DEAN FRANCIS ALFAR, born 1969, is a playwright, novelist, and writer of speculative fiction. He advocates the writing of fantastic literature. His articles and fiction have been published both locally and abroad, such as in Strange Horizons, Rabid Transit, The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror, and more. His works have garnered him ten Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, including the Grand Prize for his novel, Salamanca (2006), as well as the Manila Critics’ Circle National Book Awards for the graphic novels Siglo: Freedom and Siglo: Passion. Alfar edits the Philippine Speculative Fiction series. He is also a comic book creator, a blogger, and an entrepreneur.