News + Updates
REMEMBERING & HONORING THE SACRIFICE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH. As I continue to write my World War II novel, GABRIELA’S EYES, the meaning of Bataan Day has gained new dimensions for me.
Of the estimated 80,000 POWs forced to suffer this ordeal, about 65,000 were Filipinos and 15,000 were Americans. And of these numbers, there are an estimated 5,000-18,000 Filipino dead and 650 American fatalities. Let us pause to honor their sacrifice in the name of true freedom and democracy, which too many of the current generations of Filipinos and Americans sadly take for granted.
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WILD DAFFODILS & A NEW NOVEL! Fragrant wild daffodils I picked while walking my dog around our woodland home: a sweet and beautiful inspiration while writing the ugliness of WWII.
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THE POWER OF IMAGINATION IN TIMES LIKE THESE. A little “self-deception” is necessary to survive and thrive in this life. The physical world is a backdrop matrix against which we can create the life we can imagine.
Sometimes, such an imagination can drive us enough to manifest it into physical reality. Sometimes, seeing the world through a worldview that allows us to live a peaceful and happy life is enough. Who’s to say one strategy is inferior to the other?
Yet, in both cases, the capacity for imagination is a necessary ingredient. Hence, one can say that we live or die by the quality of our imagination. @Followers
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JOIN US FOR THE LAST OF THIS SEASON’S LEAPING FOOL READING SERIES: Thursday, February 20, 5-8:30 p.m., Orcas Island Winery!
Hear me and my fellow Orcas Island writers read from our works on the theme, INVOCATION!
The Irish poet, Pádraig Ó Tuama, describes poetry as “an act of noticing,” and—I love this best: as “prayers for when no other prayers will do” (Pádraig Ó Tuama, from the Introduction to 44 POEMS ON BEING WITH EACH OTHER).
These days, to me, call for more of such poetry.
Being a poet, I could not agree more with Ó Tuama. But being, likewise, a prose and fiction writer, I would apply what he says about poetry to writing, in general.
I view my vocation as a writer as no less an invocation.
I will read a series of four short poems of mine that have been published by various literary journals. I chose these poems because they are, in essence, invocations or prayers:
1. as an invocation to a writer's Higher Self: "Letter to An Immigrant Poet" [published as Note to (Writer) Self, Westward Quarterly, Summer 2015]
2. as an invocation to the readers or audience of a poet or writer: "First Open Mic of the Immigrant Poet" (published as First-Time Reader, Lyrical Iowa, 2016)
3. as an invocation to the Universe, Source, God, or whatever one might call the Consciousness that animates us all: "Advocate’s Prayer" (published in Slippery Elm Journal, Fall/Winter 2022)
4. as an invocation to a poet who is among those who have exerted the greatest influence on my poetry: "Exhuming Neruda" (published in Slippery Elm Journal, Fall/Winter 2022)
These poems are featured as the first few pieces in my poetry collection manuscript, MOTHERS OF EXILES, for which I am currently querying prospective indie book publishers.
@Followers
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HAPPY NEW YEAR! And happy reading Thimble Literary Magazine’s Winter Issue that features my poem, “Feeding the Dying,” and other ruminations through wonderful poetry to reflect upon this New Year’s Day and the rest of 2025!
My Filipino readers may be delighted to see an iconic Philippine dish playing anchor to my poem.
And big thanks again to Thimble’s editors for the privilege they gave me to share my work again with the world!
Do check it out, dear readers and friends!@highlight @topfans
www.thimblelitmag.com
Feeding the Dying by Victoria Grageda-Smith First, dab balm on the pale, chapped lips. Next, offer a sip of water from a straw. Then, spoon the soup gently into the trembling mouth: chicken soup, but ...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thanks much to The Leaping Fool for the privilege of reading my poem, “Meditations in a Nautilus Shell,” in last night’s reading event on the theme, “Spiral”!
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See you at tonight’s Leaping Fool reading event @ the Orcas Winery! I’ll read my new poem, “Meditations on a Nautilus Shell.”
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It probably doesn’t mean much, but a top Hollywood producer suggested I write the screenplay for The Thomasite ! I’m doing it!
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Dear Friends & Followers: I’ll be deactivating my X (formerly known as Twitter) account because I don’t want to be associated with an unenlightened platform owned and run by a deranged billionaire who lost his marbles on Mars. Please follow me at Mastodon (best X alternative) @authorvictoriagsmith@mastodon.social. Thank you! See you there!
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Come to The Leaping Fool Reading Series this Thursday, November 21, 2024 at the Orcas Island Winery and see me and some of my fellow Orcas Island authors read from our works on the theme, (UN)BELIEF!
I’ll be reading my newest story, “The Woman in the Garden.” It’s the first chapter of my Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel-in-progress, FINDING QIHARA, which was a finalist in the 2024 World Diversity Grant Awards.
Many thanks to The Leaping Fool for the privilege of sharing my work in such a great setting and event!
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“Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” (Rumi)
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UPDATED 2024 AUTHOR BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT
Victoria Grageda-Smith is a first-generation immigrant in the United States who reinvented herself from the accomplished lawyer she was in the Philippines to an award-winning American author published in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
Believing we experience reality according to what we think of reality and that, ironically, truth may often be more effectively conveyed through fiction than nonfiction, she wants to empower her readers by helping them experience various realities through her stories and poems, which could expand their awareness and understanding of the human condition and the integrant relationship between and among human beings, and between humans and the natural environment.
As a Filipino immigrant writer in the US, she is especially motivated to write literary fiction and poetry inspired by, among others, the immigrant experience, particularly in the context of the shared historical and cultural heritage of Americans and Filipinos, and to elucidate such particular perspectives within the universal human experience and consciousness.
Her debut novel, THE THOMASITE (Orange Blossom Publishing, 2023) won Second Place in the 2024 BookFest Awards and was among the headliner authors’ works featured in the 2023 Orcas Island Lit Fest. She also wrote the Driftless Unsolicited Award-winning novella, FAITH HEALER (Brain Mill Press, 2016) and the Fifth Annual Ventura Country Star - Ventura County Writers Club First-Place-winning short story, “Portrait of the Other Lady” (Ventura County Star, November 28, 2004).
Her poetry collection, WARRIOR HEART, PILGRIM SOUL: An Immigrant’s Journey (CreateSpace, 2013), was well received by Kirkus Reviews. Her poems were finalists in the 2024 Yellow Arrow Publishing Chapbook Contest, 2017 New Millennium Poetry Awards, 2016 Edwin Markham Poetry Award Contest, 2016 Knightville Poetry Contest, and 2016 Crosswinds Poetry Journal Contest and appear in, among others, Reed Magazine, Slippery Elm Journal, Lyrical Iowa, Fifth Estate, and Dicta.
The anthology, OTHERS WILL ENTER THE GATES: IMMIGRANT POETS ON POETRY, INFLUENCES, AND WRITING IN AMERICA (Black Lawrence Press, 2015) features her essay, “Gatekeepers and Gatecrashers in Contemporary American Poetry: Reflections of a Filipino Immigrant Poet in the United States.”
She is currently marketing her two new book manuscripts: DAUGHTERS OF THE BAMBOO, a collection of feminist immigrant stories, and MOTHERS OF EXILES, a poetry collection inspired by the diaspora and immigrant experience (finalist in the 2024 Yellow Arrow Publishing’s Poetry Chapbook Contest).
Among her works-in-progress are: GABRIELA’S EYES, a literary historical novel set in the Pacific theater of World War II about a Filipino comfort woman; FINDING QIHARA, a Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel set in two alternative realities—an apocalyptic future created by global climate change and a parallel utopian universe (finalist in the 2024 World Diversity Grant contest); and INCURSIONS OF LIGHT, a third poetry collection inspired by the theme of spiritual awakening.
When Victoria is not writing, she likes to travel and immerse herself in a different culture, read, hike in the woods or hills, and walk on the beach with her family and their dog at their US Pacific Northwest island home in the Puget Sound.
Details and updates on her literary work are available at VictoriaGSmith.com, Facebook Author Victoria Grageda-Smith, Twitter @AuthorVGSmith, and Instagram VictoriaGSmithAuthor.
@Followers
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NaNoWriMo on ORCAS ISLAND! All you budding writers and lovers of story: Join me (at 6 pm) and my fellow authors for another edition of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) at the Orcas Island Public Library this Saturday, November 2, 2024. Looking forward to seeing you there!
@followers @highlight
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WE WON!!!! Dear Readers and @Followers, humbly sharing some great news I received this morning from my publisher:
My debut novel, THE THOMASITE, won Second Place in The BookFest Awards this year!
Thanks to Orange Blossom Publishing and Ms. Arielle Haughee for nominating me for this award—and for believing in me and my book from the start!
It just occurred to me that with this award for my novel, The Thomasite , ALL my published literary pieces in ALL the creative writing genres of fiction (short story, novella, and novel) are ALL award winners!
My poems have also won as honorable mentions and finalists in some poetry contests but have yet to win the big prize. Nonetheless, for most writers just getting published is the big prize. And so I’m very grateful!
Here’s the BookFest Awards link (and please share on your own social media network?) to check out:
www.thebookfest.com/award_entries/the-thomasite/
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A GREAT PASS! As a #writer, I live with rejection all the time. I have to--otherwise, I would give up and not be where I am now: an award-winning, traditionally-published #author in the US, one of the toughest writing and publishing markets in the world.
When I finish a #literary piece and submit it to prospective #publishers, I always hope for the best without being obsessed with the result. What I love most is the journey of creating a masterpiece--regardless of its destination.
A disciplined practice of detachment and acceptance has certainly made me stronger than ever. Specifically, it helped me develop belief in my self, my voice, and my work that does not rely on validation from others. As long as I am confident I gave it my best, it doesn’t matter what anyone else says.
This lesson is especially relevant in the era of social media, where many egos depend on “likes” and number of followers for fulfillment, self-confidence, or a sense of wellbeing.
I thank Yellow Arrow Publishing for its serious consideration of my poetry collection, MOTHERS OF EXILES, in its 2024 Chapbook Contest. It was an honor for me simply being chosen as a finalist.
I especially thank its Editor-in-Chief, Kapua Iao, for sharing their readers' kind comments about my book with me, as follows:
“Readers noted that they loved the language and the imagery within along with your voice. One reader added, 'These poems are truly lovely to read.’”
Now that, dear #Readers, #Followers, and fellow writers, is a pass that uplifts! Hence, although my book was not chosen as the ultimate winner, I nonetheless feel like a winner! Thank you, Yellow Arrow Publishing! And big congratulations to whoever you chose to publish!
Now, back to the salt mines--where we strive to be among the salt of the earth!
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Dear Readers and Followers, want to get ahead of the holiday gift-buying rush?
How about treating yourself and someone you care about with compelling, relevant, timeless, and classic literature from your favorite Filipino American author—me? 😁☺️
You may choose from any or all of the following selections:
1. THE THOMASITE (Novel; Orange Blossom Publishing, 2023):
DESCRIPTION: This is the first literary historical fiction about the “Thomasites.” It is based on the little-known history of the more than 500 American teachers who sailed on the USAT Thomas to the Philippine Islands in 1901 amid the raging Philippine-American War to teach Filipino boys and girls.
The novel is rich with references to both American and Philippine culture and history.
SYNOPSIS: In 1901, during the Philippine-American War, a young American teacher, Eleanor Karsten, sails on the U. S. Army Transport Thomas to the Philippine Islands with more than 500 other US educators in response to President McKinley's call to teach Filipino children and help establish a public school system in the new US territory. A stopover in the Hawaii Islands and a brief stay in Manila awaken her to the implications of America's new expansionist policy.
When she arrives at her designated school area, various challenges—including malaria, a cholera epidemic, war, and racial, class, and religious tensions—test her resolve to fulfill her mission.
Her loyalties are likewise tested when she becomes romantically entangled with a native man whom she suspects could be the local leader of the insurrection.
Her journey takes her through love and loss of mythic proportions as she witnesses the human ramifications of America’s policy of ‘benevolent assimilation of Filipinos,' wherein she finds herself the student rather than the teacher.
AVAILABLE from:
1.1. Signed copies available from: Orange Blossom Publishing: www.orangeblossombooks.com/store/p52/thomasite.html
1.2. Unsigned copies available from the following and other book sellers:
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Thomasite-Victoria-Grageda-Smith/dp/1949935620/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32LDTK5587M78&keywo...
Barnes & Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-thomasite-victoria-a-grageda-smith/1143351978?ean=9781949935622
Kindle: www.amazon.com/Thomasite-Victoria-Grageda-Smith-ebook/dp/B0C5DZTY7X/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encodin...
Apple Books: books.apple.com/us/book/the-thomasite/id6449224886
2. FAITH HEALER (Driftless Unsolicited Award-Winning Novella; Brain Mill Press, 2016)
BOOK DESCRIPTION: This is a literary historical fiction about an intersex (hermaphrodite) Filipino psychic faith healer of a Philippine dictator and his family who flees the Philippines during the 1986 People’s Power Revolution for the US.
Narrated in alternating timelines spanning the 1960s to the 1980s, and in two alternating place settings, the Philippines and Los Angeles, California, USA, this is ultimately a story of the fall and redemption of a human being struggling with both personal demons and the Filipino people’s struggle for justice and democracy.
STORY DESCRIPTION: Victor is a penniless intersex bastard who received the gift of healing from the spirit of a sacred mountain.
After having fallen along with his patrons in the corrupt regime ruling from Malacañang Palace in Manila years earlier, Victor has created, on the surface, a peaceful, if lonely and uncertain, life for himself as the caregiver “Tita Vee” in a California long-term care facility.
Privately, Victor continues to be tormented by the loss of his gifts, those that he loved, his country, and his God until his own salvation ironically comes in the ordinary yet unexpected tragedy that involves the twisted heart of a cruel racist.
Victor is the unlikely yet perfect hero or heroine to anyone who is no stranger to living life as neither one thing nor another – not a man or a woman, not a fraud or a miracle, not black or white or Filipino–and who, by choice or not, lives on the very edge of where any other human might fear to journey.
AVAILABLE from:
Brain Mill Press: www.brainmillpress.com/books/faith-healer
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Warrior-Heart-Pilgrim-Soul-Immigrants/dp/1482724308/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=W...
Kindle: www.amazon.com/Faith-Healer-Driftless-Unsolicited-Novella-ebook/dp/B01D1Z53KC?ie=UTF8&keywords=faith healer&qid=1462807181&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=1-1#nav-subnav
3. WARRIOR HEART, PILGRIM SOUL: An Immigrants’s Journey (Poetry)
DESCRIPTION: Believing that the ultimate value of poetry lies in facilitating man’s search for meaning, poet Maria Victoria A. Grageda-Smith strives to write poetry that is not only accessible to the greater reading masses but also suggests a glimmer of hope even in the most deplorable human conditions.
This is the driving force and paramount voice in WARRIOR HEART, PILGRIM SOUL: An Immigrant’s Journey, her first book of poems. “Who am I as a writer?” Ms. Grageda-Smith asks in the Preface of this book.
In attempting an answer, she discovers that, like her beloved native country and people, she is, as her poem, “A Letter to My Mother” describes, “…always seemingly caught between worlds–neither here nor there, neither this nor that, eluding tidy description, belonging nowhere….”
This collection chronicles the inherently conflicted yet ultimately rich and textured journey of an immigrant woman compelled to achieve a radical redefinition of individual and national identity against a backdrop of life-changing circumstances and parallel historical developments in the US and the world.
REVIEWS: Here are what critics say about the poetry collection:
“A cohesive poetry collection that…. boldly address(es) the beauty and ugliness of life…. in grand sweeping language…. (R)eaders will delight in…. original perspectives on well-worn tropes…. A forceful poetic expression of art and the self.” –Kirkus Reviews
“….excellent writing…. elegant, meaningful and powerful… descriptions and images are exquisite… (H)er voice is intelligent but does not overpower…. I like the way (she) gives us something to think about and teach us awareness …. (of) love and appreciation for life…. (G)ood universal poetry (that) shows (her) passion for all mankind…. compassion for all who suffer and (her desire) to make the world a better place. But even in this sadness (she doesn’t) bring us down.” –Pat Underwood, multi-awarded poet and author of the poetry collection, “Gatherings.”
ABAILABLE from:
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Warrior-Heart-Pilgrim-Soul-Immigrants/dp/1482724308/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=W...
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Sharing great news on the literary front, dear Readers and Followers: Thimble Literary Magazine informed me it is "thrilled" to publish my poem, "Feeding the Dying,” in its Winter issue and sent me what I’m also thrilled to sign: a publishing contract!
So please watch out for the magazine in December. It will be a great way to cuddle up and get cozy with some great poetry to chase off the winter cold!
www.thimblelitmag.com
Home Summer 2024 Vol. 7 No. 1 The Thimble Literary Magazine is based on the belief that poetry is like armor. Like a thimble, it may be small and seem insignificant, but it will protect us when we are...3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thanks much to Yellow Arrow Publishing for this honor! And kudos to my fellow poet-finalists!
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Dear Readers and Friends, another piece of great news: My Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel-in-progress, FINDING QIHARA, has moved to the 2nd round of the Diversity Grants Award contest. If it wins, there's a monetary grant award to support the writing and completion of the novel. Please add this to your positive intentions? ☺️Thank you! 🙏🏼
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I’m so honored to be informed that, in a field of other excellent works, my poetry collection manuscript, MOTHERS OF EXILES, made it to the 2nd round of the blind judging of Yellow Arrow Publishing’s poetry chapbook contest! This made my day!
Won’t you please send your positive intentions to the Universe for my book on this? Thank you! 🙏🏼
www.yellowarrowpublishing.com
Supporting women writers through access to publication and the literary arts5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Sometimes something good comes your way, even if you never asked for, nor expected it. Marquis - Who’s Who in America sent me this badge, confirming they’ve chosen me as a listee. I’m told this recognition honors outstanding individual accomplishments. I don’t need an award to know what I’ve accomplished, but I’m certainly proud and thankful to be a Filipino American who is a WHO’s WHO in AMERICA! Thank you, Marquis and Universe! 🙏🏼
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I MADE THE LIST! Dear readers and friends, it is with humility that I share with you that after having been interviewed for almost three hours yesterday by the Marquis group, upon having been apparently been nominated by That’s Great News group (I have absolutely no ties or connections with this group) I made the list for Who’s Who in America 2025! The book will come out in the second quarter of next year.
I’m told that only 66% of those nominated get to the interview stage and only a select few of the remainder make the list. I don’t mind saying I’m now in league with Warren Buffet in that we are now both listed in Who’s Who in America! I just wish I was rich like him! Lol! 😂
Since the founding of the list in the 1800s, there are now 1.8 million people in this list. Considering there are almost 8 billion people in the world today, I suppose it’s not too shabby being included among the small fraction of humanity in more than a hundred years whose personal achievements are recognized by this list.
Nonetheless, I assure you I don’t feel different. I never expected this honor. In fact, I’m definitely feeling impostor syndrome right now. And I don’t believe I am any more special than any of you out there who are doing such outstanding work in what you do, especially all you stay-at-home moms and homemakers. It was my time as such that led me to become the award-winning author I am today.
Here’s what I’m up to at the moment: I’m marketing two new book manuscripts to publishers: a poetry collection and a story collection. I’m also writing a second historical novel set in World War II in the Philippines. The characters will again be a mix of Americans and Filipinos—plus Japanese, this time.
I offer my light to the world through my writing. I wish you all happy shining, too! Thank you for your continued patronage and support!
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Since 1899, Marquis Who's Who has remained the standard for reliable and comprehensive biographical data. Each year, we strive to continue the tradition established by our founder, Albert Nelson Marqu...21 CommentsComment on Facebook
A stranger nominated me for Who’s Who in America, and Marquis Publications, which publishes the list is interviewing me today!
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#LITERARY COCKTAILS #reading at The Barnacle tonight (6:00 pm)! Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Month #Author Victoria G. Smith as she reads from a part of her #novel, The Thomasite , set in Hawaii—and likewise learn things about Hawaii’s history you may not know! Other great #Orcas Island #writers will also be reading at this enlivening, if not inebriating (with words!), #spokenword event.
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