Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind

I'm excited to introduce you all to Foreshadow: A Serial YA Anthology , a unique new online venue for young adult short stories, with a commitment to showcasing underrepresented voices, boosting emerging writers, and highlighting the beauty and power of young adult fiction. Each month this year we will publish an issue featuring three stellar young adult stories -- original work from acclaimed writers and new voices who have been specially selected by your favorite authors. For example, this month we have stories from New York Times bestselling author Courtney Summers , award-winning author Brandy Colbert , and Maya Prasad (a new voice selected by New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith). Our next and final deadline for submissions is April 1, 2019 and we are especially looking for stories from people of color and Indigenous writers; LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse writers; writers with disabilities; and religious, ethnic, and cult...

This month's issue of Candy , a magazine for Filipina teens, includes a fiction special! Pretty perfect timing, huh? :o) The fiction special includes three stories for older teens (ages 16-19) which are described as "super short, so-you stories that will change your life." I've read them and I wouldn't say that they will change readers' lives, but the stories are definitely about life changes: "Sparrows" by Leslie Lipa is about losing a mother, "Is there even a future here?" by Joanna Kennedy is about breaking up, and "Arrival" by Marla Miniano is about reuniting with an estranged father. My favorite is "Is there even a future here?" because it's a realistic and entertaining depiction of an "amicable breakup" that I feel will really appeal to older teen readers.   I wonder if Candy features at least one short story every issue. THEY SHOULD!

Especially to: Shaun Tan Lost and Found: Three (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011), finalist for Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year and Dan Santat Sidekicks (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011), finalist for Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year Click here for more information about the Children's Choice Book Awards.

The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the Philippines' longest-running literary competition, aims to help develop Philippine literature by providing incentives for writers to craft their most outstanding literary works, serving as a treasury of Philippine literary gems, and assisting in the dissemination of Philippine literature to the public. Writers may now submit their entries for this year's competition, in categories including: English Division - Short Story for Children English Division - Poetry for Children Filipino Division - Maikling Kuwentong Pambata Filipino Division - Tulang Pambata English Kabataan Division (writers below 18 years old) - Kabataan Essay: “In the advent of e-books, do I still consider printed books to be an important part of education?” Filipino Kabataan Division (writers below 18 years old) - Kabataan Sanaysay: “Sa paglaganap ng e-books, maituturing ko pa bang mahalagang bahagi ng edukasyon ang mga nakalimbag na aklat?” The competition ...

Today is the launch of Tomo: Friendship Through Fiction (Stone Bridge Press), an anthology of thirty-six Japan teen stories. Proceeds from the sales of Tomo will go directly to long-term relief efforts for the teens displaced by the March 11, 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami disasters. Buying this book will help pay the educational expenses of these affected teens! Tomo is edited by Holly Thompson and the stories are by authors and illustrators from all around the world who share a connection to Japan, including Andrew Fukuda, Tak Toyoshima, Alan Gratz, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, and Shogo Oketani. Visit the Tomo blog for more information and please do everything you can to support the book. I'll be posting my reviews and interviews as soon as I can!