Shortlist for the Singapore Literature Prize 2008

The National Book Development Council of Singapore is pleased to announce the shortlisted works for the Singapore Literature Prize (SLP) 2008.

The shortlisted titles, listed in no order of merit:

English category
1. Last Boy – Ng Yi-Sheng
2. The Lies that Build a Marriage – Suchen Christine Lim
3. Lions in Winter: Stories – Wena Poon
4. Rainbows in Braille – Elmo Jayawardena
5. Five Right Angles – Aaron Lee Soon Yong

Chinese category
1. 希尼尔小说选 / 希尼尔
2. 我興我自己的二三事 / 英培安
3. 谢裕民小说选 / 谢裕民
4. 张曦娜小说选 / 张曦娜
5. 天微明时我是诗人 / 潘正镭
6. 左手的快乐 / 梁文福

Malay category
1. Bila Rama-Rama Patah Sayapnya – Mohamed Latiff Mohamed
2. Anugerah bulan buat bonda – Muhammad Salihin Sulaiman
3. Langau Menyerang Masjid dan Cerita-cerita Lainnya – Suratman Markasan
4. Cetusan Kalbu Seorang Penyair – Peter Augustine Goh
5. Perahu Melayu Di Lautan Khulzum – Johar Buang
6. Sekeras Waja Selembut Sutera – Manaf Hamzah

Tamil books
1. Pin Seat – Sankar Jayanthi
2. Aayul Thandanai – J M Sali
3. Naan Kolai Seyum Penkal – K Kanagalatha
4. Ouyir Ourugum Sabtham – Palanisamy Subramanian

This prestigious writing award carries a cash prize of SGD 10,000 for the winner and is given to one outstanding published work in each of the four languages – Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. This biennial competition is open to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents and is awarded for published works of fiction (novels and short stories) and poetry published between January 2006 and December 2007.

A total of 70 titles were submitted for the four languages: 18 English titles, 18 Chinese titles, 13 Malay titles and 21 Tamil titles.

The winners will be announced in an award ceremony in late November or early December 2008. Winners of the SLP will be awarded a cash prize of SGD 10,000. In the event that there is no winner, a Merit Prize of SGD 5,000 or Commendation Prize of SGD 1,000 will be given.

Learn more about Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (17-22 March 2009) at Frankfurt Book Fair 2008

Date: 15 – 19 October 2008
Venue: Frankfurt Book Fair – Hall 5.0, Stand A901

Tap into the business prospects in the Arab World – What KITAB and the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair can offer you and your business!!

Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates, boasts of being one of the world’s most groundbreaking modern cities and at the same time, it also is rapidly becoming the hub of the Arab book trade for the publishers and distributors in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Nothing here stands still, and the future developments promise an even more exciting skylineŠ

With this as a backdrop, KITAB the new joint venture company between Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and the Frankfurt Book Fair is organizing the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), and transforming it into a truly professional and international platform.

As Abu Dhabi offers the best access to industry professionals and key market players in the MENA region it is obvious that the ADIBF is rapidly becoming the forum for publishers to meet and share best practices and international standards. With 482 exhibitors from 42 countries, a 16% growth in exhibitors, new venues for events and a large range of services to exhibitors, visitors and the press, ADIBF continues on its path of growth. The newly formed company KITAB will help this process further with many other projects:

Reading Promotion
With different exciting new events throughout the year the public in the UAE as well as in other parts of the Arab World will be encouraged to read more.

Book Distribution
One reason why there are so few bookstores in all of the Arab World is that there is no proper distribution system in the Arab World. A database for Arab Books, an Arab Books in Print catalogue, is a major goal for KITAB and its partners. KITAB and its shareholders and partners are keen to develop this system.

Fighting Piracy
KITAB has set out to work on one of the major problems in the Arab World. A great number of publishers have not been allowed to participate in ADIBF 2008 for exactly this reason. With the International Copyright Congress in 2010 ADACH and KITAB hook up with the IPA to raise awareness on this issue.

Antiquarian Fair
Showcased by internationally renowned antiquarians, a collection of exquisite and valuable books in multiple languages being sold the 2009 ADIBF will see the introduction of the first Antiquarian Fair in the Arab World.

Setting up office in Abu Dhabi
As the publishing centre in the Arab World, it will make sense for foreign publishers to set up office here. Lets us provide you with more details on how this is possible!

For more information about the events planned by KITAB and the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair at Frankfurt Book Fair, visit: Frankfurt Book Fair or Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

Publishing Forum, Bali, 16-17 October 2008

The Indonesian Publishers Association, the Lontar Foundation, and the Association of Indonesian Translators, in cooperation with the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival present: The International Publishing Forum.

When: 16-17 October 2008
Where: The Neka Museum of Indonesian Art Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival has, in the five years since its establishment, become Indonesia’s premier meeting point for authors, translators, and publishers. The Festival serves as a hothouse for ideas about publishing and a springboard for the introduction of foreign writers to the Indonesian audience and for Indonesian writers to the international world.

In conjunction with the upcoming 2008 Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, the Indonesian Publishers Association (IKAPI), in association with the Lontar Foundation and the Association of Indonesian Translators (HPI), will host the “IKAPI International Publishing Forum.” This event will bring together publishers, editors, writers, translators, printers—key players in the publishing world from both Indonesia and abroad—to share their knowledge and, with the participants, seek solutions for some of the challenges that beset this creative industry.

The Forum will address questions that bedevil writers, editors, and translators and challenges confronting publishers and printers. The first of its kind to be held in Indonesia, this forum will serve as the basis for the establishment of a wider network of cooperative relationships in the book-publishing industry.

List of Events:

1. Panel Discussion: “Selling Yourself and Your Ideas”
(16 October 2008, 0930-1230; The Neka Museum, Jl. Raya Sanggingan, Ubud)

Authors, editors, and translators often face the problem of how to “sell” both their ideas and finished works to publishers. This meeting will focus on the challenges these people face and ways of overcoming them.

0900-0930 Registration and Coffee
0930-0935 Introduction of speakers by forum moderator, Hendarto Setiadi
0935-0945 Opening Remarks by Mari Pangestu on “Publishing as a Creative Industry and its Contribution to National Development”
0945-1005 John McGlynn: “The Presentation of Ideas: How to Find Yourself a Publisher”
1005-1015 Open Discussion / Q&A
1015-1040 Martin Amanshauser: “Translators and Translations: Bridging Cultures”
1040-1050 Open Discussion / Q&A
1050-1105 Coffee Break
1105-1130 Shelly Keningsberg: “The Literary Agent: Friend or Foe”
1130-1140 Open Discussion / Q&A
1140-1205 Elizabeth Pisani: “Selling Stories”
1205-1215 Open Discussion / Q&A
1215-1225 Agung Adiprasetya / August Parengkuan: Concluding Remarks:
1225-1230 Announcements of the next day’s events.

2. Panel Discussion: ”Two Way Traffic in Publishing”
(17 October 2008, 0930-1230; The Neka Museum, Jl. Raya Sanggingan, Ubud)

With growth of the internet and other global trends, it is possible to obtain increasingly more information about the world outside ones own nation. Unfortunately, in the book publishing industry, international communications appear to be a one-way street with more and more books from North America and Europe flooding the Asian market. This panel will focus on prospects for increasing two-way traffic in the publishing world.

Speakers on this panel will talk about the impact of new technologies on the publishing industry and discuss the challenges and opportunities they present. They will look at new business models for the publishing industry including print on demand publishing systems. They will talk about problems of book distribution in Indonesia and abroad, developments in government policies regarding the book industry, particularly ones that might support co-publishing programs between the countries of the Asian and Australian region.

0900-0930 Registration and Coffee
0930-0935 Introduction of speakers by forum moderator, Putut Widjanarko
0935-0945 Opening Remarks by Fasli Jalal: “Government Support for the Publishing Industry”
0945-1015 Triena Ong: “Prospects of Co-publishing in the Book World”
1015-1030 Open Discussion / Q&A
1030-1100 Mark Hanuz: “Getting the Word Out: New Technologies in the Publishing Industry”
1100-1115 Open Discussion / Q&A
1115-1130 Coffee Break
1130-1200 Anthonius Riyanto: “Solving Problems in Book Distribution”
1200-1215 Open Discussion / Q&A
1215-1225 Dominador D. Buhain: Concluding Remarks
1225-1230 Thank You: Setia Dharma Madjid

3. Special Event
(17 October 2008, 1600-1800; Komaneka Resort, Jalan Bhisma, Ubud, Bali)

Particpants in the International Publishing Forum are invited to attend a cocktail party to mark the launching of the biography of Molly Bondan (1912-1990), an Australian woman who came to Indonesia during the Revolution and later established herself as an unofficial cultural liaison officer for Indonesia and the West. As Garet Evans noted, “For more than forth-five years Molly Bondan was a living symbol of the sympathetic links between Australia, the land of the upbringing, and Indonesia, her adopted country. Australian can feel justly proud of ther contribution to the struggle for Indonesians to gain their independence, and to the development of the Republic of Indonesia.”
Official hosts of this event are the Australian Embassy and the Obor Foundation (in cooperation with IKAPI, the Lontar Foundation, and HPI).

Registration and Accommodation

Persons interested in attending the international publishers forum must obtain a ticket from the UWRF organizing committee. To do this go to the UWRF website (www.ubudwritersfestival.com) and click on “Tickets.” Please note that the number of tickets is limited and will be given on a first-come-first-served basis.

The organizing committee of the International Publishing Forum provides accommodations only for speakers at the forum. Participants who need to find accommodations in Ubud may make their own room reservations through the UWRF website. Simply go to (www.ubudwritersfestival.com) and click on “Accomomodations” to find a choice of nearby hotels.

Fair report – Manila International Book Fair 2008

All SBPA members are urged to read a copy of the official SBPA fair report from Manila International Book Fair 2008. Please click “Fair reports” under the “Pages” menu in the right-hand column of this page.

Creating Graphic Novel Workshop with Neal Skorpen, cartoonist & animator from the US

Latin America – A Guide to Culture, Practices and Opportunities

International Enterprise (IE) is pleased to organise “Latin America – A Guide to Cultures, Practices and Opportunities”, a half-day market research workshop designed to help you identify and understand market opportunities and business practices in Latin America.

Objectives
Discuss key techniques and concepts for understanding market conditions, assessing competitive opportunities and negotiating successful deals for Asian businesses, especially Singapore SMEs.
Feature current economic, geographic and demographic data of the market with illustrative case examples and scores of practical tips.
Demystify any stereotypes to conducting businesses in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean and South America.

Seminar Details
Date : 25 September 2008, Thursday Time : 0900 hrs – 1300 hrs Venue

IE Singapore, New York Room
230 Victoria Street, #08-00
Bugis Junction Office Tower
Singapore 188024 Fee

S$180 (normal registration)
S$144 (early bird registration closes on 22 September 2008)
Dress Code : Business Attire

Register HERE

2009 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

From: National Arts Council, 10.9.08

Just to inform you that the 2009 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize is now open for entry. Publishers are invited to submit books on behalf of their authors for the 2009 Prize until 15 November 2008. The shortlists will be announced in February 2009 and the eight regional in March 2009. A final programme will be held in May where all eight finalists will be invited to participate and where the two overall winners will be announced.

Full eligibility, entry requirements as well as application form can be found at: http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/culturediversity/writersprize/cwp/2009%20prize/

Do take a look at the requirements and guidelines and make a submision if you have any strong titles that are eligible.

National Library Board establishes a family of identities

National Library Board establishes a family of identities to reinforce the difference in functions between the National Library and the network of Public Libraries

The National Library Board (NLB) has recently established a family of identities to raise the public’s awareness of the two main groups of libraries that the Board oversees. With better public awareness and greater appreciation of the different functions of these, NLB looks forward to fulfilling its mission with greater effectiveness.

Effective 1st September 2008, our Board will use the family of identities (below) to educate the public on the different functions and roles of the National Library and Public Libraries.

National Library Board – Corporate Identity

National Library Singapore’s Identity

Public Libraries Singapore’s Identity

The National Library of Singapore (NLS), situated at 100 Victoria Street, is a national knowledge institution empowering individuals and businesses with knowledge and information as it continuously expands its vast array of reference collections and services. The NLS is responsible for preserving and making accessible the nation’s literary and publishing heritage, and intellectual memory.

The Public Libraries Singapore (PLS) provides a professional and engaging public library service to Singaporeans in their pursuit of lifelong learning and discovery through the network of 22 Public Libraries (including three regional libraries) located conveniently across Singapore.

Should you require further information, kindly contact Ms Amy Gay, Dy Director (Corporate Communications) at Tel: 6332-3328 or Amy_GAY@nlb.gov.sg for clarification or assistance.

MOE looking for books on English grammar

Dear publishers/distributors,

The English Unit at MOE is looking into recommending books on English grammar for students in primary and secondary schools.

We would thus like to invite publishers to submit appropriate titles on English grammar for review. Your submissions may include reference books — but not assessment books.

Please send review copies to the following address by 17 September 2008:
Ministry of Education
1 North Buona Vista Drive, Level 12
Singapore 138675
(ATTN: Malcolm Tay)