helped out with Better Living Through Xeroxography (BLTX) 2 which happens tomorrow, March 2, at Ilyong’s in Cubao. it’s the one independent book fair that happens in these shores as far as i know, and the one that gathers together the writers / illustrators / artists you wouldn’t see in bookstores. am launching a teeny tiny book to end the life cycle of an essay that should’ve been printed / published a long time ago. do come!

You want indie? We got indie!

Better Living Through Xeroxography or BLTX is a small-press expo now on its second incarnation, the first one a success by indie standards: 30 small press publishers and 200 buyers on a rainy December day in 2010.

The goal of BLTX is simple. Bring together independent self-publishers from Metro Manila (hopefully from elsewhere, too), in a one-night event that will allow them to sell their wares: books, yes, but also zines and other printed materials like shirts, postcards, posters, and this year, CDs from musicians more indie than indie. It’s about selling, but also about meeting like-minded individuals who believe in literature and creative work that might not ever get into the mainstream of commercial bookstores and galleries, but for one night is the star of the show.

You can also just imagine BLTX to be the coolest meet-and-greet between writers and readers, one that involves beer, some music, and plenty of creativity you rarely see.

This year though BLTX will also be space for productive discussions on the making | marketing | selling of the self-published book, where practical aspects of actual independent book production will be shared by those who have survived it with sanity intact. BLTX Talks will happen the day after the BLTX small-press expo, a full six hours of four different panels that will answer central questions about PRINT PUBLISHING, ONLINE / WEB PUBLISHING, RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION, and COMMUNITY. All necessarily in light of the industry of independent self-publishing, and all against the traditional forms of cultural production as we know it in these shores.

Confirmed speakers for the BLTX Talks are Gian Lao (Spindle), Jasper Ong (avalon.ph), Christian Tablazon (The Cabinet), Mabi David (HighChair), Tweet Sering (Astigirl), Honey de Peralta (Flipreads), Oliver Ortega (hal.), Ime Morales (FWGP), Mike David (Kubori Kikiam), Feliz Perez (Mt. Cloud).   

Participating small-press and indie publishers for BLTX include The Cabinet,
 Gelo Suarez,
 hal. 
Heights,
 High Chair,
 Kubori Kikiam,
 Macoy,
 Omeng Estanislao, Pantas, Paper Monster Press, Patrick Rawwrr, QBCCC (The Quarterly Bathroom Companion Comics Compendium), Rob Cham, Silent Sanctum Manga, Tapat Journal, Tilde Acuña, UP Writers Club, Zigzag Animals, UP Music Circle, Migi de Belen, 98B.

BLTX, small-press expo is on March 2 2012, Friday, at Ilyong’s on Kalantiaw, Project 4, Cubao! 8PM onwards!

BLTX Talks in on March 3 2012, Saturday, at Chef’s Bistro at 94 Sct Gandia cor. Tomas Morato! 2PM to 8PM!

BLTX is the brainchild of the Youth & Beauty Brigade. Check out the BLTX FB Event Page for updated lists of participating small-press and indie publishers and BLTX Talks speakers! See you at BLTX and BLTX Talks!

 *Independent life is good for you is from here.