I was very honoured to be included in the recently released FIlipinx-Canadian anthology, Magdaragat (Cormorant Books), edited by C.E. (Chris) Gatchalian, Ted Alcuitas and Patria Rivera. However, my contribution, To the Dep*rted, is not printed in full. It is shamefully cut in half. According to Chris, they missed the significant step of showing me the final proofs before publication. In previous experiences, I have worked very closely with editors and publishers to ensure we are on the same page with the final work before it is published.
Both Chris and Cormorant publisher Marc Cote have, along with apologies and concessions, tried to reassure me that my piece does not read as incomplete. The last half of my work, however, is as crucial as the first, if not more so, with its climax and final key lines that bring the entire piece together. Their words bring neither consolation nor comfort, as this is not how I intended for my piece to be presented to the world. Any creative can tell you that, especially given the amount of time and passion one dedicates to the art of creation.
I am equal parts enraged and disappointed by this irreversible blunder. As fellow writer Yves Lamson aptly put it, “We have trusted you with our words, you have let us down.”
In an attempt to make things “right,” this past week, some of the editors and the publisher have reached out, and communicated some of the actions that they would take to address this. The editors have said that they would fix my work in subsequent printings, should there be any. They’re willing to pitch my complete work to literary journals. They’re even willing to have me read at the Toronto book launch – the only reader to do so as there are nearly 20 writers from Toronto represented in the book, and as such, they decided against any readings. But I would feel awkward about only taking part because of a need for the editors to address an error. All the other writers also deserve the spotlight. There has been no public apology, but an offer of one. Cormorant is offering to revise the e-version so that my entire work is represented. But the damage is done. All the copies circulating, all the ones I see in stores and on social media, do not carry my complete work. Patria, the editor assigned to my work, is the only editor who has not been in contact – this has been particularly hurtful because I admire her as a fellow poet, and I placed a lot of faith in her to handle my work respectfully and with care. All the correspondence over the past week has not allowed me the time to process this fully, leaving me at a loss at how to reply.
Magdaragat was and should be a cause for celebration. A first of its kind and an opportunity for many Filipinx-Canadian writers to be open and honest about our collective experience and see our words in print – for some, for the first time. This is the intent of the project. And I am happy for all whose stories are included. But this situation has destroyed the pride that I would have felt. It’s sad that what should have been a celebratory and landmark publication is marred in this way.