Charo Santos-Concio, Ardy Roberto, Makiwander, and Ricky Lee will train aspiring authors in the first-ever author search and mentoring program of ABS-CBN Books dubbed “Project Foreword.” Through this new program, writer-participants have a chance to collaborate with some of the country’s most respected authors in creating and having their original works published and promoted by ABS-CBN Books.

Project Foreword was launched last Monday, March 9, with the introduction of its four mentors Ricky, Ardy, Makiwander, and Charo.

First on the list of mentors is ABS-CBN’s chief content officer and author of “My Journey: The Story of an Unexpected Leader” Charo Santos-Concio, who aside from being a media icon has also established herself as an award-winning dramatic actress and the voice of compelling life stories through the drama anthology program “MMK.”

As such, Charo said she deeply values characterization in a story. “The characters have to resonate with me; I really have to know them so well. So the narrative that you bring your characters to has to be engaging.” 

Award-winning entrepreneur and sought-after inspirational speaker Ardy Roberto, who has also authored multiple books, including “The Happy Entrepreneur” and “The Heart of Healing”—which won the Gintong Aklat Award for Best Inspirational Book in 2010—is also one of the mentors.

“The fastest-growing segment in publishing is inspirational books. So, me, I'm looking for writers and authors who still believe that miracles still happen and that heroes still exist. . .,” Ardy said.

Meanwhile, Mari Kris De Luna Ogang, known by her readers as Makiwander, is a writer who amassed a following on Wattpad. A winner of The Watty Awards, Maki has already published nine books including the novel adaptation of the Black Sheep film “Between Maybes.”

“This is a good opportunity to invite new generation of writers, they don’t have to be young or new, this is also for those who are dreaming to submit and be published by ABS-CBN,” she shared.

Completing the roster of mentors is multi-awarded screenwriter, novelist, and playwright Ricky Lee, who is perhaps one of the most respected writers in the country for his immense contribution in Philippine theater and cinema. Some of his brainchild include the films “Himala,” “Karnal,” “Muro-Ami,” and “Anak,” as well as the screenplay manual “Trip To Quiapo” and the novel “Para Kay B.”

“If you want to write, you write—whether you’re inspired, have a deadline, to be paid, or joining a contest, you write. Like a baker who makes bread, or a doctor who treats illnesses, as a writer, you write. Don’t wait for any reason, it’s your deal, you write (Kung gusto mong magsulat, magsulat ka—whether inspired ka, o may deadline, o may bayad, o may contest, magsulat ka. Gaya ng panadero, kailangan gumawa ng tinapay, ang doktor kailangang manggamot, eh ikaw manunulat ka, dapat magsulat ka. 'Wag kang maghintay ng rason para magsulat, it’s your deal, you write),” Ricky advised budding writers.

Interested writers can submit their original, previously unpublished works until April 6 for a chance to be a part of Project Foreword.

Visit noink.abs-cbn.com for the full mechanics. For more information on the program, like ABS-CBN Books on Facebook at www.facebook.com/abscbnbooks and follow it on Instagram @abscbnbooks. For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.