about kath
Book Writing Mentor | Self-Publishing Consultant
Editor, Book Designer
Founder, PaperKat Books and Story Factory
Editor in chief, PaperKatalogue, The Magazine
100 Most Influential Women On LinkedIn
70 Rising Personalities On LinkedIn Philippines
Top 35 Filipino Coaches Aspiring Writers And Entrepreneurs Should Follow
Publisher | Printer | Creative Producer
PROFILE
Kath C. Eustaquio-Derla is a registered author, editor, layout artist, book designer, book printer, and book publisher with the National Book Development Board – Philippines. She wears many hats but her favorite is being the COO (child of owner, #truestory) of her family’s design-print-publish business HS Grafik Print with nearly 40 years of industry experience. She is the Head of Publishing of HS Grafik Print.
As a second-generation printer, Kath founded and heads PaperKat Books, the self-publishing arm that offers a writing and mentoring program for aspiring book authors.
Kath is named Marketing in Asia’s 70 Rising Personalities On LinkedIn Philippines, Writing Hacks Academy’s Top 35 Filipino Coaches Aspiring Writers And Entrepreneurs Should Follow In 2021, and VB Consulting and Connected Women’s 100 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn (2021).
Kath is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaperKatalogue, The Magazine, the first online and social media magazine for and by indie authors. She also founded and heads Story Factory, a long-term partnership project that allows non-industry writers/authors to pitch their storylines and/or concepts to producers and directors for film and/or TV adaptations.
Moreover, she is a personal branding and self-publishing speaker. She offers free and paid talks and webinars about self-publishing as well as intensive book writing workshops.
Her mission is to prove that anyone can write and self-publish a book. Her vision is to elevate the self-publishing industry in the Philippines by creating well-edited and beautifully-designed books by Filipino authors wherever they are in the world.
2006 Graduate, Bachelor of Arts Major in Journalism
Graduated from an accredited program or institution.
Credential ID Overall Band Score: 8.5
Included in the 100 Most Influential Women on Linkedin 2021
Registered author, editor, layout artist, book designer, book printer, and book publisher.
Family business HS Grafik Print is included in the Global Register of Publishers.
Registered publisher with the National Library of the Philippines.
interviews/features
FEATURE
“In celebration of International Women’s Day in March this year, Gina Romero of Connected Women and I partnered and I partnered to find and recognize the most influential Filipino women who are making a difference in their own fields or in their communities, and who are also active on LinkedIn.”
FEATURE
MIA 70 Rising Personalities On LinkedIn In Philippines You Should Follow In 2020
“Are you thinking of ways to level up your business or freelancing game in 2021? I’m sharing with you a list of people I follow as a Writerpreneur for tips in writing, creativity, marketing, productivity, and more!”
FEATURE
MIA 70 Rising Personalities On LinkedIn In Philippines You Should Follow In 2020
“After more than a month of searching for Filipino LinkedIn users who give value on LinkedIn but have yet to be acknowledged, we now have the final list of MIA 70 Rising Personalities On LinkedIn In Philippines In 2020 You Should Follow.”
FEATURE
The Varsitarian: Journalism Alumna Bolsters Self-Publishing Industry With PaperKat Books
“I’m on page 9. As a Thomasian, I’ve always wanted to write for my alma mater’s official school newspaper. But I never got the chance back then. Fourteen years after college, they featured me and I talked about my goal of elevating the self-publishing industry in the Philippines one beautiful book at a time.”
FEATURE/Interview
“One of the things that also want to fulfill in my lifetime is to write a book. I am surrounded by book authors, editors, and writers and they have been encouraging me to come up with printed material. I’m flattered because they believe that I can write something that will encourage and inspire people. At this point in time, I still have no idea what to write about: a children’s book, an inspirational book, or an academic book.”
FEATURE/Interview
Filipina CEOs and influencers share personal branding tips in Flair event at SPACES to celebrate International Women’s Month
“Speakers at the “Influencing in Heels” shared their experiences and insights about the value of personal branding, self-development, image, etiquette, and style.
A realty group CEO, fashion stylists, a community manager, and the country’s vision board coach freely shared tips and insights on how to be empowered women in the world of business and trade.” – GoodNewsPilipinas.com
FEATURE/Interview
Cosmopolitan Philippines:
5 Pinays Who Made The First Move On Their Partners
“A newly-single Kath just happened upon Jet’s Friendster profile, decided she liked him, and sent him some feelers on social media. Now, they’re happily married.”
FEATURE/Interview
COSMOPOLITAN PHILIPPINES: Millennial Couples Share Their Parents’ Throwback Date Photos
“When my husband Jet and I lived in Malaysia for nearly three years, we also spent our weekends watching movies and checking out new restaurants around Kuala Lumpur. My parents loved going on “weekend warrior” road trips, and Jet and I did our own spin on it by traveling to nearby countries in Asia so we could make the most of his paid leaves.”
FEATURE/Interview
COSMOPOLITAN PHILIPPINES: Thirtysomething Pinays Give Love Advice To Twentysomethings
“There is nothing less sexy than a man who doesn’t know what he wants. Romance eventually fades, but often reignites when you’re with someone who brings out the best in you. Be with someone who can grow with you and who can be strong for both of you at times when you feel at your lowest.”
FEATURE/Interview
COSMOPOLITAN PHILIPPINES: PINAYS LEAVE TRADITIONAL JOBS TO PURSUE PASSION
“There is nothing less sexy than a man who doesn’t know what he wants. Romance eventually fades, but often reignites when you’re with someone who brings out the best in you. Be with someone who can grow with you and who can be strong for both of you at times when you feel at your lowest.”
FEATURE/Interview
Kath Eustaquio-Derla: Empowering The Modern Filipina (Lifestyle Manila)
“Former Cosmo writer recently released a new member of the chick lit genre with Before I Do, a catty read about the heroine Kit Castille’s personal life. The book was already interesting and unique at first glance that Lifestyle Manila decided to have a conversation with the real-life Kit, just to better understand what goes on in her darling little head.”
FEATURE/Interview
Learn from the Author #BeforeIDo + Giveaway! (She Sings Beauty)
“Let’s all learn from the author of my recent favorite book Before I Do (I’m sure you’ll love the story and can relate with it too!) Kath C. Eustaquio-Derla.”
FEATURE/Interview
On Best Beginnings: An Interview with ‘Before I Do’ Author Kath C. Eustaquio-Derla (Bookbed.org)
“When we first read Before I Do (BIDO), it was refreshing to find what Kath C. Eustaquio-Derla’s writing brought to our bedsides and shelves. As in our book review, it felt a lot like chatting with a really good—albeit brutally honest—friend over coffee. Heroine Kit Castille’s strong sense of growth made sense after her younger years in its prequel, What Am I To You, first released here on Bookbed.”
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WANTED
TO BE A WRITER?
“Looking back, I think I’ve always wanted to become a writer all my life. But the first time that I felt like pursuing the kind of writing that I really wanted to do was when Cosmo.ph’s Bedroom Blog by Veronica came to a close in 2013. I wrote it for almost three years since 2009 and I had plans of turning it into a book. I had a working manuscript but, unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance. I parked the dream for a while until finally, in 2014, I self-published my own book, Before I Do. I finally ticked off two items in my long list of goals: one, to publish a book, and two, to become an author. I then knew for sure that creating contemporary romance stories is the kind of writing that really sets my soul on fire.”
WHY DIDN’T YOU PURSUE
WRITING FULL-TIME SOONER?
“I was scared to let go of my corporate life—the money, the benefits, and the daily grind. I loved the smell of fresh emails in the morning and the sounds my high heels made on the tiled floors. I loved the company cars and the events, the stress and the highs I get after a successful campaign. I loved the paychecks and everything it afforded me. I guess, most of all, I was terrified that I wouldn’t earn the same if I go full-time as a freelance writer so I can focus on writing more books.”
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE
TO LEAVE YOUR PREVIOUS JOB
AND PURSUE WRITING?
“A few years ago, I made a decision to follow my husband abroad, in Kuala Lumpur. At that time, my career in corporate communications was just taking off. I was in a very good multinational company. I was renting my own condo. I had a great social life. And I was blessed to have such a close-knit family. I was earning more than I could spend. But I dropped everything and followed my husband to Malaysia. For someone who is career-obsessed, egotistic, and downright stubborn, it was one of the most difficult things I have ever done to date.
Two years ago, my husband told me this: ‘Don’t worry about it babe, maybe your time to be successful is not now. Maybe in the future, when my success is waning, you will be the successful one.’
At that very moment, I realized that love (and marriage) really is about compromise and being each other’s greatest supporter. Our life abroad has led me away from the corporate arena by choice, but it brought me to a new path: writing books. Soon, I will publish the first spin-off of my first book Before I Do, wherein I collaborated with 32 writers.”
DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AT YOUR PREVIOUS JOB, AND DESCRIBE A
TYPICAL DAY AT YOUR CURRENT JOB.
“The last corporate job I held was as an internal communications specialist for a large BPO in the Philippines. My whole day would be a blur of emails, a series of meetings, oculars, and events planning. If I wasn’t working at the office until 9:00 in the evening, I’d kickbox at the gym with my trainer. Sometimes, I’d get so busy at work that I couldn’t even allow myself to admit that I was tired. And you know what, I honestly loved it because every billable hour meant money for me.
When I decided to go freelance, I told myself I would hustle to the same beat. Today, I maintain several freelance writing jobs for clients abroad. I also took digital marketing and consultancy projects. I told myself that I would hit the same salary figure I left in Manila without corporate backing.
Before I sleep at night, I write a few chapters of Before I Do’s prequel (What Am I To You published in Bookbed) and sequel (Finally, I Do—soon to be published). I also run an online romance writing and mentoring program titled “You Are Cordially Invited–A Before I Do Series” wherein I teach people how to start and finish writing a contemporary romance manuscript. I currently have nearly 20 students.”
WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU GO THROUGH IN YOUR TRANSITION?
“It took me a while to find freelance jobs that really pay well. But God really provides through strong connections I didn’t know I made. Friends referred me to companies and to give back, I do the same. And so far, it’s been great. I used to have a problem with time management but my last corporate job fixed that for me. My training in my last corporate job prepared me for the projects I am handling now.”
WHAT CONVINCED YOU
TO STAY ON THIS PATH?
“I’d like to say passion but the honest answer would be stubbornness. I set goals and I am often stubborn about them. But as I learned, you have to be flexible with your methods. As a freelancer, you steer your own ship and pray that you keep afloat. Unlike other people who follow a career path that is pretty much straightforward, my corporate history seems like a mix-and-match of stints in creatives and marketing. I felt lost for a few years. But now, I realized that everything I have learned in the past—design, copywriting, marketing, communications, and even events management—I am able to do to build products that are my own. Finally, my starburst-shaped career path made sense to me.”
WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED SINCE DECIDING TO
PURSUE YOUR PASSION
“I learned that it’s okay to be ambisyosa. When I was younger, I always wondered what it would be like to have a book with my name on it in the bookstores. I would walk down the fiction books aisle and touch the books as though I wrote them. In 2014, that finally happened when my first book hit the bookstores, but I was already in Malaysia then. Today, whenever I visit Manila, I would go to the bookstores and ask the customer service personnel if they have Before I Do even if I already saw a copy. You have to be what your passion is. You have to treat yourself like a brand. This is a type of lead generation I learned in marketing. And then I tell myself finally, I am doing this for me. “
Want to interview
kath and the paperkat
books authors?
We love collaborations. Email your interview request
to Kath C. Eustaquio-Derla at kceustaquio@gmail.com.
send us a note!
For consultation, collaboration, inquiries, or if you just want to share your thoughts about our books and services, email us at kceustaquio@gmail.com.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
© 2021 Katherine C. Eustaquio-Derla
Powered by HS Grafik Print, coffee, and wine.