As part of my book promo tour, I am travelling from London to make a RARE public appearance and to read from my second novel Heart of Glass in my inimitable street style. I am second or third in the running order. It’s FREE to attend.
Date: August 25, 2018 03:30PM — 06:00PM
RSVP by: August 25, 2018 12:00PM
Venue: Seksan, 67 Jalan Tempinis 1, Kuala Lumpur, 59100, Malaysia
Type: author appearance
Seksan Gallery in Bangsar is a beautiful landscape architect designed indoor outdoor space in the contemporary tropical vernacular. There will be sale of signed copies and merch. You’ll bloody love it. Take the opportunity to come and say hi to a shy and reclusive author in her own home country, the place which gave birth to and inspired her writing and her memories.
I cannot wait to meet y’all! Please support me and my writing.
FYI I am NOT from KL. I am an award-winning author, born and raised in Johor Bahru, Malaysia’s most dangerous city, notorious for shootings, muggings and carjackings. It’s supposed to be twinned with Hull but I think it is more befitting with Sao Paulo in South America for just general violence rating, gangs, tattoos, dyed hair and abandoned fridges.
Everybody, it’s happened! Together we did it. We made Heart of Glass. Watch the BOOK LAUNCH videos and photos, now live. Thanks to those who attended and helped usher in the momentous moment. I know you’re really busy so I have cut up the evening into three videos of different lengths. They do not have to be viewed in order and each is a standalone.
I understand your copies are on the way. While waiting, check out the my tour merch too! Only £5 per item. As you know writing is a non-profit organisation. Everything that comes from my sales goes back into writing, the purchase of cosmetics and printer cartridges. The Park Tavern is an 18th century coaching inn. It is so perfect for a book launch. There are actually shelves everywhere for your shelfies! If you want a cake for any occasion, check out my cake genius friend Tina Foo’s cake below. I guarantee there is NO cake like this in the world. Chocolate with Kahlua butter cream icing. It’s pretty much heaven. Thanks also to Tina and Mary for being my tour merch managers and roadies. And so THE STORY HAS JUST BEGUN! And you thought we were finished?
Heart of Glass eBook now available now here. Paperback here.
My tour merch has arrived-arrived in time for my book launch on Saturday 30 June 2018. Not only did I write the book, I wrote thesoundtrack and shot the trailer. And now it seems, I designed, curated AND modelled my promo merch. Why? Because a) I am a grassroots person. b) I make everything if I can and c) I cannot afford to hire anyone and no one else will work for free except me. Therefore I am my own asset and commodity.
There are many reasons why I chose this form of marketing.
1. It is cost-effective
Manufacturers of promotional products keep the prices very low for mass distribution. I learned everything I needed to know from when I was doing a band, Satsuma 2005-07. The difference was that in those days there was NO social media and very limited internet. The only way to reach people was to reach people physically, with real things they will touch and hold, and real people you smile at. Prices of the gift items are low but the impact is high. You cannot afford a huge scale advertising budget. Merch is cheaper than advertising. It is cost-effective for me because I am already a designer. I can design and curate and I can source products which I may safely say, are tasteful and funky. I have been designing for more than half my life, therefore the experience is there.
2. It is instantly my brand
I designed the black and white line drawing pointed heart logo with H G monogram before I mass produced the cards on which they were printed with all my contact information. The brand is themed through my story. I am using cultural references, the period and the settings throughout my merch products. I am telling a story through these products.
3. Greater exposure of my novel and my profile as an author
My products are fun and eye-catching. A leaflet or advertising on the internet will pass before the eyes whereas a physical entity, I believe, is attractive, permanent thereby having gravitas and lasting impression on consumers. Let’s face it, readers are consumers, are we not.
4. It is my business card
Every themed product has been packaged with my contact information, thereby acting like a handmade business card.
5. Reader loyalty
I am building loyalty through merchandising because I am hoping that readers will not just read this one novel but my other future books too. I am hoping that Heart of Glass will achieve a cult following, not to mention the fact that each item has been individually packaged by yours truly in my cottage industry. This strange and unique story of branding, merch and the book itself which is deeply rooted in the 1980s reflects the obsessive, foolhardy and youthful nature of music and how it drives our passion, my passion.
Ivy Ngeow is an award-winning author living in London. Find her here. Read the latest interview here. Read a review of Heart of Glass here. Buy the eBook here, the paperbackhere.
Ivy’s tour merch has arrived. Featuring the piece de resistance 1” Heart of Glass cabochon pendant and silver chain necklace.
Wrote the book, wrote the soundtrack, shot the trailer and now designed, curated and modelled the promo merch. Each item 5£. To be launched on Saturday at #booklaunch#limitededition
Look. Writing is a non profit organisation. Anything I make from these goes into buying coffee, cosmetics and printer cartridges. #myrequiredtools
OK nevermind. Just admire my cheekbones. Thank you.
Fancy some big beats? Switch on your Bluetooth speakers and do yourself a favour: check out the TRAILER I made for Heart of Glass the Novel. Music written, performed and produced by me. Film production by Satsuma Music (which is my alter ego). Hell, I even wrote the damned book.
TIP#1: you might like to grab headphones if you do not have giant speakers. It would be a crime to miss out on my killer basslines.
TIP#2 : You might like to read the book! Pre-order now, out on 30 June 2018 onAMAZON.
This is the first time I am reading from Cry of the Flying Rhino. It is also the first time I am reading in a Scottish accent (Ian’s voice). I first had the idea in the car on the way to Brixton, and I just thought, what the hell. Let’s do it.
ought, what the hell. Let’s do it.