Malaysian cookbooks much sought after
KUALA LUMPUR: Dreaming of becoming a writer but cannot even pen a fiction to save your life? How about a cookbook?
Apparently, copyright of Malaysian recipe books, together with books on the halal industry are on the international publishing companies’ top list.
Besides the topics mentioned, Perbadanan Kota Buku chief executive director Sayed Munawar Sayed Mustar said publishers also sought ‘ Malaysian stories’ or stories which depicted the Malaysian culture.
He referred to success stories such as ‘ Mila’s Big Curly Hair’, a children’s story book by Maslina Yusoff which received overwhelming response from China’s publishing companies during the Shanghai Book Fair last year, and ‘ Fruitastic’, a healthy fruit-based recipe book by Mohina Gill which won the World Cookbook Gourmand Award at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2015.
“Apart from that, ( Perbadanan) Kota Buku has also identified six potential categories which we envision would be popular among international publishers.
“The topics are Islamic thoughts, halal industry and commodities, particularly involving Felda, socioculture, biodiversity and Islamic finance,” he told a media briefing recently.
Perbadanan Kota Buku, which was established in 2011 as part of the Malaysia Book Policy, aims to spur the book industry and has taken the role to facilitate buying and selling copyrights among publishers and writers.
After 10 years of organising the Kuala Lumpur Trade and Copyright Centre ( KLTCC), as well as countless tours to book fairs worldwide, the company has got a fair idea of ‘sales’ in the international book market.
During the briefing, Sayed Munawar also gave a sneak peak into the 10th edition of the KLTCC that is set to run from April 28 to 30, at Seri Pacific Hotel here.
To be held parallel to the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, the trade will focus on gathering publishers and content traders.
To date, it has attracted participation from 19 countries, including ASEAN countries, Japan, South Korea, Middle East countries, European countries and the United States of America.
The trade promises the ‘Business Club’ concept which provides a conducive environment for business negotiations and deals.
Other attractions will include the Asian Future Library Convention and the ‘Page the Pitch 360’ pitching competition.
“Since its first edition, the fair has organised over 400 business matching sessions worth approximately USD14 million ( RM62.3 million) in potential sales.
“We aim, not only to make KLTCC as the gateway for outside books to come into Malaysia, but also want local content to be exported,” said Sayed Munawar. — Bernama