Shamsiah Fakeh’s memoir: a path less travelled
Fakeh’s memoir of the 10th communist regiment completes the story I heard when my father served with the 1st Royal Malay Regiment. Both form the narrative of my country’s independence.
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The Constant Companion Tales added to high school reading list
The Keeper Of My Kin and A Request for Betrayal selected by the Ministry of Education Malaysia for high school syllabus.
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The Constant Companion Tales available at MPH Bookstores, Malaysia
The Keeper Of My Kin and A Request For Betrayal are now available at MPH Bookstores.
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Scissors in the Fold: Part Seven is out now on Amazon Kindle
Ghost elephants, dangerous women and blades that fly on their own. That’s bound to make for an interesting story. Scissors in the Fold aims to entertain you at every turn of the page.
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IABF 2025 book talk: Monsters as metaphor
I’ll be giving a talk, “Monsters as metaphor. A discussion on grotesque creatures as a device in storytelling” at Ipoh Alternative Book Fest (IABF) 2025 on 3 May 2025.
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The Constant Companion Tales available at Eslite Bookstore in Malaysia
The Keeper of My Kin and A Request for Betrayal are now available at Eslite Bookstore Malaysia.
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Wanted: Collaboration with filmmakers, animators or comic artists
A reader suggested that my books would make an amazing film or TV series. “You’ll have catalysed an entire industry,” he said. That took me by surprise.
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A message from the beloved
Old textbooks of my late brother’s were discovered because of a mishap. It dawns on me that a chain of events that happened to me in the past were signposts that help me navigate my course.
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George Orwell and William Morris
George Orwell and William Morris influence my creative direction. The former inspires me with his strong sense of social justice. The latter makes me realise that art is to be enjoyed by all, not exclusive to a select few.
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A book is a meditation
After a bad Covid infection, I decided that my story can’t wait. I find that mindfulness is needed when writing fiction. And that I’m constantly on beginner’s mind.
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Lahad Datu: The horror of post-colonisation that you must watch
A film on the invasion of Lahad Datu reminds us of a 1981 war classic, Bukit Kepong. Both films make us ponder over a disastrous possibility, should we choose a path other than peace.
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A ghost from the past
A kingdom that vanished after the fateful Anglo-Siamese Treaty in 1909 serves as the inspiration for The Devil from the Deep.
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Stoking the fire of reader’s imagination
Mind-numbing. Highly addictive. Captivating. A reader shares her enthusiasm with us after reading The Keeper Of My Kin.
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Shining a light on history
A reader bought the sequel to the first novel, impressed by the historical background that frames the story.
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Good gourd
The Perakian labu sayung bears a resemblance to a Ming gourd vase. What is the connection? We visit the V&A Museum in London and Muzium Negara in Kuala Lumpur.
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Writing a hero
The induction of a Malaysian commando, Lt Chan Ming Youn, reminds me of a character I created to address questions about our country’s history.
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All the beautiful things
How is it possible to write a horror story about peace, and make sadness sublime? Look to all the beautiful things.
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A Request For Betrayal: A story of unyielding hope
This is a story about those who are desperately seeking peace, and the ghosts that stand in the way.
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The Keeper of My Kin is available in paperback
There’ll be a lot of demons, slashings and gore. If you find the story believable, it’s because it’s loosely inspired by true events in history.
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What a food technologist taught me about user experience and imagination
Robert wanted to be a doctor but ended up being an inventor. One of his inventions was the M&S triangular packaging for sandwiches. He gave me a good advice about dealing with change and your own expectations.
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Salina Christmas 