Silliman University's National Writers' Workshop

For the 51st time, the Silliman University will be holding a National Writers Workshop set on April 30 to May 18 , 2012 in the Silliman University Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers' Village.

Fifteen fellowships will be offered to promising writers who wish to enhance their writing skills including style.

To get involved in this 19-day writing workshop, you must be able to submit manuscripts in English on or before February 24 of this year. (10 more days before the deadline)

All applications must adhere to the following guidelines: (Failure to do so will automatically eliminate their entries)

Manuscripts should be submitted in hard copy on short-size bond paper, using Times New Roman or Calibri in 12 pt. font type.

Applicants for Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction fellowships should submit three to five entries.

Applicants for Poetry fellowships should submit seven to ten poems.

Applicants for Drama fellowship should submit at least a One-Act Play. For plays beyond the one-act length, a scene accompanied by a synopsis of the entire work should be included.

Each fiction, non-fiction, or drama manuscript should not be more than 50 pages, double spaced. We encourage you to stay well below the 50 pages, since a submission half that length is more than sufficient as a critical gauge.

Manuscripts should be accompanied by at least one letter of recommendation from a literature professor or an established writer.

Together with the manuscripts and recommendation letter, you should also include a resume, a notarized certification that the works are original, and two 2X2 ID pictures.

If considered as an official fellow, you will be provided with a housing, a modest stipend, and a subsidy to partially defray costs of your transportation.

You may send your applications or requests for information to Department of English and Literature, attention Dr. Evelyn F. Mascuñana, Chair, Silliman University, 6200 Dumaguete City. For inquiries, email us at nwworkshop_su@yahoo.com or call 035-422-6002 loc. 350.

So there, let that writing talent come out in you and grow your career through this writing workshop. Goodluck! :) -bp-

World's largest floating book fair to visit Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Following in the footsteps of her predecessor MV Doulos, which has visited Manila seven times since 1988, MV Logos Hope is the newest vessel in the GBA Ships fleet. She carries the world’s largest floating book fair and will soon visit Manila on her maiden voyage around the world. This newer and larger ship features a greater space for visitors and more comfortable browsing in the air conditioned book fair and café area.

The book fair on board Logos Hope offers an expanded selection of over 5,000 books at affordable prices. They cover a range of subjects including science, sports, hobbies, cookery, the arts, medicine, dictionaries, languages, and philosophy. With children’s titles, academic texts, dictionaries, atlases and more, the book fair is something the whole family can enjoy. Additionally, the rest of the Visitor Experience Deck is also open for the public to explore. From the Welcome Area, which introduces the new vessel through a short movie and interactive displays, to the International Café, which has ice cream, drinks and snacks for sale, there is sure to be something for everyone.

MV Logos Hope will open to the public at Pier 15, Berth 4, South Harbor from Feb. 17 until March 13. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. on Sundays; the ship will be closed on Mondays. Tickets cost P20; children under 12 are allowed for free, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Logos Hope is operated by GBA Ships e.V., an international, charitable organization registered in Germany. In almost 40 years of service, the organization has welcomed 40 million visitors up the gangways in over 160 countries and territories around the world. The visit of Logos Hope is conducted in partnership with Operation Mobilisation Philippines.

N.B. This is a repost from: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=775748

*****

I am excited for this. Well, not once have I ever been to a floating book fair so how can I not say "WOW" for this? Knowing it's being done by an NGO for a span of 40 years already, I can say this is a good strategy for a charitable organization to promote itself. Let's get involved. See you there fellow booklovers! :) -bp-

2012 PBBY-Alcala Prize

Please know that the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) already opened the 2012 PBBY-Alcala Prize that runs from January 1 to February 24 in celebration of the National Children’s Book.

The contest will be a fun experience for unpublished and yet to be published writers who will showcase their most creative children's stories.

Let the children in you come out and take home P25,000.00, a gold medal and an opportunity to be published.

Entries for this contest must be based on “Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon?”, the 2012 PBBY-Salanga Prize-winning story by Russell Molina. You may ask a copy of it from the PBBY Secretariat or you may upload the PDF version here. :)

Why Alcala Prize? Learn it at http://pbby.org.ph/alcala.html.

Here are the mechanics for the contest:

1) All entries must be original unpublished illustrations that have not won in any previous contest.
2) All entries must consist of three (3) illustrations that are of the same size and medium.
3) A contestant may send in more than one (1) entry.
4) Each entry must be signed by a pen name only, preferably on a small piece of paper pasted on the back of each artwork. Entries with a signature or any identifying marks are automatically disqualified.

Together with each entry, contestants must submit a separate envelope, on the face of which only the pen name of the contestant shall appear. The envelope must contain the contestant’s full name, address, contact numbers, short description of background, and notarized certification vouching for the originality of the entry and for the freedom of the organizers from any liability arising from the infringement of copyright in case of publication.

All entries must be sent to the PBBY Secretariat, c/o Adarna House, 109 Scout Fernandez cor. Scout Torillo Sts.,Quezon City by February 24, 2012.

Winners will be announced on or efore March 30, 2012. Awarding will commence during the actual celebration of NationalChildren's Book Day on July 17 this year. Non-winning entries must be claimed no later than May 31, 2012, after which they will no longer be the responsibility of the organizers.

For more details, contact PBBY through 3526765 local 203 or emailing pbby@adarna.com.ph.

Panulat at Kape with Ricky Lee

Everyone is invited to attend the free writing seminar at the University of Santo Tomas on February 11, 2012.

The seminar is initiated by the Communication Arts Students' Association to allow aspiring and promising writers to stir the inspiration within their hearts.

The speaker will be no less than one of the most renowned Filipino writers of many movies (e.g. Himala) and books (Para kay B, Trip to Quaipo, Si Ampola sa 65 na kabanata, etc).

The free writing seminar is dubbed as "Panulat at Kape: Isang Seminar ni Ricky Lee sa Pagsulat".

So who said that February is only a month for lovers? This month also calls for writers..Yes, and their love for pen and coffee.

Contact JM Borja at 09151081822 to reserve a seat for this one of a kind learning experience.