AuthorCon gives independent authors a bigger stage, draws hard line against AI

The new National Bookstore-backed convention will bring independent authors and creatives together in Mandaluyong City in November, with no wholly AI-made works allowed.

A new convention aimed at independent authors, creatives, and book lovers is taking a strong stance against artificial intelligence as it prepares to launch in November.

Unlike a typical book fair focused on selling titles, AuthorCon is positioning itself as an event built around the people behind the books, giving independent authors the tools and know-how to navigate the publishing world. The event is organized in partnership with National Bookstore to help participating authors with distribution.

The convention is scheduled for November 28 to 29 at NBS Park in Mandaluyong City.

The inaugural edition of AuthorCon is slated to revolve around science fiction. Future events over the next year may focus on romance and fantasy genres, said AuthorCon co-founder and publisher Kath Eustaquio-Derla, founder and CEO of PaperKat Books, an independent/hybrid self-publishing imprint based in the Philippines.

“With the success of the recently concluded Manila International Book Fair, it’s mostly about the titles, for the readers. Now, we want an event for authors,” said AuthorCon co-founder and sci-fi author John Luke Chica at a press event on September 19.

AuthorCon will host spaces for independent authors and select publishers to sell their works, while also serving as a platform for literary creatives to network. Workshops on topics like marketing basics, distribution strategies, and dealing with cancel culture are also planned for the event.

The convention is a blank slate for the literary community and publishing world to push boundaries and explore “unhinged ideas,” Eustaquio-Derla said. “Forget about boring book launches. We’re gonna do sci-fi book events with an EDM party later. What if we launch, let’s say, romance books tapos may mga sexy firemen sa gilid. We cannot do that sa malls,” she said.

Event organizers took a strong stance against generative AI, declaring that no wholly AI-made works will be allowed at AuthorCon.

“We’re not gonna allow AI of any kind in terms of art or writing because we want it 100% human. That’s the point of doing these things, the arts. It’s the expression from a human being,” Chica told radar Business on the sidelines of the launch.

AI use in nonfiction works like essays and biographies can be acceptable for minor tasks like grammar checking or research, Eustaquio-Derla said, but a hard line will be drawn for fiction and accompanying illustrations.

Applications for the event are expected to roll out soon.

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