September 2003
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
ON DIGITAL PUBLISHING
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) envisions that by
2006, 50 per cent of households in Singapore will be on broadband with
consumers enjoying a wide range of 3rd Generation services. As Singapore
gears up to be the Digital Living Lab, creating innovative infocomm products
and services, it is also expected that 3,000 jobs will be created through
collaborative industry projects within these three years. By 2012, the
infocomm industry will contribute 10 per cent towards Singapore's GDP.
Besides developing infrastructure capabilities, the creation of interactive
broadband multi-media content and digital publishing and distribution
is a niche area identified by IDA. Education and the creative industries
have been identified as areas where infocomm can be leveraged to create
this interactive broadband multi-media content.
In this context, IDA and the Book Council jointly organised a roundtable meeting on 26 August 2003. Publishers and professionals from the book trade were invited to share their views on developing Singapore as a digital publishing hub. The meeting started with a presentation by Mr Thomas Lim, Director of Digital Exchange Development, IDA. Mr Lim shared IDA's insights and strategies on Singapore as a digital publishing hub. This was followed by a presentation by the Book Council which shared its vision for publishing and the book trade in Singapore and the programmes that are planned and those that are already in place to achieve this. Opinions were then collected from those present and many publishers shared freely the challenges they faced and spoke on the need for networking and cooperation within the industry in order to develop publishing in Singapore.
Among the 34 present were representatives from World Scientific Publishing, John Wiley & Sons, Pearson, Taylor & Francis, Cambridge University Press, Shing Lee, Pepper Publications, Institute of South East Asian Studies, Fuji Xerox, 1-Net and Copyright & Licensing Administration Society of Singapore.
GO FORTH AND FORWARD!
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DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR
LECTURE 2003
The Book Council Distinguished Author Lecture series aims to become a
major event for the literary community in Singapore. Former Chairperson
for the Commonwealth Writers Prize, Meira Chand delivered the 2002 lecture
which was very well received by the book industry members who were present
for the Book Council Annual Dinner.
Accomplished Singapore writer, Dr Catherine Lim will be delivering the Book Council Distinguished Author Lecture 2003. She has published nine collections of short stories, five novels and a book of poems. Two of her short story collections were used as literature texts for the G.C.E. Examinations conducted by Cambridge University, and her novels are regularly used in universities and colleges. They have been published in many countries, including U.S.A., U.K. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Spain, Israel and Iceland. She was awarded the Southeast Asia Write Award in 1999, and an Honorary Doctorate in Literature by Murdoch University, Australia in 2000. In 2003, she was awarded the Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et Des Lettres by the French Minister for Culture and Communication.
Topic: 'Reconciling
the Romantic Imagination with Scientific Reality: A Writer's Challenge
in the Millennium.'
Friday 21 November
2003, 7pm
Venus Ballroom, Novotel
Apollo
The Distinguished Author Lecture will be held in conjunction with the Book Industry Nite 2003.
Guest of Honour: Mr David Lim Tik En (Group President & CEO, NOL and MP, Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC.)
Ticket priced at $65 per person and $600
per table (Includes a 4-course Western dinner)
Bookings essential by 31 October 2003.
Log onto http://www.nbdcs.org.sg/dinner.htm
to book your place.
Tel: 68488290/4, e-mail:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Dress code: Formal
COMING UP!
READASIA
Readasia is a book club organised by the Book Council and library@orchard
to promote Asian literature. This is where you will meet like-minded people,
fellow book lovers and find a captive audience to share your thoughts
and views on the book you’ve read.
Date: 18
September 2003, Thursday (An easier way to remember, every third Thursday
of the month)
Time: 7 p.m.
Book to be discussed: A Bit of Earth by Suchen Christine
Lim
Venue: library@orchard, Programme Zone
Registration and enquiries: Do drop us an email if you
would like to attend the book club. This will give us a feel about the
expected turnout. Email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
COURSE IN BASIC EDITING
This course provides a step-by-step introduction to the wide range of
professional editing skills and techniques required to edit books and
journals. Hands-on and activity-based with a combination of group and
individual work, it will be suitable for new editors with less than two
years’ experience. Participants will emerge with a strong understanding
of editorial skills and a comprehensive foundation for them to further
their careers as professional editors.
Date: 27
– 30 October 2003
Time: 9am to 6pm
Duration: 4-day, 32-hour course
Venue: National Volunteer Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, #05-01
MND Complex Annex B
Fee: $590 nett per participant, includes one lunch and
two tea-breaks
Please visit our website at http://www.nbdcs.org.sg or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to register or find out more details about this course.
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 from 16 Sept 03, adults $28.00, students $18.00 (http://www.sistic.com.sg)
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: Vaiyu Naidu, 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
A MOST PLEASURABLE NIGHT
The launch of Adam Williams’ “The Palace of Heavenly Pleasure” did every bit of justice to the title of the book with one of the most enjoyable and unique book launches in Singapore. The venue of 37 Keong Saik Road was all made up to look the part of a Chinese brothel while the invitees and organisers played their part by wearing ethnic Chinese clothes. Williams recounted how being a bibliophile from a young age led to his yearning to write and how he was inspired by war stories and children’s books. He candidly admitted that the book was part fact and part fiction and explained that embellishment and dramatisation was needed to bring out a good story from history. Organised jointly by Pansing and the Book Council, the launch provided a great opportunity for the book community to network and discuss an interesting new book in a heavenly setting!
NAC-SPH GOLDEN POINT WINNERS
A record number of entries were received for this year's NAC-SPH Golden Point Award writing competition. A total of 929 entries were submitted by 704 participants in the eight English, Chinese, Tamil and Malay short story and poetry writing categories. Leonora Liow won the first prize in the English Short Story category while Aaron Maniam won the first prize in the English Poetry category. For more details log onto http://www.nac.gov.sg/local_arts_scene_comp_01.html.
FICTION WRITERS WANTED
New ethical publisher, Flame Books, is searching for exciting authors
of contemporary fiction. Deadlines coming up soon for their first titles,
but they hope to publish a new title every two months. Check out their
http://www.flamebooks.com/main.asp for more details or contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
SPACE FOR LEASE AT
MITA BUILDING
Exciting proposals wanted for Arts-Related Biz for 3-year lease on 700
sq ft unit on ground floor of MITA Building @ 140 Hill Street. Closing
date for submission of proposals & proposed monthly rental is 12 Sep
03. Please contact Ms Gynn Quah at Tel: 68379561 for enquiries.
WILD PLUM POETRY A US-based journal is calling for poetry submissions from all over the world. The grand prize is US$1000 and two finalists will get US$100 each. Publication will be in June 2004. Visit http://www.wildplumpoetry.com for more details.
STRICTLY PROHIBITED
A DOUBLEBILL ORGANISED BY ACTUS! ENSEMBLE, FACULTY OF LAW, NUS
20 September 2003, 2.30pm & 8pm
University Cultural Centre Theatre, NUS
Three fat virgins explore their identities and insecurities. A fat virgin
need not be fat nor be a virgin. She only needs to be a woman. (‘Three
Fat Virgins’, written by Singapore playwright Ovidia Yu was first
produced by TheatreWorks (Singapore) Ltd in April 1992.) Being single
is what the SDU and your mother do not want you to be. Is it so hard to
give up singlehood? (‘Single’ is written by Moh Hon Meng and
won a Commendation Prize in the National Book Development Council Book
Awards in 1994.)
Tickets at $6 (Matinee) & $10 (Evening show) from Priscilla at 9479
3545, Farrah at 9827 0437 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL
YOUNG WRITERS' FESTIVAL
2 - 6 October 2003
This year's National Young Writers' Festival (NYWF) takes place from 2-6
October 2003 in Newcastle, Australia. The NYWF crams as many different
types of writers and forms of writing (eg zines, graffiti, comics, poetry,
journalism, short stories, hip hop, spoken word, theatre, online writing,
etc etc) as they can fit into a hectic long weekend. They are currently
sourcing for Asian writers to get involved. If interested, do check out
http://www.youngwritersfestival.org/ or contact the festival coordinators,
Paul Byron and Natasha Cho, on Tel: +61 02 4927 1475 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
DAREN SHIAU READING
TOUR FALL 2003
7 - 17 October 2003
National Arts Council’s Young Artist of the Year 2002 (Literature),
Daren Shiau will be performing material from his upcoming fourth book
at Columbia University’s Weatherhead East Asian Institute (7 Oct)
where he will be Visiting Writer in October 2003. He will also be reading
at MIT (14 Oct), Harvard University (15 Oct), UC Berkeley (17 Oct) and
other bookshop venues in New York, Boston and San Francisco. If you are
interested to attend, please email the writer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Supported by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Singapore
TASMANIAN WRITING
RESIDENCY
The Tasmanian Writers' Centre is offering international writers residencies
in Tasmania in 2004. Applications close on 19 January 2004. For more information,
go to http://www.tasmanianwriters.org and follow the links.
SECOND WORLD SUMMIT
ON THE ARTS AND CULTURE
23 - 26 November 2003
Arts and cultural policymakers
and artists from all over the world will converge in Singapore for a global
exchange of ideas and key issues impacting arts funding and development
policies. An international array of 20 speakers will examine the Summit
theme Creating Connections: Trends in Government Support for Artistic
Creativity from 23 to 26 November 2003. For more details, log onto: www.nac.gov.sg/fullnews.asp?psno=266
ONE DREAMS: LOCAL
STORYTELLING
The Peoples’ Association will be organising the One Dreams program
in November 2003. As part of the storytelling component of this programme,
a local yarn spinner will read local works with multi-racial, historical
aspects under a banyan tree in the Botanic Gardens. Writers with suitable
material to be read, may send relevant excerpts to Daren Shiau and Jacinta
Lim at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
and .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
BOOKS SPOTLIGHT
READASIA BOOK REVIEW
"Memories of a Pure Spring" is a mesmerizing portrait of modern
Vietnam and its people who struggle to survive under the complexities
of a post-war regime. During the Vietnam war, Hung, a well-known composer,
becomes enchanted by the voice and beauty of a young peasant girl named
Suong. He invites her to join his troupe; she becomes his wife and his
star performer. But after the war, Hung loses his job, setting off a series
of events that drive him and Suong into a destructive spiral. Duong takes
readers on a journey into the human psyche by looking at the frailty of
the human condition and asks readers to confront issues like depression,
attempted suicide, infidelity, and drug and alcohol abuse. The threads
of love that bind her characters together are the same threads that break
them.
One of Vietnam's most popular writers, Duong Thu Huong draws on her own experiences to describe life at the battlefront, the conditions of a re-education camp, and the texture and rhythm, scents and sounds, of a provincial Vietnamese city. Most of all, she tells a haunting, universal story of failed love.
JOURNEYS TO THE ENDS
OF THE EARTH
Khoo Swee Chiow
Singapore: Angsana Books, Flame of the Forest, 2003
Khoo Swee Chiow is the first
Southeast Asian and fourth in the world to complete the "Adventure
Grand Slam": the North and South Poles and the Seven Summits. His
is an unlikely story. Plagued by fear of heights during childhood, Siew
Chiow's love for adventure would see him eventually standing at the top
of the roof of the world, Mount Everest. His first key success, Africa's
Mount Kilimanjaro, fuelled his dreams and fired his imagination. Despite
many near-death experiences, the extreme cold, financial and physical
distress, severe loneliness, tears and failures, his iron will and sheer
determination kept him going until he achieved his goals. This is the
inspiring story of the real Khoo Swee Chiow, the story behind the headlines.
For more details about this book, log onto http://www.flameoftheforest.com/.
BASIC SCIENCE OF
FENG SHUI
Vincent
Koh
Singapore: Asiapac Books, 2003
Rigorously researched, Asiapac Books latest
publication “Basic Science of Feng Shui: A Handbook for Practitioners”
is no bedtime read for the average Feng Shui fan. It elucidates the theories
and applications of authentic Feng Shui. The Flying Star, Substitute Star
and Water Theories have also been presented in a concise manner that provides
practitioners with a true understanding of the complex formulae and practical
application involved. Previously perceived to be an inaccessible subject,
the burgeoning interest in authentic Feng Shui over the years has led
to an explosion of Feng Shui guides.
Visit http://www.asiapacbooks.com for more details.
SHIOK! EXCITING TROPICAL
ASIAN FLAVORS
Terry
Tan & Christopher Tan with photos by Edmond Ho
Singapore: Periplus Editions, 2003
The book is a mouth-watering collection of Singapore food, ranging from chicken rice, laksa and chilli crab, to delicious contemporary favourites like chicken tempera and healthy nasi ulam. “Shiok!” with over 100 colour photographs purports to be the reference to the lip-smacking food of Singapore. E-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more details.
