Festivals
Singapore International Storytelling Festival (SISF)
The longest running storytelling festival in Asia, SISF was set up to revitalise the art of storytelling and bring it further into the mainstream. SISF hosts a range of events, from masterclasses for the professional storyteller to workshops for non-professional storytellers who bring stories into their daily lives, as well as storytelling showcases and performances that offer audiences colourful and insightful stories from around the world.
Past festival websites:
2014: Translations: Storytelling from the Word to the Voice
2013: Weaving Words, Connecting Cultures
2012: Asian Stories, Global Perspectives
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
AP WRITERS’ 7TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
In association with the National Book Development Council of Singapore and Yale-NUS, the Asia Pacific Writers & Translators Association held its 7th annual conference in Singapore, from 17-20 July 2014, at The Arts House. The focus was on Creative Writing and Literary Translation in the Asian Century. It was a gathering of authors, literary translators, publishers and others interested in networking and exploring ways to expand their readerships across cultures. Programmes include keynotes, panels, workshops, cultural events and free public readings.
This event is co-organised by APWriters, NBDCS and The Arts House.
It was a multifaceted event that included:
- Creative Writing and Editing Workshops
- Free Public Day (20th) Talks by Authors
- Welcome Dinner for registered participants
- A ‘literary walk’ through some of Singapore’s historic areas
- Evening Readings (17th and 18th) by Singaporean and visiting authors
- Keynotes by provocateurs Linda Jaivin, Merlinda Bobis, and Suchen Christine Lim
- Round Table Discussions led by local and international panelists.
ASIAN EXPRESSIONS (AEX)
Asian Expressions (AEX) celebrated writing in Asian languages in 2012 and 2013. In 2012, its theme was "Crossing Language Barriers in Literary Arts — Translation". AEX promoted the translation of notable works in the Asian languages first into English and later into Chinese, Malay and Tamil. On the first day, the programme concentrated on writings and writers in Chinese, Malay and Tamil. There was also a forum for writers in these languages to discuss trends, and to network. Over the next three days, the focus was on translations.
AEX was a unique and significant event because it was the only programme to focus on writings in Asian languages. AEX aims to encourage and promote reading, writing and publishing in Chinese, Malay and Tamil. It supports Singapore's bilingual policy and helps to promote more publications in the 3 languages besides English.
AEX was jointly organised by the National Book Development Council of Singapore, Singapore Association of Writers, Angkatan Sastrawan '50 and the Association of Singapore Tamil Writers.
Asian Children’s Writers & Illustrators Conference (ACWIC)
The Asian Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference (ACWIC) was an event that celebrates children’s books, provides access to children’s literature with Asian content and promotes the writing and publication of Asian children’s books. This conference actively promoted and fostered the exchange of ideas on the global market. ACWIC presented great networking opportunities for established players and budding newcomers alike.
ACWIC is now known as Asian Festival of Children’s Content.
- ACWIC 2008 (5 – 7 June 2008) (PDF)
- ACWIC 2006 (16 – 18 Nov 2006) (PDF)
- ACWIC 2005 (17 – 18 Nov 2005) (PDF)
Asian Digital Storytelling Congress
Combining traditional storytelling techniques and multimedia tools, digital storytelling is increasingly being used in corporations and institutions. Contrary to popular belief, digital storytelling is not just the latest technical fad. It builds on the rich, ancient tradition of oral storytelling by combining the narrative story with a palette of technical tools (sound, visuals and voices).
Business Narrative
The rise of narrative methods has been recognised in Europe and the USA through a multitude of story-related conferences and event such as Golden Fleece International Organizational Storytelling Conference (Washington DC), Innovation Factory's Collaborative Innovation Summit based in storytelling, the Spoken Word conference, and The Copenhagen Golden Fleece Conference. Despite the rich tradition of storytelling in Asia Pacific countries, we are only just starting to develop our capabilities in organisational storytelling and narrative work.
- Origins: Asia Pacific Business Narrative Conference (7 – 8 Sept 2010)
- Masterclass on Business Narrative (8 – 9 Sept 2009)
Programmes
Book Clubs
The Book Council organised numerous book clubs to create opportunities for writers, illustrators and publishers to meet and mingle with their readers and to introduce new works to the public. All Singapore-based authors, illustrators and publishers were welcomed to take up a book club slot. Book clubs from 2006 – 2014.
Read to Lead
This book club discussed the works of self-improvement authors, management gurus and successful entrepreneurs and managers. Meeting once every two months at the Jurong Regional Library, Read to Lead was co-organised by the Book Council and the National Library Board. It was a journey of knowledge, imagination, aspiration and discovery as we plumped the insights of motivational speakers and noted business leaders.
ReadAsia+
Another joint initiative by the Book Council and the National Library Board, this book club used to meet at the library@orchard and the discussions centered on Asian works. This book club has since stopped meeting with the closure of the library@orchard. Take a look at the books discussed during the past sessions.
Young Writers Club
With an aim to develop Singapore as a regional centre for writers, the Young Writers Club was set up by the Book Council for young writers between the ages of 12 to 25. The Young Writers Club acts as a platform to train and nurture young Singaporeans who have an interest and talent in writing by holding workshops conducted by established writers.
The club has been assimilated into All In! Young Writers Media Festival.
- Workshop on Creative Writing by Enrique Paez (5 September 2011) (PDF)
- Budding Writers Project 2011: Leaflet | Winning List (PDF)
- Budding Writers Project 2010: Leaflet (PDF)
- Budding Writers Project 2009: Leaflet | Past Entries (PDF)
- Budding Writers Creative Writing Camp (15 & 22 Aug 2009) (PDF)
- Creative Writing Workshop with Nick Toczek, UK (4 April 2009) (PDF)
- A James Lee Masterclass (2 December 2008) (PDF)
- Scrawl with Sheila Dhir (22 November 2007) (PDF)
- The Book Shop: A Workshop for Young Writers on Writing & Illustrating Books (18 November 2006) (PDF)
- Discover the Publishing World (17 March 2006) (PDF)
Publishers Writers Network
Publishers Writers Network was a gathering of professionals and amateurs in the writing and publishing world. Participants were updated on current and developing trends in the publishing field through sharing sessions with acclaimed authors, and talks given by representatives from publishing companies.
- 6 Nov 2012: Play-Doll for Story Making – SK Planet.
- 29 Aug 2011: A Writers Journey: “How did you publish your first book?” –Meira Chand, Shamini Flint, Coonor Kriplani, Rosemarie Suppiah, Sangeeta Madhavan, Devagi Shanmugan, Ruchi Gupta, Anita Shankar
- 25 May 2011: Building a Nation of Readers via Web 2.0: An Introduction to Kidlitosphere and the YA Blogosphere
- 5 Apr 2011: A Talk on Self Publishing – Leigh K Cunningham
- 28 Feb 2011: To Thee Do We Cry, Poor Banished Children – Geraldine Song
- 6 Jul 2010: Life of its Own – Understanding Depression and Its Treatment
- 6 April 2010: The World on Her Knees – R.Chandran & Amy J.Cheng
- 4 Mar 2010: Turning Good Ideas Into Great Business – Fredrik Härén
- 1 Jun 2009: Map of the Invisible World – Tash Aw
- 4 Nov 2008: Tears Of A Teen-age “Comfort Woman” – Ralph Modder
- 7 Aug 2007: Braintales – Dilip Mukerjea
- 15 May 2007: Satish Kumar
- 8 Dec 2006: Betty Warrington-Kearsley
- 18 Aug 2006: Shirley Geok-lin Lim
Talks & Forums
- 7 Feb 2012: Book Launch: A Singapore Love Story
- 7 Dec 2011: Book Launch: My Journey and After (in Mandarin)
- 12 Nov 2011: Book Launch: Opening Our Hearts - Sharings of Parents of Children's with Down Syndrome
- 29-30 Oct 2011: SCRIPT 11: From China with Love
- 29 July 2011: Book Launch: Routes by Robert Yeo
- 17 June 2011: An Evening with Josephine Chia
- 7 May 2011: Book Launch: Once Bitten, Never Shy
- 7 May 2011: Starting Out: Problems and Promises of Singapore Literature
- 11 April 2011: Writing for Television/Selling for Television
- 26 Feb 2011: A Walk Through Chinatown, part I
- 19 Nov 2010: Life of My Sisters by Debby Ng
- 13 Nov 2010: Making It New - Four Young Poets on the State of the Art
- 29 June 2010: 'In the Footsteps of Raffles' with Nigel Barley
- 18 May 2010: Public Lecture on Contemporary Tamil Literature: An Overview
- 26 October 2009: Sharing Borders: Singapore-Malaysia Writers Symposium
- 29-31 October 2009: SCRIPT 09 - featuring literary works from the Indian Subcontinent
- 18 March 2009: Promoting Books on Social Networks
- 13 January 2009: Submitting Your Work and Getting a Literary Agent
- 5 September 2008: How Asia Will Become the World’s Hotspot for Cultural Creativity
- 10 March 2008: Book Publishing: Major Disruption Ahead
- 28 August 2008: Nurturing & Optimizing the Craft of Storytelling
- 27 August 2007: Defining Digital Storytelling
- 25 May 2007: Singapore Book Industry Seminar
Awards, Competitions & Initiatives
First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative (FTWIPI)
The First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative wass an Initiative by the Media Development Authority (MDA) and the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) to nurture talents in the publishing industry. The Initiative was targeted at assisting the publication of new works by unpublished local writers and/or illustrators.
Articles on FTWIPI's recipients:
- Bunny Finds The Right Stuff by Emily Lim wins IPPY Silver Metal 2010
- MuseTalk with Adeline Foo, National Heritage Board, Apr – June 2010 (PDF)
Storytelling Competitions
The competitions are still ongoing as part of the annual Singapore International Storytelling Festival.
- 2013: e-MOTE Digital Storytelling Competition
- 2012: e-MOTE Digital Storytelling Competition
- 2011: e-Mote Digital Storytelling Competition
- 2010: e-Mote Digital Storytelling Competition
- 2009: Earth Stories: Our Earth, Our Gift, Our Responsibility
- 2008: Earth Stories: Protect the Environment, Sustain Human Life
- 2007: Stories My Grandparents Told Me (PDF)
Resources
eWordNews
eWordNews is no longer available. It is now published as Book Council Bulletin as a newsletter.