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May 2005

EDITOR’S NOTE
Hello once again from the Book Council.

In this issue of the e-WordNews, readers can look forward to reading an interview with a local writer Terrence Heng. We are also covering the launch of The NAGA Challenged – Southeast Asia in the Winds of Change, a book by Marshall Cavendish (Academic). Find out too who the newly elected members of the Publisher’s Association of Singapore (PAS) are in this issue.

The dates for our November conferences and events have just been confirmed, so do note them down in your diary. Also, don’t miss out on The Storytellers’ Course which runs from 9 June – 30 June 2005. Have fun this May.

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 http://www.bookcoucil.sg/clap.htm for an update on the training programmes available for May 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.

November Conference & Events
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 – Monday, 14 November 2005
Venue: DBS Arts Centre

Asian children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference
Thursday, 17 – Friday, 18 November 2005
Venue: Furama Riverfront Singapore

Discover the Power Of Storytelling
Storytellers’ Course
Thursday, 9 June – Thursday, 30 June 2005

The Storytellers’ Course is designed for those who work with children and youth. It is great for expanding their knowledge and skills in storytelling. However, it would also be useful for anyone who would like to take his or her first steps in storytelling. A team of professionals, specially selected for their expertise and experience, will conduct this 33-hour course. The course will include both theory and practical hands-on experiences with a focus on Asian tales. Participants will be required to tell a story to their course mates.

Fee: $560.00
For enquiries, please contact:
Sheila Wee (+65) 6352 2009 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Kiran Shah (+65) 6447 3320 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Anita Paul, CLAP (+65) 6848 8294 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

May 2005

Editorial

Basic Editing by Mr Tan Poay Lim
Tuesday, 24 May – Friday, 27 May 2005
9.00am – 5.00pm

Literary Arts
Creating a Story by Felix Cheong (NEW)
Wednesday, 25 May 2005
9.00am – 5.00pm
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BOOK LAUNCH REVIEWS
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From Where I’m Standing
by Terence Heng
I must have a hidden destiny with Chinatown. Ann Siang Hill Park was the location for the book launch orgainsed by Landmark Books. Ann Siang Hill Park is a cosy corner located at the top of Ann Siang Hill in Chinatown. An open air concept was chosen for the launch. Everyone was enjoying their pizza pieces and wine when it started drizzling. We scurried to take what we could to a more sheltered section.

Once we settled down, Terrence Heng, the author introduced himself and gave us a brief synopsis of his book. He read a few poems from the book, his favorites being, ‘Home’, ‘Agency Girls’ and ‘Attraction’. Terence has taken time off from his post graduate studies in Oxford to come to Singapore and launch his book.

Review
This is Terence Heng’s second book, his first being ‘Live a Maniac Existence with a Cup of Sanity in Your Hand’ (1997). ‘From Where I am Standing’ is anthology of poems observations, opinions and occurrences, charting the journey of one writer through an urban and personal landscape. It depicts life as seen and experienced through the eyes of the author. The poem ‘Home’ is so true. Terence uses local terminology, ‘atas’ (meaning upper class attitude) which only a Singaporean can understand if it is used in any part of the world. This is what makes us unique. Anyone who reads this book would have experienced similar events. I identify with ‘Home’ as I can really be ‘atas’ at times as well just to achieve a goal. We all get a little ‘atas’ at times and doesn’t it feel good when we get what we want at the end of it?

The NAGA Challenged
Edited by Victor R Savage
This was a more formal launch as there were quite a number of academics present. The Guest of Honour was Mr Kishore Mahbubani, Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (NUS). Mr Victor Savage gave a brief overview of the book. Mr Kishore Mahbuni talked about the various changes Southeast Asia (SEA) had undergone. The General Manager of Academic Publishing, Marshall Cavendish International (S) Pte Ltd gave an overview of the series as a whole.

Review
The NAGA Challenged: Southeast Asia in the Winds of Change is a sequel to The NAGA Awakens: Growth and Change in Southeast Asia published in 1997. While the 1997 book looked at the positive developments in the region, this book seeks to address the political, economic and cultural issues arising from the 1997 – 98 Asian economic crisis.

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BOOK REVIEWS
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Critic After Dark – A Review of Philippine Cinema
By Noel Vera
Published by Options Publications Pte Ltd

Press Release:
Sober, uniformed bank officer by day – crunching numbers and filing out forms and arguing with government employees over the phone – by night, film critic Noel Vera, sits in the darkest corner of the moviehouse, viewing (or enduring) the latest that Philippines cinema has to offer. The articles collected in t his book represent not quite half of what Noel Vera has written from the period 1994 to 2004, more than a decade of near-clandestine writings on cinema, Phillipine and otherwise

‘but’ - an anthology of writing edited by Cyril Wong
Edited by Cyril Wong, this 100page collaborative anthology is an amalgamation of poetry and prose. With contributions from previously unpublished talents as well as established names (Angeline Yap, Cyril Wong, Felix Cheong and others), it is the voice of youth poised between innocence and anticipation. Within these covers are death (and mathematics), dreams (and boyfriends) and myths (and the love of photographs). ‘but,' is a snapshot of conflicts, a contradiction awaiting closure, an interrupted journey, a fractious viewpoint wrapped in a sunny island wrapped in a familiar grammatical anomaly. It is also pleasantly nutty with a fresh fruity fragrance.

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INTERVIEW
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An interview was conducted with Terence Heng, a Singapore writer who had just launched his latest book, From Where I’m Standing. For budding writers, Terence has some advice for you.

1) Do you find that writing poetry is easier than writing a novel?
Yes, definitely. I think it's because I always found poetry to be more precise, to capture the moment that inspired me to write the novel in the first place. I've always respected people who write novels because of the planning and effort that goes into it. Not that I'm implying that poets put in any less effort than novelists, of course not. But there is something precise about writing a poem on a napkin, on the back of a receipt, or any piece of paper that comes in handy. It is this immediacy of the poem that appeals to me.

2) How is this book different from your first?
I think I've matured a lot since my first book (I was 19 when that was published). I had decided in my first book that it would have more to do with reaching out to a certain demographic who did not normally read poetry, and to that extent I believe I succeeded, especially when I got feedback from the sergeants and officers in my army camp who read it. With the second book, it's more to do with establishing my style and identity as a writer. I still endeavor to make my poetry as accessible as possible - something which I believe earns me criticism from some, but appreciation from others.

3) What inspires you to write?
That's a tough question. I think most of the time it's the things around me that affect me in a certain way. This has been a central theme both in the first and second books. When I travel, or even when I'm out and about town, I make little observations about the people around me - what they're doing, what they're wearing, what they symbolise to me. If these things affect me enough, whether emotionally or otherwise, I try to translate that into a poem. My other big inspiration is usually about relationships, though, that sometimes results in more personal work that I keep to myself.

4) Are your books merely written for informative purposes, or are your intentions for people to learn something from your writings?
I would admit that "From Where I'm Standing" is more of an expression of my observations and opinions, but yes, I do hope that people will take something away with them after reading my work. Reading text (whether in a literary form or otherwise) is an interpretive action, meaning that my poetry will mean different things to different people. Some may be completely unmoved by it, others will deride it, and others will love it. Whatever the reaction, I hope that they would translate those feelings into lessons for their own lives.

5) Would you consider having your books used as literary material for students?
Yes, and I think that begets a bigger question about local poetry as literary material for students. More and more local work is being studied in Singaporean schools, and that can be nothing but a good thing. I would be flattered if someone chose my book as a source for literary studies, but I do believe it would help the students to see one more way of looking at the world.

6) How does one start writing? Any advice for those wishing to pursue this?
Never be embarrassed to write. Very often people say that they are not good enough to write, or their poetry isn't up to scratch and thus they'll stop writing. But you will never get it right if you don't fall down first. Writing can be a painful process, and because of its interpretive nature you can and will be subject to both praise and nastiness alike. The trick is to believe in what you write, even if the rest of the world doesn't, but at the same time be open to constructive advice from fellow writers. Beyond that, aspiring writers (and I still count myself as one of them) can do three things – (1) Read other people's works for inspiration (2) Write anything, even if it's a silly limerick, it all contributes towards your development as a writer. (3) See it as a passion, and let it live with you for the rest of your life.
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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

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) - Membership

SCBWI invites writers, illustrators, editors, publishers and book designers in the field of children’s book publishing to become members.

Full Membership is available to those whose work for children (books, illustrations or photographs, films, electronic media available for purchase, articles, poems or stories) has been published or produced.

Associate Membership is available to those with an interest in children's literature or media, whether or not they have been published or produced. Writers or illustrators who have been published in markets other than children's literature (but not in children's literature) would be considered Associate Members.

Benefits
- International and Local Conferences
- The Bulletin – a bi-monthly newsletter
- Online fortnightly newsletter
- Awards and grants·
- Free publications on writing and publishing
- Manuscript Exchange / Critique groups
- Local support structure with writers and illustrators
- Discounted Web Hosting plans

Become a member by filling up the on-line form at http://www.scbwi.org/members/join.htm and inform Chitra Soundar at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for a special gift.

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