AFCC DAY 3: A Day of Book Launches

The third day of the AFCC got off to a fantastic start when I met up with the wonderful Sally Gardner for a quick glass of Coca-Cola along with Denise from Closetful of Books, Evelyn Sue Wong, Felicia Low and Adan Jimenez.

After lunch Evelyn, Corinne Robson, Myra Garces Bascal and Ken Spillman launched their bibliography on rice to a packed roomful of participants. This year's festival theme is rice and so it is no wonder that this year's theme had me hankering for a nice bowl of fried grain.

Shortly after that it was time to get ready for my book launch of A Day with the Duchess. I'm always a bundle of nerves before any of my book launches. What if people don't show up? What if there aren't any kids? I'm so grateful to everyone who came and showed up to help. Mum, Auntie Susanna, Andrea, Corinne, Emma, Evelyn, Faith, Marjorie, Helen, Karen, Kristina, the two Lindas,  Sarah, Mika, Tilly, Dave, Kelvin, Simon, Peter and everyone. I'm sorry if I left anyone out. But a HUGE thanks.

The best launch was yet to come and I'm saying this without the hint of any bias. Auntie Susanna had discussed her launch for Fun at the Opera  with me and she seemed uncertain about what she was going to do, but you wouldn't have guessed it if you had been there.

The launch was absolutely brill. She started off by wearing one of her Chinese Opera hats. Niece Jeanne, and granddaughters Tilly and Mika were drafted in to help by donning Chinese Opera costumes.

Auntie Susanna regaled us with stories about growing up with an opera troupe and Claire Chiang told us about the big plans that are in store for what started out as a sweet little book. Auntie Su's Opera is going be heard long and loud for years to come. At the conclusion of her launch Auntie Susanna invited everyone to join in an opera dance as a classical Chinese flautist played. It was a fantastic, fun launch! I have to say Mum had more fun at Auntie Susanna's launch than my own.

Mum was feeling tired after both launches so I accompanied her back home, but not before stopping at my great friend Sarah Mounsey's launch for her third book in her award-winning trilogy Purple Paw Prints and the Itchy Spots. Sarah is always able to charm and capture an audience in a way that I could never do.

Once I was back home, I showered, changed and headed back out the door for India Night at Bugis Plus.  Mr SR Nathan, 6th President of Rep of Singapore was launching the translated versions of his book The Crab and the Crane.

HE and I share several similarities, if I say so myself. 1) We're both Singaporean. 2.) We write children's books  3.) We have the same publisher. And that's about it! While Mr President is climbing the heights of publishing...I'm er...stuck in first grade!

Auntie Susanna was at the forefront once again when it was announced that her book with Chris Cheng Water had been translated and she was called to the stage to pose before a phalanx of photographers.

With the formalities of the evening over, we were treated to a performance by the ultra talented Kiran Shah and Rosemarie Somiah that left is in stitches.

President Nathan was besieged by some fans for an autograph as the evening concluded. It reminded me of myself every time I approach a celebrity and hound them for their John Hancock. Note to self: STOP IT!

As HE was leaving, he took time to stop and pose for a photograph with Auntie Susanna. It turns out that he knew her Dad!

And so the third glorious day of the AFCC had come to an end. Once again kudos to the AFCC and NBDCS team. You always seem to out do yourselves.

Anyway I had better stop blogging as I'm supposed to accompany Sally Gardner to the TV studios for an interview soon! After that I have a pitch session and a meeting with my Angel Agents Andrea and Helen. Busy, busy, day!

Asian Festival of Children's Content Press Conference 2014

A few days after our return from London, the National Book Development Council of Singapore held a press conference for the upcoming Asian Festival of Children's Content. Originally conceived as the Asian Children's Writers and Illustrators Conference by NBDCS Director, Mr Ramachandran, the festival has grown exponentially and includes conferences for teachers and parents and is now popularly known as the AFCC. As Mr Rama has said over the years, he hopes the festival will bring Asian content to the world's children.

Mr Ramachandran, Ms Lim Li Kok, Ms. Claire Chiang, HE Vijay Thakur Singh, Mr Kenneth Quek

As Deputy Director of the Council and Festival Director of the festival, Kenneth kicked off the press con with a detailed overview of what participants can expect from the conference. And this year's conference looks set to be even bigger and better than the previous years', if that's even possible. Some of the literary glitterati who have attended the event in previous years include Susanne Gervay, Wendy Orr, Norman Jorgensen, James Foley, Chris Cheng, Alvina Ling, Rukhsana Khan, and  Sarah Odedina.

Ken and the book 'Water' which was launced at last year's AFCC.

Once again, there will be an impressive line-up of panels, workshops and masterclasses for parents, teachers, authors and illustrators. This year you'll  get the chance to get up close and personal with the likes of Sally Gardner, Atanu Roy, Leonard Marcus, Subir Shukla, Sampurna Chattarji, Sandhya Prabhat, Frane Lessac, Kathleen Ahrens, AJ Low, Mariko Nagai,  Andrew Weale, James Mayhew, AJ Low, and Ken Spillman to name a few. 

And if you are an aspiring author or illustrator, this may just be the year you'll find yourself on the road to publication. You'll have the opportunity to pitch their story ideas to agents and content developers.

Catherine Carvell "Darcy Moon and the Deep Fried Frogs", Sarah Mounsey "Purple Paw Prints" and Emma Nicholson "Princess Petunia's Dragon" are just some authors who attended the festival and were subsequently published! Not bad, right?

This year's country of focus is the Asia's literary heavyweight -India! 

HE Vijay Thakur Singh

After Kenneth's introduction to the this year's festival, the Indian High Commissioner , Ms Vijay Thakur Singh, took to the podium to talk about India's rich and vibrant history in story-telling.

Then it was time for Claire Chiang, Chairman of AFCC's Board of Advisors to announce the shortlist for the Scholastic Asian Book Award. 

Ms. Claire Chiang

The shortlisted authors are:

1. Aditi Krishnakumar for Ergo Sum (India)

2.  Catherine Torres for Sula's Voyage (Philippines)

3. Thia Shi Min for Dragonhearted: The Fine Spell of Words Alone (Singapore)

4. Sophia Lee for What Things Mean (Philippines)

5. Vivek Bhanot for Robin and the Case of the Summer Camp Kidnapping (India)


Congratulations to all of the shortlisted writers and if you would like to find more about the AFCC please click this link @AFCC Registration. I hope to see you there!

London, Day Four 2014

Day four was the first day without a hint of rain. Ken, Celine and I made and early start, stopping by Gregg's for a quick breakfast and braving the wind chill factor on our wat to the fair. 

The lovely ladies of Jacaranda were already there and ready to pitch my books to potential publishers, thanks, ladies! 

As Ken and Celine were busy taking care of business, I walked around the two halls of booths. It was massive. It makes one realise just how many publishers, authors and illustrators there are out there. The competition is stiff and I now feel that I should have gone into accounting.

Emma arrived shortly after 10am and we went to a panel discussion by the Book Trust. Interesting and informative we were compelled to introduce ourselves to Book Trust Chief Executive, Viv Bird. I broached the topic of her possibly coming to the Asian Festival of Children's Content and she was interested to hear more. Let's hope the Book council can follow up on this.

Auntie Susanna and Mika were at the Singapore Pavilion when I returned and we decided to lunch at one of  the cafeterias. Mika had a vegetarian selection and Auntie Susanna had the braised beef and mash. A famished Annabelle from NAC joined us at our table and all too soon it was time for Kenneth's panel discussion about children's literature in Singapore. My publisher, Edmund Wee and Mei Lin Lee of Marshall Cavendish were also was also a featured on the panel which was moderated by Paul Tan.

But before the panel started, I . had a pleasant surprise when I bumped into the brilliant author, John Dougherty, my fellow panellist from SWF two years ago. It was great catching up again.

And....the panellists did a great job, deftly fielding  the tough questions about publishing in Singapore. 

And my favourite part of the session is the photo below!

With that done, Auntie Susanna and Mika tubed int to Civent Garden for a spot of shopping and Emma and I caught up with the lovely Anita Loughrey for some tea. It's always lovely seeing her.

But she had to dart off for a writer's event, so Emma and I attended the Singapore networking night. Annabelle  busy running around before cocktail hour but I managed to stop her for a quick photo with Emma. Please note Emma is holding the kopitiam cup Mum donated to the booth

Emma's good friend and Award winning author Andrew Weale joined us there. Andrew  is brilliant and hilarious! It was great meeting him and he'll be in Singapore for the AFCC next month.

The social went on till we were told the power would be shut off and so we headed back to the hotel for a quick change and then onto a not so quick dinner at the Troubabor.  

I'm doing laundry tomorrow. I bet you never thought you would hear me say that. Well, neither did I!

School visit to Overseas Family School

So after a few days at the ISS, Emma and I headed next door to the Overseas Family School for two days of joint talks before an audience of over 120 second graders. Now I've paid visits to OFS for the past four years, but it's always been to invididual classes but this year it was very different as neither of us have spoken before such a large group, and while it was slightly nerve-wracking, it was still fun.

The kids were great, as always. Denise was on hand to snap a couple of snapshots and of the session. Then with that our talks for book week were over. Thanks to Kavita and Shalini for very kindly arranging the school visit. It was great! So thanks so much, ladies.

While Emma is off to the UK late next month a head of the Bologna and London Book Fairs, I'll be making my next school visit to Quayside Prep School at Sentosa Cove and I'm really looking forward to it!

IFLA: Books from Singapore

RIP Maurice Sendak (1928-2012)

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Asian Festival of Children's Content 2012 -Book Launch

What a difference a year makes,  last year Sarah Mounsey was an attendee at the Asian Festival of Children's Content and this year she's attending again, but as a published author!! Yes, Sarah is launching her charming book Purple Paw Prints at this year's AFCC.


So if you've got aspirations to be a children's book author or an illustrator, the AFCC is the event of the year, and one you cannot afford to miss. For workshops, keynote talks and a chance to get discovered...head down to the Asian Festival of Children's Content. To register click on this link...AFCC REGISTRATION tickets are going fast!