Personal Plugs
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?
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.
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!
More Spec Fic News
- 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 :)
- 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
- Mention of The Kite of Stars in Fantastic fiction writer Anna Tambour's blog.
- 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!
- 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!
Spec Fic-Related Announcements
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.
Comics and Manga Day 2007, and a Question
Gotten from Komiks.ph:
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?
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.
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?
Two Ways to Write Science Fiction, and Some Announcements
1. Mia and Charles both recently made posts related to writing science fiction:
- More Notes on Science and Writing - Mia shares what she sees are possible angles for good science fiction stories. An abridged version of this entry may be found at the Read or Die blog. Share your own ideas!
- Writing Science Fiction - Charles tells about how the heart of a science fiction story is not actually the science. I find this essay comforting, because while science fiction fascinates me the most, I don't think I can write hard science to save my life :P Not right now, anyway!
Some Links
1. Not related to Philippine spec fic per se, but Chris Garcia writes interesting things about the possibilities of fostering a love for science fiction among Hispanic readers, in "Building Science Fictionistas."
2. Charles starts a vote and recommend new stories meme. Not being up to date on a lot of works published this year, I'm afraid I can't participate - but I'd sure love to know which works everyone else nominates.
Banzai Cat has already posted his recommendation. Anyone else?
3. Kenneth of Philippine Genre Stories says that in the next Manila LitCritters session, there will be a critique session for 3 stories from PGS3. In the same entry, he asks if we could bring up examples of stories that we like (or don't like) that may fall under "Philippine" fiction, speculative or realist. Read his entry here.
4. Dean and Nikki Alfar post the Philippine Speculative Fiction vol. 3 TOC. My story "The Singer's Man" will be there. And no, it is not what I consider to be a "Filipino" speculative story :)
I've already expressed my gratitude to the Alfars over SMS, but I'd like to do that again here. Maraming salamat po, Sir Dean at Ma'am Nikki!
RX 93.1 Spotlight on the Manila International Book Fair, Philippine Speculative Fiction, and Read or Die
Charles has posted a recording of the RX 93.1 interview of Dean Alfar of the LitCritters, Kristin Mandigma of Read or Die, Gwen Galvez of Anvil Publishing, and Blooey Singson of the Manila International Book Fair.
He's also posted transcripts of some excerpts from the interview. Thanks, Charles!
Please note, Kristin Mandigma of Read or Die is going to be on radio again tonight at Jam 88.3, 9-10 PM. She will be reading some poetry and promoting the Manila Book Fair.
Speculative Fiction Discussion at the Manila Book Fair
Tomorrow is the start of the 2007 Manila Book Fair. There's a lot to look forward to! Among them is the talk on Philippine Speculative Fiction, which is to be given by the LitCritters panel in Function Room B, at 2:30 PM.
I hope to be there :) Not as a panelist, of course, but as just another face in the crowd.
Adarna House Publishing Seeks Story Proposals for New Graphic Novel
Now I'll be reposting a series of announcements, mostly found through Charles Tan's blog.
From Filipinowriter
:
:
Adarna House is currently looking for story proposals for its next graphic novel under the Anino Comics imprint. Proposals should include: 1. Project brief with the following details: -Title -Story genre, -List of the creators to be involved in the project -Estimated number of pages. 2. One page story synopsis 3. Sample pages, character studies Stories may be in Filipino or in English. Compilations of previous published material are also welcome. Submissions may be sent to Adarna House, Room 201, JGS Building, 30 Scout Tuason St., Quezon City, or e-mailed at pdg@adarna.com.ph. Deadline for story proposals is November 30, 2007. For questions, email Jordan Santos at rjordanpsantos@yahoo.com
Neil Gaiman at the 20th Philippine Ad Congress
The Bibliophile Stalker posts an announcement about Neil Gaiman coming back to the Philippines a second time, since his visit two years ago (which began exactly on the day this post was written! Coincidence? :D).
There doesn't seem to be an official announcement on Mr. Gaiman's journal yet, so staying tuned for more info.