The Philippine Online Chronicles

We're past the half-way point of the year, and that means we're that much closer to a few deadlines for budding writers and comics creators--not to mention that a few new projects have just been announced, so I though now would be a good time to gather some local contests and calls for submission, divided by category and arranged in chronological order. Let's go mark some calendars:

Komiks:

Philippine 24 Hour Comic Book Challenge: This is the event that is coming up the soonest, on July 17, 2010. You can find more information on the official website, or with our interview with Jonas Diego here. The event begins on July 17, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.

Bayan Knights: Create a Hero or Villain: As we've previously mentioned, if you have an original superhero or super villain character, he/she/it has the chance of being recruited into the largest Filipino superhero universe, that of the Bayan Knights. You need to submit a stand-alone two page story--examples and other rules can be found at the link above. The deadline is August 21, 2010.

Espresso Comics Call for Submissions - Paranormal: While the first regular issue (the issue currently available is a pilot) will be released on August 2 instead of July 12, the deadline for komiks submissions that fall within their Paranormal theme remains to be August 27, 2010. Get your 18-22 page manuscripts in and have a chance to fill one of the seven remaining slots.

The Quarterly Bathroom Companion Comics Compendium - Call for Pitches: (Note the link leads to some NSFW language--and a hilarious call for submissions in komiks form.) This is the newest project to send out a call for submissions--and don't be fooled by the whimsical title. D.J. Legaspi and Josel Nicolas (Doc Brick: Balloon Scientist Problem Solver) are embarking on a crusade to take comics to the next level through "rigorous editorship" with this anthology, which will accept a wide variety of comics genres and styles (experimentation is highly encouraged), as long as these fit within at most ten pages, and tackle the issue's theme: Non-linear storytelling (need some help with that? Try this episode of the Writing Excuses podcast). Submissions can take the form of illustrated pitches or full scripts, which must be received by September 5, 2010.

Komikon 2010 Comic Creation Contest : The 2010 Komikon is taking place on November 13, 2010, and as always there will be a few contests to join beforehand. First up is the annual comic creation contest, and the theme this year is "Movie Adaptation", or to be more specific, an adaptation of a Filipino action film. (Note: Whoever does a komik adaptation of Big Time wins my vote and eternal affection).  Check the link above for more details, but the deadline is October 31, 2010. This is also the same deadline for the Komikon 2010 Comic Capture Photo Contest.

Prose:

Estranghero Press - Diaspora Ad Astra: This will be the third online anthology of Joseph Nacino's Estranghero Press (following the Farthest Shore and Demons of the New Year), and this time the theme is Science Fiction, specifically stories about the speculative future which focus on Filipino characters or the Filipino race. Details at the link, but the deadline is on July 31, 2010.

Rocket Kapre - Alternative Alamat: This is an anthology I'm putting together, over at Rocket Kapre Books, with stories that re-interpret and re-imagine Philippine myths and legends in fresh new ways. Just click the link for details, and the deadline is August 30, 2010.

NEW: Philippine Speculative Fiction VI: Hot off the press: the latest volume of the annual Philippine Speculative Fiction anthology is now open to submissions. This volume will be edited by Nikki Alfar and Kate Aton-Osias. The deadline is November 15, 2010.

The POC Review: Last but not least, the POC's very own online magazine of Philippine literature is still set to launch soon, under the capable hands of Exie Abola, and it's still accepting both fiction and non-fiction (criticism) pieces.

[Image source: excerpt from comic by Josel Nicolas, edited by DJ Legaspi, found at indie komplex (language warning). Copyright holder/s maintain appropriate rights.]