Interview With Author Daniel C. De Guzman

Daniel is a Filipino fantasy author who dabbles in a myriad of genres, with his works being featured in anthologies such as PSICOM Librerya Dark Files 1, Novice Magazine Issue 3, and Bangkang PAPEL Vol II and III. His favorites, however, are speculative fiction and horror. He loves metal music and is a collector of books about Philippine mythology.

Ang Huling Sagrada is his debut novel, but he's also published Beautiful Blasphemy, a collection of poems inspired by dark musings and nightmares.

Wala sa pag-aakala ni Mercedes na hahantong sa ganito ang kanyang buhay na dati ay umiikot lamang sa romansa at kamatayan. Sino ba naman ang mag-aakala na ang tulad ng niyang Anti-Diyablo at Puta ngayon ay naging isa ng diyosa. Sinasamba, inaalayan, pinupuspos ng mga papuri mula sa mga bibig ng mga taong mistulang uhaw sa pastol na aakay sa kanila sa padilim na padilim na panahon kung saan pilit mamumuhay sa iisang mundo ang mga kampon ng kadiliman at ang mga tao.

Pero hindi ito gusto ni Mercedes; ang totoo ay lubas siyang nasusuklam sa mga nangyayare lalo’t simula ng siya ay sambahin ay lubos siyang nagising sa isang mahabang panaginip patungkol sa mga taong kaniyang inililigtas sa kamay ng mga diyablo at maligno.

Sa likod ng kanilang mga maskara ay may tinatago din silang mga sariling demonyo na tila mas masahol pa doon sa mga pangil at mya mga mahahabang kukong nilalang na kanyang sinusupil.

In ten words or less: who are you?

Writer from Tarlac and university lecturer.

What made you decide to publish independently?

Publishing independently is a great opportunity for new authors like to make our dreams to get published to come true.

What has been your most unforgettable experience (good or bad) as an author?

For me the unforgettable would be the “rush” you feel when you are in the “zone” as you write your story. That kind of experience is some sort like a thrill akin to athletes whenever they are doing something magical in the court. But for me, it’s like magic; as if the words just keep on flowing from you and you know how to weave them perfectly.

Bad experience might be when someone says that they can’t understand your work because it’s too deep hahahaha.

Who do you think you inspire? If not, who and what do you want to inspire?

I want to inspire young writers and even all other people that storytelling is so powerful. It can change someone’s life if you willing immerse to it. The endless possibilities of pen and paper is something I want to share with other people.

What character archetype would you be if you were a character in a book, movie or TV series?

The Mad Professor hahahaha

What kind of animal character would you be in your story, and why?

Crow. I like the fact that crows are harbingers of death and at the same time one of the clever animals in the animal kingdom. Plus they are staple mascot whenever the word gothic is being implied.

If you were not doing what you are doing now, what activity or hobby would be keeping you busy?

I want to return to my hobby of building Gunpla Models or maybe trying to learn how to draw.

What do you consider as your weakness, and have you done anything to overcome it?

Grammar hahaha. And sometimes I forget to review my work. Right now, I am trying to always review my work for possible revisions.

Anything else you want to tell your fans, our readers, and the writing/reading/blogging community at large?

To borrow the quote from the literary group PAPEL: “Sulat lang ng Sulat” 🙂

To know more about Daniel and his works, visit and follow his Facebook page.