In order to reduce the number of emails sent to SBPA members, we are placing all circulars on this page. These circulars affect you; don’t forget to check back often. Time-sensitive information will still be sent to members by email, if necessary.
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SBPA launches inaugural Publishing Awards 2012
Posted on November 23rd, 2011 No commentsThe SBPA is proud to announce the launch of the Association’s awards across six categories.
The awards are open to all publishers based in Singapore; international, regional or local. We aim to raise the profile of the publishing industry and showcase the high standard of publishing here in Singapore. We also aim to acknowledge the role of the bookstore to the industry and will be introducing a special retailer prize. The categories are:- Best novel
- Best debut work (any genre)
- Best nonfiction title
- Best cover design
- Best ebook
- Best window display or retail campaign
Entries will be drawn from titles published between April 2011 and 2012 with the winners announced at the SBPA Gala Dinner in November 2012 – during the Singapore Writers Festival.
Judges
A very special panel of judges will be in place to ensure the awards become a keenly anticipated date of the Singapore publishing calendar. Check back soon for a full list of judges.Entry forms
Entry forms will be issued in April 2012 and will be available for download on this page.Media enquiries
McGagh PR is handling the publicity. The following press releases are available for download: -
Singapore Writers Festival 2011 “Publishing Symposium”
Posted on September 2nd, 2011 No commentsCalling all publishers and authors. Do sign up now for the 2-day Singapore Writers Festival 2011 “Publishing Symposium” to be held 27th and 28th October 2011 at SMU (Reading Room, 5th floor, Li Ka Shing Library). Tickets are available through SISTIC now.
Download the full 2-day programme here.
Day 1 (27 Oct) is for publishers and authors.
Day 2 (28 Oct) is for published, unpublished and aspiring authors.Day 1 schedule:
9.30-10.30am Loyalties, royalties and the balance of power
Synopsis: A look at the changing roles of publishers, agents and authors. Self-publishing vs. working with a publisher — advantages and disadvantages. An introduction to new publishing models along with value propositions that are changing loyalties, royalties and the balance of traditional power, and keeping the publisher relevant.
Speakers:
Robert Nichols, Marketing & Digital Director, Constable & Robinson, UK
Leigh Cunningham, Founder, Association of Independent Authors, SingaporeBreak
11.00am-12.00pm Ebook conversion and distribution
Synopsis: What are the various ebook distribution options available to publishers and self-published authors? What is the landscape for ebook sales like today? Who can help get your titles into as many ecommerce stores as possible and what will it cost? What is the reporting like from these distributors? An overview of the different aggregator models. A look at licensing content instead of selling ebooks. Library sales? Does it make sense to convert your files in-house? If not, who are the partners who can help? How can small publishers and indie authors ensure that in the process of digitizing their titles that quality standards remain high? How do you optimize your titles to compete in the digital market? In-house conversion versus using a conversion house. A brief overview of InDesign 5.5. Best practices when formatting for conversion houses wpr contents pages, footnotes, illustrations, imprint pages, tables and embedding video.
Speakers:
Devan Rajam, Vice-President (Sales and Marketing), Geethik Technologies, Malaysia
Peter Schoppert, Director, PS Media Asia, SingaporeLunch
1.30-2.30pm Ebook marketing
Synopsis: What are the challenges facing ebook marketers? How do the marketing approaches differ between hardcopy and digital books? Viral marketing (videos, bk trailers, social media, free ebooks), how to create irresistible offers, how to form joint ventures with affiliates, virtual book tours and guest blogging/reviews, how to develop fan bases for independent authors. Facebook vs Foursquare, Twitter, Gowalla, Instagram, Scvngr and Tagwhat. Readers are discovering books through online search. But where are they turning for information about books? To what extent is the conversation being shaped by traditional book media that has migrated into the online space, to what extent by emerging online reader communities on sites like Goodreads?
Speaker:
Robert Nichols, Marketing & Digital Director, Constable & Robinson, UK2.30-3.30pm Ebooks for kids and young adults
Synopsis: A look at what digital platforms kids and young adults overseas are using, what they are reading and how the publishers and authors are reaching them. Straight ebooks or more interactive? Genres? From trade and educational perspectives, what kind of locally produced kid’s content can be exported and onto what platforms.
Speaker:
Stanley Han, CEO, KooBits Pte LtdBreak
4.00-5.00pm Cross-platform
Synopsis: A look at graphic novels, animation and TV adaptations of books, what can be done, what publishers and indie authors need to know, how should their original content change to attract cross-platform adaptations. How do publishers and authors pitch their work to media houses for possible adaptation into other platforms? What is the role of agents?
Speakers:
Fran Lebowitz, Author and former New York Literary Agent, Singapore
Lingun Sung, CEO, Peach Blossom MediaDay 2 – Fri 28 October
9.30-10.30am The Role of the Author
Synopsis: How and why do authors write? What is the process of finding a publisher? How do you work with a publisher and what kind of expectations should you have / not have? How do you promote yourself?
Speaker:
Duncan Jepson, author of the All the Flowers of Shanghai (HarperCollins US)Break
11.00am-12.00pm How to Get Noticed by a Commissioning Editor
Synopsis: Why do publishers seem impenetrable? What kind of books and authors do publishers want? What is the role and how do you get noticed by a commissioning editor? What can prospective writers do to increase their chances of finding a publisher? What makes a good submission? What happens after your book is bought? How are books edited?
Speaker:
Jenny Parrott, Commissioning Editor, Little, BrownLunch
1.30-2.30pm Marketing Your Book: The role of the Publisher and Author
Synopsis: What is the role of sales and marketing of authors? What are the effects of digital publishing on sales and marketing? Find out more on the financial analysis of how sales of a book relate to an advance and royalties paid to an author. What are the pros and cons of self-publishing vs regional / international publishing?
Speaker:
Daniel Watts, Regional Director, Macmillan Asia2.30-3.30pm The Future of the Publishing Industry: What Authors Need to Know
Synopsis: What is the future of publishing? What are the challenges, the potential areas for innovation and strategy? Is digital the new frontier for publishing? Do authors still need publishers? How relevant are publishers?
Speakers:
Jenny Parrott. Commissioning Editor, Little, Brown
Duncan Jepson, author of the All the Flowers of Shanghai (HarperCollins US)
Daniel Watts, Regional Director, Macmillan Asia
Marysia J, Peony Literary Agency, HKBreak
4.00-5.00pm Print And Ebook Author Contracts
Synopsis: An overview of the most important clauses in the print and ebook contract and a look at ebook-only contracts. What should publishers and authors be aware of?
Speakers:
Chua Hong Koon, Publishing Director, Armour Publishing, and Vice -President, Singapore Book Publishers Association, Singapore
Koh Chia Ling, Partner, ATMD Bird & Bird LLP -
Man Asian Literary Prize 2011
Posted on May 4th, 2011 No commentsThe Man Asian Literary Prize (MALP) is open to publishers from around the world for books authored by citizens of Asia. Publishers may enter up to three eligible novels for the 2011 Prize, which is US$30,000. As you may know, the MALP is awarded to a published novel and entries need to be made by publishers. Translations of books originally written or published in another language are also eligible as long as the first date of publication in English is 2011. The longlist will be announced in October 2011, shortlist in January 2012 and the winner at a ceremony in Hong Kong in March 2012.
Details of eligibility and all rules and conditions can be found here.
Online entry is available here.
Deadline for entries is 31 August 2011. Five copies of the book should be sent at the time of entry to the Prize Manager:
Marina Ma
Man Asian Literary Prize
Room 201, Kai Tak Commercial Building
66-72 Stanley Street, Central
HONG KONG, CHINA SAR
www.manasianliteraryprize.org -
Reclaim VAT on London Book Fair expenses
Posted on April 2nd, 2011 No commentsSingapore-registered companies exhibiting at or visiting London Book Fair are advised that they may reclaim VAT incurred on many items, such as exhibitions, conferences, training workshops, sales meetings, accommodation and F&B.
There are several companies in Singapore offering VAT reclaim services; we suggest you research them online. These companies don’t charge fees – only a percentage of your VAT savings. This means that if you don’t get a refund, they don’t charge.
One such company, which has been dealing with London Book Fair for many years is VATit Singapore P/L. For more information about VATit, please contact: +65 6323 5426 or visit www.vatit.com.
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Open Tender for provision of copyright services to NLB
Posted on November 24th, 2010 No commentsOn 10 Nov 2010, the National Library Board Singapore (NLB) published an Open Tender via GeBIZ (Singapore government’s one-stop e-procurement portal) for the appointment of a contractor to provide copyright registration and administration services to the NLB for a term of two years.
This is to inform you that we have posted a corrigendum on GeBIZ this evening and the closing date for tender submissions has been extended to 4.00pm on 10 Dec 2010.
In case you are interested to submit a bid for this tender, our tender information can be found in the GeBIZ weblink below:
You could search for our tender using the Tender Ref No: NLB000/41/2010 . First, click “Tenders & Quotations” under “Business Opportunities” on the left column of the GebIZ website. Then, enter our Tender Ref No. in the Search Conditions Box and click “GO”. Tenderers must be registered GebIZ Trading Partners to submit a tender bid. Those who are registered GebIZ Trading partners will need to login using your GebIZ ID to view the tender specifications. If you are not an existing Gebiz Trading Partner, you will need to register directly via the GeBIZ website.
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Global Forum on Intellectual Property, January 2011
Posted on November 22nd, 2010 No commentsThe 2nd Global Forum on Intellectual Property (GFIP), held in January 2009, attracted over 400 participants spanning the globe and from various disciplines in IP. The IP Academy’s flagship GFIP will return on 6 and 7 January 2011 in Singapore.
This 3rd GFIP (GFIP 2011) has been gathering shape since early this year as the global economy emerges from the Global Financial Crisis of 2009. Building on the tradition of the previous GFIPs, GFIP 2011 will once again serve as the premier multi-disciplinary platform in the Asia Pacific region for learning and networking for the global IP community. It will bring together leading international experts, players, policy makers and thought leaders from the various disciplines and communities around the globe who create, use, research, manage, commercialise, apply, and invest in Intellectual Property (IP), and affords an opportunity for open exchange and discussion of critical developments and matters of mutual interest and relevance to the field of IP. Thus making GFIP 2011, an essential stop for international global IP owners, strategists, practitioners and investors.
Again, we aim to develop and deliver a robust, timely and forward thinking programme for GFIP 2011. With the theme of “Turbulent Times : Onwards and Upwards for Intellectual Property?”, GFIP 2011 aims to tackle “hot button” IP-related issues relevant to a corporate’s survival in today’s uncertain and unsettled economic climate. Our hope is that GFIP 2011 will continue to stimulate and encourage you to build new networks and collaborations in order to face the existing and upcoming challenges of the changing knowledge economy.
To-date, we have been very fortunate in attracting a wide variety of influential contributions from leading global experts not only in IP per se, but also in the legal, strategic, business and financial aspects of IP. The GFIP 2011 website – www.globalforumip.com will be updated with the preliminary programme and list of speakers of GFIP 2011 soon. Do continue to watch this space.
As in the previous years, you can look forward to 2 intensive days of activities for the upcoming GFIP 2011, comprising a well-balanced set of keynotes and plenaries, and over 30 parallel sessions and roundtables which focus on areas of more specialized interest, geared towards multidisciplinary users with varying levels of experience. To complement the professional development agenda, there will also be numerous opportunities for socialising, networking and catching up with old friends.Do not miss THE event in the 2011 Global IP Calendar. Come join us and learn about the latest developments in IP, renew old acquaintances and forge new ones, all with the uniquely Singaporean hospitality.
For more information, please email enquiries@globalforumip.com.
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New literary announcement
Posted on November 12th, 2010 No commentsCheck out the latest literary happenings:
Literary Prizes
1) The Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival 2011
Details: http://oob.samuelfrench.com/index.php/about-2/
Application period for the Festival: begins in late December / early January and lasts until early March. Playwrights may submit up to three unpublished plays, 30 minutes or less. On their application, playwrights must cite the organisation that will produce this play (at this early stage it is often the playwright themselves) as well as a liaison for Samuel French to contact with festival information. Submissions are whittled down by the Festival editorial staff, and the Final Forty are chosen to present their play during festival week. Festival week consist of 6 performance sessions of plays, in which 6 to 7 scripts are presented in front of a judging panel comprised of an artistic director, an agent, and a professional playwright. At the end of each session, the judges deliberate and 1-2 plays are selected to move on to the Festival Finals. Finals take places of the last of day of the Festival. Festival staff watch the final 12-14 plays and selects six authors to be a part of a collection of winners, to be published and licensed by Samuel French, Inc.
Send your email to the festival mailing list (Email: oobfestival@samuelfrench.com ) in order to be sent a 2011 application.2) John Dryden Translation Competition 2010/2011 – Deadline: 14 February 2011
Competition Rules and More Details: http://www.bcla.org/trancall.htm
Jointly sponsored by the British Centre for Literary Translation (University of East Anglia) and British Comparative Literature Association. Prizes will be awarded for the best unpublished literary translations from any language into English. Literary translation includes poetry, prose, or drama, from any period. First prize: £350; second prize: £200; third prize: £100; other entries may receive commendations.Literary Events
1) Making It New: Four Young Poets on the State of the Art
Free Admission: 13 November 2010, 1pm at Imagination Room, National Library Building L5.
Presented in collaboration between the National Book Development Council of Singapore and the National Library Board.
What does it mean to create “Singapore literature” in the 21st century? How do local poets taking up the art today locate themselves in relation to their predecessors and to the larger world? Join four young poets – Grace Chua, Koh Xin Tian, Teng Qian Xi and Zhuang Yusa – as they tackle these and other vital questions while relating their thoughts to their own poetic practice. The event, facilitated by Nicholas Liu, will include readings of poems by each of the writers, a panel discussion and a Q&A session. Light refreshments will be provided, courtesy of the NUS English Language and Literature Department. This session is Places are limited, register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/Event.aspx?EventID=34797.
Additional information can be found on the event’s Facebook page here: http://on.fb.me/cSPxsq2) Book Launch – Reaching For Stones: Collected Poems (1963 – 2009) by Chandran Nair
Free Admission: 20 November 2010, 4pm at The Hall, The Arts House. Organised by Ethos Books and presented by The Arts House.
The 101 poems of Chandran Nair’s Reaching for Stones collection represent two volumes of poetry, Once the Horsemen and Other poems (1972) and After the Hard Hours, This Rain (1975). Chandran has edited and been included in anthologies including Short Stories from Africa and Asia, Singapore Writing, The Second Tongue, Journeys and The Calling of Kindred. Click: http://www.ethosbooks.com.sg/store/bookInfo/New%20Title%20Release_Reaching%20for%20Stones%20by%20Chandran%20Nair.pdf to find out more about the book! And event details available at: http://www.mailcarp.com/em/display.php?M=176959&C=7c37b8aed21d3167471e75768d9bbea2&S=1063&L=286&N=7453) Singapore Book Club: A Different Sky
Free Admission: 3 December 2010, 7pm at Earshot, The Arts House. Presented by the National Book Development Council of Singapore and The Arts House. Book Discussion featuring Author: Meira Chand, Speaker: Professor Koh Tai Ann, and Facilitator: Deepika Shetty.
More details from: http://www.bookcouncil.sg/_writers/pdf/elfyer%20SBC%20Dec.jpgLiterary Submissions
1) Call for Anthology Submissions: “Coast”
Math Paper Press, in association with BooksActually, is pleased to announce that it is accepting submissions for a mono-titular anthology, “Coast”.
“Coast”, edited by Daren Shiau and Lee Wei Fen, is a literary experiment that hopes to reflect a variety of creative works from published and unpublished writers across a single title. Works written outside of the English language should be accompanied by an English translation.
The editors are looking for submissions of verse, short prose, or short screenplays titled “Coast” from any writer resident in Singapore. Please send your submissions or queries to the Coast editors by 15 December 2010, with your full name and Singapore residential address to coast.editors@gmail.comShort-term Literary Courses and Residencies Overseas
1) Victorian Writers Centre – Courses
A leading provider of resources, information and skills development for writers, that supports and promotes writers, writers’ networks and diverse writing cultures. Website: http://vwc.org.au/what-s-on2) The Banff Centre – Literary Arts Programmes
Designed and implemented as discrete short-term projects that focus on particular needs of writers or publishing professionals. Through its own publications produced throughout the year, The Banff Centre supports contemporary art, literature, and criticism and explores the development of electronic platforms and new technologies in writing and publishing.
Website: http://www.banffcentre.ca/writing/programs/ -
Open tender for the provision of copyright registration and administration services to the NLB
Posted on November 10th, 2010 No commentsThis morning, the National Library Board Singapore (NLB) published an Open Tender via GeBIZ (Singapore government’s one-stop e-procurement portal) for the appointment of a contractor to provide copyright registration and administration services to the NLB for a term of two years. The tender closing date is 4.00pm on 1 December 2010. In case you are interested to submit a bid for this tender, please be informed that NLB will be conducting a Copyright Information Seminar cum Tender Briefing on 16 November 2010. (We had earlier sent you email invitations to attend this Copyright Information Seminar.)
It is not mandatory for tenderers to attend this tender briefing in order to submit quotations. However, tenderers are highly encouraged to attend the tender briefing to have a deeper understanding of the tender’s objectives and scope. Our tender information can be found in the GeBIZ weblink below:
You could search for our tender using the Tender Ref No: NLB000/41/2010 . First, click “Tenders & Quotations” under “Business Opportunities” on the left column of the GebIZ website. Then, enter our Tender Ref No. in the Search Conditions Box and click “GO”. Tenderers must be registered GebIZ Trading Partners to submit a tender bid. Those who are registered GebIZ Trading partners will need to login using your GebIZ ID to view the tender specifications. If you are not an existing Gebiz Trading Partner, you will need to register directly via the GeBIZ website.
If you or your colleagues are keen to attend our Copyright Information Seminar cum Tender Briefing:
Please register at http://nlb-ipseminar.eventbrite.com
16 November 2010
4.00pm to 6.00pm (Registration starts at 3.30pm)
Possibility Room, Level 5, National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064Programme
- Introduction
- Creative Commons Singapore (Giorgos Cheliotis & Lam Chung Nian) – Creative Commons: What it is and How to use it in Singapore
- Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (Jeffrey Wong) – Clearing the Way: Copyright and Licenses
- Question & Answer Segment
- Tender Briefing and Closing by Government & Business Information Services, National Library Board
Free admission.
We look forward to your participation.
Thank you.
Belinda Chan
Senior Associate I
Government & Business Information Services
National Library Board Singapore -
Enhancing CTP Workflow Management
Posted on October 22nd, 2010 No commentsHaving problems with PDF files? Not sure how to prepare a print-ready & error-free files? How to create a good file management system to enhance the CTP workflow? Enroll in Enhancing CTP Workflow Management course before SPUR funding ends this 30 Nov’10.
An overview of the course:
Enhancing CTP Workflow Management focuses on file management and troubleshooting file problems in PDF. The course also provides participants a clear understanding and comparison of the CTF and CTP, digital and conventional workflow. On top of these, it also covers the latest technology on receiving files from international clients, digital printing, soft proofing and etc. Furthermore, the course is approved under WDA and is heavily subsidized by the government.Course Dates – 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 & 30 Nov 2010
Course Duration – 48 hours (6-Days course)
Venue – 7 Changi South Street 2, Level 1Full Course Fee: S$1,190
SDF Course Fee Support: (S$1,071)
Amount Payable by Company: S$119
Absentee Payroll Support: (S$480)
Total Training Fee Payable By Company (at the end of the day): (S$361)
*Course Fees are exclusive of 7% GSTLimited Seats! Register with Us Now!
Closing date: Application will close after capacity is reached.For further enquires or registration, please call Jasmine / Priscilla at 6542 6863 or email us at education@sciprint-institute.com.sg.
A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you upon acceptance of your registration -
Maximize Sales Minimize Credit Risk / SCCCI event
Posted on October 22nd, 2010 No commentsIn this current Global Financial Crisis, organizations must find the RIGHT customers to survive. They are required to secure and defend their receivables & revenue risks. As the going gets tough, the survivability and sustainability of business become more challenging. We must FIND and KEEP RIGHT Customers. So, what are the best practices to adopt to safeguard your credit exposure?
This is an exclusive invitation to a workshop on BUSINESS CREDIT RISK functions and tools. DP Info will cover the practices and assessment tools on how to manage your credit risk in these unique credit crunch times
The course will cover:
How to start selling to ‘good’ customers
Techniques of looking at Sales from Credit angle
Techniques to keep RIGHT customers
Minimize after sales collections effortsLimited Seats! Register Now! Closing Date: 29 October 2010
For further enquires, please e-mail Ms Junie Pang at junie@sccci.org.sg or call 6337 8381.
* Prior registration is required for participation. Due to limited seats, priority will be given to SCCCI members. The organisers reserve the right to reject registrations that are incomplete or deemed inappropriate. A confirmation e-mail/ fax will be sent to you upon acceptance of your registration.For dates and registration details, please click here.
SBPA is a member of the SCCCI so SBPA members can claim the discounted rate at all SCCCI events and courses.