INDEPENDENT publishers advised novice writers to take advantage of online platforms to publish their work, saying they should not hesitate to submit to various outlets.
“Kung wala kang espasyo, lumikha ka ng sarili mong espasyo,” Andre Gutierrez, one of the founders of Gadgad Press, an alternative publishing house established in 2024, told the Varsitarian.
He said publishing in the Philippines poses difficulties for young writers but this should not hinder them from finding ways to publicize their work.
A journal article on business said self-publishing and promotional tactics among writers had begun to take shape across several online platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as author-focused communities like Wattpad and Substack.
An Adweek report cited Substack as an important publishing platform that racks up Gen Z audiences, based on an analysis from 2,000 consumers aged 15 to 25.
In 2025, more than 300,000 first-time writers turned to Medium, another online publishing platform that reaches over a hundred million consumers every month, according to its analytics.
Gutierrez, named Makata ng Taon 2024 by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, said having a strong foundation in accepting constructive criticism and feedback helps writers sustain confidence in their craft.
He cautioned that not all feedback needs to be applied, as writers must know when their work is ready for publication.
“Ikaw dapat ang number one fan ng libro mo. Huwag kang mahiyang ibenta ‘yong sarili mong akda o sarili mong aklat. A book does not sell itself,” Gutierrez added.
Christian Balagoza, an author and graphic designer for Gadgad Press, highlighted zines as a form of alternative publishing, noting that they can provide space for stories that often go unnoticed.
“Walang hindi mahalaga. Lahat ay mahalaga na paksa sa zine,” he said. “Dahil ang zine ay malaya, nais natin lumikha ng mga akdang mapagpalaya.”
“Ang kailangan lang ay lakas ng loob. Katulad naman ng sinabi ni Andre, mahahanap at mahahanap mo ‘yong mga reader mo,” he said.
Balagoza stressed the importance of remaining true to the genres writers enjoy, even if these are sometimes viewed unfavorably in academic settings.
In 2025, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts conferred on Gadgad Press the National Achievement Award for Literary Initiative for creating a platform that enables young writers to publish and promote their works.
Titled “Ganito Kasi ‘Yun: Ang Mundo ng Self-Publishing at Zine Making,” the seminar-workshop of Gutierrez and Balagoza was held on Feb. 20.
It was the second installment of the “Authors on Demand” series of the UST Department of Creative Writing. Charlize Ann D. Lavastida
