calling for contributions

Hey guys,

I'm sure you guys have met my sis? She has decided to publish her own Singapore travel guide that is a little different than usual and she is looking for interested contributors.

This is her brief:

In a sentence, the book is "a place where words, design, and pictures come together to evoke the heart and soul of Singapore". It includes short essays on Singaporean culture, interviews, and creatively written reviews which leave scope for really exposing the heart of the place and its people.

Writing wise there are no rules, just need an informed piece, creatively written and does justice to the place. We don't expect literary readers so please be accessible.
Some examples of what's being planned include:

- snapshots of interesting nooks and corners of the city, eg the 4D
hotspot near the bugis temple
- one on East coast, on old retirees teaching each other to swim in
the morning with empty soft drink bottles as floats
- a navigator for Chinatown market, based on different senses of
sight, smell, touch, hearing.
- a Haiku on Kranji war memorial

Here's a couple of samples taken from my muse,

http://www.lecool.com/book/index.html

SIC it's done by Spaniards...for other samples check out the site

1. Sant Sebastian beach, Barcelona:
"Cerveza, Coca-cola, Fanta, agua fria," he bellows out. "Donuts Bambolino," goes another, "Donuts Bambolino". I see at least four other vendors nearby and that's without even lifting my head from the towel. It's the time of the day when the sun has become less brutal and tinges everything with a warm and golden glow - and the beach vendors go into hyperdrive. But also the time when party flyers are distributed, plans are made, wingmen are assigned, packages are checked out and ears are strained harder than the speedos to pick up the latest gossip.There's no other time or place more essential on Barcelona's gay scene in the summer. Facing the sea, walk right - almost to the end of Barceloneta - until the male-female ratio drops
like a wet noodle.

2. SSSH.
Single File,
Mouths Shut.
I'm going to tell you a secret but you can't say a word. This is the most peaceful corner of the city.
1. Enter xxx University campus at xxx (address). Turn right and walk into a building called xxx.
2. Walk confidently past the security desk at the heading of 2 o'clock, to the staircase. Walk down.
3. Immediately to the right is a library. Enter it and head for the far left corner.
4. Walk straight on down the corridor xxx...until you come to some stairs xxx...
5. Enter, walk forward, and round to the left. Tread quietly.
6. Sit down and look up at the building around you.

Contents (suggestions to come from writers. list of uncovered areas will be assigned later)

Let me know if you want to do anything...and how you want to write it. Content falls under 4 category types:

1. Essays on a topic - eg Singaporean language, food, architecture, etc. 1 pp max
2. Interview with an interesting character (not really a celebrity but more.. real, like some flamboyant garang guni man or something. Ask about person's area, and his insider spots (shopping, eating, clubbing, etc).
3. write up on a location, 50-200 words max
4. Group write up, eg a piece on 24hr roti prata places in Singapore listing several spots. 2pp max

Please feel free to come up with a theme/subject.
I need these info when you're ready:
- category (see above)
- place
- best time to go (content might flow according to time of the day, start with morning, where to breakfast, etc)
- essence of story

If needed, I have a letter from Singapore Tourism Board that says they support this publication and please give any assistance needed. More useful for photography, I expect.

Payment to be confirmed. It'll be a standard rate based on pro-rata royalties, somewhere along the lines of 2000books sold = $50 a page (please keep in mind that writing is very very short, 1 page = 150 words, and should be something that doesn't require much research/preparation), and 20K sold =$500 a page, etc.

Writers are advised to take it on only for love of the subject...

End

If you find this an interesting project and would like ur name to be included (plus earn a little cash, make a little difference), please be supportive. We could really use a guide like this. Contact my sis, siohui, at thebookproject@gmail.com.

p.s maybe vespaple would like to give it a shot with his DHL story?