A Bit of Publicity

I had a bit of publicity this past week.

There was an article in the NST about my new encyclopedia. Hopefully, with the publicity, the bookshops should stock more of the book now. I was a bit disappointed that some shops only had 1 or 2 copies hidden away in the children’s section. I think only MPH One Utama and MPH Mid valley have a good number of copies. Also Kinokuniya have brought in more copies. So if you can’t find them in the shops do ask the sales assistant.

There was another article in the Star, with the focus on my short stories and novels. I was too candid there and gave away some of the plot of my new novel. I aim to finish it by the end of the year … if I’m not too busy blogging or distracting myself that is!

So you see, I haven’t just been relaxing and eating and meeting up with friends on my fleeting KL visit. I even appeared on RTM’s Breakfast on Two, NTV7 and Astro Awani. I was on radio too with BFM.

I’d like to thank the good folks at National Cancer Society of Malaysia for organising it all. They kept me very busy!

I was going to write about my trip to Paris, but I’ll do that another day.

Nothing Like Being Home + Radio Interview

I’m finally home after 5 weeks away!

It’s felt like a long time. I suppose it’s because I visited so many places: KL, Penang, London, Bromley, Paris, Eastbourne and PJ. I’ve also met so many people, too many to list here in fact (but I’m waving hello to you folks). And I’ve done so many things.

In Queensway, I had a lovely dinner with Kak Teh and her husband (who wrote growing up in Trengganu under the pseudonym Awang Goneng). Kak Teh also interviewed me for radio and you can find the full interview on her blog.

My book talks went very well and I’m so glad to have met some of you. I had some posters of the encyclopedia printed and these proved extremely popular in the quizzes.

The last 3 days in KL were particularly hectic: 3 TV interviews and 1 radio interview, 3 press interviews and 1 magazine interview. The interviews were organised by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (who’ll be receiving RM5 of every encyclopedia sold). On top of that, I got to catch up with old and new friends. So it’s been busy.

I’ve got lots to tell you guys about.

But I’m so glad to be home … there’s nothing quite like it.

See You At Borders and MPH

I’m doing a couple of Book Talks this weekend in KL.

I’ll be at MPH Mid Valley followed by Borders Curve on Sunday 14 June.

I’ll be chatting about my new book, History of Malaysia – A Children’s Encyclopedia. You’ll find out why it took me 5 years to complete it. I’ll discuss the writing process and how different it was from writing stories or standard non-fiction.

What’s more, as it’s a self published book, you’ll also find out about how you too can self publish your own work.

The times are:

2pm – 3pm MPH Mid Valley
4pm – 5pm Border Curve

Please do come to either or, if you’re really keen, both!

RSVP is not required. Just come along with your friends and relatives.

See you there!

More Unique Malaysian English Words

With the help of fellow blogger who commented on my last post on this subject, we can expand our list on Unique Malaysian Words:

“tackle” – to pick up, flirt with, go all they way with a member of the opposite sex (or same sex depending on your orientation!)

“attached” – place of employment. e.g “Where are you attached?” which means “Which organisation do you work for?”

“MC” – means “on sick leave”. MC is short for “medical chit” or “medical certificate”.

“terror” – means great, cool or proficient as in “That fella terror you know, he can chat up all the girls.”

“fella” – means “fellow” which is a reference to a male person.

“outstation” – means “out of town” as in “she’s gone outstation”. I wonder if this is a relic of our colonial past.

“member” – a friend e.g “He’s my member lah”. This is certainly not a reference to a male organ!

“next [insert day of the week]” – as in “next Monday” which means the coming Monday plus one week. In Australia and perhaps the UK, “next Monday” means the coming Monday. Confused? “Next Monday” in Malaysia equals “Monday week” in Australia.

Well, that’s the list so far …

Care to contribute more Unique Malaysian English Words?