Forthcoming: CHERISHED: 21 WRITERS ON ANIMALS THEY'VE LOVED AND LOST

I received confirmation from Barbara Abercrombie that my essay about my cat, Kiki, will be part of the collection, "CHERISHED: 21 WRITERS ON ANIMALS THEY'VE LOVED AND LOST (New World Library, approx. April 2011). I'm thrilled to be in a book that'll include Anne Lamott and Jane Smiley and the other fine writers.

The contributors are:

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard
May-lee Chai
Michael Chitwood
Melissa Cistaros
Mark Doty
Samantha Dunn
Linzi Glass
Robert Goldman, DVM (Preface)
Monica Holloway
Judith Lewis
Ted Kooser
Sonia Levitin
Anne Lamott
Thomas McGuane
Billy Mernit
Joe Morgenstern
Robin Romm
Jenny Rough
Carolyn See
Jane Smiley
Jacqueline Winspear
Victoria Zackheim

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW GROWING UP FILIPINO II

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BOOK REVIEW 5/1/2010 (Grades 5 & Up):

BRAINARD, Cecilia Manguerra, ed. Growing Up Filipino II: More Stories for Young Adults. 254p. PALH. 2010. Tr $29.95. ISBN 978-0-9719458-2-1; pap. $21.95. ISBN 978-0-9719458-3-8. LC 2002104406.

Gr 9 Up—This collection of 27 short stories, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Growing Up Filipino (PALH, 2003), reflects the impact of post-9/11 wartime sensibilities among Filipino writers living in the Philippines, the United States, and Canada. Although similar topics of family, memoir, and coming-of-age thread through both collections, the pieces are not grouped by theme, but nevertheless weave a constantly shifting tapestry of Filipino identity. The challenges and conflicts of unique ancestry and struggles for identity provide a rich background for modern urban realism. The brittle memoirs reflected in "Here in the States," "Nurse Rita," and "Hammer Lounge"; original legend in "A Season of 10,000 Noses"; and breathtaking tragedy in "How My Mother Flew," among others, are compelling reading. Some selections have terse, spare language; others are almost commonplace in their apparent simplicity; all capture moments and nuances of the modern Filipino experience that will envelop readers. Brainard has again selected powerful, evocative stories of family: of promises and disappointment, failure and resentment, tenacious and all-consuming love, anxiety and transcendent hope. There is plenty here to stimulate discussion and encourage an appreciation of Filipino writing and culture. This anthology is a worthy successor to the first volume and has appeal to an audience beyond high school literature courses.—Roxanne Myers Spencer, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green

Source: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6727442.html?industryid=47067

The Freeman Article "Writers Pay Homage to the Queen City"

I have an essay in this anthology. I'm sorry I can't attend the book launching scheduled Nov. 27 in Cebu.
Cebu Lifestyle
Writers pay homage to the Queen City
(The Freeman) Updated November 21, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - Anvil Publishing releases the third in a collection of books on cities with Cebu We Know, which will be launched on November 27, 4pm in Powerbooks Cebu at the SM Cebu North Wing. The book features essays by well-known Cebuano writers compiled by fictionist and columnist Erma Cuizon.

Located at the ‘very navel’ of the Philippine archipelago, Cebu is a center of trade and culture whose history is older than most cities in the country. As a layover to many people from Visayas and Mindanao, the island draws tourists and migrants who eventually call it home. Cebu is shown in its many facets and moods by the book’s contributors like Resil Mojares, Simeon Dumdum Jr. and Renato Madrid who write about its history and legends. Its coastline and beaches are the subject of essays by Erlinda Alburo, Charmaine Carreon and Hope Yu. Cebu is written of fondly by those who have left like Charmaine Fajardo and Cecilia Brainard.

Non- Cebuano writers also pay homage to this friendly city. In his foreword, Isagani Cruz writes, “From this book, I learned that writers can be inspired by almost anything on the island, such as horses, songs, cab drivers, stinginess, trees, seafood, corals, weeds, roast pig, coffee and schools. From what they experienced in Cebu, the writers in this book have weaved words of wonder, turning reality into literature”.

UPDATED CALL FOR SUBMISSION FINDING GOD

I have rewritten the Call to clarify that the editors realize people's spiritual journeys are unique, and such journeys may be rocky or smooth. The editors respect individuals' experiences. The guidelines in the Call are simply to give Contributors ideas. The editors will also read shorter pieces.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
This is a call for submissions of creative nonfiction for an anthology tentatively titled, FINDING GOD. The book will be co-edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and Marily Ysip Orosa and published in the Philippines by Anvil. Contributors will receive copies of the book as compensation for the use of their work.

The manuscript should be approximately 7-10 pages long, typed, double-spaced (approximately 1,750 - 2,500 words) and should include your contact information on the first page. We will look at shorter pieces. This can be emailed to cbrainard@gmail.com or to marily@yahoo.com.

You may also send it by air mail to:
Cecilia Brainard
c/o PALH
PO Box 5099
Santa Monica, CA 90409
USA

Our vision is to collect essays (creative nonfiction) that describe one’s spiritual journey towards God. The editors realize that people’s spiritual journeys are unique and they are open to individuals’ experiences. The following guidelines are simply to give contributors ideas.

The essays could focus on a specific incident that made the writer “find God” or that drew the writer closest to God. We have a preference toward a writing style that uses elements as scene and dialogue. The editors are looking for articles that are lively, specific and visual – articles that may address questions such as:
o Have you ever felt abandoned by God or felt your life in shambles, then realized that God was there all along?
o Did you ever have a close encounter with God? How? What circumstances surrounded such an encounter? Describe how such an encounter happened, in specific terms – where, when, how old were you, how did you feel before the encounter, and how did you feel after the encounter? How has your life changed from such an encounter?
o What specific situation was it that made you realize there is a God and that He is close to you?
o Take us on that journey: make us see you and those around you; make us feel what you had felt when you felt abandoned; make us feel what you felt when you discovered God; and make us see how your life has changed after finding God.

Deadline for submission is July 15, 2008. Early submissions are welcome. Please include your bio (approx. 150 words) in people-friendly narrative form, and all contact information (email address, mailing address, telephone number).
*
ABOUT THE EDITORS: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the author/editor of 14 books; Marily Ysip Orosa is the publisher of historical coffee table books. Both Cecilia and Marily have won numerous awards for their literary work. They have collaborated on two other anthologies: Behind the Walls: Life of Convent Girls, and the award-winning A La Carte: Food & Fiction, both published by Anvil.

Cecilia has a blog at http://cbrainard.blogspot.com.
Marily has a blog at http://marilyo.multiply.com

JEEPNEY BOOKS AND CALL FOR SUBMISSION

Jeepney books' interview of me is now up in their site, in the One-on-One section, on the right-hand site of the main page -click here . There are also interviews of Ed Lim, Eleanor Castillo, and Carina Montoya. This site is informative and fun at the same time! I've asked permission from Jeepney books to use the video of me, and if I can figure it out will pop it into You Tube. I will mention in my blog if I am successful.

My second news tonight is this: Marily Orosa and I have started our third book project together. We're going to edit an anthology of non-fiction tentatively titled, "Finding God." Yes, it will be about one's spiritual journey - and no snickering please. We do not plan to include goodie-goodie articles, but down-to-earth life experiences of when people felt closest to God. We are very excited and have all sorts of ideas for this book. The Call for Submission follows:
This is a call for submissions of creative nonfiction for an anthology tentatively titled, FINDING GOD. The book will be co-edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and Marily Ysip Orosa and published in the Philippines by Anvil. Contributors will receive copies of the book as compensation for the use of their work.

The manuscript should be approximately 10 pages long, typed, double-spaced (approximately 2,500 words) and should include your contact information on the first page. This can be emailed to cbrainard@gmail.com or to marilyo@yahoo.com.

You may also send it by air mail to:
Cecilia Brainard
c/o PALH
PO Box 5099
Santa Monica, CA 90409
USA

Our vision is to collect essays (creative nonfiction) that describe one’s spiritual journey towards God. We envision the essays to focus on a specific incident that made the writer “find God” or that drew the writer closest to God. We have a preference toward a writing style that uses elements as scene and dialogue. The editors are looking for articles that are lively, specific and visual – articles that address questions such as:
o Have you ever felt abandoned by God or felt your life in shambles, then realized that God was there all along?
o Did you ever have a close encounter with God? How? What circumstances surrounded such an encounter? Describe how such an encounter happened, in specific terms – where, when, how old were you, how did you feel before the encounter, and how did you feel after the encounter? How has your life changed from such an encounter?
o What specific situation was it that made you realize there is a God and that He is close to you?
o Take us on that journey: make us see you and those around you; make us feel what you had felt when you felt abandoned; make us feel what you felt when you discovered God; and make us see how your life has changed after finding God.

Deadline for submission is July 15, 2008. Early submissions are welcome. Please include your bio (approx. 150 words) in people-friendly narrative form, and all contact information.

ABOUT THE EDITORS: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the author/editor of 14 books; Marily Ysip Orosa is the publisher of historical coffee table books. Both Cecilia and Marily have won numerous awards for their literary work. They have collaborated on two other anthologies: Behind the Walls: Life of Convent Girls, and the award-winning A La Carte: Food & Fiction, both published by Anvil. Cecilia has a blog at http://cbrainard.blogspot.com. Marily has a blog at http://marilyo.multiply.com

INTERVIEW FOR MELLON, re A LA CARTE FOOD & FICTION

There's some flurry of publicity in the Philippines, in response to A La Carte's winning the Gourmand Award in the Philippines, and vying for the Best in the World Gourmand Award. My co-editor of the anthology, A La Carte Food & Fiction (Anvil, 2007)asked me to answer some interview questions for Mellon. I sent in my draft, and Marily will add and edit our responses to this magazine (I'm assuming Mellon is a Magazine). Here are my unedited answers to the questions:

1. What inspired you and your co-editor to collect a compilation of short stories about food?
see our book, p. vi Introduction - "It was this deep connection that Filipinos have for food that prompted Marily Orosa and me to edit this collection of Philippine and recipes. Marily and I share a love for fiction primarily because we believe that stories reflect the soul or culture of a people. So does food, and we thought that combining stories and recipes in one book would reveal Filipino culture in a unique manner, and would invite lovers of both stories and food to take a look at our delectable collection."

2. How did you choose which stories to include in the anthology? How about the recipes?
We put out a search for short stories related to food. We let other writers know about our project; we used the internet primarily to put the word out.
When the stories came in, we chose what we thought were the strongest works of fiction that were food-related. In most cases, the authors provided recipes that connected with their stories. In some cases, we helped the authors find recipes that would work with their piece.

3.Aside from the obvious theme of food, is there any other running theme that connects all the stories in the book?
Relationships - is a strong theme in the stories.

4. Were there any problems you encountered during the process of creating the book? How did you overcome these obstacles?
It was work finding stories that were good and with the right food-theme. We had to make a lot of effort to track down writers all over the world.

5. Your book was recently shortlisted for the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2007. How do you feel about that? What do you think makes A La Carte different from other fiction books or books about food?
We are delighted and amused that the book won the Philippine Gourmand Cookbook Award, and is shortlisted for the Best in the World award. The stories included in this anthology are strong; they are character-driven stories, and as such reveal much about Filipinos, their relationships with families and others, and also about Filipino culture. We are amused primarily because we (Marily and Cecilia) did this book project because of our friendship from college days. Finding ourselves in the same literary world, we had talked for years about doing a book project together. We have edited two books, Behind the Walls (full title), and A La Carte Food & Fiction, to fulfill this promise.

6. What important insights did you learn during the whole course of making the book which you wish to impart on your readers?

Insights: Creativity and Fun go together - we had fun doing this book; it was meant to be a fun project, and the book also turned out to be a fine literary book;
Our stories (that is stories about Filipinos) and our books can be just as interesting and captivating as any other in the world, as evidenced by the attention the Gourmand people have given it. The Gourmand Awards are coveted by huge mainstream publishers worldwide and two books by Anvil are in the top three, vying for the international awards.

~~~~
Note: Marily Orosa is the publisher of Studio 5, which has published numerous award-winning coffee table books about Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and others.
Picture above shows Marily, me, and Lauren;
Next picture shows Marily and me at book launching of Behind the Walls. I'm the one in the extreme left, and Marily is wearing red; she's behind Linda Panlilio. Miss International, Gemma Cruz Aramet, whose piece is part of the anthology Behind the Walls, is on the far right;