Is it AI-Magedon?

So much news!

From the Adobe fiasco to Meta's Scrapey methods, now what?

Many of you will be wondering why I've been posting almost all AI-generated images in my Instagram and public pages. Well, the truth is, I already knew we'd be scraped. I just didn't know when. It was a conscious choice to put more AI than not on my public platforms.

But how will I sell my art?

Yeahhhh, about that. I have a bit of trouble selling art and in my little corner in Davao, I really want to reach something more global. So, I'm still thinking about that.

For now, hoping that using AI-generated graphics will convey the non-AI-generated stories that I made. I have some experimental AI books in the free section. It's highly experimental and you'd really see the AI in them. :-P

But for my books, hoping Amazon would protect my intellectual property. As for my books in the free section of this website, it's a risk I am willing to take to give me readers something new.

Ciao for now!

New Book Alert! Dimensional Eclipse.

 Announcing my newest book:

"Dimensional Eclipse" is a gripping tale of courage, loyalty, and the enduring power of family, where every choice holds the key to a future forged in the fires of adversity. Will Dante uncover the truth before it's too late, or will destiny's threads be severed by the hands of fate?

This book is set in the same universe as Care Package Mate, Resto Rescue, and My Vampire Heart for Your Human Soul. It happens right after the events of Moonlight Eclipse.
Upon reaching his brother's home, Dante is confronted with a harrowing sight: his niece, Anella, and childhood friend, Mariska, caught in the crosshairs of danger and are missing. Men, skilled and ruthless, are hot on their trail, leaving Dante to question the depths of his brother's involvement in their perilous plight.

This book is a Paranormal Romance story but contains no sex scenes. However, there are themes of violence and human trafficking.

Preorder here

Book Scoping and Evaluation 2024

 Hello, my readers!

As you all know, I'd love for our teens to read, read, read! For teachers, librarians, and homeschooling parents, if you are scoping some of my books that are fit for English High School Reading, these are my recommended books. 

Oh, yes! I have included some romances. Why? Because I believe there should be an introduction to proper romance. If you need help, comments, or inquiries, feel free to contact me via my Facebook page. I only check Instagram and TikTok messages once a week.  

Free Book Review Sheets for Steamerella

 I have good news!

My book, Steamerella, is one of the books scoped and evaluated by the Department of Education for Supplementary Reading Material for schools. 

Because of that, I am giving away this free Book Review Page. Feel free to print this. 

If you are an English teacher, this book is great for book reviews. You can use or modify the pages below.

NEW FREE BOOK ALERT: The Ice Tinker

 

In an alternate world full of gears and dreams, the Ice Queen rules her kingdom with regal grace. Her daughter, Marie Rose, a lonely tinker girl, embarks on a daring journey from the icy realm to Neo Industrial London. Guided by a mechanical locket, she uncovers her father's fate beneath the Steam Theatre's grand facade. A steampunk adventure unfolds as she navigates the Phantom's realm, and secures her father's freedom. With love prevailing, they return to the Ice Kingdom, completing a tale of family, gears, and dreams.

Download here

Look for more books in the Free Books Tab! Yes, it is free! Download and put it in your favorite e-reader or print it for personal use.

Me as a Writer - Interview Questions I answered for Manananggals in the City

 

What is a Manananggal?

 My upcoming book with Pinoy Indie Collab stars a Manananggal named Beldine Rosario. I have twisted the Manananggal myth to suit my story but I have taken some things from the source materials.

The Manananggal is a legendary monster with deep roots in Filipino culture, with a long and varied history that has been influenced by many different traditions. The Filipino root of "Manananggal" is "tanggal," which means "to remove" or "to separate." The creature's ability to dissociate its upper and bottom halves inspired its moniker, which describes its nocturnal, villainous antics.

Indigenous beliefs and animism were common in the Philippines before colonization, and this is where the Manananggal had their start. Many different kinds of supernatural entities, some good and others bad, were represented in these early beliefs. These indigenous traditions mixed with Catholicism after the establishment of Spanish colonial control in the 16th century. Like many other animals in Filipino legend, the Manananggal evolved and gained a darker reputation throughout time. The Manananggal has a reputation for being linked with witches, shapeshifters, and practitioners of black magic.

Traditional depictions of the Manananggal have her disguised as a beautiful woman by day and a hideous, winged monster by night. Its alleged diet includes the hearts of unborn children and the blood of living humans. It does this by separating its top body, which grows wings and flies to its prey, from its bottom body, which remains on the ground.

I wasn't going in that direction. In my world, Beldine and her tribe are a race of creatures who are all-women. Male offspring come out as humans. The women live in the jungles of Asia, primarily in the Philippines. They were discriminated against because of the Spanish Era, calling them demons and mosntaers. When the age of medicine came, humans found out that their organs were promising. They were exactly like humans except more resilient to disease and overuse. This led to them being a highly sought commodity and thus the tribe hid themselves further. When they were decimated, Beldine, a survivor, chose to live among humans, hiding in plain sight. 

Read about the complication that came to her life: Moonlight Eclipse

Sources for the manananggal can be seen here:

https://thoughtcatalog.com/january-nelson/2018/08/the-manananggal/

https://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Manananggal

https://phspirits.com/manananggal/

The Spirit of Adventure! D&D at Malayan Colleges Arcane Assembly

Fourth-year Multimedia students at Malayan College Mindanao hosted the Arcane Assembly, a Dungeons and Dragons event, in the campus auditorium on October 25, 2023. The event featured a variety of vendors selling handcrafted items, refreshment stands, and activities.

Before the event, there were activities, and I had the opportunity to compete in a contest called Tavern Tales, where I placed second. The reward for my efforts was a puzzle with a Dixit theme. As the event progressed, I discovered a game on one of the vendor's tables and won a set of D&D dice, which came in useful for the forthcoming adventures.

 I used my turn to heal my Paladin companion instead of casting a spell, as I did not believe in chance. Dragons of level 9 are difficult to vanquish. I needed a roll of 15 plus my attack bonus of 4 in order to strike the dragon. However, I was only a Dwarven Sorceress of level 2. Yes, I was immune to lightning and suffered the least amount of damage of anyone. Consequently, in the spirit of friendship, I healed the Paladin. He administered a devastating strike that caused 15 damage. Later, he transformed the dragon's cadaver into a makeshift bed, while I held onto the miraculous amulet. Our reward was a generous sum of one thousand gold coins, and we parted ways as adventurers.

Dungeons and Dragons is best enjoyed with friends and other players. Everyone in the adventuring party brought something special to the table and was ready to go on to the next challenge. It wasn't about race, socioeconomic status, or gender identity, but rather about upholding the game's sacrosanct code of conduct and ensuring that everyone involved enjoys themselves. While we may have forgotten the identities of our fellow adventurers on Stormbreak Isle, we will never forget the incredible experiences we shared. There, we vanquished a dragon, pillaged its hoard, and were rewarded with precious loot along the way.

Inktober for Art as Therapy Week 5

  It's Oktober and you know... Inktober! I've already posted Weeks 1-4 so just read my past post.

I made my own Inktober sketch prompts for Therapeutic Arts or Art as Therapy. Feel free to download or share. I hope it helps you. This is week 5. If you need to schedule sessions with me, PM is the key or email teachermaita.2020@gmail.com for inquiries.

My book is out on Amazon! Moonlight Eclipse

 

My new book is out on Amazon!

Click here to buy.

Moonlight Eclipse is part of a collab. For readers in the Philippines, you may pre-order printed books before Nov. 1. You may also go to Storya Kitchen Makati at 4pm Nov. 5, 2023, to join the launch and get a copy on the spot. I printed limited copies. :-)

Preorder Form: https://forms.gle/kRwSQZK1h4WcuiKF6

MANANANGGAL IN THE CITY Series Collection: A Pinoy Indie Authors Collab

The Tie That Binds by Mayumi Cruz

Naima’s War by Jean Karl Gaverza / Philippine Spirits

Moonlight Eclipse by Maita Rue

One by One by Yeyet Soriano

Maya, At Your Service by Mary Villin / Marigold Andres Uy

Expansion by Mia Daquial

My Girlfriend is a Manananggal by Keira Viresse

My Manananggal Dream by Paola Aliedo

The Groovy Manananggal by Fred Figueroa

Unlocking Reading Skills: Create a Cozy Reading Area

 In a previous post, I wrote about creating exciting activities to get your appetites wet for the books. This is especially true for books in a series.

Before all this, some of you would be fidgeting in your seat at the thought of sitting for hours to read. This is because your area isn't conducive to reading.

Before we can expect ourselves or our child/students to enjoy reading, we must foster an environment conducive to reading. Create an inviting reading nook in the classroom or school library by incorporating comfortable seating, adequate illumination, and a variety of books on exhibit. I am already making a pinterst board to create my home library. I want a home library that is versatile but decorated to every genre I hold dear. Decorations can encourage students to investigate various genres and topics.

Teachers and parents, you can adorn shelves for your children or involve them in the process. They say children who grew up with a home library tend to be smarter. I don't mean to brag but I did graduate Cum Laude in college. And yes, I want to thank my mother for always making sure we had a couple of shelves of books. It wasn't quite a home library but she was very encouraging when it came to books.

Manananggals in the City Book List

 The Mythical Manananggal

The manananggal is a mythological creature deeply embedded in Philippine culture and mythology, distinguished by its ability to split its upper body from its bottom half, allowing flight under the cover of night. Many people are terrified of these animals because they feast on the blood of unsuspecting victims.

A Literary Collab

"Manananggal in the City" brings together the skills of nine talented Filipino Indie Authors, each of them offers their own interpretation on this captivating fable. These authors deftly integrate mythology into the busy metropolitan environment, presenting a scenario in which the supernatural coexists with everyday life.

Upcoming Titles in the Collaboration

 

1.   1. The Tie That Binds by Mayumi Cruz

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror

FB: MayumiCruzAuthorPage

IG: @mcruz501

www.mayumi-cruz.com

 

2.    Moonlight Eclipse by Maita Rue

Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy

FB: @authormaitarue

IG: Babymoonmaita

TikTok & YouTube: @maitarue

www.MaitaRue.com

 Amazon.com/author/maitarue

3.    3. My Girlfriend Is a Manananggal by Keira Viresse

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Urban Fantasy

FB page: @KeiraViresse

IG: @keira_viresse

Linktree: linktr.ee/keira_viresse

 

4.    4. One by One by Yeyet Soriano

Genre: Crime Fiction

FB: @Yeyetsorianowrites

IG: @Yeyetsoriano

Youtube: @yeyetsoriano6242

www.yeyetsoriano.com

 

5.    5. Naima's War by Jean Karl Gaverza

Genre: Fantasy

FB&IG: @Phspirits

https://phspirits.com/

 

6.    6. My Manananggal Dream by Paola Aliedo

Genre: Urban Fantasy

FB: @paolaaliedo

 

7.    7. The Groovy Manananggal by Fred Figueroa

Genre: Fantasy

FB: @fred.figueroa2

 

8.    8. Maya, At Your Service by Marigold Andres Uy

Genre: Action, Fantasy

FB &IG: @goldenartsbymarigold

 

9.    9. Expansion by Mia Daquial

Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy

FB: @MiaDaquial

Philippine buyers can buy these books by contacting the authors on their social media account.

Ebooks and paperbacks are also available on Amazon and other digital stores on each author’s account.