Victor Manibo
LightNews LightNews
banner
victormanibo.com
Victor Manibo
@victormanibo.com
3.1K followers 1.3K following 770 posts
Author of THE SLEEPLESS (2022), ESCAPE VELOCITY (2024), DEAD NOTE (2025), and THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED (2025) • Lambda Literary Fellow • NYC via MNL • he/him 🏳️‍🌈

linktr.ee/victormanibo
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
victormanibo.com
Victor Manibo @victormanibo.com · Nov 8
What a writer finds beautiful and moving, what they write about as aesthetically pleasing, what they struggle to and manage to get in front of a reader as a thing of beauty—all of that, independent of the “message” or “moral” or “theme”, is political
victormanibo.com
I have made a critical mistake at this japanese karaoke bar and queued up the 9+ min version of dancing through life which includes all the dialogue and the stupid boq and nessa part all the way to the ozdust ballroom and now i am deceased
January 8, 2026 at 2:21 PM
victormanibo.com
Kyoto bound
Me reading Kokoro by Soseki Natsume, seated by a train window with a view of Mt Fuji
January 7, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
seizethepress.bsky.social
Good literary criticism is just as valuable in every respect as a good novel; it's incredibly sad to see it cut out by digital performance metrics and private equity companies.

Makes me grateful for places like Ancillary Review of Books & Typebar doing the good work in a hostile media environment.
Criticism Is Literature. Why Is It Vanishing?, by Adam Morgan
What do the best book reviews do? What is the current state of the critical ecosystem? Chicago Review of Books founder Adam Morgan takes stock of book reviewing in the US.
worldliteraturetoday.org
January 6, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
ryanthomasriddle.com
Thanks for tagging! Just finished @victormanibo.com’s latest book, ESCAPE VELOCITY, which I throughly enjoyed. Also finished season one of THE PITT.

Consuming new works has definitely recharged my creative batteries. #ScriptChat #ScriptSky
jennaavery.bsky.social Jenna Avery @jennaavery.bsky.social · 8d
Another Q for screenwriters (pls RT)

What are you finding inspiring, writing-wise, right now?

(I'll keep tagging everyone I can and apologies if I miss you!)

#scriptchat
#scriptsky
January 3, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
awesomecon.bsky.social
📖 GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT 📖 @victormanibo.com—best known for Escape Velocity, The Villa, Once Beloved, The Sleepless, Deadnote, and more—is coming to Awesome Con in March! 🎟️ Buy badges >> awesome-con.com/badges

#AwesomeCon #Authors
January 2, 2026 at 3:03 PM
victormanibo.com
Sitting next to a first date at dinner and the woman asks the guy if you were an llm, which one would you be? It gets worse—the guy says he’d be grok
December 23, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
diversityhorror.bsky.social
Check out my review of “The Villa Once Beloved” by Victor Manibo, a modern gothic horror story set in the Philippines about the terrible crimes people will commit to obtain and maintain wealth and power.

diversityhorror.com/2025/12/20/t...
The Villa Once Beloved by Victor Manibo. Recommended. Read if you like “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
December 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
victormanibo.com
Pray for me i just cued up Buttons at the office holiday karaoke party
December 20, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
megelison.bsky.social
And just like that, SFWA capitulates. Keep fighting. It works.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association AMENDED RULES for the Nebula Awards Dear Meghan, Earlier today, you received an email titled, “Note from the Board on This Year’s Nebula Rules.” To be clear, SFWA does not support the use of LLM generative models in the production of creative work. The Nebula Award Rules did not reflect our current policy and deeply held beliefs and values, and they were amended to reflect that. With further input, today, we made an important change to the Nebula Awards Rules in two board votes that we would like to share with you: Previous Text: "Works that are wholly written using generative large language model (LLM) tools are not eligible." New Text: "Works that are written, either wholly or partially, by generative large language model (LLM) tools are not eligible." -and- Previous Text: "Works that used LLMs at any point during the writing process must disclose this upon acceptance of the nomination, and the nature of the technology’s use will be made clear to voters on the final ballot" New Text: "Works that used LLMs at any point during the writing process must disclose this upon acceptance of the nomination, and those works will be disqualified." We will update our posted rules in the coming days to reflect this change.
December 19, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
megelison.bsky.social
This was a perfect opportunity to take a principled stance. Instead we have a weak moderate position based not on principles, but on not offending anyone who builds their career on plagiarism and chicanery.

For shame, @sfwa.org.
spacecowboybooks.bsky.social Space Cowboy Books @spacecowboybooks.bsky.social · 22d
I'm very disappointed in SFWA's soft stance on LLM and the Nebulas. Any use of LLM, disclosed or not, should not be awards eligible. It's plagiarism and crap, period
December 19, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
jamreads.com
The Villa, Once Beloved, by @victormanibo.com (pub by @erewhonbooks.bsky.social) is an excellent horror novel, a mix between classic gothic elements and Filipino culture and folklore to create a must read for the lovers of the genre.

Full thoughts:
jamreads.com/reviews/the-...

💙📚
JamReads - Making your TBR closer to infinite
In JamReads you will find content about books, and why you should read them more. This content may include reviews, interviews and occasionally, some news of the literary world
jamreads.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
merriam-webster.com
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
daviddemchuk.com
Seriously, what says Festive Season more than cursed manor, ghosts and witches, creepy crawlies and demons, *plus* a sexy gravedigging scene? Buy Victor’s book!
👇👇👇👇
victormanibo.com Victor Manibo @victormanibo.com · 28d
Based on true events, THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED is a contemporary gothic horror set in a cursed manor on a coconut plantation—it’s got ghosts and witches and creepy crawlies and demons, plus a sexy gravedigging scene—and it’s out now

More info ⬇️
Reddish brown background showing detail of an ornate wood carving. Foreground is text that reads: "The Villa, Once Beloved is a tale of eerie legacy, one branded with the mark of colonization and the haunting of family...Manibo steeps us deep in Filipino heritage, hierarchy, and history, crafting a tale that will keep your lights on at night." Markus Redmond Actor, screenwriter, and author of Blood Slaves Below the text is an image of the hardcover for THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED by Victor Manibo On the lower left and lower right hand corners are the logos of Erewhon Books and Kensington Publishing respectively
December 14, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
elianeboey.bsky.social
Reading this now and it is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
victormanibo.com Victor Manibo @victormanibo.com · 28d
Based on true events, THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED is a contemporary gothic horror set in a cursed manor on a coconut plantation—it’s got ghosts and witches and creepy crawlies and demons, plus a sexy gravedigging scene—and it’s out now

More info ⬇️
Reddish brown background showing detail of an ornate wood carving. Foreground is text that reads: "The Villa, Once Beloved is a tale of eerie legacy, one branded with the mark of colonization and the haunting of family...Manibo steeps us deep in Filipino heritage, hierarchy, and history, crafting a tale that will keep your lights on at night." Markus Redmond Actor, screenwriter, and author of Blood Slaves Below the text is an image of the hardcover for THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED by Victor Manibo On the lower left and lower right hand corners are the logos of Erewhon Books and Kensington Publishing respectively
December 14, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
jamreads.com
Should have a review next weeek, but I can tell you that it's an amazing book (and the concept of Philippines' Gothic is really well executed)
victormanibo.com Victor Manibo @victormanibo.com · 28d
Based on true events, THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED is a contemporary gothic horror set in a cursed manor on a coconut plantation—it’s got ghosts and witches and creepy crawlies and demons, plus a sexy gravedigging scene—and it’s out now

More info ⬇️
Reddish brown background showing detail of an ornate wood carving. Foreground is text that reads: "The Villa, Once Beloved is a tale of eerie legacy, one branded with the mark of colonization and the haunting of family...Manibo steeps us deep in Filipino heritage, hierarchy, and history, crafting a tale that will keep your lights on at night." Markus Redmond Actor, screenwriter, and author of Blood Slaves Below the text is an image of the hardcover for THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED by Victor Manibo On the lower left and lower right hand corners are the logos of Erewhon Books and Kensington Publishing respectively
December 13, 2025 at 9:02 PM
victormanibo.com
Based on true events, THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED is a contemporary gothic horror set in a cursed manor on a coconut plantation—it’s got ghosts and witches and creepy crawlies and demons, plus a sexy gravedigging scene—and it’s out now

More info ⬇️
Reddish brown background showing detail of an ornate wood carving. Foreground is text that reads: "The Villa, Once Beloved is a tale of eerie legacy, one branded with the mark of colonization and the haunting of family...Manibo steeps us deep in Filipino heritage, hierarchy, and history, crafting a tale that will keep your lights on at night." Markus Redmond Actor, screenwriter, and author of Blood Slaves Below the text is an image of the hardcover for THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED by Victor Manibo On the lower left and lower right hand corners are the logos of Erewhon Books and Kensington Publishing respectively
December 13, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
reactorsff.bsky.social
In a new interview with @mcflycahill90.bsky.social, @victormanibo.com discusses Filipino history, "gloomth", and what drew him to gothic horror with his latest novel The Villa, Once Beloved!
Crafting an Anti-Colonial Gothic: A Conversation With Author Victor Manibo - Reactor
"I couldn’t just swap out the Victorian mansion with a Spanish-era villa without those changes meaning something deeper."
reactormag.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
victormanibo.com
Every day the list of ICE and DOJ attorneys I would like to get Nuremberg’ed grows ever longer
December 10, 2025 at 7:27 PM
victormanibo.com
Had such a lovely and lively fireside chat with @ryanlasala.bsky.social for THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED. Thank you to The Twisted Spine for hosting us, and thank you to everyone who came and joined in on the fun!

@erewhonbooks.bsky.social
@kensingtonbooks.bsky.social
Ryan La Sala and Victor Manibo sitting on club chairs and talking to each other in front of a fireplace and bookshelves, a table between them with a copy of THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED on it Event attendees, seated in two rows in front of bookcases, some of them holding up copies of The Villa, Once Beloved Victor Manibo and Ryan La Sala seated in front of tables on their signing lines Hardcover copies of Ryan La Sala’s The Dead of Summer and Victor Manibo’s The Villa, Once Beloved on display stands atop a wooden counter
December 10, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
readingtheend.bsky.social
good morning, I have noticed that some of the critical responses to the Crave show Heated Rivalry have been, let's say, incomplete

sex scenes are craft! goddammit!
Anatomy of a Sex Scene: Heated Rivalry Edition - Reading the End
Heated Rivalry, AKA the gay hockey show, has been getting a lot of buzz for its explicit(-ish) sex scenes, and a lot of that buzz has been coming from viewers and critics whose experience with the rom...
readingtheend.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
reactorsff.bsky.social
Welcome to THE BEST BOOKS OF 2025: REVIEWER'S CHOICE!! Reactor's book reviewers have come together to recommend their favorite 2025 reads. How many have you picked up?
Reviewers' Choice: The Best Books of 2025 - Reactor
Reactor’s regular book reviewers talk about notable titles they read in 2025
reactormag.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:05 PM
victormanibo.com
So pleased to find THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED in such illustrious company! Thank you, @reactorsff.bsky.social!
reactorsff.bsky.social Reactor Magazine @reactorsff.bsky.social · Dec 9
Welcome to THE BEST BOOKS OF 2025: REVIEWER'S CHOICE!! Reactor's book reviewers have come together to recommend their favorite 2025 reads. How many have you picked up?
Reviewers' Choice: The Best Books of 2025 - Reactor
Reactor’s regular book reviewers talk about notable titles they read in 2025
reactormag.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by Victor Manibo
coreyfarrenkopf.bsky.social
THE WRITHING, VERDANT END IS OUT TODAY!!!!!!

Need some weird weird eco-horror in your life?

Then look no further than this little split collection from @ericraglin1992.bsky.social, @tiffmorris.bsky.social, and me!!!
A photo of me holding a copy of the book over half my face. It shows a skeleton staring through binoculars on the cover!
December 9, 2025 at 12:55 PM
victormanibo.com
Tomorrow tomorrow!
victormanibo.com Victor Manibo @victormanibo.com · Nov 19
BROOKLYN! Join me and bestselling author @ryanlasala.bsky.social in celebrating the launch of THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED on 12/9, 6 PM at The Twisted Spine! More info ⬇️
Graphic, black background, ornate gold border. Text up top in white reads “the Twisted Spine presents” then below, covers of THE VILLA, ONCE BELOVED and THE DEAD OF SUMMER, and below each, headshots of the respective authors, Victor Manibo and Ryan La Sala. Between the photos, text reads “Victor Manibo in conversation with Ryan La Sala”. Below the photos, text reads “Tues Dec 9 6 PM 306 Grand St Brooklyn, NY”
December 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM
victormanibo.com
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.
December 8, 2025 at 3:40 AM