Books: Ubud fest calls

TEI Chiew Siah and Preeta Samarasan will read at the 2008 Ubud Writers and Readers Festival on Oct 14-19, 2008, in Bali, Indonesia.

This fifth edition is themed, Tri Hita Karana, a Balinese Hindu concept that translates as the relationship between God, Humanity and Nature.

Other Malaysian speakers include Bernice Chauly who has released her second book of poetry, The Book Of Sins.

Says Janet DeNeefe, Ubud festival founder and director: “The festival aims to showcase the finest emerging talent in the region and Malaysia is certainly producing some very exciting authors who are making a name for themselves on the world circuit.”

There are also panel discussions by Southeast Asian writers under the Be Enchanted banner on topics including Malaysians Making History and Pleasures Of The Tongue: Food And Story.

Invited international guests include Indian author Vikram Seth (A Suitable Boy, 1994 Commonwealth Writers Prize), Deepika Shetty, Alexis Wright (Carpentaria, 2007 Miles Franklin Literary Award), Indian poet Tishani Doshi and Canadian novelist Camilla Gibb.

The festival will also celebrate Arabic literature with writers from Egypt, Jordan and Iraq featuring Bahaa Taher, Zuleikha Abu-Risha and Muniam Alfaker, among others.

Visit http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com for details.

Meanwhile, you can meet Preeta at the 15th MPH Breakfast Club at MPH Bangsar Village II , Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur on Oct 25, at 11.30am-1pm.

She has a story in the forthcoming collection, Urban Odysseys (MPH Publishing, 2009).

Refreshments will be served and all lovers of literature are welcome. She will also do a reading at readings@seksan at 3.30p.m. on Oct 25. Seksan Design is at 67 Jalan Tempinis Satu, Lucky Garden, Bangsar. Keep October free for literature!