June 2005
EDITOR’S
NOTE
Warmest Greetings and welcome to the June edition of e-WordNEWS. I trust
you have blocked the November conference dates in your diary. In this
issue - Singapore literature goes Italian and a bookstore in Singapore
is born to house homegrown works in all four mainstream languages. New
publications are out on the shelves and the History Playwrights' Circle,
mentorship programme is open to writers who wish to be mentored by Huzir
Sulaiman. Details of these and more for your reading pleasure this month.
Enjoy!
From the NEWS desktop of...
Anita Paul, Editor
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BOOK COUNCIL EVENTS
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Centre for Literary Arts and Publishing (CLAP)
Please visit www.bookcoucil.sg/clap.htm for an update on the training programmes available for June 2005. Members of the Publishers Association (Singapore), Singapore Book Publishers Association of Singapore and the Library Association of Singapore are entitled to a 10% discount on all CLAP courses. Please inform us of your membership when you sign up for our workshops.
June 2005
Literary Arts
Creative Writing – Teaching it in a classroom by Felix Cheong
Wednesday, 22 June 2005
9.00am – 5.00pm
November 2005
We are pleased to inform you of the dates for our November 2005 conferences
and events.
Asian Congress
of Storytellers
Thursday, 10 – Friday, 11 November 2005
Venue: Furama Riverfront Singapore
Storytellers’
Showcase
Saturday, 12 – Tuesday, 15 November 2005
Venue: DBS Arts Centre
Asian children’s
Writers and Illustrators Conference
Thursday, 17 – Friday, 18 November 2005
Venue: Furama Riverfront Singapore
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BOOK LAUNCH REVIEWS
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Being Beautiful – The Four Beauties by Millicent Anna
Launch review by
Anita Paul:
The call came in late April. Millicent Anna was on the phone with me asking to speak to someone who might be able to assist her with the launch of her book. I was going to transfer the call to my colleague, but, decided to assist her with the inquiry instead. We had an interesting discussion and Millicent was telling me that this was her first book. She had organised a private launch at Fort Canning on 8 May 2005 but requested for a public launch to be organised for a later date. We emailed each other and then she popped the question, that is, if I was able to give a review of the book at the private launch. I didn’t think much of it and agreed gladly. I received the transcript and went through it. Still, I thought I had everything under control. On 6 May, I panicked. I had read the transcript; I just didn’t know what to say. I realised I was having stage fright. At this point, I preferred to get lost driving in Chinatown than do this. 8 May arrived and I went prepared with a written review. There were at least 50 people present. I showed Millicent the written review, but she asked me to say something that was approximately a page long. I looked at her in horror. The review I did is written in the book review below.
The launch started with the song ‘Reach’ by Gloria Estefan which incorporated a video clip. Once that was over, the MC introduced Millicent Anna. Being Beautiful was not the book she had originally conjured in her mind. She had planned to compile a cook book, but nothing seemed to gel. She felt she was being guided to something different, something enlightening… Never in her wildest dreams did she envisage this. She said writing this book changed her life and her outlook on life. She hoped that Being Beautiful would inspire those who read it too.
It was my turn and I could feel my hands turn cold – yes, that same feeling I had when I had to MC a book launch in February this year. But, this was different – I had to give a review of a book in public. I started with an introduction of myself and the Book Council, which wasn’t that hard, then read the first line of my written review. I couldn’t look at the paper after that. I knew I had to say something. I paused for awhile, looked at the audience, and started talking about a chapter I thought was appropriate as it was Mother’s Day. I chose to review the chapter on Mother Mary. I started with Mary’s acceptance of being a servant of God. I read the paragraph on page 57 – ‘This was Mary’s complete, absolute, resounding yes to God’s beautiful gift...’ To me the underlined words were words of strength and therefore words which denoted beauty. To be a person of beauty, you needed humility, courage, acceptance, emotional strength, all of which Mary characterised. I mentioned that a mother who was willing to let go of her children as they grew was a mother of beauty as she had strength and courage. I ended my review with a comment that beauty came from the heart and the soul of a person. It was over. I then realised that my review, if put on paper would have been approximately a page long.
The launch was tastefully done with the popping of a Champagne bottle and the family and close friends of Millicent on stage. The audience was indulged with a glass of Champagne each and there was the traditional Singapore toast of ‘Yam Seng’.
Book Review
What is being beautiful? Lots of people would associate beauty to physical features. The Miss Universe and Manhunt pageants are examples. In her book Being Beautiful, Millicent Anna transcribes the concept of beauty into different forms using a biblical context. She reveals the lives of four amazing women - Miriam, Esther, Mary and The Capable Wife. Kindness, love, patience, selflessness, understanding are all examples of beauty as revealed in this book. The reader is taken through the world of beauty as it is meant to be. Definitely an inspirational book.
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NEW PUBLICATIONS
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Cambridge University Press Asian
Branch
Cambridge University Press has list of new academic publications which is divided into two major categories – Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) and Science, Technology and Medicine (STM). These are the March, April and May publications. The March publications are separated into three segments, one for the United Kingdom (UK), one for the United States of America (USA) and the others come under the Rest of the World (Row). Should you have any queries regarding these publications, please email Shayama Nafik (Ms) at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or you may email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Asiapac Books
Asiapac Books celebrates
the 200th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen with the launch of
a new book entitled "Fascinating Stories from Hans Christian Andersen".
In this collection, 23 stories - including old
favourites like Little Mermaid and Ugly Duckling, and lesser-known tales
such as The Snow Queen and The Travelling Coin are retold by Chitra
Soundar for every child's reading pleasure. The book is available in
all leading bookshops retailing at S$8.40 (GST incl.). For details,
please visit http://www.asiapacbooks.com
Singapore University Press
& Ridge Books
Two new book shave been released by Singapore University Press &
Ridge Books. They are Sundanese Print Culture and Modernity in 19th
Century West Java by Mikihiri Moriyama and Histories, Cultures, Identities:Studies
in Malaysian Chinese Worlds by Sharon A. Carstens.
Sundanese Print Culture and Modernity in 19th Century West Java traces
the development of modern printed books written in Sundanese, the dominant
language in West Java, Indonesia, and the mother tongue of about 30
million people. Histories, Cultures, Identities: Studies in Malaysian
Chinese Worlds deals with two central questions relating to the Chinese
community in Malaysia. First, how has being Chinese shaped the responses
of this community to political, economic and social developments in
the country? And second, how have their experiences in Malaysia affected
the way in which immigrants from China and their descendants identify
themselves as Chinese? Both books are retailing at S$38.00 (GST incl.).
For details, please visit http://www.nus.edu.sg/npu
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ABOUT TOWN
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Poetry Slam Cabaret
Tuesday, 31 May 2005
Poetry slam Cabaret, organised by Word Forward, is held every last Tuesday
of the month.
Venue: Velvet Underground
(Zouk Club, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169429).
Time: 7.30pm
Entrance fee: S$10
For more info, visit http://www.wordforward.org
or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
A Spring Feast
: Storytelling for Adults
Friday, 13 May to Sunday, 15 May 2005
The year progresses... Spring is here... Let's celebrate! Come spend
an evening with us and listen to our tales of renewal, plenty and feasting!
We promise to gorge your senses, fill your appetite and nourish your
imagination!
Featured Tellers: Kamini
Ramachandran & Verena Tay
Guest Teller: Panna d/o Kantilal
Performance Dates/Time:
Friday, 13 May - Sunday 15 May 2005, 8 pm
Venue: The Blue Room, The Substation, 45 Armenian Street, Singapore
179936
Payment: By Donation
Moonshadow Stories: Illuminating your life through story...
*Limited Seating* ~ To reserve a place, please contact Kamini at tel. (+65) 92732383 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
This storytelling session is supported by: The Substation, National Book Development Council Singapore Asian Storytelling Network (Singapore)
The Art Of Hearts:
Stories About Love
Friday, 27 May 2005 / Friday 10 June 2005 / Friday, 17 June
2005 / Friday 19 June 2005
This is another storytelling
performance and workshop for adults by MoonShadow Stories. Embark on
an enlightening journey of discovery, exploring the breadth of passion,
the length of desire, the heights of lust, and the depths of love...This
storytelling-cum-interactive programme will help you find out more about
yourself, your date and your relationship with each other.
Dates: 27 May, 10 Jun or 17 Jun (Fri) 2005, 7.00-9.00pm or 19 Jun (Sun)
2005, 4.30-6.30 pm
Venue: Singapore Art Museum Auditorium
Fee: $12.50/person
Stories in Art
Tuesday, 31 May / Wednesday, 1 June 2005 / Thursday, 2 June 2005-05-13
A storytelling performance
and workshop for children has been organised in conjunction with the
Art Education Galleries exhibition, BLINK! In this interactive programme,
children will have the opportunity to engage in storytelling and creative
art activities. Each session will include a visit to the galleries and
storytelling sessions. Inspired by the artworks from the exhibition,
let their imagination run wild as the children participate in artistic
and creative writing activities. Different age groups are catered for
as follows:
Age Group / Date / Time / Programme
* 5-7 yrs: 31 May 2005, 10.30am-12pm (Theme: Shoes That Tell Tales)
* 9-12 yrs: 1 June 2005, 10.30am-12pm (Theme: King Kid)
* 8-10 yrs: 2 June 2005, 10.30am-12pm (Theme: The House That I Built)
Fee: $10/child
For more information or to register / book a place, please call tel.
(+65) 6332 3220 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Executive Committee 2005/2006 for Publishers Association (Singapore)
We are pleased to announce the newly elected Executive Committee 2005/2006
for the Publishers Association (Singapore).
President: Mrs Triena Ong,
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
Vice President: Mr Peter Davidson, Cambridge University Press
Treasurer: Ms Rosy Teo, APA Publications GmbH & Co
Secretary: Mr Max Phua, World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd
Members: Ms Lee Wen Fen, Select Books Pte Ltd
Ms Joy Tan, Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore)
Ms Agatha Goh, Sun Business Network
Mr Roy Lee, Thomson Learning
Mr Tim Lum, Elselvier (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Journal Submissions
US-based poetry journal WILD PLUM is due to publish its second issue
in late summer, 2005. WILD PLUM is an annual journal (based in Austin,
Texas) dedicated to offering readers a dynamic variety of memorable
poems.
If you would like to submit your work, please follow these guidelines:
1. Type all poems on white
8 1/2 x 11 paper. Please include your name, address, phone numbers,
and email on each page. No email submissions are allowed.
2. Include a typed cover letter and a personal biography of 25-50 words,
listing specific publishing credits, if any.
3. Submit three to five poems of no more than 60 lines each. We do not
consider previously published work or simultaneous submissions. (self-publishing
counts as published)
4. Include a self addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage
for response/return of your work.
5. Please avoid oversized envelopes.
6. Postmark deadline for 2005 issue: MAY 31, 2005
Published poets will receive a copy of the issue. WILD PLUM loves all styles, all voices and is as likely to publish an unknown as someone highly celebrated. WILD PLUM appreciates poems that employ rhyme and meter while still appealing to the modern readers. Translations (with permission) are strongly encouraged. If WILD PLUM cannot place your submission, you will be informed within one month. If, however, your work is under consideration, it could take as long as three months, if you submit right away. WILD PLUM expects to finalise the editorial content by early July.
Please submit poems to
Constance Campbell, Editor, WILD PLUM, PO Box 4282, Austin, TX 78765
Compilation of Local Books
The Arts House is currently compiling a list of local books and compact
discs for our bookstore to be set up in May/June 2005 at the Arts House
@The Old Parliament. Local writers who wish to have their books sold
at our store, please contact Susanna Wong, Marketing Executive at DID
(+65) 6332 6918 / Fax (+65) 6336 3021 / HP (+65) 91542639 or email her
at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Golden Point Award
To aspiring and established writers, Singapore’s national writing
competition is back. The Golden Point Award 2005 is seeking unpublished
short stories and poems in English, Chinese, Malay or Tamil. This competition
is organised by the National Arts Council and jointly sponsored by the
Press Foundation of Singapore and Singapore Press Holdings. It is open
to Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents only. The winner
will receive S$10,000 in cash and educational grants. There will be
prizes awarded to the second and third place winners as well.
The closing date for all
entries is 23 May 2005. For details, please visit http://www.swf.sg
Elephant & Coral 9th Anniversary Writing Competition
Elephant & Coral, a pen boutique located at Wheelock Place, is commemorating
the upcoming launch of its 9th anniversary pen by sponsoring a writing
competition that is organised by Singapore publisher Firstfruits (check
one or two words) Publications. Specially crafted by Pilot for Elephant
& Coral, the pen is named "Oshiharu" and will be sold
as a limited edition of 100 pieces worldwide, of which 50 pieces will
be in black and the other 50 pieces in vermillion red. "Oshiharu"
is a Japanese phrase meaning "pining for spring" - also encompassing
emotions associated with cherishing and feeling sorry for (with a sense
of unwillingness to part with) the passing spring.
The competition guidelines
are as follows:
1. The competition is open to all Singapore citizens or PRs currently
residing in Singapore.
2. The entry can be in poetry or prose, as long as each entry is limited
to 80 words.
3. Each entry needs to be typed or computer-printed on an A4 page. Each
participant can submit up to three entries to be sent together with
a cover letter not later than to this address:
Elephant & Coral 9th
Anniversary Writing Competition
c/o Firstfruits Publications
Woodlands Central Branch Post Office
PO Box 192
Singapore 917310
Only the participant's NRIC No (without the participant's name) should appear on each entry, with the cover letter indicating the participant's full name, mailing address, contact telephone number, email address, NRIC, and titles of each entry submitted.
4. The entries will be judged by Herman Chan (Elephant & Coral), Enoch Ng (publisher, Firstfruits Publications) and Singapore poet Yong Shu Hoong. The criteria of judging will be based on the merit of writing and how well the text relates to the themes evoked by the name of the pen.
5. The 1st prize ($500 Elephant & Coral gift voucher), 2nd prize ($300 Elephant & Coral gift voucher) and 3rd prize ($100 Elephant & Coral gift voucher) will be awarded based on the judges’ selection whose decision shall be final. If no suitable winners can be identified, the judges reserve the right of not awarding any of the aforementioned prizes.
6. The first prize winner agrees to allow Elephant & Coral to use the winning entry for publication in the inlaid booklet within the pen packaging, certificates or advertising media like magazines and newspapers, with no further entitlement to royalties. All rights revert back to the author after the pen's launch and promotional activities.
The deadline for this competition is 31 May 2005. For further enquiries on the competition, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For more information on Elephant & Coral, please visit their website.
Shiva Naipaul Memorial
Prize
The Shiva Naipaul Memorial Prize will be awarded to the writer best
able to describe a visit to a foreign place or people. The award is
not for travel writing in the conventional sense, but for the most acute
and profound observation of a culture alien to the writer. Such a culture
might be found as easily within the writer's native country as outside
it.
Shiva Naipaul was one of the most gifted and accomplished writers of our time. After his death in 1985, at the age of 40, The Spectator established an annual prize in his memory.
The winner will receive a cash prize of 3,000 pounds. The winning entry will be published in The Spectator.
Rules:
1. The award is open to English language writers of any nationality
under the age of 35
2. Submissions should not previously have been published and should
be not more than 3,000 words
3. Entries will not be returned and no correspondence concerning entries
can be entered into
4. In all matters concerning the competition the decision of the Editor
is final
5. Entries must reach The Spectator by 31 May 2005
The judges this year are the Editor of The Spectator Boris Johnson, the Assistant Editor of The Spectator Mary Wakefield, the Literary Editor of The Spectator Mark Amory, and the writer Hilary Mantel. For more information please visit The Spectator website.
2005 NUS Literary
Society Creative Writing Competition
The competition is open to full-time students from pre-university (e.g.
junior colleges, polytechnics, centralised institutions) and tertiary
institutions. Students who are studying in overseas universities and
wish to participate must be stationed in or have a permanent address
in Singapore at least for the next one year. Each entrant can send in
a maximum of 5 poems and 2 short stories. Short stories should not be
more than 3000 words in length. Each poem/short story MUST be submitted
with a $2.00 fee.
The judges are CYRIL WONG for poetry and GWEE LI SUI for short stories. To attain a registration form and for full competition information, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The closing date for all entries is 30 October 2005. Winners will be notified via email or phone. Late entries will be disqualified.
UNESCO-Aschberg
Bursaries
The UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists programme was established
in 1994 to open new career prospects for young artists and provide them
with the possibility of further training in specialised institutions.
Bursaries are offered to anyone who whishes to pursue a career as an
artist.
The deadline for bursary application is 30 April 2005. For further information, please visit http://www.literaturetraining.com/scipts/WebObjects.exe/literaturetraining
Writers Festival
– Ubud, Bali
The next writers’ festival will be held in Ubud, Bali from 6 –
11 October 2005. This inaugural festival had been a huge success previously
and the organisers are hoping to draw an even wider audience this year.
Writers from Singapore are invited to participate in this festival.
Writers should seek their own funding and the organisers will provide
accommodation.
For details, please email Janet de Neefe, Festival Director at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
or you may you may write to her to the following address: Janet de Neefe,
Honeymoon Guesthouse, Jalan Bisma. Ubud – Bali 80571. Phone /
Fax (0361) 973282
