January Author of the Month: John Patrick Solano (2 of 2)

The Author of the Month for January is Mr. John Patrick Solano (JPS). I admire his most recent book Ang Dangkal ni Matmat (Tahanan Books).  

Here is my short review of the book. 

Ang Dangkal ni Matmat is now available in bookstores. You may also order online at www.tahananbooks.ph or from your favorite booksellers.

His other book, Paano Magbilang si Nanay?, won the National Children's Book Award last year. 

It is available online at shop.vibalgroup.com or from your favorite booksellers.

In this part 2 of my author interview, I asked Mr. Solano what his tips for aspiring writers are. Here are five tips to inspire the young and the young at heart to keep writing!

1.       What are your 5 tips for young writers?

 Well, I still consider myself as a young writer having just started publishing a book in 2020. But here are my 5 tips:

1.       Read, read, and read. Read different genres and literary forms.

2.      Write what you know and what you’re passionate about. But you can also research for the topics you don’t know.

3.      Always ask yourself what’s new that you can offer, something that other writers haven’t written yet. It could be a topic that hasn’t been explored yet or a new perspective about a familiar topic.

4.      Write, write, and write. Explore different genres and forms. Experiment. Keep on practicing to hone your writing skills.

5.      Try, try, and try. It’s normal to get a rejection letter from writing contests, workshops, and publications. It’s better to try but fail than to have not tried at all. Just keep on trying.

Who is John Patrick Solano?

John Patrick F. Solano graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Master of Science degree in Mathematics from the Prince of Songkla University in Thailand as a Thailand’s Education Hub for ASEAN Countries scholar, and Master of Arts degree in Malikhaing Pagsulat from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He was a fellow for Palihang Rogelio Sicat in 2017 and Cordillera Creative Writing Workshop and Angono Summer Writers Workshop in 2014. He won 2nd Prize at the 66th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Filipino Poetry for Children) in 2016. He is the author of Paano Magbilang si Nanay?, published by Chikiting Books in 2020, which won Kids’ Choice Awards for Picture Books Category at the 7th National Children’s Book Awards, and Ang Dangkal ni Matmat, published by Tahanan Books in 2022.