ANNOUNCEMENT We are open for entries for the 2015 Calistro Prize awards ! The Calistro Prize is an award that aims to celebrate the creation of Malaysian stories by Malaysians for Malaysian children and teenagers. The objectives of the Calistro are as follows: • To promote the creation of Malaysian stories for children and teenagers. • To reward excellence in Malaysian fiction for children and teenagers. • To support Malaysians writing for children and teenagers. The closing date for the 2015 Calistro Prize is 30 September 2015.The organisers shall not be responsible for any manuscripts lost or damaged in transit. The shortlist will be announced by December 31, 2015 and the final results will be announced at the Calistro Prize 2015 Awards Day on Saturday, 16 January 2016. How to Enter Your entry must include the following as different files bearing the title of your entry: 1. An official entry form, duly filled in. e.g. File Name : Sunset Entry Form, downloadable here https://www.dropbox.com/s/xw1dsfsjprg5tvm/2015%20Calistro%20Entry%20Form%203%20march%202015.docx?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/…/2015%20Calistro%20Entry%20Form%20… 2. A softcopy of the complete manuscript in both PDF and Word format. e.g. File Name: Sunset Manuscript 3. A recent photograph in soft copy (1 Mb). e.g. File name: Sunset Photo 4. A short biography of the author and, a summary of the manuscript, each not more than 200 words, should be submitted in soft copy, in both PDF and Word format. In case of a translation, the biography of both the author and the translator must be submitted. e.g. File name: Sunset Biodata Submissions should be made … By email: calistroprize2015@gmail.com For any enquiries: calistroprize@gmail.com RULES & REGULATIONS ( Downloadable here at https://www.dropbox.com/…/Rules%20%26%20Regulations%203%20M… ) Organisers The Calistro Prize 2015 Committee is responsible for organising the award. Eligibility 1. The Author • The Calistro Prize is awarded every year to an unpublished manuscript (original or in translation) targeted at readers 18 years and below, written by writers of Malaysian nationality, who are 18 years of age and above. 2. The Manuscript • The manuscript must be unpublished, un-contracted and un-commissioned by a publisher at the time of submission and until the prize is announced. • All submissions must be in English. • The manuscript must be a novel or chapter book of at least 6,000 words and not more than 40 000 words. • Previously published authors can submit unpublished manuscripts. • The story must be set in Malaya/Malaysia and Malaysian in content. • The work must be original or the translation of an original unpublished work. • Entries should not be accompanied by illustrations. 3. The Format • At the top right-hand corner of the cover page, please specify the word count. • The title of the entry should be in the middle of the cover page. • The beginning of the manuscript should start on a new page. • The entire entry must be double-spaced, in 12 point Times New Roman font. • Margins should be one-inch all around. • There should not be any identifying information on the manuscript itself. 4. The Prize • The best entry will be awarded the Calistro Prize worth RM 8,000, a medal and a certificate. • Two Merit Awards will receive RM 1,000 each as well as a medal and a certificate. • Shortlisted writers will receive certificates. • The judges reserve the right to not award a prize should the entries fail, in the judges’ opinions, to meet the required standard. • In the case of translations, the prize money will be shared equally by the author and the translator. • MPH Group Publishing will publish the winning entry and two merit awards. • The Calistro Prize and MPH Publishing Group reserve the first right of refusal for publication of the award-winning manuscript and the first- and second-runners up. • The winning author will sign a contract with MPH. Royalties will be given to the authors. Published winners will receive 10 complimentary copies. The authors may purchase royalty free copies of their own titles at 30% off the RRP from MPH. 5. Number of Entries • Limited to One (1) submission per writer. 6. Selection • The Calistro Prize committee will check details concerning the eligibility of the authors and the manuscripts submitted. • Only manuscripts of authors who meet the criteria will be accepted and sent to the judges. • An independent panel of three (3) judges will be announced in October 2015. The panel will select the winners from the manuscripts submitted. • The judges’ consensus decision is final, and no appeals or correspondence will be entertained at any point. 7. Shortlist • The Organising Committee will announce a short list of works considered for the Calistro Prize by 31 December 2015. 8. The Award Presentation • The Calistro Prize will be awarded on Saturday, 16 January 2016 in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor at a venue that will be announced closer to the date. The winning book of the previous year will also be launched on this day. • The details of a prize-giving ceremony for the award will be announced after the winners have been selected. 9. Media Promotion • The contest and prize details will be separately and officially announced in newspapers and other media. • MPH Group Publishing will be involved in the promotion of this contest in selected stores for specific periods at the beginning and end of the contest period. • The details of the award will also be disseminated to interested people and organisations at home and abroad. 10. Conditions of Entry Each entry must include the following in separate files and have filenames with the title of the entry: • An official entry form duly filled in. • A softcopy of the complete manuscript in both PDF and Word format. • A recent photograph in soft copy (1Mb). • A short biography and a summary of the manuscript, each not more than 200 words, in both PDF and Word format. (In case of a translation, the biography of both the author and the translator must be submitted.) • Entries can be submitted either by the author or translator. In case of a translation, the translator must indicate that the author (or his or her estate) is aware of the fact that a translation of the original unpublished work is being submitted for the award. • The manuscript must be typed double-spaced, in 12 point, Times New Roman font with a one-inch margin all round. 11. Submission & Acknowledgement • All entries must be sent in soft copy to calistroprize2015@gmail.com. • The subject of the email should be THE CALISTRO PRIZE 2015 followed by the TITLE of your entry. Your files should have names with your entry’s title. • If you do not hear from the the Calistro Prize Committee 2015 within one (1) week of submission, kindly contact calistroprize@gmail.com • Entries that fail to comply with any of the above rules and conditions of entry will be disqualified.
The Calistro Prize
Celebrating Malaysian stories for children and teenagers
Elevator Pitch Session with MPH
Another great reason for writers to come to the Calistro Prize Award Ceremony on Saturday:
Elevator Pitch Session with MPH
An exciting opportunity at the Calistro Prize Awards on Saturday 17 January !
Looking to be published?
There is a session called an ELEVATOR PITCH SESSION with MPH. Writers and artists will be given 5 mins with an MPH editor (there are 5 stationed before lunch) to pitch your proposal to get an MPH contract for writing children’s fiction. You can lobby for a manuscript to be published or if you have a story idea, pitch it to them in 5 minutes. Please register for this when you register for the awards event if you are interested
This is a golden opportunity. If you know of any writer or illustrator who may be interested but has not been registered for the event, please invite them to come at 2pm for this opportunity.
Calistro Prize Announces Shortlist!
What have you been up to?
The Calistro Prize is pleased to announce the shortlist for 2014
(in alphabetical order)
1. Delima and the Fanged King’s Curse by Wong Kae Jeen
2. Ghost Girl by Chin Ai May
3. Nik and the Secret of the Sunset Ship by Zalina Abdul Aziz
4. Skyping Back In Time by Agnes Ong
5. The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Sean Gregory Alexander Fernandez by Ivan Yeo Mun Kit
OUR JUDGES PANEL FOR CALISTRO PRIZE 2014
Fadzilah Amin taught English literature at the University of Malaya from 1970 to 1996, and after that taught English language (and some literature) at various other educational institutions, at first full-time and then part-time. From 2001 to 2013, she answered readers’ questions on English grammar, usage, etc. for The Star. She even interpreted song lyrics for some readers whom she believe to be teenagers. She has tried her hand at creative writing, but not for children but has not called herself a creative writer – at least, not yet.
Halimah Mohd Said is a writer and citizen journalist who, since 1998, has contributed feature articles, opinion pieces and letters to the editor in the mainstream newspapers including New Straits Times, The Star, Utusan Malaysia and The Sun. From 2011 to 2014, she ran a fortnightly column THIS N THAT in The Sun. Her writings in and for the media presents critical analyses of socio-cultural issues of national concern such language and education, integrity and corruption, unity and multiculturalism.
As a long-serving educationist and academician specialising in English Language and Linguistics – secondary school teacher (1969-1976) and lecturer at the University of Malaya (1976-2000) – she has written and edited many writings. Her publications include English Is An Asian Language (2000), Language And Empowerment (2003), My Early Years: Dr Mohamed Said (2011), Memories Of Our Mothers (2012) and the co-authorship of a book Images Of The Jawi Peranakan Of Penang (2004). She has been actively involved in the committee of the Malaysian Association of Modern Languages which organises research, conferences, seminars and workshops and publishes journals and books on language and linguistics.
Hazadiah Mohd Dahan obtained her PhD (English) from the University of Birmingham, UK , M.A in Applied Linguistics from University of Essex, UK and B.A (Hon) in English Literature from the University of Malaya. She has served at the Faculty of Education, UiTM, as a Founding Dean and a Professor of English from 1997 till 2014.
She has extensive experience in the TESL in the areas of program design and development, English language proficiency, teacher education and, and staff training. She has taught Linguistics and Language of Academic Discourse to undergraduates and post graduates. She has also taught English Literature and Sociolinguistics to young adults at the American Degree Programme, and at the Faculty of Education, UiTM. It is within these areas that she has developed a strong understanding of how language functions in helping the young develop their identities.
Calistro Prize Awards Creativity Day
The Calistro Prize is an annual creative writing award for children’s fiction. Join us on Saturday, 17 January 2015 for the Calistro Prize awards ceremony which will be held this year at Pusat Kreativiti Kanak Kanak Tuanku Bainun, 48, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur.
And that’s not all! A whole day of book related events has been planned with something for the whole family.
We have book exhibitions and sales, talks about writing and publishing, readings from local and international authors, art activities and storytelling.
Here’s the full programme:
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Book exhibition and Sales
• Maple Comics
• BookXcess
• Gerak Budaya
• Cooray Publishing
• Tables No.1 and 2 Miscel.Authors Open Area – Ongoing event for TTDI community visitors and guests
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Art and Craft Exhibition and Sales
• Doodle Art
• Colouring Contest
• Batik Painting
• Pop Art Open Area Ongoing event for TTDI community visitors and guests
1130 a.m. – 1p.m. • Calisto Prize Awards Ceremony (By invitation or walk-in before 1130am)
• Book Launch for Chris Lin’s Colour Crescendo which won last year’s prize.
• Talk on “Writing Children’s Fiction” by Oon Yeoh, Senior Editor, MPH
• Talk on “E-Publishing” by Sayed Munawar Sayed Mohd.Mustar, CEO Kota Buku and Syed Faiz Al-Shahab, Founder of E Sentral
• Press Conference Function Room Free Admission
1pm-2pm LUNCH Function Room (By invitation only)
2pm-4pm Readings with Sharon Bakar (For Adults)
Mano Maniam, Dina Zaman, Zufar Ismail Zeid, Bernice Chauly, Mamu Veis, John Krich, and Sabah Carrim read from their books and works in progress.
Function Room FREE ADMISSION
Open to invited guests and public
(Facebook page for Readings event here.)
2pm-4pm STORIGAMI with Ummi Sham (For Kids)
Storytelling with paper-folding. 2 hours of interactive and creative fun with experienced storyteller UMMI SHAM. The Dome Free admission for special group of kids from PKKKTB
By coupon only for guests’ kids or public. (Please obtain RM5 coupon from Table 1 at Open area)
Congratulations To All Our 2013 Winners!
The Calistro Prize 2013 winner (middle) Chris Lin, and merit award winners (left) Sue Ann Lee and Michele Chia.
The results are out, and the grand winner of the Calistro Prize 2013 is Chris Lin for his work Colour Crescendo!
Lin completed his manuscript in just five nights, and was “very surprised by how my story ended”. He said that since he didn’t expect to win the prize, he had not prepared an acceptance speech. “But I see this as a great reward for the living the writer’s life so far… and I hope more people will continue to support and encourage Malaysian writers and stories,” he said.
The two Merit Award winners meanwhile are Sue Ann Lee for Gameworld and Michele Chia for The Last Wills and Testaments Of Melody Law – A High School Journal.
We would also like to applaud the two other writers who made it to our shortlist; Bathmaloshanee Muniandy for Anya’s Angasana and Ninot Aziz for Siti, The Queen Regnant.
A special thank you to the prize’s generous benefactor Dr David Kirkham for flying down specially for the awards ceremony on Jan 18 at the Kuala Lumpur Library!
(L-R) Lim Lay Har and Lim Lay Koon holding up their freshly published book, ‘A Master and An Apprentice’
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In another exciting development, the awards ceremony also saw the launch of our 2012 winning manuscript, A Master and An Apprentice!
Written by Lim Lay Har and illustrated by Lim Lay Koon, A Master and An Apprentice is a humorous tale about an expert kuih lapis maker who tries in vain to get his son to take over the family business. The son meanwhile, is more interested in modern baking and wants his father to move along with the times. In jest, the son challenges his father to a cooking contest – if the father wins, the son will carry on the family business. What to know what happens next? Grab a copy of the book!
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A big thank you to all the writers who chose to launch their books and share their work at our mini-festival held alongside the awards ceremony; our workshop facilitators; the creative vendors with their amazing wares; and of course, all of you who came along to make it a great day of celebrating local writing.
Do drop by our Facebook page as we update it with more pictures of what went down at the awards ceremony. Stay tuned as well for the judge’s comments on our winners, as well as details of the 2014 competition!
Almost there!
It’s almost here – the announcement of the 2013 Calistro Prize winners!
Just a quick update; roads around Dataran Merdeka will be closed on Saturday except for Jalan Raja Laut (from Masjid Negara towards Dataran Merdeka) because of the OCBC Cycle Malaysia event. Aside from parking spaces right in front of KL Library, the nearest parking spot will be at Daya Bumi. Take the LRT if you can though, and just get off at Masjid Jamek!
Here’s our updated schedule for the day as well:
CALISTRO PRIZE 2013 AWARDS CEREMONY | 11AM – 12PM
The official announcement of the 2013 winners!
BOOK LAUNCH OF THE CALISTRO PRIZE 2012 WINNER | 12PM – 12:15PM
MYANMAR: CUISINE, CULTURE & CUSTOMS | 12:15PM – 12:30PM Award-winning culinary writer Mohana Gill will be launching her latest book “Myanmar: Cuisine, Culture & Customs”
GAZA WRITES BACK | 12:30PM – 1PM
A book launch and presentation by Refaat Alareer on his book “Gaza Writes Back”, a collection of short stories written by writers living in Gaza, Palestine.
READINGS@CALISTRO | 2PM – 3:30PM
The popular Readings series makes a special appearance at our mini-festival! The line-up includes poets and writers from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Palestine, among them:
Norma Hashim
Refaat Alareer
Nicole Idar
Marc Nair
Scott Sneddon
Deborah Emmanuel
Shivram Gopinath
CONCURRENT TALKS AND WORKSHOPS | 3:30PM – 5PM
1) Healthy Food
Award-winning culinary writer Mohana Gill will run a special demonstration for children and parents on how to prepare healthy cuisine.
2) Poetry Writing Workshop for Teens
Targeted at teens (13 to 18-years-old), creative writing teacher Sharon Bakar will take participants through the mechanics of writing poetry.
3) The Art of Illustrating A Story
Curious about how writers and illustrators work together to create picture books? Join illustrator Tan Vay Fern as she shares her perspective on the process in this talk.
4) How To Write A Young Adult Novel in 7 Days
A fun workshop by writer Ean on the mechanics of writing work aimed at teenagers.
*Admission is free by invitation or registration on a first come first served basis. Just drop us an email at calistroprize@gmail.com or send a message with your name and contact number to either Ean (016 255 4503) or Norma (012 222 1222)
See you there!
One week to the awards!
Just seven more days to our official announcement of the Calistro Prize 2013 winners on 18th January, 2014 at the Kuala Lumpur Library at Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur!
While we wait, you may like to get reacquainted with our mission of encouraging the creation of good Malaysian stories by reading an interview with our founder Dr David Kirkham here, or listening an interview with our 2013 organising committee member Daphne Lee here.
If you have not checked out the other activities we have planned for the day alongside the awards ceremony, here’s the schedule so far:
SALE OF BOOKS/ BAGS/ ZINES | 10AM – 5PM
CALISTRO PRIZE 2013 AWARDS CEREMONY | 11AM – 12PM
The official announcement of the 2013 winners!
BOOK LAUNCH OF THE CALISTRO PRIZE 2012 WINNER | 12PM – 12:30PM
GAZA WRITES BACK | 12:30PM – 1PM
A book launch and presentation by Refaat Alareer on his book “Gaza Writes Back”, a collection of short stories written by writers living in Gaza, Palestine.
READINGS@CALISTRO | 2PM – 3PM
The popular Readings series makes a special appearance at our mini-festival – stay tuned for updates of the performers and writers who will take the stage!
CONCURRENT TALKS AND WORKSHOPS | 3PM – 5PM
1) Healthy Food
A talk and demonstration on healthy cooking by award-winning culinary writer Mohana Gill.
2) Poetry Writing Workshop for Teens
Targeted at teens (13 to 18-years-old), creative writing teacher Sharon Bakar will take participants through the mechanics of writing poetry.
3) The Art of Illustrating A Story
Curious about how writers and illustrators work together to create picture books? Join illustrator Tan Vay Fern as she shares her perspective on the process in this talk.
Admission is free via registration – to do so, email us at calistroprize@gmail.com or or send a message with your name and contact number to either Ean (016 255 4503) or Norma (012 222 1222).
For more updates on the events, go to our Facebook page or click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/592856097454131/?ref=22.
Hope you can join us!
Winners!
Our judges met on 14th December, 2013 to choose the Calistro Prize grand prize winner and the recipients of the two merit awards. Happily, Suzanne Lazaroo, Marisa Repin, Animah Kosai came to a decision fairly quickly. However, although we had intended to announce the winners’ names on 31st December, 2013, we have decided to prolong the suspense and only reveal the winning entries at the Calistro Prize 2013 Awards Ceremony on 18th January, 2014.
So, if you want to know which books our judges have chosen, do attend the event at the KL Library (see below for details).
While the ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m., there are other activities planned for that day, including the sale of books, bags and zines; writing workshops; and book launches. Do join us to show your support for Malaysian books by Malaysian authors.
A Bookish Day with the Calistro Prize
Date: 18th January 2014
Time: 10 a.m-5 p.m
Calistro Prize Awards ceremony: 11 a.m.-12.30 p.m.
Venue: The Gallery Area, Kuala Lumpur Library
1, Jalan Raja
50050, Kuala Lumpur
The 2013 Shortlist
We’re one step closer to announcing this year’s winners!
After reading through all the submissions, the judges have shortlisted the following entries:
1) Colour Crescendo by Chris Lin
2) Gameworld by Su Ann Lee
3) The Last Wills and Testaments Of Melody Law – A High School Journal by Michele Chia
4) Anya’s Angsana by Bathmaloshanee Muniandy
5) Siti, The Queen Regnant by Ninot Aziz
Congratulations to all the shortlisted entries, and stay tuned for details of the final list of winners!
Announcing this year’s judges!
The judging process for the Calistro Prize 2013 is now underway!
Our lovely judges, selected for their love of children’s and YA books, are Suzanne Lazaroo, Marisa Repin and Animah Kosai. To read a bit more about them, check out our judge’s page here.
The Calistro Prize 