It’s the last week of August and the next month is going to be a big deal for Filipino bibliophiles as the annual Manila International Book Fair is set to take place. But before that, let’s recap this week in books!
Naomi Watts’ book on menopause
When people hear the name Naomi Watts, the first thin that’ll pop into their head is probably Mulholland Drive, the David Lynch movie that really propelled her into stardom. But this time around, the Oscar-nominated actress is coming out with a book on menopause titled Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause.
People was able to get an exclusive message from Watts for her future readers. “I can’t wait for you to hear about the highs and lows and everything in between about this life stage and get some real, practical advice and comfort about how to take on these changes head-on,” she said.
International Conference on Children and Young Adults Librarianship
The National Library of the Philippines is calling for participants for the 8th International Conference on Children and Young Adults Librarianship (ICCYAL). According to the National Library’s official Facebook page, the conference is open to “librarians, educators, researchers, authors, and anyone interested in the field of children’s and young adults’ librarianship”.
Check out the Facebook post above for the registration link!
Mindanao State University publication call
The Mindanao State University – Meranaw Cultural Heritage Center is calling for Meranaw essays, poems, and stories for publication, with the deadline on or before September 15, 2024.
The works need to be in Meranaw language and can be about any experience within the Meranaw culture. Check out the Facebook post above for more details!
National Book Development Board translation grant
The National Book Development Board (NBDB )has announced the grantees for the first cycle of its translation subsidy program for foreign publishers.
The grantees for this first cycle are Ombra GVG Publishing House, Ana Pol Publication House, Transit Buchverlag GmbH, Hohe Publisher, Alfred Kröner Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Al Arabi Publishing and Distributing, Schüren Verlag GmbH, El Maraya for Culture and Arts, Editorial Pretextos, Sonambulos Ediciones, Gadim Gala Publishing, Kathalaya Inc. Pvt. Ltd., BBM Global, Everbest Media Sdn Bhd (EBM), Praphansarn Publishing Co. Ltd., Bookonomics Asia Sdn. Bhd., Lakes Arts Festivals, NDSP Books, Dantes Verlag, Dutch Venture Publishing, Good Reads Lanka.
In a statement published on their website, the NBDB said the program “seeks to introduce a significant number of Philippine books to publishing markets around the world and foster an intensive cultural exchange between the Philippines’ diaspora communities and their host countries, ultimately making Philippine books globally competitive as the country positions itself as the emerging content capital in Southeast Asia.”
The NBDB has details on eligibility, criteria, and selection process for the grant on their website.
The model who has been on 600+ romance novel covers
I love me a romance novel and have no problem admitting that sometimes it’s the guy on the cover that gets me to pick one up. People has an interview with model Jason Baca, who has been on the cover of more than 600+ romance novel covers.
Jason was discovered on the set of I Know What You Did Last Summer and really wanted that romance novel cover gig, at least from what he shares on the interview. He emailed publishers and authors to get on them! I also liked him sharing what goes on in a romance novel cover shoot, as well as his concerns about AI being used for romance novel covers.
Jason Baca’s retired now, but romance novel cover models are still very much a thing! Check out Luke Eisner’s TikTok about being a romance novel cover model!
Ron Does Stuff 
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