world events
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Day 3, Part 1 – Frankfurt Buchmesse
Frankfurt, October 9th, 2013.
Day 3 was the day for me to attend Frankfurt Buchmesse. I had to carry a big rolling luggage (approximately having a weight of 30kg) full of books along with my backpack. I could not imagine myself pulling the bag for 0.8 kilometre to the train station, pull it up the steps, pull it on the train, pull it out of the train, pull it up the escalator and pull it for a walk for about 0.7 kilometre to the book fair hall… so, I took a cab. My husband helped me pull it to the taxi stand. Cost me €30 from Offenbach to Messehalle. And the real pulling job was done right from the book fair ground entrance to Malaysia Pavilion at Hall 5 for about half a kilometre. Boy, it was really heavy! I could really felt it on my wrists! I use both hands alternately.
Anyway, soon as I reached Malaysia Pavilion at Hall 5, I arranged my books. I was the only one who had an empty shelf. Others had done arranging a day before.
I didn’t know what to do because it was my first experience taking a booth, so as it was the first day, I just watched how Linda my agent made conversation while introducing books. Most of the publishers who came had made appointments with her before the fair started so they practically narrowed down books they wanted, came to see the books and made verbal agreement. It was smooth! But I know my agent had worked hard on her side also. She sent lists of books and synopsis to publishers and invited them to come over to our booths to have a look at the books.
A publisher from Taiwan interested in my Lil’ Guardians.
Linda showing my ABC Coloring Book to a publisher.Yep, the first day went smoothly and so did the rest of the days I attended the bookfair. I met publishers from around the world, talked to them and gave some goodies I made and brought from home. I even stood on the aisle (With Mariah Tio, Linda’s assistant during the fair) giving away some of my postcards and bookmarks just to promote my works. To view more photos, do visit my Frankfurt Bookfair 2013 album on Facebook.
Wondering what were the boys doing? Stay tuned for Day 3, Part 2.
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Princesses and MMK are among Top 50 Best Malaysian Titles 2013
Alhamdulillah. My two new books; My Mother’s Kitchen and Princesses of Malaysia are listed on MBKM’s Top 50 Best Malaysian Titles 2013 that will be featured at Frankfurt Bookfair.
Both books will be out in bookstores by November 2013.
Below are among children books and comics that made the list.
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Malaysian publishers exhibiting at Frankfurt Bookfair 2013
Year 2013 will see that 1o book publishers (plus 1 illustrator) from Malaysia will be participating at Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF), Germany.
The Frankfurt Book Fair is considered to be the most important book fair in the world for international deals and trading. It is also the world’s largest trade fair for books, based on the number of publishing companies represented, as well as the number of visitors.
Realising the potential of FBF in helping Malaysian publishers expand further, MBKM has made this event as an annual tradition. This year, MBKM will be having various programs to bridge local and international publishers which will include Business Breakfast, Bridging Malaysia and Germany, Bridging Malaysia and USA, Bridging Malaysia and Canada and Digital Forum: Digital Publishing – It’s all about Content.
Malaysia Pavilion last year.Publishers that will be exhibiting at FBF this year are:
- Institut Terjemahan dan Buku Malaysia (ITBM)
- Majlis Penerbitan Ilmiah Malaysia (MAPIM)
- Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka (DBP)
- Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency
- Kumpulan Media Karangkraf
- Kualiti Books Sdn. BHd.
- Saba Islamic Media Sdn. Bhd.
- PTS Media Group Sdn. Bhd.
- Odonata Publishing Sdn. Bhd.
- Impiana Publishing
- emilayusof.com (me! The only illustrator that will be taking a stand at Malaysia Pavilion)
There’s no limitation to only book publisher, so I thought I try to promote my illustrations on international level as well as be the first illustrator to co-exhibit with MBKM. I hope other illustrators will follow suit.
About MBKM: MBKM was established by the Ministry of Education in 1968 based on UNESCO’s recommendatory that proposed all developing nations have a special body responsible for the inculcation of interest in reading and be the driving force behind the development of the book industry. Initially called the National Book Development Council, MBKM’s role was to be both a professional body and book advisory at the national level.
Members of the Council consist of representatives from several ministries and government agencies, industrial organisations and non-governmental organisations that are involved with the industry and book development, as well as three individuals with skills to contribute towards the roles and functions of MBKM. The National Book Policy (NBP) is a policy created by MBKM as a guide to expand its activities within the fields of books and reading in this country.
MBKM Secretariat now operates as one of the departments under the Education Policy and Development Sector, Ministry of Education, Malaysia – headed by a Director. This department manages MBKM’s administration and regulates all cooperative programmes among government sectors, non-government organisations and private sectors in this country in relation to the development of the book industry and the inculcation of a reading culture.
Additionally, MBKM also promotes Malaysian books with local publishers and industry players at an international level through Malaysia’s participation in overseas book fairs.
(*Credit info about MBKM: MBKM website)
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AFCC 2013 Singapore
It has been a week since I last updated this blog as I was in Singapore to attend Asian Festival of Children’s Content 2013 (AFCC 2013) from 25th May until 29th May 2013. I wanted to blog from the hotel but the connection was too slow.
My spot at AFCC held at National Library Building, Singapore.I supplied illustrations for AFCC to use on their website and prints, and in return, I got 5-day tickets to enter the festival and my own table! As Kota Buku is representing Malaysia, I went with them as Guest Illustrator and they provided me with accommodation. Wasn’t that great? I only have to bring pocket money to buy books and food. But most of the time, I ate free at the festival. Haha…now I can relate to the quote “best things in life are free.”
3-Es at AFCC; Evi, Emila and Evelyn. Photo courtesy of Evi Shelvia.Apart from that, Kota Buku commissioned me to paint a big painting for Guest of Honour during Malaysian Night in Singapore. I am truly touched that Kota Buku has arranged for me to present the painting myself (and also my picture books) to HRH Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah during the event.
From left: Ms. Lim Li Kok (NBDCS Chairperson), Ms. Claire Chang (AFCC Chairman), HRH Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah (Sultanah of Johor), me and Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Asiah binti Abu Samah Kota Buku Chairman).This is my first year attending AFCC. AFCC has been around since 2010 and it intend to be the hub of children’s book festival in Asia; in other words; the Bologna of Asia.
Overall, AFCC was a great experience. I got to meet illustrators, book publishers and many more. To see more photos, do visit my FB page: AFCC Singapore.
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Big painting done!
In my whole life; I had done only 3 big paintings; Penang Shophouse (Still on sale), Girl in the Garden (donated to SDH) and this new Girl and Cat in Flower Garden!
This painting is commissioned by Kota Buku as a gift to a VVIP who will pay a visit to Malaysia’s Pavilion at AFCC this coming 25th-30th May 2013. Who is the VVIP? Will post a photo from Singapore soon!
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People I met at ADIBF 2013
ADIDF 2013 and the experience I gained was totally priceless. And the people I met and have a chat with was truly inspiring in so many ways. I managed to capture photos with/of some of them while sketching some. I hope you can click the link on their names that I provided to learn more about them.
With Kenizé Mourad. She is not only a princess, a writer, a novelist, and a researcher but also a war journalist. She visited Malaysia back in the 70s.
With Miss Chatz. Local illustrator. She is very chatty and bubbly. I love her cartoons; very her.
With Liz Ramos Prado; a Peruvian illustrator living in Dubai. Her surreal illustrations are gorgeous.
With Nirouz El-Tanbouli; a childhood specialist. She’s an Egyptian living in Abu Dhabi.
This is David Macedo. He is also from Peru and now living in Dubai working as Graphic and Web Designer.
Miguel Gallardo (award-wining Illustrator, Barcelona), Guy Delisle (award-winning Cartoonist/Animator/Illustrator, France), Frida Bunzli (Cartoonist, Switzerland) and German Fernandez (Illustrator, Dubai).
With Jo Belle. Jo Belle, a Filipino, is living in Dubai with her family. She works with Cartoon Art Gallery. -
Alice featured in ADIBF Showdaily
