Maxine Laurel

September is about to end, but the MIBF feels like it’s still in my system. And I know I am not alone in feeling this way.

Held every September, the Manila International Book Fair, or MIBF, is the largest and longest-running book fair in the country. It is a gathering of book lovers and readers who share one common interest: books.

As a book nerd myself, I can’t say no to book fairs, especially this book fair. But this year’s MIBF is special to me. You see, I have been invited by my publisher, Pop Fiction, one of Summit Media’s imprints, to attend not just as a fan and a reader but also as an author. What made this year’s MIBF extra special is the release of my new book, in collaboration with five other great authors: The End Is Here! An Interactive Apocalyptic Adventure.

It isn’t my first time attending as an author for a book signing, though. Back in 2022, three other writers and I, under Cloak (an imprint of Pop Fiction), made our debut as published authors. But still, book signing for the second time around feels like a first!

I was a wee bit nervous because of my nature as an introvert. Good thing fellow authors xxladyariesxx (author of Princess of Zephria and Burst Into Flames), Gil Landicho (Elemento and The Day I Got Struck By Lightning), and Ruru Mont (Deathbound and Feather of Discord), who were my book signing buddies during the MIBF 2022, were also there. I also get to have a picture taken with the Ventre Canard (Caught in His Arms series) and Sheena (author of Deactivate and Dollhouse). Well… that was thanks to our resident vlogger, Gil Landicho, of course.

I was over the moon during the book signing. It still felt so surreal! Three of my sisters in Christ also attended with me, and the appearance of high school classmate and friend Nez was the ultimate surprise.

Since it was a book fair, I couldn’t go home empty-handed. So I bought a few books (and by few, I really mean plenty) at the National Book Store and, of course, at the Summit Books booth. I also showed my support to fellow authors Amedrianne (Curse of Arcana) and Melai Quilla (When God Made You) by visiting their booths and grabbing a copy of their books. I also took the opportunity to have my The Seed Mage Cycle books signed by Ms. Mica De Leon (author of Love on the Second Read).

And because I’m too lazy to do a book haul video, I’m just going to post the pictures below.

All my published books and this invitation for an author book signing were made possible by the Lord’s grace. I am forever grateful to Him for allowing me to write stories and publish my books.

I will always remember MIBF 2024, but I am also looking forward to next year’s book fair. I can’t wait for September 2025 to come!