Most days, it’s as if my writing life exists in an alternate dimension. Work is busy and mundane items, from laundry to inflation, groceries to health scares, drain time and energy. This weekend, I carved an escape of sorts. Reflected on my progress. Slow, but progress much the same. Second draft for the second book exists–I have an editor on board. Grateful for the support of Canada Council for the Arts for this beast of a project.
Last weekend, together with editors Teodoro Alcuitas, C.E. Gatchalian, and Patria Rivera, I read at Word Vancouver to promote the first ever anthology of Filipino-Canadian writing. I tend to be in that giddy state between nervous and excited when participating in events like this, so I’d pass you on to Philippine Canadian News’ more competent coverage.
An hour-long event packed a lot as the editors talked about how Magdaragart – An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing came to be. So honoured to be among the selected authors. The book officially releases in November and you’ll be hearing from me for sure.
I only got to reflecting after the event that despite being in Canada for 17 years and having published a novel, alongside short stories in various journals, finding time to write continues to be a struggle. Newcomers of the diaspora must be facing a steeper climb to survival; the writers amongst them are likely pushing stories and poetry down on their priority lists. My hope is that this anthology inspires and paves the way for more literary works hailing from home to come to light.
Leah Ranada 