A couple of announcements!
Several UP Press books are going to be launched next Friday, August 23, including two books by Estranghero Press, The Farthest Shore (which includes my story, “The Just World of Helena Jimenez”, a story that also appears in A Bottle of Storm Clouds) and Diaspora Ad Astra (which includes “Rizal”). Do drop by and buy some books!
On Sept. 7, Visprint, Inc. (publisher of my story collection) and co-presenter National Book Development Board will present the first annual Aklatan: The All-Filipino Book Festival. Read the official press release for the details.
Alphaland Southgate, Magallanes will host this year’s Aklatan on September 7, 2013, Saturday. Although doors open as early as 8 a.m., the formal program will begin at 9 a.m. Artists include Lourd de Veyra, Eros Atalia, and other writers.
Break-out rooms Boracay and Balesin will host talks or seminars and an “unwritten book audition” during which writers will have an opportunity to pitch book ideas to eager publishers, “The Voice of the Philippines” style.Due to the nature of its inception, the event boasts of a wide and inclusive line-up of Filipino writers and book publishers from critically acclaimed National Artists to their contemporaries preeminent popular culture. Bigger publishers will stand shoulder to shoulder with independent presses.The complete program is scheduled for release by mid-August. The entrance fee for non-students is P20 while students will receive a 50 percent discount.
a review of ‘a bottle of storm clouds’ in international speculative fiction # 4
Sean Wright the Bookonaut reviews my first collection, A Bottle of Storm Clouds, in the fourth issue of International Speculative Fiction.
Issue 4 of International Speculative Fiction is out featuring yours truly’s review column. In which I cover some of the recent works of independent self publisher Rabia Gale and the award winning Eliza Victoria. But of course I shouldn’t be the only reason you pick up a copy of this FREE publication in one of its multiple formats (mobi, epub orpdf).
It’s free! Do download a copy to read the entire issue. Many, many thanks to Sean Wright. Such kind words.
Eliza Victoria’s, A Bottle of Storm Clouds, makes me yearn for closer writing relationships between the Australian and Filipino speculative fiction communities (considering our relative geographical closeness). Here is a writer that many Australian fans of the weird, of the dark and edgy modernization of folklore, would love.
Continue reading a review of ‘a bottle of storm clouds’ in international speculative fiction # 4
‘a bottle of storm clouds’ – now available online
Something has been brewing in the Flipside Publishing headquarters (publisher of my previous ebooks, Lower Myths and The Viewless Dark), and here’s a preview:
Continue reading ‘a bottle of storm clouds’ – now available online
Just a quick post for some writing news. Over the weekend I have received proof copy of Issue 34 of Neon Literary Magazine – I have three poems in it! It will be available soon, both online and in UK stores.
And here’s a draft of the upcoming cover for the ebook edition of A Bottle of Storm Clouds, forthcoming from the folks at Flipside.
some love for ‘a bottle of storm clouds’
Hello Monday blues/laziness. I got some booklovin’ to drive you away.
Here’s from a reader currently residing outside of the Philippines, but managed to have her Dad pick up a copy of A Bottle of Storm Clouds :
I asked my dad to buy me a copy of A Bottle of Storm Clouds while he was in Manila. I am reading it incrementally, because I don’t want it to end, haha. Reading it, I feel fascinated and homesick. I’m rediscovering old favorites– The Just World of Helena Jimenez, Intersections– as well as finding some new ones which I might have missed when I was going through your website in the past (Sugar Pi is really sweet and subtle, and Reunion is a new favorite of mine– I am a sucker for a good reincarnation plot.) I really enjoy how you include math and science and fantasy in your writing.
Here’s from Sean Wright, Australian writer and book reviewer, and webmaster of Adventures of a Bookonaut:
On Goodreads, he says: “Nice unencumbered writing style.” And “Very solid collection, if you like modern dark fantasy takes on folktales, if you are a fan of Lanagan or Kaaron Warre, pick it up.” Thanks Charles Tan for sending Sean a copy. :)
And thank you past, present, and future readers. You make my day!
The book is available in all major Philippine bookstores. Coming soon in ebook format. ;)
PLUS: Visprint’s price list for the 2013 Summer Komikon. Not sure yet if I’ll be able to attend, but do go and visit the tables!
book sales
Back from the long weekend! I enjoyed staying at home but did not enjoy the heat. No, sir. I have heat rash on my face and arms. A bit annoyed also, because I’m having very little writing done due to work, planning a vacation with my siblings, cleaning the apartment, cooking my own lunch, and other things. I used to have so much writing stamina, but nowadays after work I just go home and watch TV or read a book. I need to save up and buy me some extra hours!
Anyway, this blog post is about book sales (wheeee) and I just want to say that I have received my first sales record from Visprint. I don’t expect much from my sales (Filipino authors, who go through literary life with no agents and no advances, often expect not to be paid, and get surprised when they do get paid a fair amount of money) , but I was happily surprised by the numbers: 507 copies of A Bottle of Storm Clouds sold from September 2012 to February 2013, with 30 copies sold at the book launch during the WIT event. It’s been sold in places in the country that I’ve never been, like Iloilo, GenSan, and the Mt. Cloud Bookshop (I know, yikes, I’ve never been to Baguio). This is why I still love traditional publishing: I can never sell 500 copies on my own (I think), and with such reach.
If you’re one of those who bought a copy of the book, thank you! And thank you to Ms. Nida, Kyra, and Visprint.
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My thanks also to Flipside Publishing for providing me with reports. For 2012, Lower Myths sold 13 copies, and The Viewless Dark sold 8. (I hear you snickering back there. It’s not a lot, I know, but I’ve received good reviews, and I’m grateful. But of course: do buy a copy?)
Apocalypses, I‘m happy to announce, has sold 23 copies so far.
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These numbers are small I know, but they’re not yours they are my own – charot. I’m just here to sell some books.
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In the pipeline: the ebook version of A Bottle of Storm Clouds, a print version of The Viewless Dark as part of an anthology, and a science fiction novel.
Yep.
a review of ‘a bottle of storm clouds’ from marginalia
Here’s a review from Monique of Marginalia, from the tail-end of 2012:
“To sum it up, I immensely enjoyed this book: the stories were well-written, they weren’t predictable, and they involved themes and ideas that are close to home.”
Eliza Victoria 