What To Watch Out: PrideLit
If there’s any rich source of entertainment and inspiration to readers from all walks that champions stories from the LGBTQ+ community, Pride Lit stands as the very first, but it’s no stranger to the literary industry.
As the first Filipino imprint that focuses on narratives that herald the value of appreciation and acceptance, the brand has been consistent in providing a safe space for the underrepresented voices for three years and counting, allowing them to share their stories, from finding love in many shapes and sizes to discovering one’s sexual awakening, with those fleeting moments that give you that kilig feeling.
At present, as it celebrates its third year in the publishing industry, Pride Lit has taken a huge leap in the form of 5 titles, all from its roster of seasoned and respected writers and contributors, respresenting diverse genre that speak of uniquely queer experiences and imaginative premises: Alex Rosas’ gender-swap romance Gay’s Anatomy, the campy fantasy Ang Asul na Buntot ni Aquano by Soju, John Jack G. Wigley’s enseble drama Kadenang Bahaghari, the instant pleaser Agustin and Ariston’s Version of the Universe by Lush Ericson, and Over Time, Angelica Sorreda’s romantic offering.
Pride Lit Brand Manager Aiko Clarizza Buduan-Salazar points out that each book speaks of different emotions and experiences, with each title written differently, opening readers’ minds on the fresh possibilities of storytelling. And guided by its vision, the imprint ups the ante by ensuring LGBTQ+ characters and its allies can become prominent figures in pop culture narratives, serving as inspiration to the community, giving an assurance that their vibrant lives are worth narrating, and are, after all, everyone’s stories, as well.