WATTY'S SHORTLIST 2021 EDITOR'S PICK OCTOBER 2021 Jiya Valle learns too late that kissing her sworn enemy since high school Migo Salas doesn't come without repercussions. And to her, it's a secret she's going to bring with her down to her grave--but Migo has other plans. DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish.

NOT A COINCIDENCE Belle Isandrina Lacasandile was in a race against time, desperately trying to get back to her university for a dreaded Inorganic Chemistry exam. After running an errand for a friend from another school, she found herself stranded, with no hope of finding a cab. Panic set in as she feared being late and having to take an even more difficult make-up test. Just as her anxiety peaked, the famous UP Maroon basketball star, Juan Gomez de Liaño, appeared and offered her a ride, saving the day. What started as a simple favor soon grew into an unexpected connection-ice cream dates, spontaneous afternoon hangouts, and an undeniable spark that everyone around them noticed. Their chemistry felt like something out of a movie. But Belle believed their meeting was merely a blessing in disguise, a chance occurrence without deeper meaning. As someone who spent countless hours in biochemistry labs, proving theories with hard evidence, she didn't believe in love born from a random encounter. Was it really just a coincidence? Or could it be something more-science, fate, and destiny intertwined?

An epistolary.

Came summer and the best friends, Silas and Marchienne, have nothing to do aside from lurking around several dating applications. After swiping right on almost all potential partners (which mostly has led to such disappointment), both have had enough and agreed to try something new: for a month, they'll cut off connections with one other and travel solo to different countries. And whoever fails to bring home a partner by the end of the month owes the other a two-week-long Christmas Japan trip. Equally eager to claim the free trip, the two kept their plans in secret... only to end up in the same country, same city, and the same hotel with rooms parallel to each other on the day of their arrival. Stand-alone Epistolary TAKE HOME A BAGGAGE July 2022 Republished 2026

In fury about being dubbed as the Valentine gift carrier, Hailey takes her shot in getting a boyfriend before going off to college. Certainly, when else can be the perfect time to search for the ideal guy to be her last dance (slash boyfriend) now that her eighteenth birthday is around the corner? And as she lays her eyes on Jordan, she doesn't need to look far now to find the answer. But for the devised plan to succeed, she might need a helping hand from someone Jordan owes of something... and that just happens to be her twin brother's bandmate, Adamson Hale, the drummer of Slate 809. Slate 809 Stories, #2 (Epistolary) WE'RE BETTING ON MY BIRTHDAY April 2022

As far as Sachi can remember, Hunter Maxim Lopez has been on the top of her hate list ever since he stole her position for the band she planned to get in, Slate 809. However, when Battle of the Bands came and Slate 809 is suddenly in need of a female vocalist, Hunter is left with no choice but to beg for the girl who's obviously nowhere near to letting the opportunity for revenge go. Slate 809 Stories, #1 (Epistolary) SO, YOU HATE MY PLAYLIST? February 2022

Sabrina Ysabelle wants to take a gap year before senior high school. However, things never go as planned as Sabrielle finds herself enrolling into an online class at a university where she happens to become block mates with Jett Alexandrus Bella Corte, the teen car racer who trended on social media... and the same boy she randomly sent crush confessions back in summer! Stand-alone Epistolary MIDNIGHT KISSES January 2022

an epistolary wherein serenity laurel's calculus notebook [with a little bit of random notes at the back of it] was found by declan alvarez aka her long time crush since grade 9. "did you see it? be honest..." "the flames at the back with our names in it? yeah, i saw it." (pic fr pinterest)

(Academy Series #2) Being the son of the academy's chairwoman pushed Jax to hide his true identity. Introducing himself as a scholar, he was slowly creating a name of his own by ranking number one in class. Then there was Cali, the spoiled girl who desperately wanted to beat him.

(Academy Series #1) The Gonzalez heir, Kairon, was sent to Garnet Academy to ensure his safety against the suspected hierarchy war. Appointed as the Commander of the student body, he had the privileges and people feared him... except her. Except Paige from Casa Aeris.