Press Kit
Keith answers your questions
What is your background and where did you grow up?
I’m the second oldest of nine children and was raised in a Filipino-American family in West Los Angeles in the 1960’s, (sound familiar?) When I was twenty-three years old I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1977 for a temporary engineering job and fell in love with Seattle. Needless to say, I never went back. Both of my daughters were born in Seattle and they bug me about still being a Dodgers and Lakers fan.
At what point did you realize you wanted to be an author?
I got the writing bug in Junior High School and had a real knack for it. It was very enjoyable and a great creative outlet. I would write every free second I had. Unfortunately for me the realities of life in a large family struggling to get by put my writing career on hold, there was always a higher family priority. But I always knew I’d get back to it someday. And a mere 42 years later in 2009 I started writing my first novel. It’s true what they say, life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.
How many books have you written and what was your inspiration for UNFOLDING, As It Should?
I have three published books, each showcasing my diverse artistic paths. The first one was published in 1992, HIGHBEAMS, Vol.1. It is a collection of original single panel- gag cartoons. One of my goals is to get an original cartoon published in the New Yorker magazine and another is getting my strip published in a weekly newspaper. UNFOLDING, As It Should was published in 2017 and is my first fiction novel. The novel I am currently working on is Echoes At Ehkola. I have another novel, MING Destiny on deck. I have also written a Children’s Picture Book, Have You Seen Green? published in 2020. Three more are in progress; What Kind Of Dinosaur Is That?, Yvette Plays 3rd Clarinet and Family Stew. Hopefully they will entertain and inspire children of all ages.
In my first novel, UNFOLDING, As It Should I wanted to write something I knew about and was familiar with. It’s loosely based on the many stories my parents told us as we were growing up, some in the backdrop of World War II and the mystical folklore of the people of the Philippines. It’s a story of family hardship, redemption and forgiveness.
What genre are your novels? Is there a common theme?
I’d say my fiction novels follow the Family Saga infused with folklore and mysticism theme with actual historic references. That way I am not limited in the realm of reality in the story line and anything is wonderfully possible.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I get a lot of inspiration from my creative family. I have an older brother who is a successful author of a series of books on Contemporary Catholic Music as well as a gifted Liturgical song writer and musician. I have another brother who is a brilliant poet and yet another brother who is a professional musician. My oldest daughter is a television screenwriter and teaches screenwriting at a major University in Southern California. My youngest daughter is also a promising writer. I think she is a better writer than I am. Surrounded by all of this talent how could I not be inspired?
What is the most difficult part about being an author?
I had no idea of what it took to be a successful published author. I just simply wanted to write a book, go on my merry way and move on to the next book, but clearly, writing is only one third of the effort. I’ve learned that another third is getting my book published and the final third is the continuous marketing effort. Quite an undertaking, but I’m learning the game.
Do you have a Literary Agent representing you?
Not at this time. That is another task I am still trying to navigate. The Author-Literary Agent relationship is a lifelong one based on mutual belief and trust in each other’s ability; to become one successful team. After my years of attempting to solicit a Literary Agent based on the strength of a single paragraph on a Query Letter I found it to be a most difficult and frustrating undertaking. I can truthfully say it is easier to find a wife. But the cold reality is that any of the major Publishing Houses will not accept an original manuscript unless it is submitted by a Literary Agent. After years of trying (not to mention years of rejections and non-response indifference) and some sage advice I decided to self-publish, thus becoming an Indie-Author. I will continue to write and am open to agent representation when the right opportunity presents itself.
Where have you traveled that has influenced your writing?
I have many. I have had the opportunity to travel to various places around the world and experience its unique people. I’ve traveled to many locations in Alaska from the city of Anchorage, to Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Island chain, to Kuparuk Oil Fields on the North Slope. I have worked in the -14⁰F winter temperatures at Trois-Riviers, a town 2 ½ hours north of Montreal, Quebec, Canada to the 115⁰F summers in Gila Bend, Arizona. I’ve taken a 4 ½ hour flight in a military helicopter from the coastal city of Magadan to the Kubaka Gold Mine on the Omolon River in Siberia, Russian Far East. Despite extreme temperatures, cultural and language differences, (I don’t speak French or Russian) the people I met were kind and inspiring.
Are there any personal interests or activities that help with creating your stories?
I am a big fan of history and historical facts and try to reference them in my story lines and character development. I am a Volunteer Supervisor at Seattle’s Ronald McDonald House interacting with different volunteer groups and the children and caregivers residing there. I have provided LIVE musical performances to many charitable events including being a musician for the Healing Music Program at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. I’ve volunteered at a local neighborhood food bank. The families I’ve met at these events and hearing first-hand of their inspirational stories are truly amazing.
What is your goal going forward?
With my website relaunch I will keep an up-to-date blog regarding my current novel status and storyline development, and describe the journey to search for a Literary Agent. I want to get a dialog started with you, the readers, and field any questions or comments you may have. I will post new cartoons of my HIGHBEAMS strip and keep submitting them for publication. Of course, I’ll keep you apprised of the increase in my marketing efforts, activities and scheduled events. My goal is to sell more books not only nationally but worldwide and trying to get our brand out there with more prominence is a good start. I want to create stories that you, the readers will enjoy, make you laugh and sometimes make you cry, but always keep you guessing and entertained. And hopefully it will make you want to read the next one. Stay tuned.