Mina V. Esguerra's Blog, page 12

[Short non-fiction] Dear love of my life

This was written in 2017 and sent to the subscribers of Aurora M. Suarez’s newsletter. Sharing now in memory of my Lola Z, who passed away on June 20.

The post [Short non-fiction] Dear love of my life first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Podcast Episode: Writing Heat Level 3 When You’re Filipino

Here’s my script from my intro to this #RomanceClass Podcast episode that I hosted, about writing heat level 3 (on-page sex) in romance:

This episode is called Writing Heat Level 3 or writing on-page sex, When You’re Filipino. On the panel and contributing to this episode are romanceclass authors, who are Filipino romance authors, who have written and/or edited sex scenes in romance books. 

Yes, Filipino authors write romance novels with sex scenes. It’s not just our community that does this, but there are published Tagalog romance novels and erotic fiction imprints that have been doing this for years. If you expand your definition of Filipino romance to serial fiction and fan fiction, there would be even more. But there’s a persistent misconception among readers, writers, and the academe that we don’t write sex and you can tell right away who actually isn’t reading romance when you hear them say that. We write it, it’s in published work, but the publishers don’t talk about it or market it because even if they’re willingly making money from it, they’re not always ready to defend it. 

What we end up with is knowledge about sex scenes in romance that pretty much stays within writing communities and is difficult to then react to and learn from. And also difficult to find what’s excellent if this is the kind of thing you want to read. 

In RomanceClass we as a community decided that a romance book was going to have certain elements, but sex would not be a required element. We have a heat level scale that ranges from 0 which means no sex on or off the page, to 4 which is erotic romance, and only one author has written. We’ve found it helpful as authors and readers to determine where in the scale our book is, and marketing and selling it accordingly. 

Today we will be talking to authors who write Heat level 3, ask them about how they feel about writing it, and how readers have responded to their work.

Books by our panelists:

One Day Closer by Layla Tanjutco

No Two Ways by Chi Yu Rodriguez

If the Dress Fits by Carla de Guzman

Truth or Dare by Brianna Ocampo

The post Podcast Episode: Writing Heat Level 3 When You’re Filipino first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Just a day in May

First posted on Twitter, May 24. With some edits.

Just figuring out what to do with this thing that I learned about myself, and other people. How to do things when your entire world had shifted ganern.

I want to think that if anyone has found the way I work helpful to them, it’s because of that core trust. For several months, I surrounded myself with people who were the same way. I felt less alone, and also less burdened with the things I thought I was fighting alone for.

Medyo sanay tayo sa struggle of knocking on closed doors and having to convince people that we are worthy so yes it was a beautiful thing to experience a simple thing like standing on a crowded street and knowing that the people next to you don’t mean you harm.

Of course as these apps and their cursed trolls like to remind us, a bunch of people do mean to harm others—more than ever. I’m going to accept that as them being terrible, but I still saw a beautiful thing. I was capable of it, and so many others were too. Hay naku, hugs to us.

The post Just a day in May first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

See You Under the Counter [short story]

One night, two beers, three songs. Open Mic Night at NomCom is usually great business for Feliz’s craft beer stall—except when a sudden downpour means everything’s canceled and everyone’s stranded. Ready for a slow and uneventful night, she gets unexpected company when she offers shelter to Manuel, guy with a guitar, a familiar face from high school which was way too long ago.

This story previous appeared in #RomanceClass NomCom: Tropetastic Kindness Bundle 2. It’s an adult romance at heat level 0 (no sex or on off the page), set before 2020.

The post See You Under the Counter [short story] first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Post-event: NBDB’s The Hows of Romance Writing

Last week, I moderated an online panel called The Hows of Romance Writing for NBDB, featuring authors Catherine Dellosa, Steno Padilla, and J.P. Adrian. A replay of the session (in English and Tagalog) can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/nbdb.phil/videos/347768140667684

We had so many questions and did not have enough time to answer each one! But I saved the chat transcript off Zoom and will be answering what I can in this post.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors based in the PH who want to get published for a wider (global) market?

My answer: I actually said a little bit about this at the panel but I want to expand on my answer here–I think it would be really interesting and good for us to consider our work global already. Even if we are writing in Tagalog and other Filipino languages, even if we are writing for Filipinos. Filipinos are everywhere in the world, translations are an option, and we should focus on global access all the time even for stories that are not in English.

And if you write in English, as I do, think of what your goals are and who should be reading this, and then work with the people, companies, platforms that can make that happen. If the book is for Filipinos, but the publisher can’t get the book to Filipinos? Or the book is too expensive and Filipinos can’t afford it? We can actually work with different companies/people/platforms in different territories to ensure that each of our goals are met!

Q: Should the HEA ending in a romance story be absolute?

My answer: I think if you’re asking this, you probably don’t want to write romance! Think of yourself as a writer of drama/fiction/tragedy/erotica/[insert correct genre or category] and then this will no longer be a problem for you. Other types of fiction can have a love story as a subplot and if you don’t want the love story to end happily then tragedy is the format you might want to follow. Or if you want the sexual content/intimacy plotlines without the exploration of a relationship, erotica could be the better category for your work.

Be aware if your “subverting” of a formula just means you prefer a different genre/story formula! If you want to write tragedy, or erotica, learn how to write that–instead of calling it a romance because you didn’t actually write a romance. You will find success in correctly identifying what you want to write and then learning it.

Q: Sometimes, the use of red flag characters are inevitable. How can we use these tropes without glorifying them but at the same time, not treating them as mere plot devices?

My answer: Be clear that red flags are red and flagged. I think the “glorifying” happens when authors are unclear about their position about the issue and the character. If as an author you want the readers to know your position, be clear and consistent.

But also, because I want to think that some authors know what they’re doing–perhaps they do intend to glorify a red flag character. That is the uncomfortable truth that we who write and read romance have to deal with. Sometimes authors do this and if we as readers don’t wish to be part of that, then we make the choice not to read them.

Q: How does institutional context (audience-driven narratives; plot conventions; the need to subscribe to popular stories) come into play in producing genre works such as romance novels?

My answer: I actually self-publish my books so I don’t necessarily bend to institutional rules that others might consider. Yes I have editorial guidelines for myself, and yes I follow the HEA convention, but those are choices I made and it’s not dictated by the market or a trad pub. This is a freedom I have because I control my publishing life.

Q: Any tips for someone who wants to write romance but also wants the story lean towards the “sawi-ness” of love?

My answer: Romance can definitely include “sawi-ness” but the position is that sawi can be overcome. If your position is that sawi cannot be overcome, then you’re not writing romance. I think people should write what they believe and love–by all means write your sawi-ness! But maybe you shouldn’t consider it romance.

Q: Tingin niyo po ba, possible na maging full-time writer sa bansa natin? If yes, any advice po regarding dito?

Yes, especially if you write romance, and if you self-publish, and also make very good strategic business partnerships in publishing and distribution. I don’t mean “full time writer” na you’re writing 8 hours a day for 5 days a week ha! I mean “full time writer” because you’re earning a decent monthly income from your books, even if you are not writing every day. I spent 12 years writing 27 books and I wish I thought of it that way, because I thought I should be writing all day for work. Anyway ito na yung updated advice: When you have time, write books that can be valuable intellectual property, and then set a schedule to write enough of them (like a series), and then find out who can be your best partners so that your valuable intellectual property can be earning the equivalent of a full-time income for you, so that you will be given the time to write more and create more stories. Good luck sa ating lahat.

Q: Miss Mina, how can we say that there’s “justice” to a romance story that we’re writing? Or how can we incorporate “justice”?

My answer: I love this question! To me, “justice” is the satisfaction the reader will get in seeing good people receive the love they deserve. I tend to write characters lately tuloy who definitely are principled, and fight for not just their love interest but also their families and/or their communities. This means “villains” also receive what they deserve–if they’re cruel or hateful they will not be welcome in my created world and they will feel it. Sometimes I can’t fix the world’s problems in my book but I will create a setting for the characters where they will feel safe and be surrounded by love and support. That by itself is a statement even if the world is difficult to change.

The post Post-event: NBDB’s The Hows of Romance Writing first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Scambitious: The Complete Series (new cover!)

Finally got around to putting this together, but here it is…my Young and Scambitious set of short stories, now published as Scambitious: The Complete Series.

Scambitious: The Complete Series

Jane likes to pretend to be other people. Don’t trust her with your money, your things, or your heart. 

YOUNG AND SCAMBITIOUS…Who is Elizabeth Madrid, exactly? She’s Manila’s latest It Girl—stylish, staple of the club scene, new best friend of famous-for-being-famous Chrysalis Magnolia. She’s also a jewelry clan heiress, a former model, an Ivy Leaguer… except no one actually knew of her until last year.



PROPERLY SCANDALOUS…How are society girl Elizabeth Madrid and young actress Truffles Marquez connected? Not in any way Truffles is aware of, until a government official with a very specific crush unwittingly becomes the next mark for society scammer Jane del Mundo and the gang.



SHINY AND SHAMELESS…It does seem strange that Jane del Mundo has been living in Manila, pretending to be socialite “Elizabeth Madrid,” for this long. You’d think something was keeping her there. Maybe a warped sense of obligation to her mother’s con artist friend. An unhealthy physical attraction to fellow high-class thief Gabriel. Or maybe, because she’s still on the job, working on one last big score.



GREEDY AND GULLIBLE…It’s the season to exercise the right to choose, when Manila’s powerful are at their most paranoid and reckless. You know what? Seems like the perfect time for a former fake socialite to visit and catch up with old friends.

This edition compiles all four Scambitious stories into one book. Stories must be read in order. 42,900 words.


The covers for the Scambitious series have always been a fun collab with Alex Lapa, and we were able to continue this with her through an actual #RomanceClassCovers shoot! The cover was designed by Tania Arpa, and photographed by Chi Yu Rodriguez.

To order the Philippine print edition, use my order form here.

Buy links: Amazon | Gumroad | Smashwords | Google Play | Apple Books | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Overdrive

The post Scambitious: The Complete Series (new cover!) first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Romance from Manila (Brisbane Writers Festival 2022 session, May 7)

I have a session at the Brisbane Writers Festival with Jodi McAlister and Kat Mayo, on May 7, details and registration page here. It’s called ”Romance from Manila” and I’m excited, because—if you’ve been following this blog forever—it does seem like we’re doing and have done a lot from here. Granted most of it comes out of what happens when you try to be resourceful when you have no institutional support but anyway! LOL. If we can do it, surely others can too.

I appreciate being able to talk about this in an international panel, like the time we did that in Brunei, because I get to think about the factors that make our activities easier or harder to replicate in other settings. If the goal is more books, what’s preventing that from happening? In “Manila” (and I mean Filipinos really, no matter where they happen to be), we’ve been able to make books happen by setting up all the things that romanceclass has become. We still need a whole lot of things so that the creative environment here will be better for romance authors, but if the conversation is about forming communities to address gaps in a genre then I have ideas. Lots.

My participation will be via livestream, so I will not actually/physically be in Australia in May. The date for the festival is just too close to May 9, a very important election here. Thankful that the livestream option was offered, so I get to do this and vote too. (I am voting for Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan, just wanted to share! The way I share this information on social media daily. But it’s very important.)

I’m excited for the session! See you at Brisbane Writers Festival!

The post Romance from Manila (Brisbane Writers Festival 2022 session, May 7) first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Interim Goddess of Love, with new art by Shai San Jose

I’ve been doing a series on the #RomanceClass Twitch channel that I’ve been calling ”publishing chika” — just a few minutes of talking after I do my writing sprints. The topic over the past few weeks has been releasing new editions of previously published books. For two main reasons: To add value to the book, and to keep it alive. Give readers today a reason to pick up a years-old book for the first time.

My series Interim Goddess of Love has seen several editions, but here’s the latest one: It’s got new art by Shai San Jose.

Commissioning the illustrations coincided with an update I made to the book, and the addition of content notes. [I’ve been uploading chapters of the book here on the site too.]

All in all there are 12 new illustrations: each volume has a full color cover and 3 b/w inside illustrations. They’re a mix of character representations and actual scenes, some of them I described, others I needed some help imagining. If you’re curious about my role in the creative process for the art, it’s mostly choosing between this or that (that!), and saying ”that’s great!”

This edition is available in its entirety only at gum.co/igol2021. The bundle on Gumroad includes:

– Interim Goddess trilogy compilation with b/w inside art (epub, mobi)
– Interim Goddess of Love IGoL #1 with new cover and inside art (epub, mobi, pdf)
– Queen of the Clueless IGoL #2 with new cover and inside art (epub, mobi, pdf)
– Icon of the Indecisive IGoL #3 with new cover and inside art (epub, mobi, pdf)

The edition available at all the other retailers is the compilation with b/w inside art.

Interim Goddess of Love trilogy buy links:  Amazon |  Google Play |  Kobo | Apple Books |  Ko-fi Shop |  Smashwords |  Barnes & Noble

Because there have been several editions of this series I have a continuing offer to give people who bought any previous edition access to any new ones. If you have a previous edition just email me [minavesguerra at gmail] a photo/proof of owning the earlier edition and you’ll get these new digital editions free.

Thank you for choosing Hannah (and her friends)!

The post Interim Goddess of Love, with new art by Shai San Jose first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Semi regular reminder that we are peers

This is a tweet I post, with slight variations, once in a while, and I did it again today:

Pinoy literary dudes following this account: have you read a romance by a Filipino author lately? Do it, and tweet about it Support support naman

— Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) March 18, 2022

Here’s the “unrolled” thread:

Pinoy literary dudes following this account: have you read a romance by a Filipino author lately? Do it, and tweet about it Support support naman

It should not be at all ok if we support you and you never read us or tweet that you did. 2022 na o.

Ok back to regular programming

Isa pa lol: It’s not just about taste or genre preference. Some of you judge prizes, are panelists for workshops, teach “love stories,” write about relationships. Your work suffers (some of it TERRIBLE, dudes) because you don’t read your peers. We are your peers.

Thank you to the people who support this thread lol. I’ve posted versions of this “challenge” practically every year, and I want to mention what I’ve observed in terms of “change.”

Prior to today, less than 5 Pinoy literary people have actually taken up the “challenge.”

Less than 5 people in the past 3 years (?) who have met me (or another romance author peer), been on a panel/workshop with us, added us on social media, may call us friend, has actually ever posted about reading our books.

*Less than 5 people that I know of because they tagged me. Maybe there are more, correct me if I’m wrong. Anyway.

We (Pinoy romance authors) buy and read literary fic, spec fic, sci fi, YA, comics, art. We go to signings, post about what we read.

A bunch of you (not all naman chz) will not show us the same support or respect.

They also just stopped talking to me here but that’s ok lol I don’t need it. HOWEVER for any other writer here in other groups please see as a red flag when the ~mentors don’t show up for people.

OK I was thinking of what to recommend at the end of this thread and how about the #RomanceClass book with the highest heat level
https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Dare-Brianna-Ocampo-ebook/dp/B09J3SP5PZ

(but if you go to http://romanceclassbooks.com you’ll see the range baka di niyo alam )

Originally tweeted by Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) on March 18, 2022.

The post Semi regular reminder that we are peers first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.

Julio, Manuel, and Alia (sort-of a series)

As I write this post, the lockdown in Metro Manila has been reclassified as ”alert level 1,” meaning there is pretty much no lockdown anymore. We have to wear masks, and access to most places requires a vaccination card, but we can go out, eat at restaurants, meet friends.

I could go back to my life of writing at coffee shops if I wanted to, but I haven’t done that. The weekly livestreamed writing sprints I pivoted to…have been effective for me. I get to write for roughly the same amount of time a week, and say hello to friends who drop by the stream and also write with me. I managed to do this with enough regularity that…I finished a little series? Sort of a series. And here’s the reading order, in terms of chronology:

Pleasure to Meet You, a short story, is about youngest Monterojo sibling Julio, a minor celebrity via YouTube, who meets Natasha at the shoot of a dating show on cable (heat level 3, set pre-2020). Read it here.

See You Under the Counter, a short story, has middle sibling Manuel Monterojo, about the night when he gets stranded at a food park in Ortigas and…finds an old/new fave (heat level 0, set pre-2020). Part of the RomanceClass NomCom anthology for charity.

Your Place Next Year is a novelette about Alia the eldest Monterojo. So close to being promoted as country director of the firm she works for, but a surprise reunion makes her question her life/career choices (heat level 3, cw covid references, set post-2020). Available on Amazon and your preferred retailers. Or buy it from me.

There’s no print edition just yet but these stories will be released together as a collection! Thankful to these characters for showing up for me when I needed them.

The post Julio, Manuel, and Alia (sort-of a series) first appeared on Mina V. Esguerra.