Seminars

Exploring YA Fiction

Challenge, Trauma and Recovery in YA fiction

Susanne Gervay (Author), Wendy Orr (Author)
Moderator: Shirley Lim (Librarian, National Library Board)

Join top-selling authors Wendy Orr and Susanne Gervay as they discuss the use of fiction to explore the challenges that face teens today and how reading about difficult issues can affect readers positively.

Download handout -- Wendy Orr

Download handout -- Susanne Gervay

YA – A Malaysian Perspective

Teoh Choon Ean (Author), Golda Mowe (Author)
Moderator: Sharon Ismail ()

YA is one of the hottest areas in publishing right now, but where does Asian YA fit in on the scene? Teoh Choon Ean and Golda Mowe – writers from AFCC 2013 Country of Focus Malaysia – discuss where Malaysian YA stands and where it could go from here.

The Page on Stage: Writing Plays for Teens

Jonathan Dorf (Playwright)
Moderator: Serene Wee ()

How do you write teenage dialogue that doesn’t make teens cringe? Jonathan Dorf discusses writing realistic teenage dialogue in a dialogue-heavy medium for an audience with an ever-changing range of slang and lingo.

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The Present and Future for Multicultural Graphic Novels

Wolfgang Bylsma (Publisher)
Moderator: Lisa Yun (Educator)

As a newer form of literary art, graphic novels have something of an advantage in the diversity stakes, which makes its forward trajectory somewhat easier. Gestalt Comics’ Wolfgang Bylsma gives his perspective on where graphic novels stand in terms on multiculturalism and where it can go from here.

Writing Non-fiction for Early Teens

Shirin Yim Bridges (Head Goose – Author, Editor, Publisher, Goosebottom Books, Gosling Press), Mio Debnam (Author, Editor)
Moderator: Anu Kumar (Author)

It isn’t fiction alone that appeals to tweens! Non-fiction sales are strong and there is high demand in educational circles for engaging content for early teens. Find out more in this session with Shirin Yim Bridges and Mio Debnam.

Download handout -- Shirin Yim Bridges

Download handout -- Mio Debnam

Asian Spice, Hot Genres: Writing and Marketing New YA Fiction

Cinthia Koeksal (Author), Paolo Chikiamco (Author, Reviewer), Golda Mowe (Author)
Moderator: Ken Spillman (Author)

Asian authors and reviewers come together in this panel to present their creative journeys in breaking into popular teen genres. Join Cinthia Koeksal, Paolo Chikiamco, and Golda Mowe as they talk about the challenge and inspiration in making their presence felt in YA.

Download handout -- Cinthia Koeksal

Download handout -- Paolo Chikiamco

Blogging to Connect

Getting the Most out of Blogging

Stephanie Su (Blogger, Reviewer)
Moderator: Liyana Othman ()

Why do we blog and what can blogging do for our passions? As we, our interests, and the world are constantly changing, join Stephanie Su in this keynote as she examines how to get the most, personally and professionally, out of blogging.

Fostering Relationships within the Blogging Community

Vivian Kirkfield (Blogger, Educator, Author), Marjorie Coughlan (Reviewer), Michelle Chew (Blogger, Reviewer)
Moderator: Aun Koh ()

A lot of myths maintain you can’t make real friends on the Internet, but you know better by now. Join Michelle Chew, Vivian Kirkfield, and Marjorie Coughlan as they talk about building and growing communities and relationships online.

Blogging – Today and Tomorrow

Stephanie Su (Blogger, Reviewer), Candy Gourlay (Author)
Moderator: Tarie Sabido ()

Steph Su and Candy Gourlay discuss their blogging journeys and what the future holds for the swiftly changing Blogosphere.

Reaching Beyond Boundaries Through Translation

Translating Asian Languages into English

Alexander O Smith (Author, Translator)
Moderator: Tan Dan Feng ()

Join Alexander O. Smith as he talks about the cold hard facts of entertainment translation. What should employer and translator expect from one another? How do Asian languages translate into English, and how does a translator smooth the way? Find out all this and more in this session.

Editing Stories in Translation

Holly Thompson (Author, Teacher)
Moderator: Avery Fischer Udagawa (Translator)

Editing is an essential process in shaping a story for publication. For stories in translation to be well received, they require more than surface editing for accuracy. Editing works in translation involves honing voice, tone, diction, pacing and other elements. Holly Thompson, editor of Tomo: Friendship Through Fiction—An Anthology of Japan Teen Stories, will discuss the role of an editor for stories in translation and offer advice for publishers and translators.

Promoting Translations in the Children’s Market

Avery Fischer Udagawa (Translator)
Moderator: John McKenzie (Educator)

Translators open new markets for Asian stories – both by translating and by actively promoting translations. Publishers, authors, and illustrators can work with translators to multiply a book’s potential. This session explores how translators’ cross-cultural networks, school visits, websites and blogs are propelling titles across borders.

Translation – Elements for Success: Asian Works to English-language Markets

Alexander O Smith (Author, Translator), Avery Fischer Udagawa (Translator), Mohd Khair Ngadiron (CEO, Malaysian Institute of Translation & Books (ITBM)), Holly Thompson (Author, Teacher)
Moderator: Harvey Thomlinson ()

How is the market for Asian children’s and teen stories translated into English? What elements make a translation from Asia more likely to sell in English? This discussion by two translators, an author-editor, and head of a national translation agency addresses both questions.

Book Reviewing

The Fine Art of Reviewing Children’s Books

Marjorie Coughlan (Reviewer)
Moderator: Reenita Malhotra Hora (Author, Broadcast Journalist, Ayurveda Clinician )

Presentation: 

• What makes a good book? What makes a good review?
• The components of a book review.
• Choosing books to review,

Break
Workshop:

• Group-discussion, reviewing a book
• Writing a review for publication

Download handout