<![CDATA[Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency - Blog]]>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:24:26 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Yusof Gajah at Kota Kinabalu Library]]>Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:41:55 -0800http://www.yusofgajahlingard.com/1/post/2010/01/yusof-gajah-at-kota-kinabalu-library.htmlWith the support of the Sabah State Library, Yusof Gajah was at the regional library in Kota Kinabalu on 29 Jan 2010. Staff from the library put up a puppet show about a frog who wants to see the world. The children were engrossed in the story and were not at all surprised when the father frog blew himself up so big, he burst with a bang! I have to confess I was a bit taken aback! We thank Mr Wong, Director of the Sabah State Library for his hospitality. It was a delight meeting someone who is so enthusiastic about books and keen to engage with children. Also thanks to Jaiton and other staff of the library. We came away very impressed with the work the library has done and hope to collaborate with them on future activities. LT
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How to draw an elephant
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Yusof Gajah encouraging a young artist
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Mr Wong, Director of Sabah State Library with a winner
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Mrs Yusof Gajah, Zakiah at the KK library
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Token of appreciation for Mr Wong, presented by Mrs Zakiah
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Mrs Zakiah with some of the children
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Linda and Jaiton Sari, Head of Corporate Affairs, Sabah State Lbrary
]]><![CDATA[Submit your work]]>Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:17:04 -0800http://www.yusofgajahlingard.com/1/post/2010/01/submit-your-work.htmlPicture
Since we started our website last year, we've received a number of queries from writers and illustrators who would like us to represent them and help them get published. We are a new agency (started last year) and have a list of existing clients. We do not want to make a lot of promises but one thing we can promise is that we will work hard and do the best for our clients. At the same time, it is easier for us to do our best if our clients are responsive to queries and to suggestions as well as willing to do their part in promoting their books.

We have added a Submissions page and look forward to hearing from you! LT
]]><![CDATA[OneRedFlower Press in The Star]]>Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:31:58 -0800http://www.yusofgajahlingard.com/1/post/2010/01/oneredflower-press-in-the-star.htmlSunday January 17, 2010

Telling our tales By ROUWEN LIN

Multicultural books can open up a whole new world to children.

MALAYSIAN literature often falls far short of capturing our multiculturalism. And when it comes to children’s books on local tales, our voice is completely silent.

There’s one person who wants to change that and she’s looking for like-minded people to work with.

Daphne Lee hopes that OneRedFlower’s picture book contest will inspire authors to come up with thoroughly Malaysian tales for children. – SAMUEL ONG / The Star “Our children read books that reference American culture, British pop culture, but hardly ever Malaysian culture,” says Daphne Lee, 42.

“We lack quality literature for children reflecting our culture in all its diversity,’’ says StarMag’s Tots to Teens columnist and author of four picture books. She is also publishing editor of OneRedFlower Press, which specialises in multicultural literature for children and young adults.

“There is a need for good books depicting this, as it is really important for children to see themselves reflected in the books they read and the pictures they look at. It builds confidence and helps in developing their self-identity,” she explains.

Lee, who has three children, says that the long-term plan is to publish multicultural books from all over the world.

But what exactly are multicultural books? Do they feature characters from different countries speaking different languages? Do they eat different kinds of food? Do they sing different songs and play with different toys?

Lee says it is all of that, and more.

“When people talk about culture, the first thing that springs to mind is often race and religion. But culture is so much more than that; culture encompasses gender relations, sexuality, beliefs, history, mythologies, attitudes and behaviour of different groups of people.

“The books we publish will show the various aspects of life that different people experience. I want books that challenge stereotypes in life as well as books that reflect them.

“These books will represent more than the artificial view that there is just one kind of person, one kind of marriage, or one kind of family.

“Books like those don’t allow for any variation, but a child should be provided with literature that presents a broader perspective on life,” she says.

Lee acknowledges that all the misconceptions we have of children’s literature (low quality, over-priced, easy to write and not intellectual) need to be purged before her dream of multicultural literature can become reality.

“Many people are under the impression that children’s literature is not as important as literature for adults. They think that we can give children anything to read because they won’t know any better.

“This is really strange to me – just as you want the best for your child in terms of nutrition, you should also want provide them with well-written and beautifully illustrated books to read,” she points out.

There is also the belief that it’s easier to write a book for children than for adults, and Lee says that this has prompted many authors to venture down that road with disastrous results.

“Sadly, many of these people don’t actually read children’s books. A badly-written book will be very difficult to read out loud to a child because of the horrible flow and syntax,” she says.

“A good book – even books for adults – will stand up to the challenge of being read out loud,” says Lee, adding that OneRedFlower is hosting its first picture book contest in its effort to encourage authors and illustrators to tell Malaysian stories.

“The contest is open to Malaysian citizens and residents. We are looking for original stories with a local context and we want people who are familiar with Malaysian life and culture,” she says.

“I hope what we are doing will not only encourage writers and illustrators to write and draw for children, but also interest other publishers in publishing for them.

“There is a growing acknowledgement of the importance of children’s literature in the region and I see the imprint moving along in that direction.

“We look forward to playing a role in that, as well as being a part of the lives of children,” Lee says.

Visit 1redflower.wordpress.comfor details of the picture book contest. Closing date for submissions is April 30. OneRedFlower Press will publish the winning works.

]]><![CDATA[Updating Website]]>Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:48:03 -0800http://www.yusofgajahlingard.com/1/post/2010/01/updating-website.htmlWe are updating our website to include our list of clients - talented writers and illustrators. We have also included a list of resources that will help you in your writing and illustrating and to meet like-minded people. Coming next is our submission guidelines as we look forward to hearing from you. Stay tuned! LT
]]><![CDATA[WELCOME 2010!]]>Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:24:01 -0800http://www.yusofgajahlingard.com/1/post/2010/01/welcome-2010.htmlWe welcome 2010! It's the year of the white tiger and the Chinese regard tiger years as 'interesting'. This means it will be full of challenges and unexpected things are likely to happen. In other words, it will be anything but dull. So depending on how you look at it, it could be a year of opportunities, for with challenges and changes come opportunities but we must be prepared for those opportunities. How shall we prepare ourselves? Well, by tying lose ends in our lives, making sure our work is done to the best of our abilities and being alert and ready to do better. Easier said than done because it means we have to work hard. As the saying goes, 'Opportunity comes to those who work for it'.

Forgive me for being preachy but I am really admonishing myself. At the same time, I am excited for we already have a few great books that are ready to be published in the next few months; we will be preparing to take these books to international fairs; and we hope to do much more in Malaysia through the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Among others, we will be working with the Society to hold regular activities that will be useful to Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and we believe we will find talent here. LT
]]><![CDATA[Launching of Yusof Gajah's latest book: Elephabet - Amazing Activity Book]]>Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:17:28 -0800http://www.yusofgajahlingard.com/1/post/2009/12/launching-of-yusof-gajahs-latest-book-elephabet-amazing-activity-book.htmlWe launched Yusof Gajah's latest book, 'Elephabet - Amazing Activity Book' at Kinokuniya, KLCC on Sunday 13 Dec 09. The crowd started coming before the scheduled time and Daphne Lee, our coordinator, kept the children occupied. Yusof and Zakiah arrived on the dot! Soon Yusof was showing the eager children how to draw and engaging them by getting them to draw as well. The four best drawings received the Elephabet Magnetic Pad while consolation prizes were the Elephabet stickers. Everyone enjoyed themselves, not least Yusof himself!
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]]><![CDATA[Asian Festival of Children's Content]]>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:37:25 -0800http://www.yusofgajahlingard.com/1/post/2009/12/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit1.htmlThis is an email from Jade Yong, National Book Development Council of Singapore. They have been very active and really working hard to promote books in Singapore and Asia. I have attended several of their workshops and events and they are really good and worth attending. I am definitely going for the Asian Festival of Children's Content in May 2010!

Hi,   I am writing to you on behalf of the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS or Book Council in short) - a nonprofit charitable organisation set up in 1969, to get your support for the Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC). The first conference will be held in Singapore from 6 to 9 May 2010. We are expecting about 300 to 400 delegates from all over Asia, Australia and New Zealand, North America and Europe to attend the event.

NBDCS has been organising the Asian Children's Writers & Illustrators Conference (ACWIC) for the past 10 years and this time will take the lead and launch the inaugural AFCC. The conference will feature new programmes, including the Asian Children's Media Market, Children's Book Award, Children's Writers Award as well as workshops and master classes.

The goals of the Asian Festival of Children's Content are to:
·        Develop the writing and the illustrating of Children's stories and content.
·        Promote publishing of Asian content.
·        Provide the world with access to such material created in Asia.   We hope we would be able to get your support on this by helping to promote AFCC in your country and on your website or perhaps put a link to it. The link is: http://www.bookcouncil.sg/newsletters/afcc/eflyer.html.

Regards; Jade Yong
National Book Development Council of Singapore
DID: 65 6848 8292      Fax: 65 6742 9466       W: www.bookcouncil.sg   NBDCS is a non-profit organisation that promotes storytelling, reading, writing and publishing through a variety of interesting and innovative programmes.
]]><![CDATA[SCBWI Malaysia: Supporting Malaysian Children's Book Writers and Illustrators]]>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:17:39 -0800http://www.yusofgajahlingard.com/1/post/2009/11/scbwi-malaysia-supporting-malaysian-childrens-book-writers-and-illustrators.htmlSCBWI Malaysia: Supporting Malaysian Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

By DAPHNE LEE

From Tots to Teens, StarMag

I'M taking a break from recommending Christmas gifts to write a little about the Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Malaysia.

Founded in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based children's writers, the SCBWI now has regional chapters in other parts of the United States, as well as international chapters in countries like Belgium, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Monolia, the Netherlands, Russia Spain and Taiwan. This year, the Malaysian chapter was registered and on Nov 20, it held its first conference, at the LimKokWing University of Creative Technology.

The president of the Malaysian chapter is Linda Tan Lingard who is an avid reader and collector of children's books. Like many Malaysians with a passion for children's literature, Lingard is aware of the dearth of quality Malaysian children's lit. She ventured into publishing to address this dearth and, to date, her company, Oyez!Books, has published over a dozen titles by Malaysian and expat writers and illustrators.

Lingard decided to start the Malaysian chapter of the SCBWI because she felt that Malaysian authors and illustrators need support and would benefit the most from being part of an international and well-established organisation.

It is hoped that the SCBWI Malaysia will provide Malaysian children's book writers and illustrators with professional advice and information, as well as a platform for networking. The society hopes to hold regular conferences and organise talks and workshops for its members. The conference last week featured an exhibition of illustrations from Malaysian picture books; a talk by artist, illustrator and writer Yusof Gajah (on becoming a children's book writer and illustrator); and two panel discussions.

I moderated one of the discussions (about the importance of creating Malaysian children's literature for Malaysian children), while the other (on the use of illustrations in Malaysian children’s literature) was moderated by picture book illustrator Sarah Joan Mohktar. Panelists included graphic novelist Chin Yew; Linda Tan Lingard, providing the publisher's perspective; and Sireh Anuar, cartoonist and lecturer at University Multimedia.

The illustrations shown at the exhibition showed that Malaysia boasts illustrators of great promise. Artwork on display included award-winning pieces from [right] Yusof Gajah's Gajah Sejati (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka); Steven She's minimalist line drawings from Kindness from a Great Ape (Future Ace Publications), Emila Yusof's beautiful watercolours from Sedna the Eskimo Girl, a story in the Oyez!Books's collection Wonderful Folktales from Around the World; Chin Yew's acryllics from the graphic novel The Boy Who Loved Clouds [below left]; and Mie Mambo's comic art from his soon to be published Tapir series (Kaki Komik).

I am excited about the SCBWI as I think it's hightime we had a society that encourages, supports and nurtures those who wish to write and illustrate children's books, as well as all those involved in one way or other (directly and indirectly) in the production, promotion and distribution of Malaysian children's literature.To join the society please email lindalingard@yusofgajahlingard.com.
]]><![CDATA[Yusof Gajah in the New Straits Times]]>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:54:19 -0800http://www.yusofgajahlingard.com/1/post/2009/11/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.html
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ART: Elephant man
2009/11/18

SUZANNA PILLAY

Artist Yusof Gajah draws inspiration from these gentle animals for his works. SUZANNA PILLAY writes.

TO most people, the humble elephant is just another creature that calls the jungle home. But for Malaysian artist Yusof Gajah, the animal has come to represent much more.

Apart from being a versatile muse for Yusof’s art, it is now synonymous with the artist as a brand which makes his artwork distinctive.

“In this era, branding plays such an important part in marketing and selling a product. The same goes for art. Everyone can paint but to be known as an artist takes time.

“If you have a huge capital, you can spend a lot of money making a name for yourself through branding, but for most artists, this is very difficult. I guess I was lucky that my passion for drawing elephants earned me the nickname of Yusof Gajah, and the name stuck.”

He believes his work conveys the message that sometimes you don’t have to look for complicated subjects to paint, as he is able to reinvent and showcase his favourite pachyderm in different styles of painting all the time.

His work is loved in Scandinavia, England, Japan, Indonesia and Germany and looks set to win over new fans worldwide.

At the recent Frankfurt International Book Fair this year, two of his latest books Elephabet and Mother & Child were a big hit with visitors there.

“I take the elephant as the main focus in my art and I can do anything with it. You just need a creative mind and skills,” said Yusof.

His fascination with elephants stems from the fact that these majestic creatures play a very important role in many societies and cultures around the world.

Apart from representing deities in some religions, they are used as a means of transportation and weaponry.

They are also easy creatures for people to recognise and relate to because only two species remain in the world — the African and Asian elephants. Yusof paints both in his work.

He recently launched both books together with his solo exhibition Yusof Gajah@Aliyaa.

The exhibition will be on until Nov 29 at the Aliyaa Island Restaurant and Bar in Lorong Dungun, Damansara Heights. Incidently aliyaa is Singhalese for elephant.

“It seemed like a fitting place to hold my exhibition considering it was in keeping with my elephant theme.”

“The books are the first two printed for adults and are a series of sketches and water colours which I did while travelling around the world. They are like a journal to me. I think it’s time artists in this country have more of their work printed in books,” he said.

Mother & Child is a selection from a series of water colours celebrating motherhood and the family.
Meanwhile, Elephabet is a book using elephant drawings to illustrate the 26 letters of the alphabet and is an ABC of inspirational messages on life as seen by Yusof. It has been received well both here and at the Frankfurt book fair.

Elephabet flash cards are also available for children and Yusof is also in the process of completing EleDoodles for them too.
]]><![CDATA[Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Malaysia Conference ]]>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:42:50 -0800http://www.yusofgajahlingard.com/1/post/2009/11/society-of-childrens-book-writers-illustrators-malaysia-congress.html
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Images from the SCBWI Malaysia Conference 20 November 2009 at Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology, Cyberjaya. Top to Bottom:
  1. Yusof Gajah's colourful Elephabet form part of the Illustrators Exhibition
  2. Linda Tan Lingard, President of SCBWI Malaysia presenting a token of appreciation to Yusof Gajah. Looking on is Dato' Dr Yeoh, Vice-President of Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology (LUCT). Sarah Joan Mokhtar, Vice-President of SCBWI Malaysia is the MC.
  3. The audience and front row: Mrs Zakiah (Mrs Yusof Gajah), Yusof Gajah, Dato' Dr Yeoh and Linda Tan Lingard
  4. Yusof Gajah and well-known APO? Cartoonist and MMU Lecturer, Sireh aka Anuar Hassan
  5. Panel discussion moderated by Sarah Joan Mokhtar. Panelists from Left to Right: Sireh, Yusof Gajah and Leowania Leong, Editor.
  6. Sireh talking animatedly during the panel discussion
  7. Part of the audience
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