So, You Want to Write a Children’s Book?

The Malaysian children's publishing industry is still in its infancy and one of the things it lacks is authors who are passionate about writing children's literature.

This 6-session course, conducted by Daphne Lee, will help aspiring writers of children's books get started in their chosen field.

The course (each session lasts 2 hrs - the course is held over 6 weeks) covers:

- an introduction to children's literature, including types of books for children
- finding the right genre and subject to write about
- finding your own voice
- creating characters and plots that young readers will enjoy
- how to avoid dumbing down
- writing in vernacular English
- illustrations for children's books
- what to do once you've written your story

Dates: Sat, 21 & 28 April, 5, 12, 19, 26 May, 2012
Venue: Silverfish Books, 28-1 Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03-2284483
Fee: RM500.00 for the 6 week programme (Those interested may register online by clicking here.)

Bio:
Daphne Lee is a writer, editor, and book reviewer. Her weekly column about children's and YA books appears in the Malaysian daily, The Star, and, for eight years, she wrote the book blog The Places You Will Go. She currently runs a Facebook group, also called The Places You Will Go, for readers who love children's and YA books, although all kinds of books are discussed there.

Daphne has published six picture books, and short stories in various anthologies. She is editor at Scholastic Malaysia, and also edits on a freelance basis. Her most recently published project is Malaysian Tales: Retold and Remixed (ZI Publications).

She has taught creative writing to adults and children for more than 10 years.

Children's writing events by SCBWI

Calendar of events by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Malaysia for 2012 at Silverfish Books, 28-1 Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru.

The Talks are organised by SCBWI Malaysia with Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency. All meetings are from 2.30-5.30pm unless otherwise stated. Dates, topics and speakers are subject to change and will be updated as soon as we can on our website as well as on our Facebook page. The main speaker will be Linda Tan, president of SCBWI Malaysia but we will update accordingly when there are other speakers. If you have a topic you wish to discuss, please contact lindalingard@gmail.com. Token entry fee of RM10 for tea and handouts.

Jan 2012, Sat  7  -- Getting my book published - Overview of the Publishing Process  / The Calistro Prize and Q&A

Jan 2012, Sat 21 -- What do literary agents do and how they can help you / The query letter

Feb 2012, Sat 4 -- Bring your ms for reading at the Silverfish Writers' Forum. Illustrators may bring your portfolio. Free forum.

Feb 2012, Thurs 9 -- 10am-12pm - Learning and developing as a writer/illustrator / SCBWI & The Asian Festival of Children's Content. (The Asian Festival of Children's Content will be held this year on 26 May in Singapore. There will be a special price for SCBWI members. Not yet a member of SCBWI? Become one and enjoy the benefits immediately.  We are this meeting  to provide you detailed information on how you can benefit from the Asian Festival of Children's Content. Among others, the benefits include:

1. Learn from experts from around the world in the field of children's literature - whether writing or illustrating
2. Promote your work at the festival to publishers and agents
3. Network and get to know industry professionals4. Launch your book at the Festival and introduce your book to attendees from the region and other parts of the world
4. SCBWI Malaysia and the Yusof Gajah LIngard Literary Agency will be pleased to help you promote your works at the Festival.

Speakers from Singapore will also be present at this talk to answer all your queries. Please also take this opportunity to bring along your books or portfolio to show. For those who cannot come on this day, please do not hesitate to contact us by email:malaysia.scbwi@gmail.com

Feb 2012, Sat 18 – How can I protect my Copyright / The Publishing Contract

Mar 2012. There will be no SCBWI meetings in the month of March but writers are welcome to join the Silverfish Writers' Forum. Free.

Apr 2012, Sat 7 -- Literary/Illustration Award sources / Promoting your work

May 2012, Sat 5 -- SCBWI and Yusof Gajah Lingard Children’s Book Week / Group book launch

May 2012, Sat 26 to Tues 29 -- The Asian Festival of Children's Content, Singapore. Don't miss the Early Bird Rates!

June 2012, Sat 2 -- Bring your ms for reading at the Silverfish Writers Forum. Illustrators may bring your portfolio. Free.

June 2012, Sat 23 -- Book categories / Picture book fundamentals for writers and illustrators.

Jul 2012, Sat 7 - Bring your ms for reading at the Silverfish Writers Forum. Illustrators may bring your portfolio. Free

Jul 2012, Sat 21 -- The dollars and sense of publishing / should I self publish and how to go about it.

Aug 2012, Sat 4 -- Bring your ms for reading at the Silverfish Writers Forum. Illustrators may bring your portfolio. Free

Aug 2012, Sat 18 -- Marketing yourself / your book - tools and tips

Sept 2012, Sat 1 -- There will be no SCBWI meeting in Sept but you are encouraged to join the Silverfish Writers' forum. Free.

Oct 2012, Sat 27 -- How do I protect my copyright?

Nov 2012, Sat 24 -- I have written a book – what’s next?

Dec 2012, Sat 1 -- The Publishing Year in review – key developments and how it affects you

Book launch by Voice of the Children

Voice of the Children (www.voc.org.my) is launching two new books in its series for children. Fin the Brave shows a little fish overcoming the challenges of statelessness, and Who is My Family? The Story of Kailash the Little Zebra is about a zebra refugee who finds a new home. The books are published by Voice of the Children and written and illustrated by local authors and artists. Previous books in the series are Cats in the Rubbish and The Little Dancing Bear. The books and use stories of animal characters to present issues faced by disadvantaged children: child labour, street children, refugee/asylum seekers, statelessness, and poverty. All titles are offered at RM35.00.

Voice of the Children is a non-governmental organisation that advocates on behalf of children in Malaysia. VoC was established in 2008 to fill a gap in existing children’s services, which traditionally have specialized in caring for children by supplying food, shelter, education and other direct services. By focusing instead on legal and policy issues affecting children, VoC occupies a distinct niche in Malaysia. VoC aims to be a resource for both service organizations and the legal community by providing information and advocacy on laws, policies, and treaties that impact children.

Date: Saturday, 10th December 2011
Time: 5.00pm
Place: Silverfish books
Address: 28-1, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603-228 448 37

Admission free, all welcome.
Seating is limited, so please come early.

MalaysiaKu2011 - Imagining Malaysia

Malaysia Day event on 16th September 2011 at the Bangkung Row (Jalan Bankung), Bulit Bandaraya, Bangsar from 3-9pm, with 40 “Pasar Malam” like tables selling food, items etc.

Some of the booths (this is an early list, the programme is still being tweaked): Gerai Orang Asli, Silverfish Books, Country Farm Organics, SPCA – dog adoption, Persatuan Warisan Sarawak, Voice of the Children, Womens Aid Organisation, IDEAS, PUSAKA, Bar Council, Loyar Burok, Sisters in Islam, Nur Salam, Harvest Centre, Seksuality Merdeka, Fiesta Feminista, WWF, Matahari Books, Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd, Malaysian Youth Climate Change Network, Transparency International, Andante.

DISCUSSIONS AND TALKS

1. Dinner Talk -- Organiser: IDEAS -- Time 7PM-10PM --  Place: Cava -- By Invitation Only
2. Discussion Forum: “Voices of the Moderates” -- Organiser: CPPS --Place: Opus -- Time: 3-6PM -- Open To Public
3. Dinner Talk: Conversation on culture with Farish Noor and Eddin Khoo -- Organiser: PUSAKA --   Time 7PM-10PM --  Place: Opus -- By Minimum Donation of RM200 per person (inclusive of buffet dinner). Proceeds raised to support PUSAKA’s efforts to preserve Malaysian traditional performances.
4. Discussion Forum: “In Bed With Malaysia: Exposing the Rakyat's Sexuality” -- Organiser: Seksuality Merdeka --     Time: 3-6PM -- Place: Cava --  Open to Public
5. Launch of “Found in Malaysia Volume 2” with stories from featured persons -- Discussion forum: “Malaysian Writing in English – The Silverfish Experience” -- Organiser: Zi Publishing/Silverfish --  Time: 3-6PM --  Place Opus Private Room -- Open to Public
6. Youth discussion forum on “Prejudice and Stereotyping in Malaysia”-- Organiser: Sisters in Islam -- Time: 7-10PM --  Place Opus Private Room -- By Minimum Donation of RM50 per person (inclusive of buffet dinner). Proceeds raised to support Sisters in Islam.
7. Debate on Environment vs Development -- Organiser: Malaysian Youth Climate Change Justice Network -- Time: 3-6PM -- Place: Leonardo’s Dining Room -- Open to Public
8. Talk on: Constructed Landscapes by Anurendra Jegadeva & Yee I-Lann -- Presented by the Malaysian Art Book for Children -- Time: 3-6PM -- Place: Leonardo’s Wine Loft -- Open to Public
9. Undi Malaysia Project -- Organiser: Pusat Rakyat -- Time: 7-12PM -- Place: Leonardo’s Dining Room and Wine Loft -- By Minimum Donation of RM150 per person (inclusive of buffet dinner). Proceeds raised to support Undi Malaysia Project.

STREET FESTIVAL - PERFORMANCES (Venue: stage, 5.00pm onwards, Open to Public)

1. Singers Amirah Ali, Azmyl Yunor with special appearance by the Effing Show
2. 6to8 Accapella Group
3. Nose flute performance by Raman Bah Tuin
4. My Constition Skit
5. Acrobatic Lion Dance
6. Traditional Sabahan Dance, Traditional Sarawakian Dance, Sape Performance
7. Traditional Dikir Barat performance in the style of Main Tewas with 2 groups of up to 75-100 performers from Kelantan with legendary Daud Bukit Abal
8. Candle Lighting Ceremony and Negaraku
9. Jom Joget with The Rozells with PRamlee, Jimmy Boyle, etc tunes.

BANGKUNG STREET BAZAAR (Curated by Bijou Bazaar, Bangkung Street, 3-9pm, Open to public. Jom Makan.) -- Featuring over 50 stalls selling various food, clothing, items, face painting, etc. Fun, food and more for the whole family.

PARTICIPATING NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION EVENT PARTNERS (Participating NGOs will be setting up stalls aimed at educating the public on their various causes, Bangkung Street, 3-9pm, Open to public)

1. Arts, culture, books: Persatuan Warisan Sarawak KL, Gerai Orang Asli, Pusaka, Silverfish Books, Matahari Books, Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators
2. Social Issues: Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), Womens’ Aid Organisation (WAO), Voice of the Children, My Constitution/Bar Council, Undi Malaysia – Pusat Rakyat, Sisters in Islam, Childline, Seksualiti Merdeka, Fiesta Feminista, Transparency International Malaysia
3. Community: We R Malaysia, Yayasan Chow Kit, Harvest Centre, Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd
4. Environment, animals: Malaysian Youth Climate Justice Network, Malaysian Nature Society, WWF -Malaysia, SPCA

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Book Launch -- The Female Cell

Book launch of The Female Cell by Rumaizah Abu Bakar on Saturday, 21 May at 5.30 pm

Venue: Silverfish Books
Address: 58-1 Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru
              59100 Malaysia
Tel: +603-228 448 37

20 stories (all previously unpublished) by Rumaizah Abu Bakar in her first book that display an acute sense of observation, with humour and irony but without prejudice or pandering, in minimalist sketches with an uncanny knack for suggesting danger in even the most mundane. If you have read her initial works in the News From Home anthology, see how she has matured.


Rumaizah's stories are unpretentious and delightful. These short vignettes of human emotions and interactions are perfect for that rainy afternoon, accompanied by tea and biscuits. These stories have light in them.
-- Dina Zaman, author of I am Muslim --

Whether she is describing the kaleidoscopic panorama of Kuala Lumpur, or the prickly solitude of a traveller in Turkey, Rumaizah demonstrates a generous capacity for observation. A quietly assured debut collection.
-- Alfian Sa'at, writer, poet and playwright --

Admission free