The focus of our first anthology for the year 2023 is myths and legends, drawn from how different cultures all around the world represent their fears, although of course stories and poems on magic, supernatural powers, monsters, heroes, dwarves, spirits, giants, vampires, epic journeys, strange worlds will also be considered.
Our goal is to compile some of the best modern short mythic retellings and reinventions of legends from various authors around the world. Whether you are an award-winning/bestselling author, acclaimed storyteller/poet, or exciting new talent, you can offer readers new ways to interpret and understand the world. Adventure with us on these Mythic Journeys.
We are on the lookout for unpublished poems and stories about myths and legends in the English language. Myths and legends are the oldest stories, part of our collective consciousness, and the source from which all fiction flows. Full of magic, supernatural powers, monsters, heroes, epic journeys, strange worlds, and a vast imagination, they are fantasies so compelling we want to believe them true.
Criteria:
• Authors may submit one short story of 400-600 words in the English language + a drawing inspired by your stories on folktales, fairytales, tall tales, legends, and myths that cast a child — not an adult — as the clever problem-solver.
• Poems must be only 4 to 5 stanzas in the English language + drawing inspired by your poem on folktales, fairytales, tall tales, legends, and myths that cast a child — not an adult — as the clever problem-solver.
• We only accept new works and will not accept any work that was previously published in any anthology (poems or stories that have been posted on Facebook that have not been accepted by online or print anthologies or journals are eligible).
• The contributor with the best beast (illustration) will be the official book cover of this anthology.
Guidelines:
1. Copy your submissions to an email as a single document and email it to mckinleypublishinghub@gmail.com. The subject of the email should be [Submission: Myths & Legends]. All other titles will be considered, and the anthology title (“Myths & Legends”) will not be accepted. In the body of your email, please include your bio of not more than 50 words written in third person format ( if you submitted your Bio to previous Anthologies, please submit your Bio again, a submission without a Bio will be declined without notice. If you have someone else draw, please also provide the artist’s Bio so that we can also give him/her proper credit and a certificate.)
2. The deadline for your poems/stories should reach us is 10th January 2023. The anthology will be published by McKinley Publishing Hub and we hope to launch it in the first quarter of 2023.
3. Please no pdf attachments. We won’t be notifying you if you submitted a pdf format, please know that it will automatically be rejected.
4. Those who sent their submission via email will receive notification that the MPH team has received your submissions, via email on January 2023. However, the review process may take up to eight weeks. We will contact you once a decision whether accepted or rejected has been reached.
We look forward to receiving work that depicts eclectic styles and interests!
THE MCKINLEY PUBLISHING HUB is founded in the Pearl of the Orient: PHILIPPINES. Literally, McKinley is a street name where one of the three founders of the publishing company lives. In the context of Philippine History, “McKinley” are the Filipino Ilustrados who fought for freedom and real progress in the Philippines way back during the colonization era of Spain and America in our land. Ilustrados are the enlightened ones, not necessarily rich but surely educated formally (like Jose Rizal) or self-taught (like Andres Bonifacio or Emilio Jacinto or Josefa Llanes Escoda). They held the “enlightenment torch” to light and lead the way for Filipinos living in the “dark” towards a bright future full of hope.
Fast forward to now, 2021 which is a century hence plus some more decades after Rizal, Bonifacio, and Escoda. There is this new batch of self-published-Ilustrados again. Don Luman-ag, Dexter Amoroso, and Eureka Cambonga Bianzon Robey are these new self-published-Ilustrados. They believe that there is hope in self-publishing not only for the Filipinos but for the whole world. This time, Don, Dex, and Eureka will see to it that they will not be misunderstood (because they are good communicators). This time they will also commit not to fail (because they have a passion for excellence).
Besides, real heroism for them is not to put themselves on top of pedestals but for them to make more heroes of this new revolution in publishing. More heroes advocate the democratization of opportunities and progress in businesses, learning institutions, and in individuals. ALL THESE THROUGH MCKINLEY PUBLISHING HUB. Welcome us as we dynamically adapt so that you all can excel and achieve your dream of becoming a published author.
MPH is a member of the IAPO Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group
Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group (IBPPG) is a membership association for independent or “indie” book publishing. IBPPG is part of the International Association of Professional Organizations (IAPO).
OUR MISSION AND VISION
To protect aspiring authors from being exploited and victimized by unscrupulous individuals, business entities, and industry players.
As an alternative to traditional publishing, to encourage more people, especially the younger generation, to put their talents and skills into good use by writing and publishing their own books via the self-publishing route.
To stimulate and revitalize the mainstream book industry with the noble goal of producing future Pulitzer Prize winners and internationally acclaimed best-sellers by authors from across cultures and generations.
To spark, especially in our youth, interest, and love for books, and literary arts in general thus encouraging them to excel in their respective niches.
*To bring honor to each author’s country, to leave a lasting legacy, and contribute to the world community.
Core Values (MCKINLEY)
M – ODERN. We are non-traditional publishers. We capitalize on our technical backgrounds and know-how to produce world-class books.
C – OORDINATION. We value the excellent coordination within our team. We attribute the success of all our projects to our team spirit.
K – NOWLEDGE. We keep on exploring new techniques.
We never stop reasearching and innovating new ways to improve.
I – INTEGRITY. We do what we say and we commit to do it right, and improve continuously.
N – NURTURE AND CARE. We nurture and care for our stakeholders: clients, and shareholders – both existing and potential, our business partners, allies, our community, and the environment.
L – LOVE FOR THE CRAFT. We simply love what we do. We do what we love.
E – EXCELLENCE – We achieve our objectives with our relentless passion for excellence.
Y – YEARLONG FOR ALL SEASONS. MPH books are the best gifts.
Why Publish with MPH?
MPH publishes books in two languages, English and Filipino. We prefer poetry books and children’s picture books.
We do, however, occasionally consider memoirs, autobiographies, self-help, literacy fiction, mystery, sci-fi novels, fantasy, and nonfiction books.
MPH is currently accepting submissions via email. If you believe your manuscript would be a good fit for this publishing company, we ask that you include a cover letter with a brief author bio and book synopsis, along with your manuscript. We have a fantastic in-house editorial team who can help with manuscript editing, design, and layout. They are more than happy to work with first-time authors, as well!
We do not offer printing services so far but we are looking forward to expanding our horizons in the near future.
poems that mirror secrets of the heart by MPH Published Author Rosie B. Licudo
It has been years since finishing her college studies and while motherhood brought a sense of fulfillment, she began to wonder why there seems to be something amiss, as if she had been chasing rainbows all along. She always believed that romance can only happen between two lovers, but why does she ache for that tender touch or a whisper of sweet nothings? Through the years, the unrequited longings became burdensome, exacting a heavy toll on her courage to seek the unachievable. Only when she closes her eyes that the truth becomes clear, and the contours of her wishes begin to take shape. Listless, she began to step out from the depths of solitude, venturing into a world of beautiful verses, redolent of the murmurs of sweet nothings. It was then that the elusive happiness she long sought for unfolded, waiting in the wings to take her to a journey into the colorful and enchanting world of romance.
“Emotions are the mirrors that reveal the secrets kept in the heart” – Jimmy Calaycay
Rosie B. Licudo/Author
About the Author
Rosie B. Licudo is from Tabuk City, Kalinga Province, Philippines and presently working in Hongkong as an OFW. She is an aspiring writer and started to learn about her passion for writing poetry in March of 2021. The books to which she is a contributor are “Spotlight” and the “Methapors of Life” book anthologies, recently she is also one of the co-authors of “Saving the Planet, One Poem at a Time, and ” All I Want For Christmas”, “Mother’s Embrace” book anthologies, and the first Collaboration book anthology titled “Co-love-Oration” All her written poems were an expression of her true feelings and emotions, her thoughts, her views about life, and her own life experience and imagination. “My Poetry is Me!”
Purchase your Paperback, Hardcover, and E-Book on Lulu.Com
What happens when an international group of poets are asked to write something they are passionate about? They bleed into their words and allow those words to form together into a fascinating miscellany of poems that convey the passionate spirit and look beyond euphoria and exuberance.
Here’s a quote by Mark Z. Danielewski:
“Passion has little to do with euphoria and everything to do with patience. It is not about feeling good. It is about endurance. Like patience, passion comes from the same Latin root: pati. It does not mean to flow with exuberance. It means to suffer.”
Open the pages of this miscellany to learn about how 120 poets around the world endure challenges to conquer their life’s journey.
God grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change; COURAGE to change the things I can; and WISDOM to know the difference.
Of supplication for divine intercession is Reinhold Niebuhr’s prayer, a submission to God’s dominion over man.
Ripples In The Twilight is a perfect allusion to the author in her twilight years. As a poet, every thought and feeling that comes into her moments create movements and voices that ripples into every poem she writes. Writing poems though, was never an aspiration in her younger years. But after retirement, she bides her time scribbling in rhymes and rhythm. She’s a late bloomer in the field but she’s grateful for the opportunity to enrich her life. Old age is a gift from God, Not everyone is privileged to grow old, and many who have become have ceased to dream, simply content to spend their days in mundane existence. The author thus, invites her readers to join in her life’s journey through her poems. If there is anything that the wisdom of old age brings, it is of the thought that life, though tenacious and fragile, is beautiful, and there’s no limitation, how one chooses to live a joyful and meaningful life.
About the Author
The Author, Jossie Tequillo Magabo, comes from a home where music and literature blend with the affairs of the family, thanks to her father who created fun times with the children, through regular storytelling sessions right after dinner time. He also patiently taught them to sing, dance and to recite poems, filling the house with lots of singing, dancing, and laughter.
Seeing her inclination to poetry, Jossie’s father spent extra time teaching her the rigors of reciting poems to an audience, proper diction, enunciation, voice dynamics and gesture. Such training bodes well when she started school. She became her school’s official contender in Interscholastic Competitions in Recitation,
throughout Grade School, and Declamation in High School. At this point, more time was expended in memorizing poems. Writing poems was far from her mind by then.
Following the footsteps of her parents, she enrolled in a State College for Teacher Education. This time, she dabbled into verses and rhymes, but the academic requirements took her precious time. She loves teaching and dedicated herself to it and rose from the ranks. From the Ministry of Education and Culture she qualified for a Government Scholarship Grant for a Doctorate Course. Inspiration creeped in and writing poems became a hobby at this point in her life. Serious poetry writing came about after retirement.
Her 1st book of poetry was published in 2020. Currently, she is actively involved in many international poetry groups, a most welcome opportunity to use her time prodigiously.
The Poetry of Greg Etsell is a MUST-READ collection of 50 poems mostly in free verse, a somewhat organized stream of conscious style that Greg thinks is better read aloud. His wonderful poesy is evocative of the sublime beauty of nature and the everyday world, not to be missed by poetry lovers. There are a few that sound like songs. Beautiful poetry meets beautiful music, indeed.
About the Author
Greg Etsell is a writer and poet. He was born in Utah. He is fond of music and sports, but he is fonder of writing poetry. He has been on his passionate journey of writing for six years. He is enjoying his writing journey very much. He believes that when we treat the journey as a means to an end, what was once a source of joy becomes a dreaded chore. Greg lives in Florida, USA with his family.
Noong ating kabataan, tayo ay bumubuo ng maraming pangarap. Mga maliit at malalaking pangarap na kay sarap balikan lalo na kung ang karamihan sa mga ito ay ating nakamtan sa paglipas ng panahon.
Ang Parola ng Tanay ay isang pasyalan, palaruan at lugar ng mga mumunting ala-ala lalo na kapag natatanaw ang kalawakan ng kalikasan mula sa tuktok ng hagdan habang nagmumuni-muni sa maraming bagay na nagaganap sa ating kapaligiran. Ang mga nabuong kwento ng pag- ibig, mga pangyayari sa buhay, ang ganda ng kalikasan, ang masasayang taon ng kamusmusan at ang mga karanasan sa buhay ang nagsilbing inspirasyon ng may akda upang makalikha ng isang maipagkakapuring aklat na “PAROLA”.
Roberto T. Celles
When we were young, we had many dreams. Small and big dreams that were nice to look back on especially if most of them have been achieved over time. The Lighthouse or Parola of Tanay is a sight, a playground, and a place for small memories, especially when you can see the vastness of nature from the top of the stairs while contemplating many things that are happening in our environment. The developed love stories, life events, the beauty of nature, the happy years of childhood, and the life experiences served as inspiration for the author to create a commendable book “THE LIGHTHOUSE”.
Roberto T. Celles
About the Author
TUNGKOL SA MAY AKDA
Ang may- akda ay isang Filipino-Canadian na isinilang sa bayan ng Tanay sa lalawigan ng Rizal sa Pilipinas sa mag-asawang Gabriel I. Celles at Milagros A. Tiatco. Siya ang ikaapat sa pitong magkakapatid na kinabibilangan nina Melita, Teresita, Josephine, Roberto ( Ang May- akda ), Sonia, Gabriel at ang pinakabunso na si Dorothea.
Unang nakapag- aral ng elementarya sa Mababang Paaralan ng Tanay at nagtapos ng sekondarya sa Sierra Madre Institute ng nasabi ring bayan.
Siya ay nag-aral ng Kolehiyo sa Unibersidad Nasyonal sa Maynila at nagtapos ng kursong Batsilyer sa Agham ng Inhinyero Kimika (BS.ChE).
Nakabagtrabaho sa Manila Cordage Company, isang malaking pabrika ng lubid sa syudad ng Makati, Metro Manila ng halos dalawampung taon. Dito niya naranasan ang mapait at matamis na mga karanasan ng isang manggagawa at lider ng isang pagawaang binubuo ng isang malaking herarkiya ng mga ehekutibo. Ang pabrikang ito ang isa sa mga nagturo sa kanya upang maging matatag at alamin ang kanyang mga kahinaan at kalakasan sa buhay.
Sa pabrika ding ito unang nakilala at nabiyayaan ng isang ulirang asawa na si Isabelita Mendoza Celles at nagkaroon ng tatlong maipagkakapuring mga anak na sina Chastine Gale, Jose Gabriel at Roberto Angelo.
Habang nagsisilaki ang mga anak, napagpasyahan nilang mag- asawa na manirahan sa ibang bansa at harapin ang buhay sa British Columbia, Canada noong taong 2005. Ang bansang Canada ang nagpabago sa takbo ng kaniyang pananaw sa buhay at siyang nagbukas ng maraming pintuan, pagkakataon at oportunidad upang makibabaka sa isang bansang pinaninirahan ng iba-ibang kultura ng lipunan. Nagtrabaho sa Squirrelsystems, Canada sa Burnaby, British Columbia ng mahigit 15 taon. Dito niya naranasan ang patas at propesyunal na pakikitungo ng lahat ng antas ng manggagawa mula sa pangkaraniwang empleyado hanggang sa may pinakamataas na posisyon. Noong panahon ng pandemya ( Covid 19 ) taong 2019, nagbawas ng mga manggagawa ang nasabing pagawaan at isa siya sa mga nawalan ng trabaho. Sa mga panahong ito na kung saan ang gobyernong Canada ang tumutustos sa mga kanyang pangangailangang pinansyal, dito niya nadiskubre ang kanyang angking talino sa panitikan at pagpinta. Hinikayat siya ng kanyang dating guro, si Gng. Lourdes B. Morandarte, na isang kilalang Makata sa kanilang bayan ng Tanay, na subukang sumali sa kanilang grupo ng mga manunulat at pintor sa panitikang “ Poetic Hearts” upang mapawi ang pagkabagot at lungkot na dala ng pandemya. Habang siya ay abala sa pagpapalawak ng kanyang kaalaman sa panulat at pagpipinta, dumating ang magandang kapalaran ng matanggap naman siya sa Osensa Innovations na halos kalapit lugar din ng dating pinagtrabahuhan sa Burnaby, British Columbia. Para sa kanya ito ay patunay sa isang kasabihang kapag may isang pintuan ang nagsara mas marami pang pinto ang magbubukas para ka makapasok at makita ang ganda at lawak ng mundo.
Ang grupong “Poetic Hearts” ang nagsilbing hagdan nya sa mundo ng panulat at doon ay unti unting nakita ang kanyang kakayang humabi ng mga tula na sinasaliwan niya ng pagguhit upang mas mapaganda at mabigyang buhay ang kanyang mga likha. Upang mas mahasa pang lubos ang talim ng kanyang panulat, siya ay sumali sa maraming patimpalak panulaan sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo at kinilala ang kanyang angking kakayahang makipagsabayan sa mga magagaling na makata at pintor ng iba’t ibang bansa. Siya ang kasalukuyang taga-repaso ng mga tula ( Poetic Reviewer ) mula sa magagaling ng mga Makata ng kanilang samahang “Poetic Hearts”. Naisama na rin ang kanyang mga obra at akda sa babasahing “GLIMPSES MAGAZINE” na unang inilunsad noong taong 2021. Marami na rin siyang mga tula, guhit at poetic reviews na nakasama sa “ GLIMPSES MAGAZINE VOL. II na inilunsad naman noong Setyembre ng taong 2022. Maging sa pandaigdigang “ ILA MAGAZINE” ay nailathala na rin ang kanyang mga English Poetries tulad ng “THREE BUTTERFLIES” at “ MY SUNSET DREAMS” noong Hunyo, 2022.
Nagawa na rin niya ang kanyang unang aklat ng mga tula na nalimbag sa wikang Inggles ang “ VERSES FROM MY HEART“ na inilathala ng McKinley Publishing Hub ng Kentucky, USA at kasalukuyang nasa merkado ng Amazon.com.
Nakamit din niya ang mga sertipiko at papuri ng karangalan sa pagsusulat at pagguhit sa mga sumusunod na grupo ng alagad ng sining: The Passion of Poetry, Poetic Hearts, Rhythm of the Hearts, Pen Wonder International, Kapanulat, Bigkis ng Panitik, Filipino Poets in Blossoms at ang Mga Tula at Tilamsik ng Diwa.
Sa kasalukuyan ay maligayang naninirahan ng kanyang pamilya sa British Columbia, Canada. Biniyayaan ng maganda at bibong apong babae na si Olivia Isabelle at isang bagong apong lalake na si Dominic Robert sa kanyang pangalawang anak na si Jose Gabriel at sa kanyang naging kabiyak ng puso na si Donna Jade.
Tungkol sa Aklat
Noong ating kabataan, tayo ay bumubuo ng maraming pangarap. Mga maliliit at malalaking pangarap na kay sarap balikan lalo na kung ang karamihan sa mga ito ay ating nakamtan sa paglipas ng panahon.
Ang Parola ng Tanay ay isang pasyalan, palaruan at lugar ng mga mumunting ala-ala lalo na kapag natatanaw ang kalawakan ng kalikasan mula sa tuktok ng hagdan habang nagmumuni-muni sa maraming bagay na nagaganap sa ating kapaligiran. Ang mga nabuong kwento ng pag- ibig, mga pangyayari sa buhay, ang ganda ng kalikasan, ang masasayang taon ng kamusmusan at ang mga karanasan sa buhay ang nagsilbing inspirasyon ng may akda upang makalikha ng isang maipagkakapuring aklat na “PAROLA”.
About the Author
The author, Roberto Tiatco Celles, published author of “Verses from My Heart “is a Filipino- Canadian from Tanay, Rizal, Philippines, and now living in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada with his family. He attended elementary school at Tanay Elementary School and secondary high school at Sierra Madre Institute in the same town. He took up a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at National University, Manila in 1980. After graduation, he got his first job at Manila Cordage Company, in Makati City, Philippines where he worked for many years in the Manufacturing Department. He had a brief stint as a Consultant at Pacific Continental Company in Las Pinas City, Philippines. He applied as an independent immigrant in Canada and migrated to the country with his family in July 2005.
He got employed and worked for many years at Squirrel Systems Canada, a Burnaby-based point-of-sale vendor specializing in hospitality management systems based in British Columbia.
Presently working at Osensa Innovations, a Manufacturing company that develops and manufactures fiber optic temperature sensor products for industrial applications including power transformers, switchgear, generators, semiconductors, and MRI equipment also in Burnaby, British Columbia.
During the early days of the pandemic in 2020, his elementary grade school teacher from the Philippines, Mrs. Lourdes B. Morandarte, a well-known poetess in their province, introduced him to join “Poetic Hearts”, to shoo away the boredom caused by the quarantine. The group is composed of diversified and respectable poets and artists from different backgrounds who tried their talents in writing and painting. To date, he has been recognized and awarded in the arts of poetry and painting from different global poetry and literary groups such as The Passion of Poetry, Rhythm of the Hearts, Pen Wonder International, ILA Magazine, Kapanulat, Bigkis ng Panitik, Filipino Poets in Blossoms and Poetry Planet. He is also the current Poetry Reviewer of the Poetic Hearts group and provides good reviews of his chosen poems on a regular basis. His prose and poetry were included in the GLIMPSES PH Magazine’s maiden issue in 2021 such as Tulips, The Duckling and the Swan and Skittles, the Dreamer. His work “My Sunset Dreams” was chosen as Best Entry Poem and was published in ILA Magazine in June 2022.
Now, he happily enjoys being a grandfather to his lovely granddaughter, Olivia Isabelle and newly born grandson Dominic Robert, and still continues writing good poetries and painting during his free time.
Most of us grew up in a world without Smartphones, Nintendo Switch, and Netflix. We spent most of our free time just lying around, staring at the ceiling, and daydreaming about being grownups.
From picturing a romance with a dream partner, to being a superhero, to a profession we want when we grow up.
Indeed, daydreaming can help us envision a better future.
Those who daydream like us are hopeful persons.
We always see the glass being half full, and for us, things can always improve and thrive. Our lives are guided by our ability to imagine and see the bright side in every situation, to think of the rainbow after the storm. We always believe things can get better, and there could not be a more beautiful way to view this life than through our childlike wonder.
Let our little minds sojourn. Keep the positive attitude in our hearts and spread it around.
We all need some more daydream time and some more of that hope in our pockets.
And all the dreams that we dare to dream can and will come true.
Mary Rose R. Agapito-Lagunsad /MPH Editor-in-Chief
Kathy Jo has written poetry for years; her beautiful poems reveal her personality and dedication. In this special book, she tells us what is on her heart. The poems are uplifting because they are based on what the Bible teaches. As a result, one’s life is enhanced through reading them. May God bless you, Kathy Jo, for uplifting our lives.
Kathryn Search
About the Author
Kathy Jo (Blake) Bryant hails from the United States, originally from Texas, now residing in Missouri. She is an avid genealogist, and a member of two lineage societies. She has authored a two-volume book on genealogy, and two books of poetry: Golden Glowing Mushroom; Favorite Things in My World.
Even though she has intermittently been writing poetry since a young adult, she has had a positive surge in writing, since joining quite a few poetry groups, within the last several years. She has had her poetry accepted on The Sparrow, a recitative YouTube poetry group, and has received a growing number of poetry certificates of various kinds, for Picture Prompts, and daily and weekly contests. She has themed poetry featured in online and printed anthologies for OpenDoor Poetry Magazine, and a growing collection of anthologies. She is a former moderator for: The Passion of Poetry, a very large Facebook group.
The past shapes our personality, figures out our current identity, and reminds us of who we were.
Recalling and composing are two distinct things. Absence of legitimacy shows- Many significant diaries can likewise lose feeling, interest, and importance to the readers. In any case, HB Rita handily brings out her encounters, discernments, and genuine sections from an earlier time in her verifiable book. The author’s reasonability to accomplish the complex task will seduce the reader.
Behind the Patina is a non-fiction book in light of the writer’s encounters and individual life. The book will acquaint readers all over the planet with an alternate nation, identity, religion, culture, family values, and day-to-day existence.
It’s going against the prevailing family-social norms, cultural traditions and reflective inquiry that can prompt the readers to think.
A few issues have become known in her book because of her early life in origin and her extended stay in the Bengali people group in America.
Nevertheless, the writer’s remarkable book is extremely shrewd on the two sides of the waterway. Rita’s sensible life experiences demonstrate a genuinely strong signature.
About the Author
HB Rita’s real name is Hajera Begum Rita, lives in New York City, USA.
She worked at DOE for 15 years. She encounters working with various inabilities, physical, mental, enthusiastic, scholarly, and special needs youngsters productively. She is a former administrative assistant and employee at NYC HR Connect.
HB Rita was born in a Muslim family in Bangladesh and currently lives in NYC. She earned her higher education from Touro College and University in New York. HB Rita is a journalist, writer, columnist, and poet in NYC. She has distributed eight books of verse, including one novel. Her previously published book of poetry from McKinley Publishing Hub is “Diagonal Perspective”- “Poetry Tied to the Ribbon of Time”. HB Rita has two adorable boys।
McKinley Publishing Hub 