Japanese Translation of Cecilia Brainard's World War Two Novel Released

 

Japanese Translation Cecilia Brainard's World War 2 Novel

I am happy to share the good news that the Japanese translation of my novel, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept, has been released by Genki Shobou of Tokyo. You can find the Japanese edition in Amazon Japan.

This novel, my first, is a coming of age of a young girl in the Philippines during World War Two. The book has a rich publication history. It started off with the title of Song of Yvonne, published in 1991. It was picked up by Dutton/Penguin in 1994, then it was published by the University of Michigan Press and remains in print there. The University of Santo Tomas Publishing House re-released the Philippine edition in 2019. The novel has also been translated into Turkish, Portuguese, Arabic, North Macedonia, and (forthcoming) Azerbaijani.

This Japanese edition is particularly welcome because the novel is about the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. The following excerpt from the AP review gives you a good idea about whet that novel is about. What I find most impressive with this Japanese edition is that the translator (academic Dr. Takuya Matsuda) and the publisher Genki Shobou published this translation with the goal of informing the younger Japanese about the truth of World War Two.

Brainard Novel Magdalena Shortlisted Akdang Pinoy Choice y

 I should acknowledge my novel MAGDALENA for making the shortlist of the Akdang Pinoy Choice Awards. You can find information and book reviews in this site:

https://ceciliabrainard.com/book/magdalena/

Here is the link for the FINAL VOTING round.

bit.ly/APCA2025FINALISTS

Described as a tragic and erotic novel, MAGDALENA has been translated into Arabic (Egyptian Office for Publishing and Distribution), Greek( Lemvos), and North Macedonian (Bata). It will also be translated into Portuguese by Editora Rua do Sabao of Brazil.

Tags: #philippinebooks #filipinoliterature #filipinowriter #booksphilippines

Read also:

Top Translated Filipino Authors - Includes Cecilia Brainard 

Cross-cultural Exchange Via Cecilia Brainard's Translations 

Press Release about foreign Translations of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's Fiction 

Publishers of Cecilia Brainard's Foreign Translations 

One-on-One with Author Cecilia Manguerra Brainard About the Frankfurt and Porto Alegre Book Fairs

 

I'm happy to start 2026 with a talk for The Vicente Sotto Lecture Series, USC Cebuano Studies Center, on Manila time - Friday, January 9, 2026, 10 A.M. Here is information about this Zoom-talk:

***

Title: ONE-ON-ONE WITH AUTHOR CECILIA MANGUERRA BRAINARD ABOUT THE FRANKFURT AND PORTO ALEGRE BOOK FAIRS

In this talk, internationally-acclaimed writer Cecilia Manguerra Brainard shares her first-hand observations from her participation in two major international literary events: the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany (2024 and 2025) and the Porto Alegre Book Fair in Brazil, where she was invited as a speaker. Drawing from these experiences, she reflects on how Filipino publishers and authors are perceived in global spaces, the opportunities and challenges that arise when representing Philippine literature abroad, and ultimately, whether involvement in such international book fairs is worthwhile.

Brainard’s perspective is shaped not only by her professional engagement in these events but also by her ongoing creative work, which involves writing stories rooted in the history, memory, and culture of Cebu. By bringing Cebuano narratives to wider international audiences, she aims to affirm their place in global literary conversations. Her talk raises timely questions about visibility, cultural presence, and the value of advocating for Philippine, and specifically Cebuano, stories on the world stage.

Read also:

Top Translated Filipino Authors - Includes Cecilia Brainard 

Cross-cultural Exchange Via Cecilia Brainard's Translations 

Press Release about foreign Translations of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's Fiction 

Publishers of Cecilia Brainard's Foreign Translations 

Filip Batkoski (Bata Press) 

Leonardo Garzaro (Editor Rua do Sabao) 

Senja Pozar - Literary Agent

Dimitris Tsoukatos (Lemvos Editions) 

Mohamed Radi (Egyptian Office for Publishing and Distribution

Dejan Trajkoski (Prozart Media)

 Nenad Saponja (Agora)

Jale Memmedova (Qanun Publishing House)

Dr. Takuya Matsuda (Genki Shobou)

 

#GoH2025

       #FrankfurtBookFair2025

#ImaginationPeoplestheAir

#brazilbookfair

#portoalegrebookfair

#CebuanoLiterature

#cebuliterature

#PhilippineLiterature

#filipinoliterature

#filipinoauthors

#filipinoliterature

#fbm2025

Book Review of How I Became a Writer, by Elfren S. Cruz

 

Book Review of HOW I BECAME A WRITER: ESSAYS BY FILIPINO AND FILIPINO AMERICAN WRITERS, by Efren Cruz.  

https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2025/10/19/2480826/writers-conversation

Writers in Conversation, by Elfren S. Cruz

Published October 19, 2025, Philippine Star

“How I Became a Writer” (2025), edited by California-based writer Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and published by Vibal Foundation under its World Nonfictions imprint, is a readable anthology composed of personal essays written by Filipino and Filipino American writers reflecting on their creative beginnings. And talking about how it all began. Conceived originally as a digital series on Brainard’s blog (the “Filipino FilAm Series”), the project evolved into a significant literary collection, launched on June 7, 2025, in Makati. The essays – some heartfelt, others insightful – are meant not only for remembrance but also serve as reading material in creative writing courses and Philippine literary history classes.

Guest Blogger - Stephanie Lee for Jewel Eternal

My Guest Blogger is Stephanie Lee, founder of Jewel Eternal. Enjoy the photos of her beautiful creations. These pieces are affordable, so be sure and check out her website at www.JewelEternal.com . 

Hello, I’m Stephanie — founder of Jewel Eternal. I’m honored to share a little of my heart and my craft.

As a jewelry maker, that touches me deeply. I spend a lot of time thinking about why people wear what they wear — and what emotions or memories sit quietly behind a ring or necklace.

 My work centers around custom fine jewelry — pieces tailored to each person’s style, story, and purpose. Whether it’s an everyday ring, a symbolic pendant, a moissanite engagement ring, or a piece meant specifically for travel, I focus on durability, elegance, and personal meaning at an affordable price.

 I create custom pieces using moissanite, diamonds, and other fine gemstones, set exclusively in precious metals — 925 sterling silver, solid 14k gold, or solid platinum. Some clients want something bold for a milestone. Others want discreet, beautiful travel-friendly jewelry they can enjoy without worry. Many want something simple and refined for daily wear or a keepsake gift to mark an occasion in life.

 I love creating pieces that quietly become part of someone’s life story.

Mosaic Art - 2026 Project

 

Mosaic art

Thinking of 2026 -- I have some talks, book projects, and I'd like to do mosaic work again. I really enjoyed creating these, and I still have a lot of beautiful Mexican tiles in the garage. In the Spring, when the weather is better, I can do this again, God willing.

#mosaicart #mosaics #tilework #hobbies

Cecilia Brainard Papers Arrived Ateneo de Manila University

Via ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY LITERARY AND CULTURAL STUDIES PROGRAM - Dec. 3, 2025 

The Balikbayan box containing the papers of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard has arrived all the way from California in pristine condition despite the natural calamities and political disturbances in the last three months. One of the most translated authors in our tradition, Brainard is a key Filipino American fictionist. Generously supported by the Kwan Laurel Fund for the Humanities, the Ateneo Archive of Philippine Literature in English is deeply honored to serve as the repository of Brainard’s papers consisting of invaluable photographs, journals, notes, and letters. 

 

Maraming salamat po, Ginang Brainard!

 

Charlie Samuya Veric, Director of the Ateneo Archive of Philippine Literature in English

 Tags: #booksphilippines  #writersphilippines #philippineliterature #filipinoliterature #filipinowriters

Read also:

Plantation Bay, A Weekend Retreat 

Top Translated Filipino Authors - Includes Cecilia Brainard 

Cross-cultural Exchange Via Cecilia Brainard's Translations 

Press Release about foreign Translations of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's Fiction 

Publishers of Cecilia Brainard's Foreign Translations 

Filip Batkoski (Bata Press) 

Leonardo Garzaro (Editor Rua do Sabao) 

Senja Pozar - Literary Agent

Dimitris Tsoukatos (Lemvos Editions) 

Mohamed Radi (Egyptian Office for Publishing and Distribution

Dejan Trajkoski (Prozart Media)

 Nenad Saponja (Agora)

Jale Memmedova (Qanun Publishing House)

Dr. Takuya Matsuda (Genki Shobou)