the major pro and semi-pro markets, at least for SF&F writers. Still need to look into the horror and dark fantasy market more, and do a little more research on local publishers. If I’ve missed a publication that you feel should be included, feel free to tell me about it.

Please note: the tables may be sorted by Name, Language, Description, etc. Just click on the headings for each column. Not very useful, but still funky :P

Some big publishers don’t accept email manuscripts - that definitely doesn’t mean they aren’t worth trying. If you’re concerned about response times, a useful website for tracking that is Submitting to the Black Hole.

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I’ve finally gotten around to putting up a Writing Markets page for Pinoy spec fic authors. Visually it’s a bit cramped, but I’m hoping the info in there is at least up to date and correct.

Will be adding more info as soon as time permits. This list is very open to input. If you would like to help out other Filipino spec fic writers and contribute some publications, please use this form or email me the details at preyfal -at- yahoo -dot- com.

Corrections are welcome. Please email me if there’s anything that needs fixing.

2008 is the year to make ourselves known, people. Let’s get it on!

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I’m probably the last to know about this: my story “Spaceman” has come out in the December 24 special Christmas issue of the Philippine Graphic.

I first learned about it from Kenneth Yu’s blog post (read very, very late - I’m sorry for the tardiness) and earlier today I was able to confirm it from members of my family. I wonder if there are copies of this issue left in newsstands?

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In other news, I’ve started a blog for my uncle Vernon Gerard, a Kiwi geophysicist who participated in a historic expedition to the Antarctic in the late 1950’s and received a Polar Medal. His accounts are fascinating and I’ve done my best to preserve them verbatim.

[ Old Antarctic Days ]

As per his instructions, I’ll only be posting a few times a month. Should be posting the next chapter soon, in fact. Take my word for it: there is and will be a lot of good (possibly even controversial) stuff there, especially for science/history buffs!

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1. Charles has transcribed the PGS interview at Jam 88.3 at his blog.He’s also recorded the latest LitCritters session at Serendra, where three PGS stories (including Charles’ own story, “The Devil is in the Details”) were discussed. Many thanks for your diligence, as always, Charles :)
2. Two new Kare-Kare Comics by Andrew Drilon out: Two Tiny Things and What Will You Bring?.Awesome stuff! And awfully symbolic, that last one, what? :D
3. Mention of The Kite of Stars in Fantastic fiction writer Anna Tambour’s blog.
4. Mention of various Philippine spec fic writers and artists - namely Gerry Alanguilan, Dean and Nikki Alfar, Stanley Geronimo, Francezca Kwe, Vin Simbulan and Joshua Lim So - by Ellen Datlow and Jeff Vandermeer. Details here.Congrats, guys!
5. New Worlds 5 is pushing through in spite of the recent bombing scare. Some security regulations are in place, however - attendees are encouraged to observe.See you there!

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1. From Philippine Genre Stories:

There will be a feature and interview on October 18, 2007, on the radio station Jam 88.3, for PGS. It will be from 8 to 9 in the evening. I’ll be there, on-air, with PGS contributor Miggy Escaño, author of the cover story for PGS3, Tuko. Hope you have the time to tune-in and listen!

2. Don’t forget, the LitCritters will be holding their next Open Session on October 20, at A Different Bookstore in Serendra. Everyone’s welcome to attend.

3. The Writers Forum panelists for New Worlds 5: The 5th Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, have been revealed! For their names and the forum schedule, click here.

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Gotten from Komiks.ph:

Saturday, October 20, 2007

1pm-6pm
Powerbooks, SM MEGAMALL

FREE ENTRANCE!

featuring artists in the field of comics and manga.
- panel discussions
- signings and autographs with the artists
- sketching
- raffle prizes
- comics and art lectures
- portfolio reviews
- art shows and exhibits
- drawing exhibition
- and much more!

Read more about it here.

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Still related to komiks, I have a question: Is it still correct to say Philippine speculative fiction is a “young” genre, when we have been printing fantastic stories for over a century - although mostly in komiks form, not in prose form?

Are our komiks traditions and literary traditions so distant from each other that we can’t draw any relationships? Or is a literary tradition that spans a little over 100 years still considered “young”?

I’m just wondering. It doesn’t seem like many modern fictionists in the Philippines like to build on what our predecessors have made, at least not our predecessors in komiks. And classic fantastic komiks were also largely influenced by foreign lore and literature, like our current writings. There are a lot of parallels, I think…

In short, I’m asking if when we say “the history of Philippine speculative fiction,” we should also discuss speculative fiction in the form of komiks? Or should we stick to prose only?

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