Out in December!

For the first time since I started this novella-writing thing, I am releasing two e-books this year. The second one will be out in December because I really, really want to make this two-novellas-a-year a regular goal (fingers crossed).

I already started this book a year ago, but I had to put it on hold because I went through some stuff. And by the time I bounced back from said stuff, I started a new one instead--the YA book, Choco Chip Hips, which reflected where I was at that point in my life.

But after releasing CCH, I wanted to finish the other one as well, because I knew that if I dilly-dallied too long, I might not have the discipline to finish it AT ALL. So I did. And now it is in the hands of beta-readers, an editor, and the cover artist (Gerry Isaac), who sent me this work-in-progress.

It's the romance-heaviest book I've ever written, featuring a fictitious beach, bulalo, and a half-Filipina, half-American MC. I'm excited about it! And that's always a good thing. :-)

See you soon, This Side of Sunny!

Launched

Yesterday, I was part of a book launch of new #SparkBooks titles together with awesome authors, Chrissie Peria, Kate Evangelista, and Dawn Lanuza. The other awesome authors, Bianca Mori and Camilla Sisco, weren't able to make it, and I wish they did, because it was an awesome experience.

We were requested to read excerpts from our books after our gracious host, Mina Esguerra, introduced us. I really wasn't comfortable with my public speaking skills, so I tried to keep my excerpt short. I read that part when Val met Jake for the first time.

His name was Jacob Isaac Clementia.

She knew this because she had read the name off the paper as quickly and unobtrusively as she could before tucking those three words in the folds of her memory.

(cut)

It happened three years ago but she could still remember every detail including what he wore—a red polo shirt that highlighted his fair skin, dark blue jeans that hung low on the waist, and immaculate red and mocha sneakers.

(cut)

Val looked up at his thin, boyish face—a contrast to his towering height. His hair was in that growing-out stage, a week shy of a trim, with bangs creeping down the forehead and the top shooting out in small spikes. (cut)

“I’m Val,” she squeaked. The baboon was still making its happy dance on her vocal cords.

“Jake,” he said in that deep and gentle voice.

(cut) he turned to her. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around, Val.”

That was the first time that Val realized that eyes could smile. Sure, she had heard and read about the phenomenon often enough to know that it existed. But when Jake said his goodbye, it was the exact description that leapt to her mind.

His eyes had creased at the corners, making tiny lines that reminded her of ripples that gently lapped at your feet. For if there were a word that would always remind her of him, it would be gentleness.

Then there was the Q&A portion, then we raffled off our prizes. It just blew me away that boys read romance, too. Don't you just love the democratizing power of books?

The highlight of the event, at least for me, was meeting new people, and seeing familiar faces among the audience. I was able to finally see bloggers and twitter-friends in the flesh, and we were just all excited to make small and talk and get to know each other.

(my bungisngis self flanked by Kate and Chrissie)

Thanks to everyone who came and made this possible. If you're a reader, I hope you continue reading local books. And if you're a writer, I hope to attend your own book launch someday soon.

Photos by Grace Gatdula. Check out her article on the launch!

Choco Chip Hips under Construction

Pre-press work is very exciting.

I got my beta-reader's feedback, edits from my grammar girl, and this cover study for the book. :-)

IT'S OUT!

My second novella baby, Once upon a Player, is now available on Amazon and Smashwords.  I've also set up its Goodreads page. And if you want, you can read the first three parts on Wattpad.

I'm starting another new romance novella, This Side of Sunny, also on Wattpad,  but without the hurried frenzy of last time. I took on some writing projects (yes, I write for a living, too!) that will keep me busy for the rest of the year. Still, I'm hoping to finish This Side of Sunny this year.

Oops, my toddler is awake! Gotta log out.

Cover Reveal!

The book is still in the revision stage but big thanks to hubby, who designed the cover, I can already do a cover reveal. Can't wait to release this baby :-)

Meanwhile, I've taken down the complete novella from Wattpad, leaving only the first three parts of the book. 

In other news, I'm starting a new project, a YA fantasy this time and I plan to enter it in this really cool thing that might get it published. If you're into writing YA stuff, you should join, too!

Life is too short for just wishing and planning. Go ahead and take that first step in fulfilling your dream. :-)

Once upon a Player--coming soon!

These days, it's all about revising, revising, revising.

My second romance novella, Once upon a Player, will hit e-book stands hopefully in July (next month!).  It's been one helluva ride finishing it because like I mentioned in my previous post, I uploaded each chapter on Wattpad as soon as I wrote it. At first, I was finishing one chapter a week. But towards ACT 3, I had a sudden burst of writing energy and I was finishing two a week!

I just want to get the birthing process over with because a new season, at least here in the Philippines (Shakey's V-league), is coming up and I want the story to coincide with all the volleyball feels fans will be drowning in once it starts.

The whole thing, raw version, is still actually up on Wattpad. Once the e-book is ready to make its grand entrance, I will be taking down the story except for the first three chapters. So if you want to take a look at it, with all the typos and inconsitencies in all their written glory, check out my story here. So far it has 5,000+ reads and I'm happy to note that they're not all local readers.  A lot of them come from Brazil, where v-ball is this HUGE thing.

Also, my first romance novella, Vintage Love is free on Amazon for two more days! It's bundled up with two other terrific stories: Cover (Story) Girl by Chris Mariano and All's Fair in Blog and war by Chrissie Peria. Download it now and join the other 500+ readers who did. We got downloads from all over (UK, US, Brazil, etc.) Mina Esguerra, our awesome mentor, who's just as awesome in writing romance novellas (do check out her work) made this happen. Click this to get your copy!

#romanceclass invades Aklatan

#romanceclass met last saturday to put our heads together so we could come up with publishing/promotion ideas for our books. Then we all trudged up to the AKLATAN book fair where we had an actual table alongside publishing veterans. Self-publishers unite!

#romanceclass books' first playdate. They were all different, but that didn't stop them from liking each other.

These are only some of the novellas of our mentor Mina V. Esguerra. When I feel lazy about continuing my second novella, I only have to think of her prolific awesomeness.

This Week's Happenings

1. Paperback copies of Vintage Love

And because a lot of people still liked to feel the paper in their hands while reading, I decided to have VL printed in paperback. The books are cute little things, only 9x6 in size, printed on 104 pages of white paper.  I would've loved for the font size to be bigger (currently it's 9.5, Garamond) but doing so would make it more expensive.

They're ready to be shipped to readers within the Philippines, but if you're abroad and would like to purchase a copy, you can do so thru the ever reliable Amazon.

If you want to buy a copy, and you're in the country, kindly  send me a DM thru my Facebook page.

2. Which bring me to the 2nd "this week's happenings" item--finally made myself an FB page!  I didn't want to spam my non-reading friends on my personal account about #romanceclass updates and my writing endeavors, so I decided to keep that part of my life separate.

3. #romance class has a table at AKLATAN, The First All-Filipino Book Festival, happening later. Our guru Mina V. Esguerra and hubby Michael Co (also an indie-published author) arranged the whole thing, and we're psyched--even with all the last-minute preparations. I'm blessed to be part of a writing group that's grounded on generosity and good vibes. Yesterday, my family and I went to the neighborhood printer to have Vintage Love bookmarks ready as giveaways for the event.

Hope to see you at AKLATAN at the Alphaland Mall, near the Magallanes MRT station.

a book review!

Book reviews (especially 'em positive ones) affirm my efforts as a writer. Though some may argue that chick-lit is all feel-good fluff, it doesn't mean that it can be written without effort. And it did take a lot of effort for me to finish and revise the novella, and to finally self-publish it.

So yes, I'm tickled pink with my first Amazon customer review, and with this quick review from one of the blogs I secretly stalk. 

Thankyew!

author interview

I was interviewed by contemporary romance guru Mina V. Esguerra in her blog. Do check it out :-)

It's out!

Finally promoted ze book on FB and Twitter!

Now, to twiddle my thumbs and hope people purchase the book, and write their reviews.

Here's a high-res of the book cover made by the talented Gerry Isaac! Check out his blog to see how he created the cover art. Thanks, Gerry!

Purchase the book on Amazon.
Purchase the book on Smashwords.