Extracted from The Star newspaper Friday 23 November 2007:- (CLICK ON TITLE TO GO TO LINK TO THE STAR'S ARTICLE)
Celebrating young, local writers
Compiled by DAPHNE LEE
Trumation Nation: Use Them at Your Own Risk
Author: Ti Chin HanPublisher: Utusan Publications & Distributors Sdn Bhd, 363 pages
TRUMATION Nation, which won the first prize in the English category of Utusan Publications’ young adult literature competition (2005), is about Bakar, a tired but willing participant of the social rat race, who decides to treat himself to a Tru-Fridge, a smart machine designed by Trumation Ltd.
His neighbour, Mr Wang, is so jealous of Bakar’s new toy that he splurges on the entire Tru range of household appliances. A warning from the future alerts Bakar to the danger of these super-smart automated “helpers”. Will he succeed in stopping these machines from taking over the world, or can’t the future be changed?
The CurseAuthor: Lee Su Ann
Publisher: Utusan Publications & Distributors Sdn Bhd, 232 pages
AZREEN is called home from university in London to attend the funeral of her sister, Madhuri. Even before she received the sad news, Azreen had sensed that Madhuri was in danger and on her return to her village on one of Langkawi’s small islands, she is confronted with the fact that the death might not have been an accident after all.
Azreen overhears a conversation amongst some village women which implies that her sister might have been murdered and that the whole island may be cursed! This book won the second prize in the English category of Utusan Publications’ young adult literature competition (2005).
Nine LivesAuthor: Teoh Choon Ean
Publisher: Utusan Publications & Distributors Sdn Bhd, 202 pages
FIFTEEN-year-old Bee Lian is an orphan who was raised by her poor grandparents. The cat from next-door is her friend and confidant, the one whom Bee Lian talks to about everything under the sun, including the usual insecurities, doubts and worries experienced by teenagers.
But Bee Lian’s outpourings to the little animal are also heard by her seemingly distant grandfather, who offers her invaluable advice, support and friendship when she needs it most. Nine Lives won the third prize in the English category of Utusan Publications’ young adult literature competition (2005).
Friday, November 23, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Miracle Of Getting Published
I am always fazed by the huge volumes of books when I walk into a bookshop. The talent out there is tremendous. Will people ever notice my book? And if international bestsellers (English) only sell 10,000 copies in Malaysia, can I earn a living as a writer?
Of course, I never dreamed of getting this far. In Standard Four, I submitted a funny poem (about a caterpillar’s struggles before it turned into a beautiful butterfly) for the school magazine. My English teacher didn’t believe that I had written it and it was not published.
I loved reading but never thought of writing as a career. But one day, I thought how wonderful it would be if I could write stories that were as entertaining as the books I had read. However, I didn’t have the time to write as I often left office late at night. I scribbled short paragraphs or mere sentences but never got beyond that.
Then, in 2003, I heard Gary or Nigel of RTM’s Radio 4 announcing the Commonwealth Short Story Competition. I submitted my entry. After several months of checking the mailbox, I thought it didn’t make the cut. One day, I received a UK postmarked envelope bearing the good news. My entry “I, Fridge Horror” was Highly Commended. It was a great feeling being interviewed on RTM’s Radio4 and a UK-Cyprus Island radio station.
It gave me the confidence to expand “I, Fridge Horror” into a full-length novel. I had writers’ block in the first month. Then, an idea for another book came along and I hammered out 300 pages in the next two months or so. But I felt it wasn’t good enough. I tried to return to “I, Fridge Horror” but it didn’t progress satisfactorily.
Then, Silverfish sent an email regarding Utusan Group’s literary competition. It seemed only natural to try to complete “I, Fridge Horror”. Waking up at 5 a.m. or other odd hours in the morning to write, I submitted my entry one day before the deadline. The months passed by and I forced myself to forget about it, trying again not to check the mailbox everyday. Perhaps the first win was a fluke.
Then, I got a phone call from Utusan saying that I had won the Group Literary Prize. I was so excited that I forgot to ask which prize! I couldn’t believe it still, so I fidgeted for several weeks waiting for the confirmation letter.
A publishing contract came with the prize. It took more than a year after the prize-giving ceremony for my book, “Trumation Nation” (formerly titled “I, Fridge Horror”) to see print. From an aspiring writer going for talks on how to get published, I had suddenly become a published writer.
I shared my experience on 20-10-2007 at The MySciFiFan Outpost, Cineleisure Damansara, Petaling Jaya (http://www.outpost.com.my/), so that aspiring authors will have a better idea of the challenges they may face.
“Trumation Nation” is a humorous thriller that takes a serious look at how true automation (trumation) may play a role in the wellbeing of the world in the not-too-distant-future. Who are the Trumations, how did they obtain such hi-tech machines, and what are their true intentions? (it isn’t about machines taking over the world)
It can be found in MPH bookstores nationwide in the Malaysian Writers’ / Interests sections although several branches accidentally placed them in the Malay section. If you can’t find it, please enquire at the counter and they will help to search for it. Online - http://www.mph.com.my/search/nsearch.cfm?do=detail&pcode=9676120227
Do pick up Trumation Nation when you are at the bookstore. And if you like it, buy it! I only earn enough for a thosai bawang (onion thosai) at the mamak stall for each book sold, so I need all the support I can get! Please email or speak to your friends about it. Your recommendations are the best advertisement.
I hope you Tru-ly enjoy the book.
Of course, I never dreamed of getting this far. In Standard Four, I submitted a funny poem (about a caterpillar’s struggles before it turned into a beautiful butterfly) for the school magazine. My English teacher didn’t believe that I had written it and it was not published.
I loved reading but never thought of writing as a career. But one day, I thought how wonderful it would be if I could write stories that were as entertaining as the books I had read. However, I didn’t have the time to write as I often left office late at night. I scribbled short paragraphs or mere sentences but never got beyond that.
Then, in 2003, I heard Gary or Nigel of RTM’s Radio 4 announcing the Commonwealth Short Story Competition. I submitted my entry. After several months of checking the mailbox, I thought it didn’t make the cut. One day, I received a UK postmarked envelope bearing the good news. My entry “I, Fridge Horror” was Highly Commended. It was a great feeling being interviewed on RTM’s Radio4 and a UK-Cyprus Island radio station.
It gave me the confidence to expand “I, Fridge Horror” into a full-length novel. I had writers’ block in the first month. Then, an idea for another book came along and I hammered out 300 pages in the next two months or so. But I felt it wasn’t good enough. I tried to return to “I, Fridge Horror” but it didn’t progress satisfactorily.
Then, Silverfish sent an email regarding Utusan Group’s literary competition. It seemed only natural to try to complete “I, Fridge Horror”. Waking up at 5 a.m. or other odd hours in the morning to write, I submitted my entry one day before the deadline. The months passed by and I forced myself to forget about it, trying again not to check the mailbox everyday. Perhaps the first win was a fluke.
Then, I got a phone call from Utusan saying that I had won the Group Literary Prize. I was so excited that I forgot to ask which prize! I couldn’t believe it still, so I fidgeted for several weeks waiting for the confirmation letter.
A publishing contract came with the prize. It took more than a year after the prize-giving ceremony for my book, “Trumation Nation” (formerly titled “I, Fridge Horror”) to see print. From an aspiring writer going for talks on how to get published, I had suddenly become a published writer.
I shared my experience on 20-10-2007 at The MySciFiFan Outpost, Cineleisure Damansara, Petaling Jaya (http://www.outpost.com.my/), so that aspiring authors will have a better idea of the challenges they may face.
“Trumation Nation” is a humorous thriller that takes a serious look at how true automation (trumation) may play a role in the wellbeing of the world in the not-too-distant-future. Who are the Trumations, how did they obtain such hi-tech machines, and what are their true intentions? (it isn’t about machines taking over the world)
It can be found in MPH bookstores nationwide in the Malaysian Writers’ / Interests sections although several branches accidentally placed them in the Malay section. If you can’t find it, please enquire at the counter and they will help to search for it. Online - http://www.mph.com.my/search/nsearch.cfm?do=detail&pcode=9676120227
Do pick up Trumation Nation when you are at the bookstore. And if you like it, buy it! I only earn enough for a thosai bawang (onion thosai) at the mamak stall for each book sold, so I need all the support I can get! Please email or speak to your friends about it. Your recommendations are the best advertisement.
I hope you Tru-ly enjoy the book.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)