Resources: To the SEA and Beyond

I was recently asked to write about the issue of existing and emerging projects and institutions serving Southeast Asian science fiction, fantasy and horror and writing in general for Embroidered Worlds, which is currently kickstarting a Ukrainian SFF anthology. Given the nature of the web, it seems prudent to reshare the article here as well:

This year marks the 50th anniversary since the end of the US involvement in the Southeast Asian conflicts of the 20th century, including the Vietnam War and the US Secret War in Laos (1961-1973) and it's easy to see that there are still many stories waiting to be heard and in some cases reimagined and recontextualized with an understanding of the wide range of voices and complexities inherent in that conflict and our journeys before then and since then. In speculative fiction, it's only recently become apparent to many that many classics of science fiction were in part or in whole thinly veiled references to the wars in Southeast Asia, such as Star Wars, Aliens, and Starship Troopers, or the more recent Kong: Skull Island.

But there's something to?be said for Southeast Asian?works in?our own voices,?on our own terms, and we've been fortunate to see a?number of anthologies over recent?years emerge that take?on just that. Rosarium Publishing's 2015 anthology?The SEA is Ours takes a look at Steampunk through a Southeast Asian lens. Destination SEA: 2050 A.D. was released from Penguin Random House SEA this year, looking at climate change scenarios in the near-future as Southeast Asians imagine them.

The Penguin Random House SEA imprint was established relatively recently in 2018, but it is turning into a promising imprint for many emerging and established voices from Southeast Asia, as are the offerings from Singapore-based?Ethos Books. Ethos Books is focusing primarily on literary fiction, so it takes a little digging through their?catalog to?find works that?are more slipstream works straddling the thin line in Southeast Asia between speculative genre works and those with less imaginative elements.

In the aftermath of the war in Laos, it took many decades for cultural?reconstruction to take?place,?but one of the heartwarming stories is that of the children's?book company Big Brother Mouse?that began 17?years?ago in 2006. Presently they are trying to bring several books to life and are seeking sponsors in part or in whole for traditional?folktales and even a simplified adaptation of Sherlock Holmes stories. They need anywhere between $800 to $2800 to make that happen. Another publisher in Laos to keep an eye out for is Dokked?publishing.

Freedom of the press remains an important issue in many Southeast Asian nations, and publications such as Mekong Review and Southeast Asia Globe are doing their best to keep journalism alive in the region. Unfortunately Southeast Asia Globe recently announced they were suspending publication for the time being due to difficulties in securing funding and investors. The Press Freedom Index?considers conditions for journalists problematic to very serious in Southeast Asia.

A bright spot to consider are networks like the SEA Lit Circle, an emerging network of emerging and established writers who recently convened their first international festival for Southeast Asian creators in diaspora. Bangkok-based SEA Junction is also doing interesting work worth watching, as is?i:cat gallery in Laos, among others.Many may also want to consider looking at the work of DVAN, the Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network, the Cambodian American Literary Arts Association, and PAWA,?the Philippine American Writers and Artists organization.

I hope this gives you all some great leads on where to find some of your next favorite writers and creative communities. There are many others out there, and I hope you'll share them in the comments or send me a note for future updates on this list!