Singaporeans Abroad Writing Workshop
Saturday, 19 March, 11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Visitors’ Briefing Room, Level 1, National Library Board

For the avid traveller, why not turn your interesting travel experiences into exciting fictional stories? Writing about your travels is a great way to capture the experience and places you have been to and to share them with others. It entices readers to want to visit the places too!

Josephine Chia, author of seven published books in Singapore and the UK, will share her writing skills and how she creates stories out of her travel experiences. Her book Isn’t Singapore Somewhere in China, Luv? is a collection of fictional stories of Singaporeans and their experiences abroad. Based on this book, gain insights on some of the stories and how they were weaved together as well as the use of fictional characters in the places Josephine visited.

Bring along snapshots or collectibles from one of your most memorable holidays and we’ll show you how to transform them into a fictional story suitable for publication.

Please bring along writing materials! Due to limited spaces for this hands-on workshop, please register only if you can really make it here or access http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, ‘Singapore’.

About the Book
Isn’t Singapore somewhere in China, luv? is a collection of short stories
about Singaporeans who are abroad. The stories are not just about places
but also about the people who are travelling, in search of adventure and
emotional fulfilment. Characteristics of the majority of Singaporeans are
worked into the characters, their love of Singaporean food, their sense of
belonging in Singapore and their hardworking attributes.In the stories, these
characters are put into situations that are not their usual fare.

About the Author
Josephine Chia writes both fiction and non-fiction and has published seven
books. Her first literary break was when she was one of the winners of UK’s
Ian St. James Awards in 1992 for her short story, 'Tropical Fever', which
was subsequently published in an anthology by Harper Collins. Since then,
Josephine has won several other literary prizes and is a member of UK’s
Society of Authors and UK Society of Women Writers & Journalists. She
lives in West Sussex, England. 

Find out more at www.josephinechia.com.

Related to programme Choi!Touchwood! happening on 26 Feb 2011.

Resources accessed and provided by ASK! services of the public
libraries on 11 January 2011. For more, check our catalogue at
http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg or email ask@nlb.gov.sg

Choi! Touchwood!
Saturday, 26 February, 9.00 am – 11.30 am
Information Counter, Level 1, National Library Building

Have you ever wondered why there are bat motifs in a Chinese temple? Or why is it that cactus is rare in a Chinese home? Join us for a walk through Singapore’s Chinatown – a journey into the Chinese traditions, superstitions, myths and taboos.

Based on the book Choi! Touchwood, this tour takes you through landmarks like Thian Hock Keng Temple, Smith Street, Ang Siang Hill and Sago Lane.

Based on their years of research and conceptualisation of Choi! Touchwood, designers of the book will reveal and share fun facts in the world of Chinese superstition at the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown. Explore how the book covered the contrasts of a modern society and traditional beliefs and remind you about your childhood days when traditions, myths and taboos were a big part of your lives. Bear in mind though that this is not a heritage trail! So come armed with your own stories and beliefs to share with the group.

For this tour, we bring you on the first part of the journey covered in the book and leave you to explore the rest on your own!

Check out www.choitouchwood.com for more information. This programme is jointly presented by National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) and the National Library Singapore.

As places are limited, registration is required at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, “Singapore”. Or you can click here.

A Stroll Through Old Singapore
Saturday, 11 December, 9.00 am – 11.30 am
Meeting Point: Information Counter, Level 1, National Library Building

Join us for a relaxing stroll this December as we unwind and relive moments of old Singapore in a walking tour.

Based on the book A Stroll Through Old Singapore by Pugalenthii, the writer will bring you on a walking tour around the Padang. Chance upon interesting discoveries about places you thought you knew enough about as the writer reveals to you interesting facts about these places found in his book.

We will begin our journey from the middle of the Padang and make several stops, among some, Queen Elizabeth Walk, The Victoria Memorial Hall and the Lim Bo Seng Memorial. What stories do these places hold? What stories or memories do you have of them?

As places are limited, please register at here at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, ‘Singapore’. Open to 14 years and above.

As this is an outdoor walking tour, please be in comfortable attire and footwear. The tour ends at the last stop around the Padang and participants will disperse from this location.

10 to 14 Nov 2010 – Mark your diaries!
Cake Theatrical Productions turns 5 and this art experiment is all about celebrating a journey, stirring up new possibilities and capturing moments in the realm of the in-between.

Check out more plus the exciting line-up of events at http://www.caketheatre.com/

The art of living in the in-between is a collaborative art project featuring installation, film, performance, workshops and gigs that uncover the inspirations and fantasies that have catalysed 5 years of works by Cake. Over 5 days, a shophouse is transformed into a hotbed of images, words, sound, strange movement, magnetic encounters and unexpected happenings sometimes way into the night! Wander through the rooms, each flowing and ebbing with exquisite strangeness or come especially for the performance that’ll put the ultra in “ultra Cake mix” or get revitalised in a workshop or hang loose and fancy free at a gig or just come for it all and get a super Cake fix.

“Low Crime doesn’t mean No Crime!” Sounds familiar?

This slogan might be one of the reasons why many people do not associate ‘crime fiction’ with the Asian novel. Indeed, very few Asian writers have successfully dipped their toes into the bloody bath of crime fiction writing.

A Life of Crime with Shamini Flint
Friday, 24 September, 7.00 – 8.30 pm
Visitors’ Briefing Room, Level 1, National Library Building

Have you ever come across the Inspector Singh Investigates series by Shamini Flint? Join her and Inspector Singh (“It’s impossible not to warm to the portly, sweating, dishevelled, wheezing Inspector Singh” – The Guardian) as she takes us on a journey through the back streets of Asia. Shamini’s latest book on crime fiction Inspector Singh Investigates: The Singapore School of Villainy set in Singapore will also be discussed in this session. Who knows, you might also pick up tips how to get started on your own crime story in Singapore!

As places are limited, please register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg ‘Singapore’

Shamini Flint, an ex-lawyer, stay-at-home mum, environmental activist and writer, will also explain why she believes crime fiction is a great prism through which we can explore the tensions within modern Asian society.

About the Facilitator
Dr David Fedo is the Executive Director and Visiting Scholar at the Singapore branch of the Wheelock College (Boston, Massachusetts, USA) Center for International Education, Leadership, and Innovation. He has published a poetry collection, Carrots and other Poems and was on a panel at the recent Singapore Writers Festival that explored the works of contemporary Italian, Singaporean and American poets. His doctorate in English and American literature is from Boston University.

About the Author
Shamini Flint began her career in law in Malaysia and also worked at an international law firm in Singapore. She traveled extensively around Asia for her work, before resigning to be a stay-at-home mum, writer, part-time lecturer and environmental activist, all in an effort to make up for her ‘evil’ past as a corporate lawyer!

Her Inspector Singh novels are published by Little, Brown and have been translated into numerous languages. Shamini also writes children’s books with cultural and environmental themes including The Seeds of Time, an environmental fantasy and Ten, a tale of growing up and football (which was nominated for a Red Dot Award by the International Schools Library Network). Find out more about Shamini and her works at http://www.shaminiflint.com

Upcoming!  Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) organised by National Book Council of Singapore (NBDCS) and the Arts House.

For more information, visit www.afcc.com.sg or email jade@bookcouncil.sg

6 – 9 May 2010, Singapore

The inaugural Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC), is the first of its kind ever in the region. Join experts from around the world as they debate, discuss and chart new ways on how we can look at ourselves, our heritage and draw out treasures which we never knew before, as they share and imagine a new world for children and youth.

Organised by The Arts House and National Book Development Council of Singapore, the Festival will feature conferences, forums, workshops on writing and multi-media industry for children’s content.

The following events will be held as part of AFCC:

1. ASIAN CHILDREN’S WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS CONFERENCE, 6-8 May 2010

Target Audience: Writers, illustrators, pre-school and primary school teachers, publishers, librarians, literary agents, distributors and retailers, translators, technology solution providers to the industry and other media professionals

2. ASIAN CHILDREN’S PUBLISHERS SYMPOSIUM, 8 May 2010

Target Audience: Publishers, book and media distributors and retailers

3. ASIAN PRIMARY & PRESCHOOL TEACHERS CONGRESS, 8 May 2010

Target Audience: Primary, preschool and kindergarten teachers and parents.

4. ASIAN PARENTS FORUM, 9 May 2010

Target Audience: Primary, preschool and kindergarten teachers and parents

For more information, visit www.afcc.com.sg or email jade@bookcouncil.sg

Discounts
10% discount for members of Singapore Book Publishers Association, 
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and International 
School Libraries Network. Not applicable for Workshops and One-on-Ones.

All information is correct at time of update. Please refer to afcc.com.sg for more information.

>>> Spell#7.net

Stories and memories played out at different locations. At life’s end what does one remember?

Ghostwalking, is a series of audio-video walks by spell#7 funded by NAC’s Creation Arts Fund (ACF).

The artwork takes the form of a download, which people will listen to/ watch while exploring neighbourhoods off the North East Line (NEL).

An intermix of past and future, from love and innocence in the 60s to futuristic Punggol in 2021, the effect of the walks is cumulative. It is about all the little and big things that add up to a life. Does it mean anything? Does your life mean a thing?

Ghostwalking is a collaboration with Ben Slater (text), Evan Tan (sound) and Sherman Ong (video).

Watch out for more at http://www.spell7.net/

Live. Laugh. Love.

Experience Singapore Literature Volume 2.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much. Those are the words from John Mcleod’s inspirational poem. With this in mind, we invite you to explore the meaning of those words in ESL Vol 2 through the multi-ethnic literatures of Singapore. We hope that through this platform, you will be able to better explore at great depths life, laughter and love in our various showcase of literature.

Our programmes are bilingual in their ethnic languages and English or are purely in English to ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy the sessions regardless of whichever ethnic language(s) you speak!

Happening from April 2010.

Editor: When I was conceptualizing ESL volume 2 (don’t make me spell out what is ESL), I thought really hard. Too hard. Many drafts were pushed back and forth. I had to hibernate, run, hide.. Hibernate to try to think, run and hide from my boss while I was thinking.

And because Vol 1 was on local literature in English, we wanted to showcase local literature of the different languages, of the different communities. But we wanted it to be accessible to everyone as well. What was the point if a programme, eg.  on Tamil literature appeals only to the Indian community? Wouldn’t those who are not Indians want to learn something too? We wanted cross-learning, we wanted something multi-disciplinary, we wanted something experiential. Ambitious? Maybe. Maybe not.

In any case, here we present you ‘Live, Laugh & Love’. The three elements would be represented in our six core episodes from April to September 2010. We start off April with ‘Live’ as we bring you insights into the Tamil community and of the female community as a whole. And in everything we do for the first time, feel free to feedback to us (to me at Athena_AZIZ@nlb.gov.sg) what works, what doesn’t. But do give us some time to absorb it all in. I can’t promise you will see wonders the next time round but I surely, truly would value the feedback and ideas!