NOTE : Closing date is extended for two weeks till 17 October!
The compilation of Eh Poh Nim articles is coming along nicely. It’s still in the edit stage and I’m now looking into the cover design. This time I’ve got the title already, thanks to Janet Tay over at MPH who unwittingly provided me with the title last year. The full title is DO YOU WEAR SUSPENDERS? – THE WORDY TALES OF EH POH NIM. Do You Wear Suspenders is based on the chapter about Manglish. To give you some context, here’s an excerpt:
“What cute suspenders he’s wearing. I love Mickey Mouse,” Gail whispered. (Referring to a guy who was wearing Mickey Mouse suspenders).
David stared at Gail. “How do you know what suspenders he’s wearing? You’ve got x-ray eyes ah?”
“What’s he talking about?” Gail looked confused.
Eh Poh Nim grinned.
“What’s so funny?” David asked.
“Gail, David thought you were referring to the hunk’s briefs, not the straps that keep his trousers up,” Eh Poh Nim said.
In this article, Gail is an Aussie girl and David is Malaysian.
The challenge
Please suggest the concept for a cover design based on the title. If you’re not familiar with Eh Poh Nim, you can read some of the wordy tales at The Star’s archives. You don’t have to draw the cover, a description in this comment box would suffice. But if you are the artistic type and would like to express your idea in drawing, you may email it to me.
Prize
1st prize : The winning concept will win RM100 book vouchers, an autographed copy of Do You Wear Suspenders and acknowledgment in the book.
Consolation : Three other participants will be selected by random draw to receive an an autographed copy of Do You Wear Suspenders.
Closing date (EXTENDED!)
Friday, 17 October 2008
Terms
1. Anybody can enter this contest. If the winner is based overseas, he/she must provide a Malaysian address for the prize to be mailed to.
2. Multiple entries are allowed. Please submit them in this comment box unless the submission is in the form of illustration which should be emailed to tehlydia@yahoo.com.
3. If similar concepts by different participants are submitted and such a one is chosen as the winning entry, the winner would be the one who first suggested it.
If you have a blog, please help me to spread the word. Thanks!
I like the title! And the excerpt sounds really interesting! I’ll get this book once I get back to Malaysia.
I’ll think through this contest and do the submission b4 the dateline!
By: michy on September 23, 2008
at 6:18 pm
Oh and yes, thanks for letting me know about the contest!
By: michy on September 23, 2008
at 6:19 pm
Hi Michy, wow! That’s fast. I was at your blog like two minutes ago and your comment is here already.
By: lydiateh on September 23, 2008
at 6:21 pm
Lydia,
Thanks a lot for informing me about this contest. And I’m proud to be the first in your list!:)
I’ll definitely enter this contest! Hopefully I can get my name into this book. And and… I’ll help to “pimp” this contest in my blog!:)
By: Kok on September 23, 2008
at 6:22 pm
hey Lydia, i was shocked that you came across to post sumthing at my chatbox. I still can’t believe it is you lol.. anyway, thanks for informing me about the contest. I really enjoyed reading your book Honk If you’re Malaysian. I’ll look forward of what I can do about the contest. See ya
By: arifrusli on September 23, 2008
at 10:30 pm
Lydia,
Let me show you my support by being the first to send in my idea.
This is what I’ve thought…
Scene: At Pasar Malam (to reflect M’sian culture)
Idea: There’s an old man… or an old woman… sitting behind stacks of underwears. The man/woman, who’s earning a living by selling the underwears, was smiling in the photo. At the same time, the hand gesture is showing “Mari mari!”, asking the people to come and take a look at the underwears. In that so many underwears, there’s a “price list” which is written “Suspenders! Beli 1 free 1!”.
Why that idea:
1) Since “Do You Wear Suspenders” basically a chapter about Manglish, I think, the Pasar Malam is the best “background” where lots of Manglish is being used. Moreover, when people talk about Pasar Malam, it’ll remind them about Malaysia, hence, Manglish.
2) Old man/woman? It’s just an idea which came out spontaneously. I just feel that old man/woman suits the scene better.
3) The old man/woman must be smiling. Why? Because Malaysians are well-known for being friendly.
4) Selling underwears is simply because it’s related to the title.
5) The “price list” shows that we do use Manglish. It also serves as a hint for the people (who’s picking up the book) that the real meaning of suspenders is the hunk briefs. This also shows that this book contains a portion of humors.
Extra:
I would prefer a cartoon caricature drawings just like the Honk! If You’re Malaysian and Life’s Like That: Scenes from Malaysian Life. I think a cartoon caricature can attract all groups of people. Although we can’t judge a book by it’s cover, we need a book cover which can attract the people to pick up the book (the very first step) before flipping through the book. This is not just an adult book but also a book for the youngsters. So, I think cartoon caricature can grab the attention of a lot of people.
P/s: I’ll send you a photo, roughly to tell you how the scene is going to look like…
P/s/s: A post to “pimp” this contest will be up at my blog later!:)
By: Kok on September 24, 2008
at 3:14 am
Ahhh! Something to add. I forgot…
Of course, on the book cover, the title must not be left out; “DO YOU WEAR SUSPENDERS? – THE WORDY TALES OF EH POH NIM”.
By: Kok on September 24, 2008
at 3:17 am
5) The “price list” shows that we do use Manglish. It also serves as a hint for the people (who’s picking up the book) that the real meaning of suspenders is NOT the hunk briefs. This also shows that this book contains a portion of humors.
I’m sorry I make this commentbox a bit messy!:(
By: Kok on September 24, 2008
at 3:54 am
Lydia,
I have to agree with the posts by Kok that the cartoon caricature drawings from the previous 2 books are suitable for this.
My idea would be just one simple caricature of the back view of a guy, maybe slightly overweight, with a expanding waistline, and you can see both the suspenders, the correct one that ties holds the pants (with mickey mouse) and the wrong one. You make the pants fall a bit so you can see the top of the underwear, the elastic waistband part (maybe the word calvin kline on the waistband).
And maybe maybe you can show that guy scratching his behind…… err……. maybe not…….
Also in my opinion, whatever you do, do not put any caricature of eh poh nim (or any of the recurring characters in those stories) in the cover. Must not let ppl see what she look like. Let thier imagination fill in the blanks.
By: camlok on September 24, 2008
at 9:08 am
Ahhh….
I was just about to submit my second idea and seems like camlok has the same idea as I do. A caricature man, wearing suspender and showing the underwear.
Good one camlok!:)
By: Kok on September 24, 2008
at 11:15 am
Hey Lydia… thanks for informing me about the contest on my blog… ;o)
i cant think of any ideas right now la.. if i come up with any.. i’ll post them here. =D
cant wait for the book to come out.. ^_^
By: spiffy on September 24, 2008
at 12:56 pm
lydia..
tq for dropping by.am flattered and of course can’t wait for your latest addition.
will try to think the best idea that could win me the first prize meh once i’m in kl.
nway, tq again.
By: miezi on September 24, 2008
at 2:34 pm
Weeeee…. I’m back!
Haha, not that I’m fast. Just happened to check my email at that time. Hehe.
I’ve been thinking, and came up with several ideas. But I’m gonna post the first one cox the rest are kinda stupid. Syok sendiri. Haha!
Use cartoon caricatures, with an old ang moh man wearing suspenders (the straps that hangs on to his trousers) and a young Malaysian man with suspenders (boxers). It would be cute if both had mickey mouse designs! Haha! One on each side, but have them both looking confused.
Have Eh Poh Nim caricature stand in between them in the center with a big grin/smirk on her face. The title of the book could be in her bubble thought on the top of the page. And on her t-shirt, or dress, or however you’re gonna dress her up, print VS on it.
So it’s like the Malaysian culture VERSUS the western culture. I’ve got the imaginery picture in my head, and I want to be able to present it to you graphically. It’s just that, I can’t draw (boohoo!), neither do I know how to do visual graphics on the computer, so I can only give u the description.
I hope this helps you, Lydia! I’m so looking forward to the book!
By: michy on September 24, 2008
at 4:42 pm
so ‘phai say’ that I’d won twice from this blog!
how about this: a cover page figure of a male’s buttock with a restrained wide-scye shorts on, portrays that he has have an oversuspended suspender.
By: picatho on September 25, 2008
at 12:47 am
Hi Lydia,
Became an avid comper after reading your book”Congratulations! You have won” . Ever since then, have won a couple of contests. Thanks to you!
Anyway, came to know this blog recently through the web. I am attracted again due to your contest.
Here’s my idea for the cover of your new book:
Picture this. In the back alley,a row of typical double storey “Peranakan” houses running parallel. It shows on the top floor, real suspenders left to dry on a bamboo pole while the opposite side a brief instead. On the ground, Eh Poh Nim shouting to the tenants at the top floor for the wet droplets. Both tenants came out to their respective windows and responded by pointing at each other.
Hope this helps for your new book and looking forward to read it!
By: sunnymloh on September 25, 2008
at 4:57 pm
Such wonderful ideas! I’m going to have a hard time choosing the winner.
Camlok, that’s an interesting point about EPN’s appearance. Something for me to chew on definitely.
Kok, thanks for all your hard work.
Michy, I’ve got your cute cartoon, thanks.
picatho, you so lucky la.
sunnymloh, great to hear about your comping success!
ariefrusli, miezi, spiffy, do suggest something when you’re suitably inspired
By: lydiateh on September 25, 2008
at 5:06 pm
hey lydia.
thanks a lot for informing me about this contest.
the problem is, my exams are like after the raya holidays!! (that means, no more hallelujah’s for me) and i’ve got not enough of time to start revising.
but the contest seems to be rather interesting (see,i get distracted very fast) and i hope i will come up with something great in a day or two.
good day.
thanks again.
By: sonel on September 25, 2008
at 10:34 pm
Hi Lydia,
Thanks for dropping by my blog again. Yes, it’s been awhile since we blog-hopped.
You may want to update your links side-bar. I’m no longer on WordPress but my new domain is http://lifeforbeginners.com
Also, you might want to amend the category to Blogger-Writers since writing is the main focus of my blog these days.
Glad to hear from you, take care!
By: Life for Beginners on September 26, 2008
at 11:49 am
put a man wearing suspenders & underwear. that would be catchy.
By: QuaChee on September 26, 2008
at 12:46 pm
lydia
thanks for informing me about your contest on my blog.i’ve never expected you to leave a comment on my blog
By: sachinDAantkillr on September 28, 2008
at 2:27 pm
er..i’m malaysian and wanna be polite, so can i call you auntie?? hehe..
Lol, I really love the ’suspender’ story la. When can I have the book?
Anyway, I wanna say that I’m really shocked that you commented on my blog. An honour you know!haha
Chayok chayok aunt lydia!!
By: taipingboy21 on October 3, 2008
at 4:03 pm
Hi, Lydia. Long time no see! How are you and your family?
Your book title sounds funny. For the cover, how about an illustration of a guy wearing the suspender belts attached to his polka-dot boxer shorts?
By: argus on October 5, 2008
at 7:08 pm
Lydia..your book makes me smile and laugh..and i never grew tired of reading it again and again..LOL..your the greatest
By: maqubex on October 7, 2008
at 12:16 am
about the book…how about putting a boxer and a man bikini style underwear of the illustration…and make the background pink…
other than that you can make an American cartoon guy wearing a man bikini style underwear and an apek wearing a boxer…that would be so cool..
By: maqubex on October 7, 2008
at 12:19 am
Lydia,
Just to make this contest not so “quiet”, I’ll send in my another idea…
Everything is the same as my initial idea except the old man/woman that I mentioned.
I would say…maybe we can have an old-plump-man, half bald maybe, sitting on a stool with his knees in a “V-shape”, wearing a suspenders and pulling his suspenders. Hmm… Just another idea. hehe.
By: Kok on October 12, 2008
at 1:42 pm
Hi Lydia, I got another idea.
I’ve read all of the Eh Poh Nim’s article in The Star and throughout the read, I’ve always got this picture of her inside my head, until I came across the article about her having a hair cut.
It seems Poh Nim prefer having the same hairstyle at all times, and I picture her having shoulder length hair. I suggest, you put a caricature of Poh Nim as the front, as to how she is in your mind. Huge or sepet eyes? Skinny or fat? How long her hair is? But give her glasses.
I don’t know if those ramblings are going to help, but anyway, back to the contest. She stands in the middle, with her arms wide open, with a brief on the one hand, and a suspender on the other. Both of them with mickey mouse designs on them.
By: michy on October 14, 2008
at 9:09 pm
*at the front
By: michy on October 14, 2008
at 9:10 pm
Oh, perhaps give her a confused look or a look that gives the which-one-do-you-want/wear feel.
So sorry for the multiple entries.
By: michy on October 14, 2008
at 9:11 pm
Re the suspenders thingy: Er… Lydia, from an American vs British English perspective, thought that “suspenders” for the British are not so much briefs but what Americans would call “jockstraps”.
By: YTSL on October 14, 2008
at 10:17 pm
HI all, thanks for the suggestions! Special thanks to Kok and Michy who are so gung-ho about it.
maqubex, thanks for your kind words about my books.
YTSL, didn’t realize there’s such a thing called jockstraps. Here are the dictionary definitions from encarta :
plural noun briefs
Definition:
dress snug underwear: men’s or women’s close-fitting underwear for the lower body
jock·strap
Definition:
support for men’s genitals: an elasticized belt with a pouch at the front, worn by sportsmen to support their genitals or to keep a protective cup in place
By: Lydia Teh on October 16, 2008
at 10:49 am
Aiyo Lydia – I am too late for your competition.
I would have a funny man dressed only in his underwear but held up with suspenders. But no, I’m not going to volunteer!
By: tunkuhalim on October 20, 2008
at 12:29 pm
TH, gasp! That means my book will be deemed as 18SX!
By: lydiateh on October 21, 2008
at 11:21 am
[...] For those of you who entered the cover design contest, I’m sorry I can’t announce the winner yet as my publisher has not made a decision. So, [...]
By: Weather forecasters « Life’s Like That on October 31, 2008
at 11:12 am
[...] The moment you have been waiting for is here : drum roll please… The winner of the Eh Poh Nim book cover design contest is [...]
By: Winner announcement - cover design contest « Life’s Like That on November 21, 2008
at 2:18 pm