August 2003
COMMERCIALIZING
LITERATURE
A recent article in the US edition of Business Week says that the book
trade is looking to supermarkets and apparel chains for clues to improve
efficiency and profits. Publishers are using electronic tools like “Up
To The Minute Sales Data” from AC Nielsen and distributors are looking
to “Computer-aided Forecasting Models” to calculate bookstore
orders. Some bookstores are appointing publishers as “Category Managers”
of store sections to decide which titles will fill the shelves while booksellers
are increasing the number and quality of "Private-Label" books
made exclusively for them. Some observers assert that the book trade desperately
needs new tools to improve its performance but book lovers say that literature
should not be treated like supermarket products. The article also states
that culture and literature are not in peril but the book trade is. However,
focusing solely on sales data and forecasting models could eventually
result in works of high literary merit disappearing from book store shelves.
Nevertheless, the survival and growth of the book industry is more urgent and if commercialisation readily provides the opportunity for the book market to expand then the industry should go ahead aggressively. There will always be demand for highly literary books with low commercial value from the more discerning readers of the public. Moreover, literary awards like the Booker Prize, the Pulitzer Prize and our very own Singapore Literature Prize, which are based purely on literary criteria, have impact on book sales and will ensure that literary books will never go out of fashion!
PAYING TRIBUTE
The Book Council pays tribute to two valued Council members who have passed
away. Mr Wee Mon Cheng and Mrs Linda Tan have contributed immensely to
the Council over the years and their dedication and support had enabled
the Council to play an active part in the book industry. The Council expresses
its sincere condolences to the families of the departed members and its
gratitude for their outstanding service to the book industry.
GO FORTH AND FORWARD!
Hi there again, please do forward this newsletter to your colleagues,
friends, contacts etc who might be interested in receiving it. Do ask
them to send us an e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
to subscribe if they find this newsletter useful as well. Many thanks!
MAKE A DATE
If you are attending
only one Dinner function this year, let this be the one.
The Date: 21 November 2003
The Time: 7.00pm
The Place: Venus
Ballroom, Novotel Apollo Hotel
The Names: Former
Minister David Lim, Ambassador-at-Large Prof Tommy Koh, Distinguished
Writer Dr Catherine Lim and New Zealand Storyteller Tanya Batt.
The Event: The Book Industry Annual Dinner
The Organizers: The Book Council, Publishers Association (Singapore)
Per Table: $600,
Per Seat: $65
So mark your diaries
and make a date with us to celebrate the book industry and network with
your colleagues at this not-to-be-missed gala evening!
To register visit
http://www.nbdcs.org.sg/dinner.htm or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For
more details call 68488 290/4.
COMING UP!
readasia
21 August 2003 (Thursday)
(An easier way to remember, every third Thursday of the month)
Time: 7 p.m.
Book to be discussed: Memories of a Pure Spring by Duong Thu Houng
Venue: library@orchard, Programme Zone
Registration and enquiries: Email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
READERS AND WRITERS,
A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP
8 - 9 September 2003
The new English Language syllabus requires students to use language for
activities like social interaction, literary expression and information
gathering and disseminating. In order to carry out all these tasks effectively,
students have to read and write extensively. In view of the above, this
workshop aims to disseminate techniques on reading and writing to teachers.
Dates:
for Primary School teachers: 8 September 03
for Secondary School teachers: 9 September 03
Time: 9am to 4pm, with one hour lunch break in between
Venue: National Volunteer Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, #05-01 MND Complex Annex
B
Fee: $150 nett per participant, includes one lunch
To apply visit our website at www.nbdcs.org.sg or e-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
ASIAN CONGRESS OF STORYTELLERS 2003
Date: 14 & 15 November 2003
Venue: Novotel Apollo Singapore
Keynote Speakers: Eth-Noh-Tec of America, Dan Yashinsky of Canada
Workshop leaders: Ryoko Sato
of Japan, Jeeva Raghunath of India, Tanya Batt and Mary-Alice Arthur of
New Zealand; Christine Greenough and John Hockney of Australia, Margaret
Read MacDonald of America and Cassandra Wye of England.
With a stronger cast and greater variety in programming (workshops on
early childhood, parenting, senior citizen care, teenage counselling and
self-healing), ACS 2003 offers promises to outdo itself. Book early to
enjoy early bird discount or come as a group to enjoy group rates.
To register, log onto http://www.nbdcs.org.sg/acs.htm
STORYTELLERS' SHOWCASE 2003
an evening of Asian tales
Date: 16 & 17 November 2003, 7pm
Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio
Tickets to be on sale through SISTIC in Sept 03, adults $28.00, students
$18.00
Storytelling – entertainment at its purest. All we need is a story and a voice to tell it. The Storytellers’ Showcase 2003 brings together some of the biggest names in storytelling on one stage, from Eth-Noh-Tec of America to Jeeva Raghunath of India. Each of the 11 storytellers will tell an Asian tale, you will be tickled pink or sometimes moved to tears. So come hear!
ASIAN CHILDREN'S WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS CONFERENCE 2003
Date: 20 & 21 November 2003
Venue: Novotel Apollo Singapore
Keynote Speakers: David Davidar of Penguin and Dorling Kindersley, Lioba
Betten of Books for All, and Tanya Batt, successful children's book writer/storyteller
Workshop leaders: Jessie Wee, Sandhya Rao, Radhika Menon, Diane Taylor,
Dr Murti Bunanta
ACWIC 2003 will be more compact this year, with established keynote speakers to inspire and experienced workshop leaders to teach. Use this as a platform to network or showcase your work as well. There will be manuscript critiques and illustration exhibitions. Book early to enjoy early bird discount or come as a group to enjoy group rates.
To register, log onto http://www.nbdcs.org.sg/acwic.htm
THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE THE BOOK BUSINESS
STORYTELLING FOR ADULTS
By Verena Tay and Friends
Supported by the Book Council
Women Who Act: Asian-Pacific Folktales (Distressed Damsels Not Wanted)
Thu 14th, Fri 15th & Wed 20th August 2003, 8.30 pm
The Blue Room (Foyer), The Substation
*Pay-as-you-want*
READINGS OF NEW MONOLOGUES
By Verena Tay and Friends
Waiting...Wishing...Wearing...: Some Urban Tales
Sat 16th, Thu 21th, Fri 22th August 2003, 8.30 pm
The Blue Room (Foyer), The Substation
*Pay-as-you-want*
FIFTH SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL
ADVERTISING CONGRESS 2003
In Conjunction With IDEAS Advertising Marketing Exhibition
Wednesday 24, Thursday 25 & Friday 26 September 2003
Suntec City Singapore
Two major authors will be making presentations at this year's Ad Congress:
Joe Cappo "The Future of Advertising: New Media, New Clients, New
Consumers in the post Television Age" ( Distributed by McGraw Hill
Singapore)
Michael Backman: "Big In Asia: 25 Strategies for Business Success"
(Distributed by Pansing Distributors)
Please visit www.ias.org.sg for more
details.
THE WRITE AND PUBLISH MASTERY BOOT CAMP WITH DAN POYNTER
29 – 30 August 2003, Pan Pacific Hotel, Johor Bahru
Dan Poynter, author of “The Self-Publishing Manual”,
will be coming to Asia to share with you what he knows about getting your
book written and published. Poynter has set up systems to help aspiring
writers and authors get their first book out. You will discover the step-by-step
organizational plan for book writing. How to break your project into easy-to-attack
chunks and how to use the "pilot system" of organization. he
will show you how to "build" your book not just "write"
it.
Day 1 – 29/8/03: 3.00 pm – 9.30 pm
Day 2 – 30/8/03: 9.00 am – 9.00 pm
Call 62252968 – Tannie/Wendy or Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Related Links:
Write & Publish Seminar
by KC See (13 Aug & 20 Aug 2003/Carlton Hotel Bras Basah Rd) - www.myregtool.com/wapsg
Dan Poynter evening seminar in Sg (27 Aug 2003/Carlton Hotel Bras Basah
Rd) - www.myregtool.com/DanPoynter
Dan Poynter’s bootcamp (29~30 Aug 2003 Pan Pacific JB)- http://www.myregtool.com/wapm0803
MIME UNLIMITED: OPEN
REHEARSAL SHOW
14 –16 August 2003, Theatre Kami Blackbox., Level 2 Cairnhill Arts
Centre.
A showcase of mime styles by actors and performers in mime and visual
theatre. To book: Call 6235 1325, Fax 6836 3304, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
NUS LIT SOC CREATIVE
WRITING COMPETITION 2003
NUS Literary Society is organising its annual Creative Writing Competition
2003, to encourage the spirit of writing among students of junior colleges,
and centralized and tertiary institutions. Win book vouchers from Kinokuniya!
Closing date: 30th of September 2003
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to obtain the entry form, or to make any
enquiries.
BOOKS SPOTLIGHT
ASIAPAC CELEBRATES SINGAPORE ROJAK… AND NATIONAL DAY
Asiapac participated in the Singapore Rojak, an event held in conjunction with Racial Harmony Day at the Orchard Park & Pedestrian Mall from 12 July to 13 July 2003. A celebration of our inter-racial and cultural diversities, the event was officially launched by the President of Singapore, Mr S R Nathan. Asiapac contributed to the celebration with Montage Culture Series, an exciting new series that takes the reader on a colourful journey to explore the history, origins, religions, customs and practices of various Asian groups.
Montage Culture Series : "Gateway to Peranakan Culture", "Gateway to Malay Culture", "Gateway to Chinese Culture", "Gateway to Indian Culture" (forthcoming)
In publishing Montage Culture, Asiapac hopes to play a part, albeit a small one, in promoting racial harmony in our country. The books, fully illustrated, are warmly received for their lighthearted and accessible format. For more details, please visit http://www.asiapacbooks.com.
LAUNCHING
I
Hodder & Stoughton, The Book Council and Pansing Distribution present the launch of " The Palace of Heavenly
Pleasure" by Adam Williams. The book is a pleasurable read set in China during the Boxer Rebellion, full of drama, history, and spiced up with a dash of sex. To enter, bring a copy of the book or buy at the door for $25 (usual price $31.15) No admittance after 7:30pm. Adam Williams will be speaking on History and a Good Story at the event. Red drinks and light snacks will be served.
27 August 2003, 37 Keong Saik Road.
Please call 68488293 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
LAUNCHING II
Pustaka Nasional Pte Ltd will be launching the first English
book from their Contemporary Islamic Scholars Series in September during
the school holidays.
Title : "Persian Historiography & Geography"
Author : Bertold Spuler (d. 1990)
Translator : Associate Professor M. Ismail Marcinkowski
Please visit www.pustaka.com.sg
for more details.
TERROR IN BALI
Alan Atkinson
Singapore: Flame of the Forest, 2003
The months have rolled past since the Bali bomb blasts but memories remain
fresh of the mindless horror on the night of October 12, 2002. “Terror
in Bali” is an eyewitness account of the blasts and is offered in
the hope that it will help in the healing process. This book is a record
of the Bali that was, the blasts and the immediate events that followed.
It is published, as it is written, with the hope that a new Bali will
emerge from the ashes. Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist
Alan Atkinson was on holiday in Bali with his family when he received
a call early Sunday morning that something catastrophic had occurred at
Kuta. Alan tells of bodies being extricated from the ruins of the Sari
Club burning, the mourning families of victims, the visit of Aussie PM
Howard, the visit of Indonesia's President Megawati.
For more details about this book, log onto http://www.flameoftheforest.com/.
NEWS AT NINE
David Leo
Singapore: Ethos Books, 2003
"Sam could weave a story in every face that he saw passing through
Changi Airport..." ("Trick or Treat"). The same can be
said of David Leo, his creator, who can spin a mean tale from daily observations
or encounters with people. In "News at Nine", Leo fleshes out
the stories behind the simplified reporting we watch each day over the
television. By telling the stories of the Everyman, he unveils life's
tinges of grey and the similarities and differences between each of us.
These tales will burrow deep into your psyche, swirl around your consciousness,
demand for attention and thought, and in the end, redefine your experience
of watching the news bulletin.
For more details about this book, log onto: www.ethosbooks.com.sg
ALTERNATIVE (POST)
MODERNITY: AN ASIAN PERSPECTIVE
William S. W. Lim
Singapore:
Select Publishing, 2003
In this book, William Lim continues his search for alternative Asian perspectives
to Eurocentric modernity and US-style globalization. This compilation
comprises essays and lectures of the past two years. Notwithstanding the
current mainstream Western dominance in the discourses of late-capitalist
postmodernity, the author challenges its
acceptability by expanding the frontiers of radical postmodern discourses
to embrace basic needs, sustainability, citizen participation and social
justice. This book will be of interest to Asianists, urbanists, as well
as generalists who look beyond the confines of theoretical "givens"
and to all those who enjoy walking in the sometimes misty but exciting
world of new thinking.
For full details about this book, log onto: http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/selectpubs.htm
SOUTHEAST ASIAN AFFAIRS
2003
Edited by Daljit Singh and Chin Kin Wah
Singapore: ISEAS, 2003
"Southeast Asian Affairs", of which there are now thirty in
the series, is an annual review of significant developments and trends
in the region. Though the emphasis is on ASEAN countries, developments
in the broader Asia-Pacific region are not ignored. Readable and easily
understood analyses are offered of major political, economic, social,
and strategic developments within Southeast Asia.
For full details about this book, log onto: http://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg/bookmarks/SEAA03/index.html
