My Life as a Bed
rushing home by ten to lie down on the job
Saturday, May 16, 2009

Call for Submissions to Philippine Speculative Fiction vol. V

Editors Nikki Alfar and Vin Simbulan are now accepting submissions of short fiction pieces for consideration for the anthology "PHILIPPINE SPECULATIVE FICTION V".

Speculative fiction is the literature of wonder that spans the genres of fantasy, science fiction, horror and magic realism or falls into the cracks in-between.

1. Only works of speculative fiction will be considered for publication. As works of the imagination, the theme is open and free.

2. Stories must cater to an adult sensibility. However, if you have a Young Adult story that is particularly well-written, send it in.

3. Stories must be written in English.

4. Stories must be authored by Filipinos or those of Philippine ancestry.

5. Preference will be given to original unpublished stories, but previously published stories will also be considered. In the case of previously published material, kindly include the title of the publishing entity and the publication date. Kindly state also in your cover letter that you have the permission, if necessary, from the original publishing entity to republish your work.

6. First time authors are welcome to submit. In the first four volumes, there was a good mix of established and new authors. Good stories trump literary credentials anytime.

7. No multiple submissions. Each author may submit only one story for consideration.

8. Each story’s word count must be no fewer than 1,500 words and no more than 7,500 words.

9. All submissions must be in Rich Text Format (.rtf – save the document as .rft on your word processor) and attached to an email to this address: nikkialfar@gmail.com. Submissions received in any other format will be deleted, unread.

10. The subject of your email must read: PSF5 Submission: (title) (word count); where (title) is replaced by the title of your short story, without the parentheses, and (word count) is the word count of your story, without the parentheses. For example – PSF5 Submission: Meeting Makiling 4500.

11. All submissions must be accompanied by a cover letter that includes your name, brief bio, contact information, previous publications (if any). Introduce yourself.

12. Deadline for submissions is October 15, 2009. After that date, final choices will be made and letters of acceptance or regret sent out via email. Target publishing date is February 2010.

14. Compensation for selected stories will be 2 contributor’s copies of the published anthology as well as a share in aggregrate royalties.

Kindly help spread the word. Feel free to cut and paste or link to this on your blogs or e-groups.

Thanks,

Nikki Alfar

Vin Simbulan

Dean Francis Alfar
Saturday, April 25, 2009

American Idol Top 5


American Idol Season 8 is inching closer and closer to the grand finale....

And I am very much hoping that this photo will reflect the final order of elimination- starting with Matt Giraud this week , then Danny Gokey, then Allison Iraheta- leaving my two faves to duke it out on finals week- Kris Allen and Adam Lambert!

Though I really think that based on their performances so far, Adam should win. As a long time Tears For Fears fan, I still get chills every time I listen to Adam's take on Mad World. Brilliant!

It would take a miracule for Kris to take him down, so I'm just looking forward to enjoying a few more amazing performances from these two before the Season ends.
Monday, March 30, 2009

A Time for Dragons Launch

Anvil Publishing pulled out all the stops to make the launch of A Time for Dragons an event to remember. Between the parade of dragons, the art contest and the amazing venue, it was great to release the anthology after almost four years of anticipation.

Putting together a book that I think proves that Filipinos are able to produce fantasy stories that are on par with anything the rest of the world has to offer has long been a dream of mine, and I am very lucky and blessed to finally see it come true.



Group shot of the contributors

I want to thank Andrew Drilon, the cover artist and illustrator, for making the book look so beautiful. It was also wonderful to get together with many of the authors who made this anthology possible. A great big THANK YOU to them and to everyone who attended the launch, for making it a fantastic success!

Devoured by a Dragon!

For those who missed out on a chance to attend the launch, the book will be available at various branches of National Bookstore, Powerbooks, Bestsellers and Comic Quest. Grab a copy while supplies last! :)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Dragon Flight

It's finally here.

Longtime followers of this blog know just how long it's been since I sent out an open call for stories that would renew and revitalize the concept of the dragon. So it is with much pride that I invite everyone to join me and the wonderful contributors for the launch of A Time For Dragons.

Thanks to the fantastic folks off Anvil Publishing for believing in this project.

Here is the awesome cover by artist Andrew Drilon.

The table of contents:

"Glass" by Nikki Alfar
"Dragon Brother" by Cyan Abad-Jugo
"The Annotated Account of Tholomew Mestich" by Elyss Punsalan
"The Clockwork Dragon's Heart" by Vincent Michael Simbulan
"Moondown and Fugue" by Alexander Drilon
"Gunsaddled" by Alexander Marcos Osias
"Lex Talionis" by Paolo Chikiamco
"The Final Tale of Zhang Bai Long" by Elbert Or
"A Fishy Tale" by Apol Lejano-Massebieau
"Johnny Tatô and the Dragon of Pasig" by Joseph Nacino
"Capture" by Gabriela Lee
"3:30pm with Sir Galahad" by Kate Aton-Osias
"A Change of Guards" by Oscar Alvarez
"The Fossil" by Angelo R. Lacuesta
"A Little Knowledge" by Dominique Cimafranca
"The Bridge" by Yvette Natalie U. Tan
"Fallow's Flight" by Dean Francis Alfar
"Dragons Among Us (Essay)" by Charles Tan


The launch is on March 29, 2009 3-6pm, at the Grand Atrium of Shangri-la Mall. There will be a parade of dragons, author signings, an original art auction and an art contest for kids age 12 and under!

How can you resist that? You can't! So go and bring your friends!

Labels:

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Philippine Speculative Fiction IV


Huzzah! It's that time of year again! Everyone is invited to attend the book launch of Philippine Speculative Fiction volume 4, edited by Dean Francis Alfar & Nikki Alfar, and featuring more than a dozen new stories of the Filipino imagination!

Book launch: February 28, 2009 - 5:30PM
U-View Theater, Fully Booked High Street
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

If you're free this Saturday, come on over and join us! It's an event that's not to be missed!
Friday, January 02, 2009

Birthday Bash

Today the core Critters celebrated the birthday of my best bud, and writer extraordinaire, Dean Alfar
Here's to almost two decades of friendship, and wishing you a very Happy Birthday and many many more story-filled years ahead!


Sunday, December 28, 2008

Yule Tidings

It's that time of year again- when friends and family gather and celebrate the seaon that Happyland treasures most. It's been a tough year. I've faced a lot of challenges both financial and health related. But I've been very blessed by the love and support of my family and friends. 
I must admit that as December rushed forward like a herd of wild mongoose (mongeese?), I couldn't really feel the Christmas spirit; I was too preoccupied by other more pressing things.

Now that the parties are done and gifts unwrapped, I've found some time for quiet introspection and allowed myself to feel the simple joy of the season- a child born in a manger about two thousand years ago came into this world to bring us a message of love, hope and salvation. Tidings of comfort and joy indeed. That is the greatest gift that you and I can ever receive.

Merry Christmas to one and all!