First of all, a big, big, big thanks to everyone who bought a copy of ROLES: A Not Quite Unreal Novel on its first couple of weeks. Some people told me the couldn't find copies of it yet, and then, a few days later, people sent me messages saying the stocks are running low. Other than my family members, and friends, I wanna say thanks to Tita Thelma, and her daughter Mhelai, who really went on a quest to get a copy of ROLES until they got their hands on some in Powerbooks, Megamall. Also to Jhaycon who raised hell and high water with the sales personnel in SM Sta. Mesa just to make sure they don't have any copies left.

Well, I must also say thanks to "Felix", someone from Friendster who identifies himself as a "fan" and left a comment on my profile saying how much he enjoyed reading my book, and how happy he is to get a copy of ROLES... and this is around, uhm, a full week before my books hit the stores. I know you're faking it, but, hell, people don't!

Must also thank Everyone's Favorite Biker for writing this glowing review of my book: "I give this book 2 thumbs up, even if a. i have no idea what a "roman-a-clef" is. and b. I have NOT yet received my free autographed 1st edition hard bound copy which I can sell on eBay for millions in 2030."  At least you admit not having read it. BTW, if you're interested in getting Everyone's Favorite Biker to grace your events, or pimp your outdoors lifestyle related products, contact me.

And NO BOUND's lighthouse_hero, of course, of course. Thank you for featuring me in the upcoming issue of SIP Magazine. You are an amazing person! Naks. You're the Clyde to my Whitney. Hahhaha.. Clive ba or Clyde? I wish you all the luck in getting Robi wrapped in your arms. If all else fails, there's always Ajinomoto-in-his-beer. One lagok, tepok yan.

My sisters, Caz, my friends Riyel, and Milan, thanks for letting me edit your profile to the customized Limited Edition ROLES Friendster Theme.

Shempre, madami akong pasasalamatan pa. Next time na yung iba.


Also, I'm reminding you all, to please come to 9-in-1 Kolektib Intelidyens, the meet-and-greet book launching-signing event organized by VISUAL PRINT ENTERPRISES for 9 of their book creators. It's going to be held in SHOP 33, CUBAO SHOE EXPO from 3pm to 6pm, on MAY 24, 2008. That's THIS SATURDAY!!!

Please come. Carlo Vergara is set to unveil the first 6 pages of the ZsaZsa Zaturrnah zzzequel, and if you're not really that into me, you gotta be at least all randy for ZsaZsa Zaturrnah. YOU MUST CHECK OUT THAT FREAKING LINE-UP! It's like a bestseller's all-stars right there, and I'm just a humble young man who got invited to the big boys' banquet! Man! You better show up, bitches. NO literary event has ever been this FIERCE!!!

See, there's this one thing they don't teach in creative writing classes in school. Building a network in the industry. Sure, it's mentioned, it's criticized, but it's importance to the budding Frost or the hesitant Hemingway has never been emphasized.

From my experience, building and keeping a network of contacts in the writing scene will get you places. People write masterpieces everyday, and my mind has been often blown away by the sheer brilliance of the writing that comes from our classes. I came across several amazing ideas and concepts from people I go to school with. But, a crucial aspect of publishing that most people overlook is maintaining a network. See, you must be friends with people who publish books. Will they publish you because you're friends with them? NO. But they WILL LET YOU KNOW who's looking for contributions for the latest anthology on post-apocalyptic gay crime fiction coming out next month. They will also INVITE you to literary events (like book launchings, poetry nights, scholarship abroad, even) to keep you updated on ALL THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES out there that you must take advantage of.

Which is one of the reasons why you should go to 9-in-1 Kolektib Intelidyens. Need more reasons? Go to the VISPRINT ENTERPRISES website.

Or bookmark www.SIEGEMALVAR.net. That can work too.