Home to words and voices from Asia today
The Asian Bookshelf is a podcast delving into the world of Southeast Asian literature.
It focusses on narratives, characters, and themes.
It is co-hosted by acclaimed Asian-based writers T.A.Morton and Jon Gresham, and educator and presenter Devika Misra.
It explores Southeast Asian fiction and nonfiction books: what works for readers and why; movie and stream ...
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Writer, Jon Gresham, talks to Dr Rosslyn Prosser and Dr Mandakini Arora about teaching and studying creative writing at LaSalle College of Arts, the differences between teaching CW in Singapore and Australia, successful international South East Asian writers, submitting overseas, the process of decolonizing the anglo-centricity and colonial overhang of creative writing education, and the challenge of finding and exploring creativity. Dr Rosslyn Prosser is the Programme Leader of La Salle’s MA in Creative Writing, Dr Prosser is an academic & writer who has published a range of forms and genres from academic publication to life-writing, prose and creative non-fiction. She has taught creative writing, literary studies, media and communications and gender studies in Australian universities for over 20 years and at LaSalle for the last 2 years. Dr Mandakini Arora is a writer and has edited Small Steps, Giant Leaps: A History of AWARE and the Women’s Movement in Singapore (AWARE, 2007) & Jean Marshall’s Pahang Letters, 1953–54: Sidelights on Malaya During the Emergency (Ethos, 2017). She holds a PhD in history from Duke University & graduated from La Salle with an MA in Creative writing this year Books mentioned Mathew Salesses, Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing & Workshopping (Catapult, 2021) Felicia Rose Chavez, The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How to Decolonize the Creative Classroom(Haymarket Books, 2021) Barbara W Tuchman, The Guns of August (Penguin Random House, 1994, originally published in 1962) Olga Tokarczuk, Flights (Fitzcarraldo Editions, 2017) Benjamin Labatut, The Maniac (Pushkin Press, 2023) Akhil Sharma, Teaching Creative Writing in Singapore (Akhil Sharma, 2023) Kamau Brathwaite, Calypso Joshua Ip, Sonnets from the Singlish (Math Paper Press, 2012) Other Links LaSalle College of Arts, Master of Arts in Creative Writing American Women’s Association Writing Group Darryl Whetter
The Asian Bookshelf discusses Dirty Old Media Men by Millie Lee (pseudonym) In this episode, presenter Devika Misra is joined by writer T.A. Morton to delve into Millie Lee's debut novel, Dirty Old Media Men. Together, they explore the memorable characters and key themes of the book, including sexual harassment in the workplace and the role of satire in addressing such critical issues. They also discuss whether the provocative title is reductive in today’s context. Book mentioned https://www.monsoonbooks.co.uk/product/dirty-old-media-men-by-millie-lee/
Presenter Devika Misra, talks to Felicia Low and Adan Jimenez, writers of the award winning Sherlock Sam series (Epigram Books) about writing Sherlock Sam together, local books with strong characters, the differences between Middle Grade and Young Adult books, a new series coming from Felicia and Adan, Felicia’s work with Difference Engine, graphic novels and comics, and what’s next for Singapore’s greatest kid detective, Sherlock Sam. Books mentioned The Sherlock Sam Series (Epigram books) Mr Midnight Vol 104: Zombies in the Zoo (Angsana Books 2023) Little Hero, Emily Lim-Leh (Penguin Random House SEA 2024) Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma, Melanie Lee & Arif Rafhan (Difference Engine 2020) Ace Agent Spy Cat and the Flying Squirrel, Darren Lim (Epigram Books 2020) Other Links Difference Engine, an independent comics publisher based in Singapore. Adan & Felicia on Instagram
Presenter Devika Misra, and writer, Jon Gresham, talk to Sunaina Suri, Editor of Our Own Voices, A Collection of Singaporean Mental Health Journeys (Marshall Cavendish 2024) about the treatment of mental health in Singapore, the stigma around mental health, the need for community support, the importance of talking about mental health issues, how to write about mental health and the importance of each of us not being and not feeling alone. Trigger Warning: In this podcast we discuss events and experiences that may trigger trauma, distress or anxiety. We discuss mental health issues, suicide, verbal and physical abuse, social anxiety, depression, stress, and other sensitive issues. We note that we are not mental health professionals and that some parts of this book are confronting and harrowing, please do contact the suggested numbers and links below if you would like to talk to someone. Important Links Samaritans of Singapore - Provides a safe space when life gets to you Samaritans phone 1767 & Whatsapp 9151 1767 Resilience Collective - holds peer support groups amongst other services Caregivers Alliance - support for caregivers AWARE – Association of Women for Action & Research Women’s Helpline: 1800 777 5555 HOME - humanitarian organisation for migration economics, which champions the rights of migrant workers Migrant Worker Hotline +65 6341 5535 (WhatsApp & Landline) Domestic Worker Hotline 1800 7977 977 (WhatsApp & Landline) Oogachaga - a community-based, non-profit, professional organisation working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals, couples and families MindSG Healthhub - ‘resources and services’, for emergency hotlines & to book and appointment with IMH (Institute of Mental Health) or a polyclinic Books mentioned Loss Adjustment, Linda Collins (Ethos Books 2019) The Story of SCH: A Mental Breakdown, A Life Journey, Danielle Lim (Ethos Books 2014) A Good Day to Die, Mahita Vas (Marshall Cavendish 2021) White: Behind Mental Health Stigma, Xiangyuan Lim (Klin Studio 2020) Other Links Michaela Coel
Presenter Devika Misra, and writer, Tracey Morton, talk to William Phuan, Executive Director of the Singapore Book Council about creativity, teaching creative writing, self-censorship, cities of literature, multilingual writing traditions in Southeast Asia, ebooks and digital readers, children reading, the Singapore Literature Prize, recognition of translators and publishing in Singapore. Links Singapore Book Council The SBC Academy Suchen Christine Lim’s Home Page CNA Interview with William Phuan & Gwee Li Sui, November 2013 Asian Festival of Children’s Content Singapore Literature Prize