SNW7Silverfish New Writing 7 by Ashraf jamal and Shanti Moorthy (Eds). ... stories cannot merely renounce the present dilemma and limits, they must also address them ... in this collection, we find ourselves between memories and desire, the old and the new ... say the editors in the Introduction. 19 stories from malaysia, Singapore and around the world make up the last edition of the current Silverfisdh New Writing series. (Free delivery within Malaysia). Go to bookshop RM25.00.00 (USD 17.95) News from Home News from Home by Chua kok Yee, Shih-Li Kow and Rumaizah Abu Bakar. Three writers, thirty stories. Are they the 'next big thing' in English Writing in Malaysia? They are the first to be published from the Silverfish Writing Programme, and News from Home is the first book to carry the Silverfish Books Malaysian Literature in English sticker. (Free delivery within Malaysia). Go to bookshop RM30.00.00 (USD 19.95) English StudiesEnglish Studies in Asia edited by Araki, Lim, Minami, Yoshihara (RM 25.00)
In her introduction, Yoshihara Yukari of Tsukuba University wites: Some Asian countries have a past history of colonization by English speaking or European countries, while others did not - this naturally affects the meaning of English studies in each Asian country. (Free delivery within Malaysia). Go to bookshop RM25.00.00 (USD 17.95)
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(Click here for Silverfish  Books postcolonial literature in English)

1 July 2008









No one can write a best seller by trying to. He must write with complete sincerity; the clich?s that make you laugh, the hackneyed characters, the well-worn situations, the commonplace story that excites your derision, seem neither hackneyed, well worn nor commonplace to him. The conclusion is obvious: you cannot write anything that will convince unless you are yourself convinced. The best seller sells because he writes with his heart's blood.
Maugham, W. Somerset

WRITING: It was 20 years ago today … (1 July 2008)

We wish we could say that (20 years ago today, that is), but no ... we turned nine on the 25th of June. Yes, that’s right. We are now into our tenth year. We let the milestone pass more in sober reflection rather than in celebration though. To be honest, we are still trying to wrap our heads around it.

What does nine years mean? That it has been a good fight and we are still around? Or, ‘Oh my God, has it really been that long?’ Or, is that all? Feels like we have been at it forever? Actually, it feels like all of that, at the same time.

We opened for business in Desa Sri Hartamas on the 25th of June 1999. At that time there were no mega bookstore in KL (MPH Mid-Valley only opened about nine month later). The scene was pretty bleak. There was, of course, Skoob Books -- the only bookstore that could provide us with the type of books we wanted then. The concept for Silverfish Books was pretty simple.

READ MORE


NEWS: Silverfish at Cannes Outdoor Lions (1 July 2008)

Affair
We all know about the Cannes film festivals with the stardust and red carpets, but did you know about the Cannes Lions? The Cannes Lions 2008, 55th International Advertising Festival was held from the 15th to the 21st of June. We have been told that this is generally regarded as the Olympics of the advertising world. So, why are we telling you this? Because the advertisement Saatchi & Saatchi, Petaling Jaya designed for Silverfish Books has just won the Gold in the Outdoor Lion category. Ta-daaa!

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NEWS: Virtual Book Browsing (1 July 2008)

ZoomiiYou know what a pain it is to browse through a hundred titles on the internet, especially if you live in Malaysia with stone age internet broadband? Anyway, it is so much more fun to go through the books in a bookshop (despite the risk of permanent nect injury from looking at titles sideways at some). Firstly, you get to go through more books in less time. Then you get to touch and feel (or is it caress?) the books, admire the paper and print quality, the embossed title, the UV laminate, and smell them (I mean, take in the aroma) before you are allowed to be seduced and agree to take them home with you – for they are such beautiful objects. In contrast buying books on the internet is so cold, so utilitarian, so functional, so unromantic, so blah. Worse than that would be downloading a book digitally. (Okay, textbooks and academic material do deserve to be downloaded digitally, though porn  will probably be the first to get there -- erotica, right!)

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NEWS:  Adults adore children’s books (1 July 2008)

AliceSo, tell me something I don’t know, you must be saying. This report from the Daily Mail says that three-quarters of adult readers in Britain still like to read children's stories like Roald Dahl's Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, The Chronicles Of Narnia and the Harry Potter books. (They missed out The Vicar of Nibbleswicke, my favourite, but then that's because I am dyslexic.)

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New Books: Human Rights  (1 July 2008)

Human RightsMalaysia Human Rights Report 2007: Civil and Political Rights by SUARAM (RM 22.00)

SUARAM publishes its Human Rights Report on Malaysia every year without fail. This report is now widely recognised as the most objective, comprehensive and dependable source of information on the state of human rights in Malaysia.

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EVENTS: Silverfish Books’ Writers' Forum (1 July 2008)

After repeated requests, Silverfish Books  is organising a  writers’ forum. The intention is for it to become a monthly meeting for aspiring creative writers in English to  read their works, request feedback, network, form their own splinter writers' groups, and to share their stories with others having similar interests. We have been pondering this for a while. The original intention was to make it exclusive to Silverfiswh Writing Programme participants. But after discussing this with others we have decided to open it to all (including writers from Singapore if any want to make the trip). No fee will be charged.

It is proposed that this free forum be held on the first Saturday of each month ( as long as interest lasts) and the first event will be on
Date: Saturday, 5th July 2008
Time: 2.30 to 4.30pm
Venue: Silverfish Books, 58-1, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru

This session is ideal for you if: 

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Links:  Asiatic Journal
(1 July 2008)

From the website:
Asiatic is the very first international journal on Asian Englishes and English writings by Asian and Asian diasporic writers, currently being the only one of its kind. It aims to publish high-quality research articles and outstanding creative works combining the broad fields of literature and linguistics within its focus area. Visit  http://asiatic.iiu.edu.my/index.htm for articles and to contribute.

SLIDESHOW:  Shirley Lim book launch  (16 June 2008)

See slideshow

WRITING: Here we are now, entertain us (16 June 2008) READ MORE

NEWS: July 1-8 is indie week (16 June 2008) READ MORE 

NEWS: Which one are you? (16 June 2008) READ MORE
NEWS:  Borders sale -- going, going, gone (16 June 2008) READ MORE
New Books: A KL guide  (16 June 2008) READ MORE
EVENTS: Silverfish Books’ Writers' Forum (16 June 2008)  READ MORE
SLIDESHOW:  Shirley Lim book launch  (16 June 2008) See slideshow
WRITING:
 
Is the Malaysian malaise contagious? (1 June 2008) READ MORe

NEWS:
 The book is dead, long live the book (1 June 2008) READ MORE

NEWS: 
James Bond rides again (1 June 2008) READ MORE

NEWS
:  Scrabble is 60 years old (1 June 2008) READ MORE
New Books:
A legend retold  
(1 June 2008) READ MORE
EVENTS: 
Shirley Lim book launch and reading (1 June 2008)  READ MORE  

STORIES:  The Coroner's Omission by Anna Couzet  (1 June 2008)  READ MORE 

Silverfish Writing Programme (1 June 2008)  REGISTER NOW


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SILVERFISH WRITING PROGRAMME
 

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Contact us at info@silverfishbooks.com
(Click on image above for details of the programme.)

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS

Silverfish Books has decided to open an account with Baker & Taylor, the largest book wholesaler in the world with over 4 million books in its database. We are primarily interested in American editions, for two reasons. Firstly, the quality of  the UK paperback has become really bad -- the paper is bad, the printing is grotty and the binding is meant to come apart on the second reading. (Maybe, it is a copyright thing.) Secondly, the US dollar is more friendly.

We were getting some American books through a Malaysian distributor, but it didn't take us long to find out how ridiculous the prices were. Though they were giving it to us at the same price they were selling to other 'mega' bookshops (with a lower discount, of course), we realise that by bringing it directly we would be able, in some cases, save up to 20%, and pass the savings onto our customers. Ridiculous you say. Now, add to that the discount we give our Book Bug customers, and you will understand what we are saying.

Now if there are books you have always wanted to get (and not prepared to pay the absurd courier and handling charges of Amazon), do come and see us. No need to surrender an arm or a leg, not even a pint of blood.

Stories

This page was set up for Silverfish Writing Programme members to put up their stories for constructive criticism. But the internet being what it is, it has attracted participants from all over (including overseas). We will, however, for the moment confine the stories to those by Malaysians and about Malaysians. Read all

Editorial Services

Click below to find out our rates for citique and editorial services, including ghost writing, writing of company brochures, Souvenir and Commemorative Publications and Documents and Self Publishing. read more
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If you are interested in good reading and good writing, and would like to receive our monthly newsletter, do contact us. Join the Silverfish community.

Links

Click here for links to postcolonial and world literature booksellers, bookclubs, writing sites and arts sites. If you wish to be added to this list (by exchanging links) please contact us.

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All contact information will be used with the strictest of confidence. No contact detail will be given out to any third party without the approval of the owner.

About us

Silverfish Books was established in 1999 as an independant bookshop with a focus on literature, philosophy, religion and Malaysiana - areas which are either neglected or not addressed intelligently in the main stream bookstores. Silverfish Books was established as a bookstore for people who like to read by people who read. Customers and browsers come to Silverfish Books not only for the individually selected titles (in a book boutique environment) but also advice on reading. (Visiting mega bookstores can be intimidating for the average reader with thousands of books but with nobody to help. Customers normally end up buying something familiar and their reading - and their outlook - never grows.) We stock many titles that cannot be found in any of the mega stores - in fact, not even on Amazon.com! We avoid 'management' and 'self-help' books (unless they are exceptionally well written) because we think they are the 'Coca-Cola' of the book world - useless but addictive. We believe in literature and philosophy, not instant fixes.
Since 2000 Silverfish Books has also become Malaysia's leading publisher of Postcolonial and World Literature. The first book, published in the year 2000, was Silverfish New Writing 1 - an anthology of short stories from Malaysia, Singapore and beyond. Since then the Silverfish New Writing series has taken on a life of its own, attracting postcolonial writers from all over the world.


Silverfish Books is a small press, and we are very proud of that. Every single book is read thoroughly from cover to cover, and must pass our stringent criteria before it is accepted. And every book is produced to the highest standards (albeit in paperback form, due to cost) using wood free paper.
Silverfish Books - the bookshop

Our Address
Silverfish Books
58-1 Jalan Telawi 
Bangsar Baru
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-228 448 37
Fax: +603-228 448 39
Opening hours:

Mon-Friday: 10.00am to 8.00pm
Saturday: 10.00am-6.00pm
Holidays: 10.00am to 6.00pm
Sunday and major holidays: Closed


Links Bookshops, publishers, blogspots, bookclubs, arts and stuff
apwn Asia and Pacific Writers Network
bibliobibuli A literary blogspot
Bookclub A book club based in the Klang Valley
kakiseni Malaysia's leading performing arts website.
TNS The Necessary Stage is a non-profit theatre company
Fringe Singapore Fringe Festival is an annual festival of theatre
monsoon Monsoon Books is a Singapore-based independent publisher
Asiatic Journal Journal on Asian Englishes and English writings

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Silverfish Books postcolonial literature in English
(Click on the book image for more information or to buy.)
new new
SNW7 News from Home ESA-100 Adams Dream Taman Tujuh I am Muslim
Silverfish New Writing 7
News from Home
English Studies in Asia
Adam's Dream
Tahan Tujuh
I am Muslim
snw6 25 Best

Wedgwood

snw5

Majapahit

21 Days

Silverfish New Writing 6
25 Malaysian Short Stories
 Wedgwood Ladies Fooftball Club
Silverfish New Writing 5
From Majapahit to Putrajaya
21 Days
Other malaysia snw4 Green collateral damage firefly snw3
The Other Malaysia
Silverfish New Writing 4
Green is the Colour
Collateral Damage
Firefly
Silverfish New Writing 3
nineteen

Srebrenica

8 Plays snw2 snw1
nineteen
The Story of Srebrenica
Eight Plays
Silverfish New Writing 2
Silverfish New Writing 1
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(Malaysian delivery only. For International deliveries, please email us.)
NME1 KasutBiru bali secrets Malaysian Journey
New Malaysian Essays 1
Kasut Biru Rubina
Bali Sacred & Secret
A Malaysian Journey
silverfish books sdn bhd58-1 jalan telawi bangsar baru59100 kuala lumpur tel: +603-228 448 37fax:+603-228 448 39
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