Absolutely thrilled and overwhelmed to be the recipient of a 2026 Whiting Award ❤️ Massive gratitude to everyone at the Whiting Foundation for this immense honor, to all the anonymous nominators/selection committee/judges, and of course all the magnificent fellow Whiting writers and artists in whose company I’m incredibly fortunate to find myself 💐
Heartbroken to say that after a valiant battle with cancer, Xena passed in my arms last month. For someone whose livelihood depends on words, I can find few equal to her. Plainly: Xena saved my life, by changing it entirely, in ways still revealing themselves to me. So I’m writing here for those of you who met and adored her, and who’ve been wondering how she is, to share her passing and say a gentle thank you for all the care and love, and also all the sweet pics and stories about your own companions over the past several months. The loss and grief have been all-consuming; so too the love, gratitude, and awe. On behalf of both of us, a profound thank you.
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(For the book-related questions: I’m still dealing with ongoing health issues so I still won’t be on here much; I remain slow to reply to email or DMs so best to get in touch with the people in my bio for any official book needs; travel continues to be postponed indefinitely; events are still reduced. Thank you for your understanding.)
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One last thing: I adopted Xena in November 2020. Later, I found out that November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month. One of the best things I ever did in this life was adopt a senior dog. I knew that the time I had with my girl was limited, but past loss had already taught me that no time is ever enough with a soul mate. If you can find space in your heart and home to give a senior animal their forever-after—this year, or any year—know that Xena and I are with you. May you be as lucky as we were.
"Moderation by Elaine Castillo, told from the perspective of a young Filipino who works in tech, asks big questions about technology and AI, but is a love-story at its heart – I couldn’t put it down.” – 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction Judge, @anniemacmanus
Tackling questions around censorship and the age of AI, ‘Moderation’ by @_elainecastillo uses the lens of a real romance in the virtual workplace to explore the possible future of love in an increasingly online world with sharp cultural criticism and wit.
To learn more, read our interview with Elaine via the link in our bio.
The news is out! We are delighted that Moderation by Elaine Castillo has been longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction.
Congratulations to @_elainecastillo and all the others longlisted!💚
Hopping back on here to say one more massive end of the year thank you to everyone who made publishing MODERATION in 2025 genuinely the most rewarding experience of my writing life thus far, including all the heroic teams at @vikingbooks , @atlanticbooks , @allenandunwin , @aitkenalexander and @theshipmanagencyinc , everyone I met on tour who came with your Girlie theories and William casts, all the readers (and listeners: audiobook hive 🫡) whom I didn’t get to meet (yet) but who shared your passion and love for this book, it’s truly been an overwhelming joy and honor. And most of all thank you to my beloved German shepherd son Vincent for the daily reminder of my true purpose on this earth: giving him snacks
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Please stay tuned for more international MODERATION shenanigans in 2026; until then, sending a safe, restful and happy end of 2025 to all 💐💘
California-based writer Elaine Castillo makes a beeline for bookshops wherever she travels.
Elaine is the prize-winning author of America is Not the Heart, Moderation and How to Read Now. We caught up with her at the London Review Bookshop, during @esealitfest , to hear more. Scroll back on our page to discover her favourite reading recommendations for your next book haul 📚
Which bookshops do you love visiting? Let us know in the comments! 🧡
August was birthday month for both the US edition of MODERATION and its author 🥳 Thank you to everyone who came out for all the US and UK MODERATION tour events thus far both in Aug and July, and most of all: thank you to absolutely everyone for reading (and listening; shoutout audiobolk people) and for all your incredibly kind, incisive, heart-rending words about this book! Truly moved and honored. September Virgos, over to you 😘
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Official @strandbookstore photos taken by Elena Esposito.
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@vikingbooks@penguinrandomhouse@atlanticbooks
It was so lovely to welcome Elaine Castillo (@_elainecastillo ) to the shop recently to sign copies of her latest novel Moderation and to share her #FoylesFour!
Her choices included:
—War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
—Germinal by Émile Zola
—Theatre of the Oppressed by Augusto Bola
—The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien
MODERATION is a bold and inventive novel about real romance in the virtual workplace—bringing Castillo’s trademark wit and sharp cultural criticism to an irresistible story about the possible future of love. It’s available instore now, come pick up a copy!
#FoylesBookshop #ElaineCastillo #NewFiction #FoylesFour #Moderation
Describing the different editions of my book as if I were an announcer at Westminster Dog Show or Crufts. Also finally including some backstory on why I wanted this painting on the cover
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@vikingbooks@atlanticbooks@aardvarkbookclub
Elaine Castillo joins us to talk about her new novel, Moderation — and Pride and Prejudice, virtual reality, Las Vegas, diaspora and more on #pouredover
Happy one week US birthday to MODERATION: A NOVEL—here are more things that are #moderationcoded 💘
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Out now, UK/Commonwealth, @atlanticbooks
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Out now, USA, @vikingbooks@penguinrandomhouse@penguinusa
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More info + tour dates: elainecastillo.com
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🎵 Caleb Arredondo, “Hope“
