Arya News - Beginning in mid-July at MPH Bookstores in TRX, Kuala Lumpur, and continuing with the Brunei Book Festival last weekend, the book tour has, to date, scheduled 11 stops, spanning major bookstore chains as well as independent bookshops.
KUALA LUMPUR – Still haven’t recovered emotionally after reading The Warung Between Worlds and long to return to “Langkawi Down Below”?
Author Hanna Alkaf will be touring in support of her new book through the end of the year, offering readers the opportunity to hear her discuss its themes, answer their questions and sign copies.
Much like a rock band’s tour, the book promotion circuit requires authors to travel extensively, making appearances at indie bookstores, festivals and literary events to engage directly with readers.
Having previously been most familiar with the Klang Valley bookselling scene, Hanna is now gaining firsthand insight into the reach of her readership beyond her usual circles.
Beginning in mid-July at MPH Bookstores in TRX, Kuala Lumpur, and continuing with the Brunei Book Festival last weekend, the book tour has, to date, scheduled 11 stops, spanning major bookstore chains as well as independent bookshops.
Released last month during the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, The Warung Between Worlds – published by Bookiut (an imprint of PTS Media Group) – is also Hanna’s first book published by a Malaysian publisher.
In the novella, Arya Razali – who describes herself as the “not-hero” – arrives at a warung run by three mysterious Aunties in search of one of her father’s belongings. They agree to return it, but only if she can prepare a dish worthy of their approval.
According to PTS Media Group’s senior marketing strategist A’fiani Atiqah, the reception for The Warung Between Worlds has been “splendid”.
“Sales of the book have been going well not only in bookstores, but also on the online platforms where government-issued book vouchers can be redeemed by students. The Warung Between Worlds has been one of our highest selling books, especially among university students and even high schoolers,” she says.
Besides regional stops like Brunei and Singapore, the book tour is also bringing Hanna to readers outside of the Klang Valley, such as Kuala Terengganu and Johor Baru next month.
“This is one of the biggest tours we’ve done for an author, with more stops to come. While we’re taking her to all our usual stops within the Klang Valley, we’ve also taken the initiative to bring Hanna to bookstores outside of the Klang Valley, so that more readers can get the chance to meet her,” says A’fiani.
For Hanna, who describes herself as an introvert, the tour represents a significant undertaking – one she is willing to embrace in appreciation of her readers and supporters.
“Every time I tour, the number of stops grows a little more! I thought my last tour (two years ago, for The Hysterical Girls Of St Bernadette’s) was already a lot, but it turns out this one somehow has even more stops than before,” says Hanna.
However, Hanna regards it as both an honour and a privilege to meet and spend time with her readers, particularly in places she has not previously had the opportunity to visit or has not returned to for some time.
“Honestly, I’m still in disbelief – it’s so strange to think that there are people out there choosing to spend some of their precious free time on me, of all people! I am incredibly grateful for everyone who makes the trip out to one of my events and shares their stories and anecdotes with me.
“I was at Pesta Buku Brunei last weekend and was reminded again just how much your words can impact total strangers. I hope to meet as many more readers as I can in the coming months!” she concludes.