Kara Bodegón-Hikino is an author-illustrator + freelance designer + music journalist + new mom
She grew up hoping to become a marine biologist to study sharks, but found her calling in the music and entertainment industry while studying Multimedia Arts at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. Jumpstarting her career in 2011, Kara worked for the likes of Gary Valenciano and wrote for esteemed publications such as Billboard, Bandwagon Asia, and PULP Magazine, managed hospitality and logistics backstage, and documented shows from the photo pit. She also designed album covers and posters for some pretty cool bands, artists, and labels.
When she isn’t writing or creating art, Kara enjoys playing video games, chowing down on pizza, and worshipping heavy metal and Disney soundtracks. She recently launched her small online art shop Karakugaki shortly before becoming a New Mom™ and has since collaborated with local coffee shops and pizza joints in Manila to create merch. Currently, she helps put the spotlight on musicians and bands at the boutique public relations and artist services group, Mirrorball Asia.
Kara’s debut graphic novel, SQUALO & MAGE, is set to be published through HarperCollins in Winter 2026. Her first picture book, BIGGER THAN ME, written by Erica Simone Turnipseed, was released by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books in September 2023. With several other projects in the pipeline, she’s looking forward to sharing the magic of Karaland with you very soon.
Her fiction and book-related art are represented by Sara Crowe of Sara Crowe Literary, LLC.
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