
My name is Vida Cruz, geek, book lover, writer, artist. I'm passionate about fantasy and science fiction, Philippine history and culture, and writing a unique blend of the two so that more Filipina girls like me are able to see themselves represented in fiction and feel a sense of pride and self-worth in a world where they are often invisible.
In service of that goal, my stories have been published in various anthologies and a few journals. I've also attended the Clarion Writers Workshop in 2014, won First Place at the Writers of the Future Contest in 2017, and received a Tiptree Fellowship Grant for my work in 2018 . I also served as a Submissions Editor at Uncanny Magazine from 2014 to 2017.
This year, I'm planning to attend the 77th World Science Fiction Convention in Dublin, Ireland, which will be held on Aug. 15-19. It will be my first major writer's convention, and I will be attending not only as a participant, but as a panelist. I'll also be selling copies of my first short story collection, the chapbook "Beyond the Line of Trees," with a foreword by Palanca Award-winning writer Nikki Alfar and illustrations by Isabelle Enriquez and Monica Esquivel. The four short stories here are fairy tale retellings, epic fantasy adventures, coming of age tales, and new takes on Philippine mythology. I also did the cover.
The lineart version. Colors coming soon!
Con or Bust so generously sent me funds to pay for accommodations and airfare--two large chunks of expenses that make me hopeful that I will be able to attend. In fact, I have already booked the tickets and my AirBnB stay. I need only save up for food, transportation, and other smaller travel expenses.
However, I hit several snags recently. Sudden health issues required medicines and physical therapy. As a freelancer, my biggest contract was recently ended, and so I have been searching for part-time gigs and full-time jobs to not only help me fund this trip and pay GoGetFunding, but to help pay for my daily and medical needs. Your contribution will greatly help toward lessening the amount I need.
*For the rewards, please note that these prices are for people who would like to meet up at WorldCon. Please send me an email at [email protected] with proof of your donation and indicate that you would like to meet up at WorldCon.
**For those not going to WorldCon, please standby for shipping prices. I am probably going to send packages from the Philippines after the con, but if you're based in Europe, I may be able to send the packages from Dublin.
**UPDATE 07/27/19**
$100 to go! I'm really overwhelmed by the generosity I've been shown 💜
And since my schedule has been finalized, I can now announce the panels I'm speaking at for WorldCon :D If you're gonna be there, come sit in!
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Writing from non-western cultures
Format: Panel
15 Aug 2019, Thursday 11:00 - 11:50, Wicklow Hall-1 (CCD)
The number of non-western novels and stories in SFF has increased over the last 20 years, as has visibility of existing fiction. Our panel looks at some of these novels, discussing favourites and sharing recommendations. We’ll take a look at how the novels are written, as well as the differences in story patterns, characters, and narrative styles. Let’s celebrate these novels and look at ways to further expand the publishing of non-western cultures within SFF literature.
Tasha Suri, Peter Adrian Behravesh (PodCastle), Rafeeat Aliyu, Vida Cruz, Yasser Bahjatt (Yatakhayaloon Co. Ltd.) (M)
The Magic of Beauty
Format: Panel
16 Aug 2019, Friday 19:00 - 19:50, Liffey Hall-2 (CCD)
In what sense has beauty been treated as a special gift that only some possess? How has it functioned as a narrative device that gives its holders an exclusive form of power, especially in reference to the place of girls and women in patriarchal societies? How do social constructions of beauty differ cross-culturally and historically? For whom is beauty limiting? For whom is it empowering?
Kate Elliott (M), Jeannette Ng, R.F. Kuang (HarperCollins), Vida Cruz, Navah Wolfe (Saga Press)
Mythological science fiction
Format: Panel
17 Aug 2019, Saturday 14:30 - 15:20, Alhambra (Point Square Dublin)
Science fiction has been described as modern mythology, but it also has a long history of taking themes and tropes from existing mythological traditions and reworking them. The panel will discuss science fictional stories whose structure or themes echo those of existing mythological tales from around the world.
Deirdre M Murphy (M), Dr Tony Keen (University of Notre Dame (U.S.A.) in England), Dyrk Ashton (Paternus Books Media), Vida Cruz
Breaking the Glass Slipper podcast - Live Recording
Format: Podcast
19 Aug 2019, Monday 11:00 - 11:50, Wicklow Hall 2B (CCD)
Since 2016, the ‘Breaking the Glass Slipper’ podcast has championed female voices in speculative fiction. Now into our third season and with a British Fantasy Award nomination under our belt, we’re excited to host a live recording at Dublin 2019. Our subject is inspired by the Emerald Isle itself: the place of islands and island mythology in the human imagination.
Megan Leigh (Breaking the Glass Slipper), Vida Cruz, Miss Lucy Hounsom (M), Jo Walton, Alexandra Rowland
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