The book launch for Honk! If You’re Malaysian at Crowne Plaza Mutiara Hotel went very well today. (For pictures, please hop over to my media gallery.)
Kudos to MPH for organizing a superb launch. It was part of the Share-A-Gift charity carnival. There were games galore, tattoo stalls, food and books on sale, story reading by author Ben Robinson and comedienne Douglas Lim and performances by children. The MPH staff really turned out in full force to volunteer their time and effort. Everywhere you turn, you see them with their red t-shirts and Santa hats. Even the head honcho, Dato’ Ng was there throughout the event to lend his support. Some bosses just turn up for a while to indicate their presence and then slink off at the first available opportunity but he stayed on for the whole duration.
My kids and nieces had a blast at the carnival. Of course they were there to help me generate some buzz with the roti-man’s horn, but before the event started, I gave them some incentive in the form of coupons to redeem for games and food. If you were there, you won’t miss them for they were all decked out in red shirts, tiger-striped bandanas and roti horn.
The program was short and sweet. Dato’ Ng kicked it off by giving a speech. Hop over to Xeus’s to learn of the MPH initiatives for writers and bloggers. I won’t repeat them here since she has so ably summed them up.
Dato’ Ng and I unveiled the mock-up of the cover and I autographed it. Then I gave a short speech followed by a book-signing session. Cameras were clicking away and lights were flashing. I really felt like a celebrity. It’s even better than winning RM30,000 cash, I tell you.
Xandria Ooi was there with her mother, Susan. They’re both gorgeous and tall like models. Xandria is beautiful and dressed in a bright red dress, she absolutely sizzles. Xeus was there as promised. Ted and Lina turned up, as did Yvonne Foong and her buddy Cordy. My good friends, Connie and Suzie were there with one of my youngest fans, Daryl. Ilene Ong showed up and bought two books too, but unfortunately I didn’t have a chance to chat with her. Eyeriz turned up late, but better late than never. I know some folk who had intended to come was waylaid by other plans, it’s okay. Members of the public who had come to support the carnival were in the audience too, so it was good exposure for Honk!
And of course, there’s the whole ging-gang of MPH staff around who’re really supportive : Dato’ Ng, Eric, Mr. Tai, Mr. Ong, Kim, Erine, Alice, Shirley, Sze Mei, Carmen, Pat, Donald, Renee and others. I’m so happy when I heard that MPH will be placing standees in the major bookstores. Watch out for fake Lydias in the bookstores soon. (MPH really rocks!)
The Star and Tell (a new magazine scheduled to hit the newsstands in March 2007) were there to cover the event too.
Thank you to everyone who had a part in making this event a memorable one.
Lydia I was so glad to have been there, to experience the rare occasion of a unique book launch. I am more familiar with book launches held in bookstores, followed by Q&A and signing. I once thought of doing the same for my book, with treats and invite the press. But in the end, I got tired by the many fundraising events I attended throughout the past year, I dropped the idea and had a very simple launch instead.
Glad to witness you doing all these. Certainly a learning experience for me.
There were these tuna croissants there were so heavenly at the launch yesterday! Mmmm… keep thinking of them…
Congratulations on the book launch, Lydia! After the launch, Lina had to meet her insurance agent so I got some free time for myself to really dive into the book.
I really enjoyed reading it! It also benefits from Hassan Bahri’s illustrations. I think they’re real good and suits your witty writing.
And that cover rocks!
sorry i came late.
lydia congratulations. am sorry i couldnt be there to share this moment with you. am sure there will be more. i will make sure that i get a copy – when someone goes there.
Am so please it all went so well and it sounds like everybody had fun. Congratulations!
Yvonne, yes, it’s a learning experience for me too. Though it’s my 3rd book, it’s the first time I had a launch. The others were just book talks, not launches. Thanks for being there.
Ted, I’m so glad you like it. And thank you for being there with Lina. Yes, I really like Hasan’s illustrations. One of my favourite cartoonists.
eyeris, BLTN. Hope you like the book.
Kak Teh, your daughter didn’t call. I think the books should be at the bookstores before she leaves. Thanks for your well wishes.
Judy, Thanks. Saw Pat there. She was manning the tattoo and accessories stall with Renee. My kids got their cute temporary tattoos.
Thanks Lydia for your autograph. This launch is a first for me and my daughter. I would have loved to stay on to chat with you but this daughter of mine needed to fill up her food tank and I missed the opportunity of getting the contact details to my scissors’ sharpener! I actually wanted you to also sign on your earlier book, Life’s Like That, which I brought along as well but held back as I didn’t want to be the selfish one to hold back the queue since I’ve already made you signed 2 books. I managed to locate the mysterious XEUS to sign on the book “Dark City” which I also brought along! I’m glad I made the trip. Pleasure to have made your acquintances, Lydia and Xeus. Keep up your good work.
Lydia, forgotten to mention to you that I should have bought 3 books as my daughter just won’t let me have it…yet! She says that this is better than your earlier one and like Dato’ Ng who just couldn’t resist putting the book down but finished it all in 1 hour, I think my daughter is doing the same here too! Sob, sob, should have got 3 or 4 yesterday since it was on the promotional price and some more can get THE author to sign on it hor? hiek,,,,hiek……
Ilene, it’s really nice to see you. I’m glad your daughter thinks Honk is better than Life’s. I think so too. Haha, if you’d bought more, the author of course is very happy but it’s kinda hard on the pocket right? I’ll email you the contact no for the sharpener guy.
Lydia..glad to hear it was a great launch. I will get a copy for myself, and congratulations again!
Aiya….I had missed all the fun and sexy women during your launch!
I went to Subang Parade’s MPH on Sunday to look for your book but Ong said not there yet.
He too asked ” Aiya…why you not there one?” It surely has been a blast, the way he said it….so happy for you.
Hope your books will flood all the stores in time, soon because today;s The Star already mentioned about your book!
Anyway, lemme know about your booktalk schedule, ok?
I can imagine your blissful smile to last for weeks after having had such successful launch last Sat!! Hey, remember to post pix later!
WARMEST CONGRATS again Lydia, well done, very very happy and proud.. will make sure I get my copy autographed soon. Cheers, SM
Lydia, allow me to offer my heartiest congratulations on your book launch. Congrats and season’s blessings.
Hi Lydia
Congrats woman… you are like wine, keep getting better and better! Hope to see your ‘standees’ soon up here in Penang’s MPH stores. Merry Xmas dear and hope your hard work brings in the ka-ching(s) big time!
I am gonnna buy the book ASAP! I will try my best to come to your book talk.
Thanks for your well wishes everyone. The book should be available in bookstores by next week.
Congratulations on your book launch. A very merry Christmas to you and your family!
Hi Lydia,
Was in MPH Mid Valley today. I wanted to buy your book, but takde.. waaa
( I asked the boy (and then girl) who worked there and they said they only had copies of Life’s Like That.
I didn’t realise that your book’s been launched. Else I would’ve insisted they go look for it somewhere. Looks like will have to make another trip to the bookstore.
MG, Razlin, thanks. Actually my book will only be out in the bookstores Christmas week. Hope you’ll like the book.
Wow, thanks Lydia for your kind and generous comments.
Thank you for inviting us for the launch of Honk!
Xandria and I really loved the book and it’s an honour to get to meet the author. Congratulations on a successful launch.
Will make arrangements to promote Honk! in Readers’ Corner, Subang Parade.
Happy New Year 2007. May it be a great year for you and your family.
Susan, thank you and a happy new year to you and yours too.