Friday, June 16, 2006

Sneaking in the Fiction Agenda!

The MPH Writer's Circle goes ahead tomorrow in the Booker Room at MPH 1 Utama at 11a.m. I think Oon Yeoh and I got our wires crossed a bit. I remember him telling me that I was organising it and the topic was Fiction (and yes, I checked back to original information I had) but then I got an e-mail from MPH saying the topic was 'Non-Fiction'. Mysterious!

My not-so-secret agenda anyway is to sneak in more discussion of writing fiction which tends to get downplayed by the "Yes, but it doesn't make money, just write a book about how to become an instant billionaire" argument. We need good fiction writers here for sure. You just may not make a fortune from your efforts!

Anyway, it still looks like it will be a very interesting and useful session. Eric Forbes, an Editor with MPH Publishing Sdn Bhd will talk about what publishers are looking for and what to do (or NOT do!) when submitting your manuscripts.

And I've managed to persuade Kam Raslan into coming along to talk about the writing and publication of his first novel with Marshall Cavendish in Singapore.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Completely off topic but another Karen Armstrong book has just been banned - see Malaysiakini.

Lydia Teh said...

I'll be there Sharon. See you tomorrow. 2nd reminder : You still owe the BC group the tel/email list.

bibliobibuli said...

animah - thanks - i wanted to blog about her book earlier but thought i'd wait to see which way the wind was blowing ... must reneew my malaysiakini subscription!

lydia - i have a lady called doris typing up all my lists for me at the moment and yes, will send it ... (keep nagging me though)

Poppadumdum said...

The Battle For God banned??? Insane. I read the book. It's well-balanced and insightful, and she's one of the most respected authors on religions at present. We should do the following: (1) Read her book (2) while holding hands (3) at Kongsi Raya parties.

Any reasons given for the ban?

Ted Mahsun said...

It sounds really interesting! I would really want to ehar what both Eric Forbes and Kam Raslam have to say...

..but I'm going to Ipoh tomorrow! Curse my hectic schedule! Curses!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to say that I'll be dropping by too! I want to meet Lydia and get her to sign her book. She, Mr Wong Chun Wai, Mdm Chong Sheau Ching, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir and Ms. Mary Scheider are the reasons why I read The Star!

Plus, it'll help to hear the experiences of people such kam Raslan who has published books.

bibliobibuli said...

ted - don't worry - i'll take notes!

eternal wanderer - and sharon bakar who writes the (very) occasional book review ...

Sufian said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sufian said...

Euh! My commenting skill sucks. AWhat I'm trying to say was: why couldn't it just be you talking about fiction, Sharon? I would've gone for that.

Malaysian non-fiction irritates me.

bibliobibuli said...

aiyoh sufian, what do i know? you could probably talk with more authority

kam will be good and eric will be able to talk about fiction publishing too ...

do come lah

Sufian said...

11 a.m? I shall. Or i'll try.

Me talk? Me no talk nomore. I think I've lost the ability to converse with people. Soon it'll be opposable thumbs.

Sufian said...

Oh, and Sharon, if you're reading this before you go, may I borrow your Etgar Keret (sp?)

My poverty, not my will speaks this...

bibliobibuli said...

i put it in my bag for you, now you have to come

Sufian said...

Sharon! I went out of MPH for 10 minutes and everyone's gone!

bibliobibuli said...

sufian - do you live nearby? i could drop the book round to you - poor soul!

Lydia Teh said...

Eternal wanderer, nice to meet you in person. And thank you for the compliment.