To increase the readership of the local literary works, Malaysian Writers Society and Dabble Dabble Jer Collective are tackling the challenge head-on by tapping into the power of literary art, that is, connecting people.
By Lee Kwai Han
“It was how each work made her feel,” says Miriam Devaprasana, co-founder of Dabble Dabble Jer Collective, as she recalls a review for the first Readings@Tanjong on 30 April 2023.
At a Reading, authors gather and read a poem, short story, or book excerpt to the audience. They also share what’s behind their writing. But this is only the tip of the iceberg.
The organisers, Malaysian Writers Society (MYWriters) and Dabble Dabble Jer Collective, are eyeing something bigger: a larger readership for Penang literary works. However, that also means they have to build a community of local writers and readers who appreciate their art.
They decided to start small but consistent, through the bi-monthly Readings@Tanjong.
Create Space for Resonance and Conversations
Diyaa Mani, who has been writing since 2016, debuted her poem “Kumki” (kumki means “trained elephant” in Tamil) in the first Readings@Tanjong. It was written about her experience of being body-shamed.
Diyaa Mani read her poem “Kumki” in the first edition of Readings@Tanjong at Jetty 35.
Photo courtesy of Dabble Dabble Jer Collective.
“I had a huge applause for that. People came and told me, ‘Thanks for writing it’. I did not expect that amount of support,” says Diyaa, recalling the moment after her reading.
In fact, Malaysia’s Institute for Public Health found that being “made fun of how [their] body or face looks” is the most common way Malaysian teenagers are bullied. Diyaa’s words have spoken beyond numbers to her audience.
Miriam thinks Readings@Tanjong creates a platform for sharing life experiences and perspectives about issues, feelings and emotions. Talking about her experience listening to Diyaa performing “Kumki”, Miriam says, “You make me feel seen and valued. And you also shifted the narrative. That’s where the conversation comes in—which, I think, closes the gap between the audience and the writers.”
For Miriam, “it expands not just the writers’ work, but the power of literature.”
However, do we, as a society, have a diverse enough representation in literary art to harness this power of literature?
Growing Writers
Since March this year, Arthur Neong, an emerging writer from Shah Alam, has been driving to Penang every two weeks to attend the Penang Writers Workshops 2023, a workshop series organised by MYWriters.
In each workshop, the participants explore a specific storytelling technique or element guided by seasoned writers Anna Tan, Yee Heng Yeh, Wan Phing Lim, Tunku Halim, and Fa Abdul.
Arthur Neong reading his work “Assets” in the workshop.
Photo: Lee Kwai Han
Neong, who is also a stay-at-home father, hesitated before he decided to brave the fortnightly 8-hour drive to attend the workshops. Nonetheless, it turned out to be a fulfilling experience. He has enjoyed reading other participants’ work, giving and receiving feedback, and getting inspired. “They give me a sense of belonging, which I will always appreciate,” says Neong.
Among the other participants is Aimi Shaheera Salleh, a secondary school teacher from Penang. The workshop series seems to have breathed new life into her creative writing efforts. “Before this, I decided writing would just be a hobby,” says Aimi Shaheera. “But after joining this [workshop series], I started to be keen on publishing.”
On 2nd July, Neong and Aimi Shaheera will showcase their work alongside another five participants and more seasoned writers in the second edition of Readings@Tanjong.
Bring Stories Alive in Spoken Words
However, as time inches closer to the showcase day, the writers have one more challenge to overcome: not all writers are born performers.
“That was one gap that we saw. There are writers who write beautifully but they are shy [to read their work to the public],” says Miriam. To bridge this gap, the writers are preparing way ahead of time. MYWriters included a performance workshop as part of the Penang Writers Workshop.
Aimi Shaheera Salleh read her short story “Ghosts of Past Regrets” in the performance workshop with Fa Abdul. She has published some of her poems in anthologies.
Photo: Lee Kwai Han
“Maybe with a safe, inclusive platform, with audiences who are actually there, who want to hear [them]—that might be something to encourage them to read their works in public,” Miriam continues.
Aimi Shaheera thinks Readings@Tanjong opens doors for writers who do not know where to get their stories heard.
Where Readings@Tanjong Is Heading
Talking about long-term engagement with readers, Miriam’s eyes light up when she speaks of Readings@Seksan, a monthly reading in Kuala Lumpur which has been active since 2005.
Dabble Dabble Jer Collective and MYWriters aim for Readings@Tanjong to go long-term. “It will continue to be a space for emerging and seasoned writers, to come continuously to present their work; use that as a space to challenge themselves; to write new work, to get more people, tourists or whoever, to come and engage with local literary works,” says Miriam. She also hopes Readings@Tanjong could engage with non-English literary art one day.
“A lot of them are so talented and gifted. That’s one of the things [that Readings@Tanjong aims for]. To get Penang people to go, ‘Oh, these are our Penang writers. They publish books. Let’s buy their books’,” Miriam says.
Photo courtesy of Dabble Dabble Jer Collective.
Meanwhile, Diyaa foresees better representation in Readings@Tanjong—with more diverse groups of people and ideas. “Hopefully, the other art scenes can take a cue from it. Because we have amazing illustrators, comic artists, and musicians from a vast range of cultures in Penang,” says Diyaa.
MYWriters and Dabble Dabble Jer Collective are working on a framework to keep Readings@Tanjong running while they also welcome more people and funders to join their effort.
“Readings@Tanjong has to keep moving on. It’s not a one-year thing,” says Miriam.
The special edition of Readings@Tanjong which is also the Penang Writers Workshop 2023: Inheritance showcase, will be happening in COEX@Kilang Besi on the coming 2nd of July, 10 AM to 5 PM. There will be two 2.5-hour sessions. Look out for details and sign up here.
Cover photo shows the first edition of Readings@Tanjong in Jetty 35 on 30 April 2023. Photo courtesy of Dabble Dabble Jer Collective.
Lee Kwai Han manages arts and environmental education projects in Penang. Despite her training in engineering, she believes arts is the software solution our society needs.