It’s a good day for Filipino book lovers, authors and learners. Last night, The University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing (UP ICW) posted a call for contributions to help build a free Filipiniana online library schedule to be launched in June. They’re currently accepting published Filipiniana literature, which not only includes books but zines as well.
In the country, not everyone is able to visit community libraries and major public libraries. A number of our libraries also have trouble updating book collections. This problem might become more evident in the coming days since classes are resuming on Aug. 24. It’s high time that the government and educational institutions provide more options for Filipinos who need access to reading materials, especially those that are made by Filipinos for Filipinos.
With this project, UP ICW “aims to work with local writers to address the unavailability of many Filipiniana works due to libraries becoming inaccessible because of pandemic safety measures.”
Interested in providing digital access to your work? Here are the guidelines for submission:
- Interested contributors should submit their manuscript in PDF format. UP ICW will then watermark it to indicate terms of use which will be negotiated with the contributor. The author may choose to share it under exclusive distribution, free and open access, requiring permission to reproduce, etc.
- Contributors should also submit a short project description along with the genre, language and subcategories or themes attached to their work.
- The biographical profiles of the authors on the website will be hyperlinked on their work. Those who don’t have one up yet on Panitikan.ph will have to send in a 600×600 pixel and a 150 to 500-word bio note.
- Manuscripts and requirements must be sent to icw.upd@up.edu.ph with the subject heading format: FOL_Name_Title of Mss_Genre, Language
- Upon receipt, UP ICW will send out the terms and conditions agreement that the contributor must fill out and sign after negotiations.
For any questions and concerns, UP ICW can be reached through Facebook or email. It’s time you shared your work to the rest of the world.
Photo courtesy of Pexels
Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Viber
Related Stories:
Filipina authors that you must read at least once in your life
These Filipina authors aren’t here to write stereotypical love stories
This zine is launching its first issue with upcycled RTW capsule collections
These books will remind you of the horrors under the martial law regime