I’m a writer of all kinds of stuff and have had 14 books published. You’ll find my official website at www.tunkuhalim.com.
In the fictional world, my stories usually fall into the horror or dark fantasy genre. I’ve published 2 novels, a novella and 4 collections of short stories. My latest, is my novella Juriah’s Song. There’s also 2 retrospective collections of short stories: 44 Cemetery Road and Gravedigger’s Kiss. I’m close to finishing a third novel, one that’s very different from my previous works.
On the non-fictional side of the fence, my latest is a children’s book entitled History of Malaysia – A Children’s Encyclopedia. I’ve written a biography, co-authored a book about playing golf using more of your mind and 2 “how to” books on buying apartments.
You can find out more about my books at tunkuhalim.com
So write I do . . . on this blog too!
Hi Tunku Halim,
I was just talking to Sharon Bakar just the other day on the need for more Horror stories in the Malaysian market and she brought up your name. Surprisingly enough she recomended that I go to your blog and have a good look at what you write and I must say, it is really something I have not expected.
I work with an international book publishing firm, Marshall Cavendish, and we are in the midst of sourcing for Authors who write on the horror genre. Please drop me an email to find out more. Hope to hear from you soon!
Yan Yi
Hi Tunku Halim,
I’m a student of publishing (uitm). Rite’ now im doing an academic writing regarding self-publishing. So i was wondering, do you self published your own novel or it is being published by a conventional publisher?
Because if you do self-published your own novels, i want to send a few quetions for you to answer. Hope u can reply through my e-mail a.s.a.p. Thanks.
I have short stories and poetry written in and about Malaysia I should like to share. Perhaps my latest story, about 1951 and The Emergency, is a little long for your considered work – plus it may be published by Silverfish, my fingers are still crossed on that one.
Hi folks – thanks for your comments. I’ve emailed each of you separately. Let me know at tunkuhalim@gmail.com if you haven’t received my reply.
hi tunku halim, i always dream about being a writer but dont know where to start. so maybe u can enlighten me and perhaps share a few tips. i leave u my blog address and maybe u can comment on it, those are my early works while im studied.so hope to hear from u soon.bye.
http://drivingvolvosoccermama.blogspot.com.
Anna – you’re got a good site. Keep writing. My advise to all budding writers is to get a book on creative writing. Write and re-write. Do it from the heart. Create a body of work that you’re proud of!
hi tunku halim..
read about u on the sun yesterday..
i really love writing.. but, dont know haw to start..
maybe one day..
all d best to u..
Sid – It’s easy to start writing. Go with one word at a time. Then a sentence, then a paragraph . . .
Hi tunku halim ..
well i have aways been a fan of yours. Last semester i did writing as a paper and have started my own blog. well i just would like to share what my lecturer told me that started my interest in writing. she said that what do we leave behind when we move on, we need to leave something that people will remember us by. Something through our writing and for the next generation. You have done a good job with the 44 cemetery road and hope more to come in the distant future.
rabinder – it’s always wonderful to meet a fan (even if only in cyberspace). I really agree with your lecturer. When we move on, we leave the stuff that others can remember us by. But I’d like to take that further. We leave behind stuff that makes the world just a little bit better. I hope that with my stories I’ve provided fulfilling entertainment so that, whilst reading, we forget the stress of our daily lives.
I have bought 44 Cemetery Road and have enjoyed it tremendously – I finished it all in one night. Four stars out of 5. My least favorite is the tikam-tikam hahaha… really good story that one. Anyway, ‘boleh tolong tak’? Next time you want to publish your books – can you ask the publisher/printer to use better ‘professional’ fonts? You see most malaysian book publishers/printers uses Times New Roman – it is so ugleh. Even the cover was not tastefully done. A simple black cover with red text using good font or minor illustration would have been so much classic and stylish. So it’s like a gem covered in dust. OK that’s all lah. Write more psychological thriller.
Didnt mean to say least favorite. It’s suppose to be my favorite.
The Cover for – The Woman Who Grew Horns & Other Works – is simple and nice. The font usage is good too
Cantekk!
Some example of simple and nice ideas…
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/513H7NK0EPL._SS500_.jpg
http://mystic-caravan.com/elvish/cedco/2530.jpg
Sylvia – so glad it’s your favourite! It must have been a long night indeed. Hopefully an entertaining one. Aiyoyo, trying to ask a publisher to change things is very susah one! The pretty much stick to a formula. But maybe next time I can ask them
Sylvia – I like the “Thrillers” cover. Great use of the hand and the blood!
hi sylvia. hmmm, i like the cover of thriller. chantek maa.. something like fright night.
hi sylvia. hmmm, i like the cover of thriller. chantek maa.. something like “fright night”.
hi tunku halim, i’m doing TESL now and this semester i’ve to do academic writing about teaching of reading. it is wonderful to be in this lovely cyberspace. hope we can share yg baek punya!!
etta – TESL must be really interesting. Yes, sure can share what’s baik dan bagus!
Hi TH! Although I’ve never come across your books (can’ get them here in Adelaide *sigh*), your blog’s really inspiring, esp when you talk about writing. I think you mentioned about finding inspiration in all places, and I agree with that, but how do u catch hold of it before it vanishes? bring a pen and paper/ PDA wherever u go? sure… but how practical is that, esp when inspiration strikes in the midst of a few rounds of tipsy wine tinkles? any advise?
Jun – Thanks for your nice comments about my blog. I only realised last week that my mobile phone has a voice recorder, so that’s helpful! A lot of writers carry a journal, to jot ideas and bits of writing at a cafe. I don’t. Maybe I should. I tend to get my inspiration and ideas whilst I’m writing. I visited Adelaide a few months back. What a lovely city!
hmm… so ur inspiration flows when ur words do so eh? but how and whr do u start when there’s no inspiration? would u say u’re like an artist whose works stem from mindless doodles on a blank paper? anyhow, u were in adelaide? wow. u must have been inspired LOTS huh? ;p went to hobart 2 yrs ago, and my only gripes were that the weather’s too cold (apr weather is like adelaide’s winter *grr*), and that there’s no chinatown nor any area bearing a remote resemblence to a “mini asia”
Sometimes I start by thinking of a title for a story. Like “The Rape of Martha Teoh” or “44 Cemetery Road”. That provides the focus. Sometimes its thru juxtaposing 2 ideas like: twin towers and orang minyak. That became my story “Mr Petronas”. Sometimes it’s stuff from personal experience.
Oh yeah, Hobart definitely needs a mini China Town. The food in Adelaide was just marvelous. Brrrr . . . cold here too. But I like having the 4 seasons!
Hey tunku.
Recently discovered some of your stuff whilst at Borders, the Curve one day waiting for the girlfriend to finish shoe-shopping (many guys would be nodding in unison at this point).
Ended up asking her whether she needed to shop for a bag, a dress and a top as well. Your stories were so absorbing that I could not put it down.
Am now a fan of your writing style. Crisp. Witty. Economical. Yet the important points come across hard like a sledgehammer on a windscreen. The impact of your stories linger in the subconscious long after you’ve put the book down. To the point of reminding you to Google the author at the next available chance you come online. Only to discover his blog which is pretty entertaining and honest.
A great writer you are, indeed.
Loved ‘Malay Magick’. What was your inspiration / source for that hemaphrodite creature? Urban legend? Myth? Or did it originate from a dark corner of your psyche?
Anyway, just felt like dropping a note of appreciation for your input into our local horror literature. If you ever do come up with new stuff, feel free to add me on your mailing list, if you have any, for updates on when and where I can get them. You’ve made one sale for your yet-to-be-published work already.
Keep up the good work and I’ll be sure to recommend you to members of my professional fraternity. (p.s. I’m a lawyer. As you might’ve known, 80% of our time are spent waiting in Courts. So having a ‘Tunku Halim’ handy in the Counsel’s brief helps to ease the passage of time)
Rgds,
Ong Yu Jian
Yu Jian – Thanks for the great comments. I’ve got quite a lot of dark stuff out there which I hope will keep you entertained whilst waiting in court.
I was a lawyer once and wrote in my spare time. ( I even had a semi-law book published on Condos!) Did you manage to find that inevitably lost court file?
It’s mainly the horror stuff that fascinates me though. Sometimes I wonder where the awful imagination comes from. The creature in “Malay Magick” does indeed emerge from my dark subconscious.
MPH are republishing my horror novels “Dark Demon Rising” and “Vermillion Eye” this year (I hope!) so do look out for them. Cheers!
Hello again Tunku, I’d like to link your blog to mine so that I won’t forget to read your latest post and I could promote your blog and books to my friends. =) Thanks!
Sure thing, Debbie. Go ahead!
Write Me A Letter
Eternity
Behind Closed Doors
In Between
Ruby
… are just some of the titles I could think of right that could be the title of your future short stories.
p
Luciana – Thanks for the title. I particularly like “Write Me A Letter”. It can give rise to all sorts of plots!
hi tunku halim
i was linked here when searching for karate info. i’m in difficulty in looking dojo in terengganu as i just recently moved there. any idea you could suggest or do u know any dojo in terengganu, thanks
ina87 – Sorry I don’t know about dojos in Trengganu, but I’m sure there must be some karate or other martial art. Don’t worry if you have to change styles, just find a club and enjoy your training. Good luck!
Hi Tunku Halim! Long time no see…Anyway, was just hopping around all the blog sites that I ‘used to’ visit and decided to come round here and read this. Conincidentally, I’m just done with a fiction book about 7/9th of the journey done and hunting down a publisher.
I want to go the conventional way but you know lah, how hard it is in Malaysia. Too many restrictions and all that. And I was thinking along the lines of either global exposure or no exposure. I don’t mind the wait and I am a blardie patient person when it comes round to realizing a dream.
Anyway, still tinkering away at the keyboard in the dead of the night…trying to convince myself that I can take the knocks. Never knew it’s so hard to be an author….really.
That’s why my hats off to people like you lah, you know.
Smiles and write lots,
Marsha
Marsha,
Nice to see you again. Writing fiction? That’s great … enjoy the writing. Finding a publisher is an entirely different story. Write and re-write and re-write some more. It’s a long journey but a great one.
Enjoy,
TH
hye tunku halim..
i’m a student of INTEC, Shah Alam.and right now,
i have an assignment to make book review. i choose your novel which is Juriah’s song. it’s really interesting.and can i get more information about you, about your interests and your family background.i need it for my assignment.plzzz
Hi Anis,
I’ve emailed you my background. Hope that helps!
Thanks for picking my book to review. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and are giving me a good review
Dear sir,
I am a Communications student from Taylor’s college. During my last semester, I was given your book, “A Children’s History of Malaya” for reading material. I must say that unlike other history books, I found this book rather simplified and easy to follow. It was as interesting as a storybook and gave me a better understanding of Malayan history than the textbooks I read in my school days. Thank you for writing this book, and I hope to see more of your works in future.
Thanks,
Loshana
Loshana – I’m glad my book has revived your interest in Malaysian history. History as it is currently taught is not too interesting. I’m glad I wrote to book and your message makes it doubly so. Thanks for your kind comments.
Hi Tunku Halim
I am homeschooling my son in San Jose, CA and wanted to introduce a little history of Malaysia into our days…he’s curious about his roots. I was very very delighted to be informed that you have a children’s book out on Malaysian history. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks!
I’m also linking to Write Lah! on my blogroll…hope that’s okay with you
Suji – I’m glad you’re going to teach your son Malaysian history as it’s really quite fascinating. The books will be almost impossible to find in the US though. I’d suggest you get someone in M’sia to post one over. Delighted you can blogroll me!
Thanks for your reply Tunku Halim
Yes I trolled Amazon hoping to find it but couldn’t. It’s sis to the rescue. She virtually lives in an MPH in KL every weekend so hopefully we’ll get our copy soon 
Dear sir,
I’m doing a creative writing module as part of my undergraduate course here in the UK and I chanced upon your blog in the process of researching for an essay. I’ve chosen to explore the idea of how different languages and cultures influence an author’s style and their approach to the writing process. Being a Malaysian (who has shamefully never read any fiction by Malaysian authors but vows to remedy this error the next time I go home!), I thought it would be interesting to look closer to home in addition to all the usual literature-prize-winning names.
Rather than clutter up your blog with a full explanation of what I’m after, I wonder if you would mind answering a few questions about this via email? If I may trouble you to reply to my email address (jinawee[at]gmail[dot]com), I would be terribly grateful and explain more clearly in my next email. I fully appreciate that you may be busy and understand if you prefer to decline.
Thanks =)
Wei Jean
Suji – I hope you managed to get it by now!
Wei Jean – I’m happy to answer any questions you may have. Do drop me an email at tunkuhalim@gmail.com
hi Tunku Halim,
im taking TESOL in USM Penang. we are taking a subject about Malaysian authors. due to this, my group and i are very intrested to have an interview with you. pls respond to my request via email. we are very honored to hv you and your work in our project.
thank you a lot!
FiFi – Thanks for your interest in my writing. Hopefully, we’ll get to meet one day for that interview. All the best!
Brovo,Tenku Halim
I am a pasionate lover for children,though now my own had grown up to be mum and young adults. 27 & 26.My personal experience raising both of them in foreign land – JAPAN! for a malaysian mothers is full of challenges.
But the end result comfort my hearts . It is a form of Jihad that most Malaysian mums take it for granted. Your up comming books on children
warms my hearts and those of Malaysian children who deserves to be love intellectualy through the media of books. May the blessing of Allah be with you for the effort.
Puan Rosni – It must have been so challenging bring the children up in Japan. It is such a different culture there. I’m sure there must have been lots of pluses too! Thank you, so much, for your kind thoughts and words.
Please inform me when the children book is out!
Puan Rosni – Actually, it’s already out in all good bookshops in Malaysia. You can find out more at http://www.historyofmalaysia.net
..salam, tunku..just discovered your blog..will try and discover your books, too..never did think of self as a writer..just an oldster who puts his feelings in a blog..
Pakmat – I do hope you get to enjoy my books. You’re already a writer, if you’re writing! I think being a writer is more of an attitude about yourself and what you really are!
Hey Tunku Halim!
Been reading your book “The rape of Martha Teoh & other chilling stories”. Really like it thus far and it has inspired me to pen down some of my frustration into short stories. Thanks for the great read!
Tobias – I’m glad you’re enjoying the book. Do write your own too … it’s really the best hobby in the world!
Hello, my name is Ashweein, and i have just published a book on poetry. I came across your blog as i was looking through my friend’s frequently-read-blogs. Your posts are both interesting and entertaining, and i also look forward to purchasing your books in stores. =D
By the way, i was just wondering if you could give me your opinion on a matter. I have published a book, however it is with a self publishing company based in Australia, which cost me quite a bit (financially). I was wondering what would the process be like trying to get my book published in Malaysia, and would you recommend me to do so? If you do, which publishers should i look out for?
Please advice me on this matter, and it would be really appreciated if you could reply me in my email. Thank you very much.
Regards,
Ashweein
Ashweein,
Getting poetry published in Malaysia is more difficult than in Australia (no government funding, lack of readers etc). But you may wish to try Silverfish books or get some advise from Bernice Chauley who did publish her own works.
Since you’ve already gone the self publishing route in Australia, you may wish to do the same in Malaysia. You’ll find printing costs in M’sia are very reasonable!
Wow, tunku halim your blog is majestic!
I truly was not expecting something as amazing, and stunning as this!
This is a truly AMAZING blog, one that you ought to be proud of!!! =)
Dear Tunku Halim, Greetings from the island of Java! I am hopefully an author in the making… and I’m in awe with your work and flexibility in your writing genres. I must admit, I am a tad green with envy but at the same time, very much a fan of yours. Like you, one day I hope the musings of my soul with find its way to print. I wish you more writing success and Happy Independence Day! Regards, Rosemarie John.
Kiki – Many, many thanks!
Rosemarie – Thanks for your kind words. Keep on writing … for that, I believe, is the answer!
Hello!
I just wanted to seek your quick advice! As an aspiring writer, hoping to work on her first project, I was wondering if you would recommend any software which would be essential and useful for my writing process.
Any suggestions would be a great help!
Chern – I’ve never used any “writing aid” software under than a word processor! I suggest you get a book or two on creative writing, as it’s the best way of learning … and, of course, write, write and write!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALIM, hope you had a good one !!
Love from me & the family !!
Ciao.
Thanks Mot!
hi tunku halim, thanks for inviting me to visit ur website. it’s an honour for me. so, u’ve got many who admired ur work, including me myself. i really want to be a successful writer like u one day..just don’t know where and how to start. i’ve got a collection of short stories, written since i was in the secondary school,all ball-point-handwritten and mostly from the dreams i had, sometimes the nightmares which i had. u know, one of the reason i call myself a big fan of yours, is because i found ur stories mysterious and so intriguing! will write to u more!!
Jolena, Keep working, writing and re-writing. And enjoy the whole process!
Dear Tunku Halim,
I would like to request for you to add our contest form in your blog for us to promote the contest for our title “The Gem Collection” by RYTHM House Publishing. Please let us know if you are keen to have this in your blog. The link to submit our contest online would be http://rythm-house.blogspot.com/2010/10/reader-speaks-contest.html. I hope you will take this into consideration and we will definetely support you in all ways we can.
Regards,
Rajini
Greetings from UK Halim. I recently read a book called Modernist Avant-Garde aesthetics and Contemporary Military Technology. It contained a reference to Vermilion Eye which I’d like to use as reference material for my Arts and (in)humanities course. I am mainly interested by postcolonial observations in your novel and wonder whether your more recent work is similarly influenced eg. Dark Demon Rising.
Although copies are available direct from Pendaluk I was wondering if you had any idea where I can buy them in UK.
Keith – Sounds like an interesting course you’re doing. Coincidentally, I’m about to release Dark Demon Rising as an ebook. If you’re interested in getting hold of a copy, pls send me an email at author@tunkuhalim.com.
Dear Tunku Halim,
I am a fan!
Picked up your book “A Children’s History of Malaysia”, many years ago and absolutely loved it. This is how we should be teaching our kids… Through stories, not just facts which are regurgitated then forgotten.
Best wishes,
Sabrina
Sabrina – Thanks! History has much to teach us and the best way to remember is through stories. That’s how people we taught thousands of years ago. All the best!
Dear Tunku Halim,
I am an amateur writer who loves writing both horror and mystery, however, lately, i have been suffering from writer’s block, all my ideas seem to be bone dry and i can’t get a single chapter or short story done. Being a writer like yourself, I am sure that you might have some great ideas or ways or techniques to combat this madness that is causing me to tear my hair by the clumps..
best wishes
Nathaniel
Nathaniel – I’ve confronted the same problems myself. Some suggestions: If you write on a computer at a desk, try writing longhand in a park or cafe. Try writing poetry instead for awhile. Go on a creative writing course. Stop writing but read as much and as widely as you can. Don’t force yourself to write. Writing is a wonderful thing not something to give us grief. Best of luck!
Hello Tunku Halim,
First of, I wanna say that I respect you a lot for being able to actually publish a book, I know it’s a real challenge to do so. Anyway, I have a problem with writing fiction. I don’t know if I should place the story in Malaysia or in another place like the US, which I prefer. I’m just 16 and I plan to write about teenagers. I think I know quite a lot about America and its culture through reading and TV…
Ryan – I suggest you set your story in a place you really know. Reading and TV will only give you a second hand knowledge of a place. This is what’ will make your story genuine. You can experiment of course … try writing the same story in the two places!
Hey Tunku Halim!
It’s me, Nathaniel (AGAIN!).
your advice was great and I have been working very hard (even during SPM, can you believe that?) to write my novel, and now I’ve actually reached 212 pages, can you believe that? I’m very happy with my (unfinished) work, but the main question that I’m trying to answer is, how do i get myself published? I know that come January, I’d have probably completed the entire book, but the question of publishing it still hangs like a dry spell over me. Do you have any great tips?
hi, so let me just cut to the chase….I’m an aspiring author (aspiring being the operative word) but I’m 18, and Malay…I know i make those qualities about myself seem like a handicap, but it feels as though they might as well have been. How have you succeeded in achieving a considerable market for your works? In other words how have you succeeded in getting people to read them… how successful have you been regarding your profession as an author, the genres you adhere to seem to be a mutual interest for both of us…I’m looking for advice from those who’ve been there and done that, before deciding ultimately whether this is the path I want to take..I hope you can leave a constructive and ahem (useful) reply…thnx…
Hello, my name is Daniel, and I, like so many people here, is an aspiring writer. The problem that I’m having right now is that, I got the idea for a SF story, but I don’t know in what style should I write. I’m not even sure if writing first person or third person is suitable to narrate the story, but so far, what I’ve written is heading to third person. Because of this, I’m to beginning to wonder if I should change my storyline.
Could you help me in this? Thanks a million in advance for listening and any view that you could give me.
Daniel – It’s not so important whether you write in the first or third person. It’s far more important to write, put it away for a couple of weeks, re-write, re-write and re-write some more! Also, get hold of a creative writing book if you don’t have one and then write and write. Don’t forget to read good books too to absorb all that good writing.
Well, still unable to finish my story. I’ll try to finish it as soon as possible though. I did buy a trilogy from Timothy Zahn, so I can try to look into it again. Any suggestions about a good story books?
Don’t worry about finishing the story, start a new one. As for books to read, it really depends on what you’re hungry for.
Hello again. Just want to ask you if it is possible if you could become my mentor?
Why do you think you need a mentor?
Just write!
Hi, Tunku Halim. Big fan of your work! I’m an aspiring author and if you don’t mind i would love for you to peruse my blog and offer a feedback. After all, I am in the presence of the best. I hope you at least enjoy the concept of my short stories even if you find them grammatically incorrect or otherwise defective in any way. These are original works, so dont hesitate to comment or advise. thanx.. Assalamualaikum…
You will definitely be published one day. Nevertheless keep writing … it’s good for the soul.
Hi,
I’ve always wanted to write my own fiction novel and get it published. Unfortunately, I never come around to getting it done. Plus, the doubt if it’s good enough always lingers.
Here’s one of my biggest concerns. As this is Malaysia, I really don’t know the style of writing I should be using. Say the characters are Malay but the novel is in English. How to I make their conversations sound realistic? I mean, it’s pretty rare to hear two Malays speaking completely in English in casual settings right? I’m puzzled.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
The two friends met and began talking excitedly in Malay.
“How’s your book coming on?” said Shah.
“I haven’t started yet,” replied Raslan.
“Why not?”
“I don’t think it’s good enough.”
Shah shook his head. “Just write it, Ras. It’ll never be perfect the first time ’round.”
“How do you know all this, Shah?”
“I just do!”
I think I know how to write, I know the story that I should write, but I don’t if it is adequate
It might not be adequate to begin with but you’ll polish it over time. Writing is re-writing (many times over!)
Hi! I was wondering if I could submit a few of my short stories somewhere, you know, get published. Know any newspapers that accepts short stories for publication? The Star or News Straits Times? If you have an idea, some help would be really nice. Thanks!
You’ll have better luck approaching some of the local magazines. Go thru them and see which ones publish stories.
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