If we had a ReaderCon 2012 and a readers' choice book awards...

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One of the badges from last year's ReaderCon
...would you support it?

Last year, we held the first Filipino Readers' Conference or ReaderCon, entitled "Filipino Readers Make it Social." Back then, what we wanted to do was spread awareness about the vibrant reading communities of the country. We had two panels: one on book clubs and another on book blogging. We held it in a small room, good for 70 people, during the Manila International Book Fair. Surprisingly, the room was filled, the panelists enthusiastic, and the crowd friendly and participative. Generally, people said the event was a success, with a few comments that there could have been more time for socializing. I tend to agree. And so before that first ReaderCon ended, I, with bravado, said that there would be another one next year, because I felt we had barely scratched the surface of what we can do as a reading community, for the reading community.

This is next year. I am still intent on making Readercon 2012 happen. Based on conversations with many of the people who helped last year, so are they. So, we are going to do our darndest to make it happen and be bigger than last year. But to do that, we need all the help we can get.

For starters, I'd like to know what else you guys might expect from a Readers' Conference. You can take a look at last year's program to give you an idea of what we did. Take note, this is not an event organized by publishers (even if I work in publishing), nor something organized by a formal organization. From its inception, the ReaderCon was meant as a readers' event, organized for readers, by readers. So, as readers, what would you like to happen? What talks, what discussions, who do you want to see, etc?

We do have a few things in mind already:

  • for book bloggers, a panel on the ethics of book blogging
  • for teachers, a panel on reading programs that actually work
  • for book clubs/reading groups, sponsored book discussions/debates on popular titles/series
  • for everyone, writer meet-ups (hopefully they come)

But do feel free to suggest more things. Since this is an event meant for readers, we'd like everyone's input, as much as possible. But since it's a grass-roots event, we most likely can't shoot for the moon. We'll try as best as we can, though.

Another new thing that might happen this year is the establishment of a readers' choice book awards. I don't know about you, but I think it's high time that those Filipino books that we readers really enjoy get recognition from us.

We'd like the awarding ceremony to happen during the ReaderCon, but the book awards core committee will still confirm that. I won't be part of that core committee, for obvious reasons (like I said, I work in publishing, so conflict of interest), but I know for a fact that they also need all the help and support they can get. The core committee will give more details when they're ready, but rest assured they're already planning things. So, basically, I'd like to know if you think this readers' choice book awards is something you can get behind.


For these two things, I'm appealing to all book clubs, reading groups, book bloggers, reading advocates, and any and all Filipinos who love reading regardless of the reading material, for help and support. Please help us spread the word about the dynamic communities of readers in the Philippines.

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