Some January Events for Your Diary

Here's are some not-to-be-missed January lit events to put in your diary.

How great that another venue for live literature has sprung up. Raja Ahmad has a great list of readers for Kata-Suara, to be held at his very beautiful gallery on Saturday 19th January. Do support! (More on Ted's blog.)

The monthly MPH Writer's Circle meeting takes place on 19th January too (11.00am - 12.30pm in the Booker Room.) I think these meetings are very worthwhile, particularly as you get to know so much about author's experiences of getting published and marketing their books. Sadly, they haven't been attended as well as they deserve to be. This month's guest is Jason Fong, author of Feng Shui in the City. So if you want to write a book on Feng-Shui (and I must confess I've toyed with the idea) or if you want to hear another author's "war-story" about how you move from initial concept to finished book, do come along.

If you like crime fiction, you might like to meet Singapore's answer to Agatha Christie! Shamini Flint (left) is launching her second detective novel, Criminal Minds at the La Bodega Lounge on Monday 21st Jalan Telawi 2 at 7.45. (More about this author another day.)

You are probably aware that MPH have a monthly book-discussion, and you can get a 20% discount on the chosen title.

This month focuses on Tan Twan Eng's The Gift of Rain, and to make this an extra-special meeting - the author himself will be there to talk about the book and answer your questions. (Eh, how often you got chance to chat to a Booker-nominated author, especially of the home-grown variety?)

If you haven't read the book yet (and you should because 1) it's a great big passionate, exciting read 2) you will enjoy the Penang setting 3) Malaysia really boleh in this instance, so you can enjoy feeling proud), then you have nine more days to buy it and read it

(MPH as usual has lots on, which you can check out here.)

Readings@Seksan's is on Saturday 26th January, and I'll be putting up the line-up very soon. It will be a very special readings as we are celebrating our third birthday and need you help to blow out the candles! Tunku Halim will be among the readers, and he will also be appearing at MPH's Breakfast Club at the Bangsar Village 2 branch at 11 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. (He will be appearing at several other events while he is in town, and has listed these on his blog.)

That same afternoon Indonesian authors Lakshmi Pamuntjak and Goenawan Mohamad are appearing at Silverfish at 5 p.m. (Come to Readings first and then skip over the road!) Goenawan will be launching On God and Other Things, the English translation of his book of aphorisms, Tentang Tuhan dan Hal-Hal yang Tak Selesai. This event is sponsored by the Malaysian International Literature Society (MILS).

You can also catch Lakshmi and Goenawan at a talk at the English Department, Arts and Social Sciences Faculty Universiti Malaya at 9 a.m. (I kid you not!) on Sunday 27th January. If you'd like to attend, contact Catalina Rembuyan or via Facebook. I plan to be there ... but can't guarantee to be awake.

Feel like a party? Project Open Mike Gig are inviting you to a night of mayhem on Sunday 27th January 7.30 till very late at The Dram Projects BG-6 Happy Mansions, Jalan 17/13, P.J.
This from their Facebook ad:

Because this is an OMG event, anyone who feels like whipping out a guitar should feel free. Poets are, however, advised to keep it to no more than 17 stanzas. And no free verse about curry leaves! Mostly, however, it's a party, which means Doritos, dancing and debauchery [in that order]. Bring a bottle or three!!!

Who can resist?

Phew! Have I forgotten anything? Do let me know in the comments and I'll append it.

MILS and Book Boon

Oh the frustration! Nurjehan Mohamed's articles in the Learning Curve section Sunday Times today haven't been put up on line, so I can't link to them and can't do a quick cut and paste of the interesting bits. Here though are highlights.

(Note: have since found links thanks to Lydia!)

In a piece called Bringing Reading to the Masses, Jehan interviews Raman of Silverfish and Professor Lim Chee Seng about the setting up of the Malaysian International Literary Society (MILS) which co-organised the KL Literary Festival (KLILF).

Prof. Lim said the organisation wants to help Malaysians cultivate the reading habit.

He says that one of the ideas the group keeps coming back to is to collaborate with Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Malayan Railways) to provide a "travelling book box" which will be transported to small towns along the line and then opened by a volunteer with a key so that "local children who never the privilege of handling a book, will have a chance to read one."

MILS also plans to conduct a range of workshops "for teaching, storytelling and writing."

Lim talks about setting up the Malaysian Shakespeare Society (MSS) to introduce Malaysians to the bard through the sponsorship of performances and readings. Raman adds that MILS want to set up mini-libraries in the suburbs and small towns, have literary events in other towns.

A round of applause for anyone who promotes books and reading.

Jehan's other piece (The Familiar and the Unknown) is an overview of KLILF itself The feedback from participants she spoke to (including me!) is very positive.

Still am wondering why only the education section of this national newspaper bothered to cover the story. It's heart-breaking when folks have put so much effort into organising an event like this.

(All pics nicked from the NST. Top Raman and Prof. Lim. Bottom Brian Castro with KLILF participants.)

International Literary Society for KL

Apparently Raman of Silverfish is getting something interesting off the ground. There's a report on his website about the first meeting of a Malaysian International Literature Society! (Acronym MILS.)

The aims and objectives:

1. Promote reading and writing at all levels.
2. Promote appreciation and study of International Literature.
3. Organize literary events with local and international writers.
4. Set up a neighbourhood private library, reading, study and teaching centre
5. Work in close cooperation and coordination with all Government and non-Government bodies to promote reading and literature in the country.

The first task facing the committee is to organise the 2nd KL International Literary Festival 27th March - 1st April 2007.