Dean's Peanut Gallery

Dean's Peanut Gallery http://deanalfar.multiply.com/ Fri, 4 Jul 2008 21:40:21 -0000 Thu, 3 Jul 2008 05:48:44 -0000 Dean's Peanut Gallery http://images.deanalfar.multiply.com/logo http://deanalfar.multiply.com 100 100 build your own anthology If, like me, you love short fiction that has appeared in various publications (such as Asimov's,  F&SF, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, Realms of Fantasy, Interzone and other hard-to-find-without-a-subscription magazines) and want them on your bookshelf, then <a href="http://www.anthologybuilder.com/welcome.php">AnthologyBuilder</a> is for you.  <a href="http://www.anthologybuilder.com/welcome.php">AnthologyBuilder</a> is the brainchild of <a href="http://www.baens-universe.com/authors/Nancy_Fulda">Nancy Fulda</a>, author and assistant editor of the speculative fiction magazine Jim Baen's Universe. You can choose the stories you want from the growing list of short stories (from classics by Hans Christian Andersen, Edgar Allan Poe and Jane Austen to speculative fiction by Ted Kosmatka, Tobias Buckell, Mary Robinette Kowal, Jay Lake and Ben Rosenbaum), write an introduction, choose a cover and the book is sent to you, Mr. Anthologist. It's particularly gratifying because the customizing feature ensures you get what you want (any Year's Best antho has stories that make someone wince).  350 pages worth, in fact. A number... http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1129/build_your_own_anthology Thu, 3 Jul 2008 05:48:44 -0000 ratify Nikki's doctor says that our new child will join the human race from mid-July onwards.   Which mean I'll be a bundled of nerves, expecting the next cell call or text I get while I'm at work or at a meeting to be a summons to the hospital.   Things still feel a bit unreal right now, despite all the preparations and layette stuff, and all the kicking action from Nikki's belly.  Like silence before momentous thunder.  As I was with Sage, I need to see and hold the child in my hands before I ratify reality.   For now though, I am awash with a swirl of things, different flavors of anxiety, the greatest of which is this:  I am afraid that something will happen to my wife (there, I've said it) because while C-Sections are routine, the writerly part of me is unable to switch off possibilities, though I wish I could.    Fear is terrible, worry is a sin.   Nothing will happen to her.   Everything will be fine and I'll come home with my wife and ... http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1128/ratify Thu, 3 Jul 2008 05:19:50 -0000 flash fic Come on over to <a href="http://www.coffeebean.com.ph/">The Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf </a>over at Bonifacio High Street, Global City, Taguig, on June 24, 2008, at 7:00 pm. I'll be talking about writing flash fiction (with just a tiny segue into creative non-fiction). It's all part of Coffee Bean's <a href="http://www.whatsyourcoffeebeanandtealeafstory.com/">contest</a>. In addition to me, there'll be speakers for videography (Mike Cabardo) and photography. Should be fun. See you http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1127/flash_fic Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:54:00 -0000 fly, racoon, fly~ <img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/CIMP/bHQ9MTIxMzc3MjgxODk*OCZwdD*xMjEzNzcyOTI5OTIxJnA9MTk5NTIxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTE=.jpg" /> http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1126/fly_racoon_fly Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:09:00 -0000 litcritters open at robinsons galleria LitCritters! Here are the details for this weekend's open session. When: June 21, 2008, 2PM Where: Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf, Robinsons Galleria The readings: Deadnauts by Ted Kosmatka Falling Onto Mars by Geoffrey Landis Conhoon and the Fairy Dancer by John Morressey Make sure to read up - and then come on over http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1124/litcritters_open_at_robinsons_galleria Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:12:00 -0000 the night monkeys <a href="http://deanalfar.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SFiIqwoKCBoAACKNRag1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.deanalfar.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SFiIqwoKCBoAACKNRag1/Night-Monkeys-cover.jpg?et=Q2Jbc8eO61S6M0GVOeTV1g&nmid=0" border="0"></a> Hey, hey! The launch for The Night Monkeys: More Palanca Prize Winners for Children (<a href="http://tahananbooks.multiply.com/">Tahanan Books</a>) is on June 30, 2008 at 7PM (that's a Monday). Come on over to Mary Grace Café at Serendra, Fort Bonifacio Global City and join the celebration. <a href="http://nikkialfar.multiply.com/">Nikki Alfar</a> has a story in the antho, as well as Raissa Rivera-Falgui, Natasha Vizcarra, Luis Katigbak, Yvette Tan, Cyan Abad-Jugo, Herb Fondevilla, Celeste Flores-Coscolluela, Honoel Ibardolaza, and Bing Sitoy. Just look at that cover - I love it! http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1123/the_night_monkeys Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:05:30 -0000 story update anthologies I got a chance to see the TOC of the upcoming Exotic Gothic 2 (edited by Danel Olson from Ash-Tree Press) and I must say that I have silly smile plastered all over my face. Can’t tell you why though until the TOC is made public but it really made my day. It’s quite a thrill to be in company of these writers – authors I know only by name or because of their books. I’m finishing my contribution for Ruey de Vera’s travel antho, to be published later this year or early next. My story is set in Hong Kong and I’m thinking of rewriting the entire thing (sigh) and doing some weird lovechild of spec fic and creative non-fiction (yes, I’m infected by Mia). When I look back at the time I lived in Hong Kong, I remember a mix of excitement and a deep longing for home. I did not believe in the concept of winter in Hong Kong, but recall cursing the day I disallowed my office manager from buying a heater. I do not do well in cold – I think my body retains a sense of disbelief. In term... http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1122/story_update Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:38:00 -0000 centralize I've been loyal to Blogger since forever, but I find certain features on Multiply and Facebook quite entertaining and useful. My big issue with Facebook is the lack of a blog space, but now it seems with this application (Blog It) I may have issues no longer - so I'm trying it out. I'm updating from Facebook and this should also appear in my Blogger blog. Sadly, there seems to be no direct link to my Multiply account, but we'll see how this goes. The holy grail for me would be a single site that integrates all my blogs, permits me access to my webmail, has the fun and extensibility of Facebook, and the good bits of Multiply. i need everything aggregated so I don't need to skip around and update in several places. Is there such a thing? http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1121/centralize Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:17:00 -0000 running the game I'm sharpening my game notes for tomorrow and it got me thinking. For many years now, I've been the GM (or Gamemaster) of an extended series of role-playing games, with intricate storylines that have taken many years to tell. I love fantasy and I love acting and I love telling stories, so it is an activity I relish - even if, at times, I get fatigued. Why do I get tired? Well, fundamentally, I do three things: creatives, design and development. The Creatives part is all about story. This includes the master plot/s, all the characters and characterizations, back stories, and such. This would be a daunting task on its own, especially since my style of creatives favors huge casts, multiple settings and a tremendous amount of drama (as well as comedic elements, of course). My players (changing in names and numbers from high school to college and beyond) who dwell in the world play only their characters - everyone (and everything) else is me. For someone who deprioritizes plot as a discourse e... http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1120/running_the_game Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:36:00 -0000 litcritters open @ robinsons galleria This Saturday, the LitCritters will hold the Open Session at the Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf at Robinsons Galleria at 2PM. The readings are: The Fantasy Writer's Assistant by Jeffrey Ford The Man on the Threshold by Jorge Luis Borges The Man with the Scale in his Head by Eman Quotah Hope to see you http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1118/litcritters_open_robinsons_galleria Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:39:00 -0000 sick season I started feeling ill Sunday afternoon. I got a clogged nose and a mild headache which were gradually revealed to be symptoms of the flu. I should've known it was coming since this happens to me around this time every year. I missed three days of work, unable to think very well as I alternately got the chills and sweated like there was no tomorrow. I kept rehydrating and replenishing all the salts and stuff I lost, consuming vast quantities of juices, athletic drinks, chai latte and flavored water, in an attempt not defeat the stupid flu. I cursed the fact that once again I did not bother to get a flu shot - gah. Of course poor Sage and Nikki caught the flu too. It's even harder for Nikki because of the pregnancy. I was feeling better last night, but woke up at 3AM with the beginnings of the conjunctivitis thing going around the building. Which was just the last straw. It was too much. My placid, I-am-sick demeanor was replaced by rage at the injustice of it all. "Sore Eyes" ... http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1119/sick_season Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:22:00 -0000 film, friends and fun Nikki, Vin and I had a great time last night at Mogwai. The film adaptation of my play was the main event, but seeing old friends and sharing food and wine added to my enjoyment of the evening. Direk Rico Gutierrez immediately plied us with baked tahong and red wine and we ordered variations on rumaki (while my companions blissed out on Molten Chocolate Cake). I was happy to see Francis and Andoy and Augie (nasaan ka Earl?), as well as other friends old and new. In particular, I was happy to meet Eon who came with a couple of my books. The film is called "Room 180" because of Direk Rico's decision to deploy proscenium stage techniques, permitting the camera only a 180 degree angle, which was quite effective. The actors peformed very well, and for the first time in a long time, I felt bad for Danny at the end. This got me to thinking about the difference between theater and film. Staged, the play is supposed to feel more "real". But Direk Rico's treatment, complete with Chekovian pause a... http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1117/film_friends_and_fun Tue, 27 May 2008 18:21:00 -0000 movie at mogwai One of my most staged plays is "Short Time", which won the Palanca way back in 1991. It's come to life as a film - "Room 180", translated by the incredible Augie Rivera and directed by the intrepid Rico Gutierrez, and stars Earl Ignacio, Andoy Ranay and Francis Makil. Come on over to Mogwai Cafe (#62 &amp; 63 Cubao Expo in what was formerly the Marikina Shoe Expo - much has changed and it is like an artist enclave now) near Ali Mall, Cubao on May 26, 7PM and watch it with me (it'll be my first viewing as http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1116/movie_at_mogwai Tue, 20 May 2008 20:50:00 -0000 bound <a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_rNRGOiwAo38/SCkNKw2SpsI/AAAAAAAAAIU/us-0dhXVzoc/s1600-h/rogue-may08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199701723338417858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_rNRGOiwAo38/SCkNKw2SpsI/AAAAAAAAAIU/us-0dhXVzoc/s320/rogue-may08.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://nikkialfar.multiply.com/">Nikki Alfar's </a>story, "Bound", appears in the latest issue (May) of Rogue Magazine. It's cool and disturbing. Yes, she trumps me at fantastic erotica, dammit. http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1114/bound Tue, 13 May 2008 18:32:00 -0000 green blood Manila Prints Sydney and Manila releases 'Green Blood and Other Stories', a collection of short stories by a talented new author <a href="http://erwincabucos.blogspot.com/">Erwin Cabucos</a>. Fifteen short stories exploring a range of themes, including intercultural marriage, racism, social justice, bullying, religious beliefs and growing up Filipino are packed in this new literary feast. Many of the characters are children, observing and challenging stereotypes and ideological positions that have been normalised in our society. "Why is God white?" asks a character in one of the stories. The priest is left with no adequate answer. "It is a book that you can relate to as a Filipino and as an Australian. The stories have been woven into a world of two cultures which may be a very good tool for Literacy, SOSE, Anthropology teaching and learning in Australia," says Myrla Prianes, a Brisbane-based teacher and a community leader. Casting a racist slur over our immigrant neighbour's smelly food is represented in one of the stories, laying bare ... http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1115/green_blood Mon, 12 May 2008 18:27:00 -0000 chris barzak <a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_rNRGOiwAo38/SB-6HZxUvgI/AAAAAAAAAIM/FDCaJ9StFPc/s1600-h/228x100.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197077131348459010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_rNRGOiwAo38/SB-6HZxUvgI/AAAAAAAAAIM/FDCaJ9StFPc/s320/228x100.jpg" border="0" /></a> Good buddy <a href="http://christopherbarzak.wordpress.com/">Christopher Barzak</a>, one of my favorite authors ("One for Sorrow"), is up for MTV LOGO's <a href="http://www.logoonline.com/shows/newnownext_awards/index.jhtml">NewNowNext Awards</a>: "Brink of Fame: Author". It's an online thing, so go and vote for him. <a href="http://www.logoonline.com/shows/newnownext_awards/vote.jhtml?qn=nnn_poll_14">VOTE for Chris.</a> http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1113/chris_barzak Tue, 6 May 2008 16:48:00 -0000 recent publications The complete version of "Sunboy" appears in this week's issue of the Philippines Free Press. It's spec fic in only the most general possible sense of the term (okay, it's domestic realism, but try it out). "In the Dim Plane" appears in the latest issue of the Digest of Philippine Genre Stories. I'm wrapping up around a few more stories, slated for publication in a number of anthos year. I know I keep yapping about the heat, but really, it has been quite a feat to even find the will to write during the daytime. The humidity is also quite a bitch, and I find myself needing to rehydrate every do often. I find my mind drifting away, hijacked by thoughts of cooler http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1112/recent_publications Mon, 5 May 2008 20:21:00 -0000 vignette: sunboy Jerry loves the sun, fucking loves it like no one’s business. Mornings, he stays by the window in the living room, tracking the sun over the course of hours, adjusting his position on the floor incrementally, minute by minute, like a beatific sunflower in slow motion. Lunchtime finds him in the kitchen where the kitchen jalousies convert the sunlight into blurred gems of muted colors splayed on the floor and walls, transforming the metal cookware into magical artifacts. Afternoons, he begins to cry. At first, just moisture in his eyes as he watches the sun go lower and lower from his vantage point in the garage, then as the fading brilliance turns into shades of orange, he mutters to himself, exactly what who knows. Sunboy sits on his wheelchair amid the skeletal remains of Dad’s Ford Fiera, he mourns the dissolution of his solar empire, his agitated mumblings rising in volume as he weeps inconsolably. Mama and I gave up trying to comfort him at sunset, surrendered a long time a... http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1111/vignette_sunboy Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:39:00 -0000 litcritters open session Everyone is invited to join us as we talk about stories and writing this Saturday, the 26th, at the Coffee Bean &amp; Tea Leaf (Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center). We'll be discussing the following stories (<a href="http://groups.google.com/group/litcritters">join the LitCritters group</a> and download reading copies): Thousand Year Eve by Sarge Lacuesta A Godmother's Gift by January Mortimer A Princess of the Earth by Mike Resnick This past few weeks, we read, critiqued, blissed out on - or went on terrifying rants against - the following stories: Giving Birth by Margaret Atwood Lambing Season by Molly Gloss The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde The Gentle Brush of Wings by David Wilson Appleless by Aimee Bender Save Me Plz by David Barr Kirtley Jack's House by Jay Lake The Fool, the Stick, and the Princess by Rachel Pollack Found Objects by Jennifer Egan A Place I've Never Been by David Leavitt Fire-bringer by Nick Mamatas Linkworlds by Will McIntosh A Light in Troy by Sarah Monette There's No Light Between Floors by Paul Tremblay Man in the Mountain by JM McDer... http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1110/litcritters_open_session Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:37:00 -0000 spec fic on tv Finished taping segment for <a href="http://www.abs-cbni.com/programming/tfc_direct/anc_prog_desc_korinatoday.html">'Korina Today</a>", a talk show of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korina_Sanchez">Korina Sanchez</a>. We talked about spec fic, "The Middle Prince" and writing, and I was freezing my balls off (nobody told me that the studio would be so cold). With me were fellow contributors to Jing Hidalgo's antho "Tales of Enchantment and Fantasy" Carljoe Javier and Samantha Exchavez. I'm delighted that Jing's book was featured. My hope, of course, is that it encourages more people to write the literature of the fantastic. The show airs today at 6PM and 11PM today, ANC. I also got invited by Linda Panlilio to contribute to her next antho (her previous antho, "The Manila We Knew", won the National Book Award last year over -sob- PSF2), which has a very interesting premise and an formidable roster of contributors - but it should be http://deanalfar.multiply.com/journal/item/1109/spec_fic_on_tv Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:35:00 -0000 Book Launch: Philippine Speculative Fiction II Celebrate the literature of the imagination on Dec 8, 4PM at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street: Philippine Speculative Fiction III edited by Dean Francis Alfar & Nikki http://deanalfar.multiply.com/calendar/item/10009/Book_Launch_Philippine_Speculative_Fiction_II Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:31:46 -0000 Palanca Awards 2007 Awards given in various literary http://deanalfar.multiply.com/calendar/item/10008/Palanca_Awards_2007 Mon, 27 Aug 2007 06:12:08 -0000 LitCritters These are the LitCritters who started it http://deanalfar.multiply.com/photos/album/4/LitCritters Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:43:53 -0000 lunch at mama's during this lunch, mama gave me an old blown-up photo of me when I was six. I also took shots of her, Sage and http://deanalfar.multiply.com/photos/album/3/lunch_at_mamas Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:36:39 -0000 LitCritters Open Session LitCrit group for http://deanalfar.multiply.com/calendar/item/10007/LitCritters_Open_Session Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:22:23 -0000 Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards fingers crossed http://deanalfar.multiply.com/calendar/item/10006/Manila_Critics_Circle_National_Book_Awards_ Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:36:49 -0000