The audience all ears during the reading and sharing by author Shivani (left) at the Royal Sungei Ujong Club in Seremban.
BOOK lovers in Seremban got a rare treat when author Shivani Sivagurunathan dropped by the Royal Sungei Ujong Club to discuss her latest book.
The Port Dickson-raised author was in town for a book talk in aid of underprivileged students.
Some 90 avid readers, including students and seniors, attended the event.
It was organised by the Negri Sembilan Ceylonese Association’s (NSCA) Literary & Education sub-committee in collaboration with the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia and Rotary Club of Senawang.
The author kicked off the event by reading an excerpt from her latest title, What Has Happened to Harry Pillai?: Two Novellas.
Shivani’s animated storytelling brought the characters from her novella to life, captivating the audience.
The reading was followed by a question-and-answer session, book signing and afternoon tea.
For many of the attendees, like N. Panchalingam, 73, it was the first time they met an author in person.
“I was entranced by the description of the characters and the attention to detail.
“Shivani’s delivery made the session incredibly engaging and fun,” he said.
After the reading, the author took questions from the audience and spoke about her writing journey, the writing process and its challenges, and the inspiration for Coal Island — the fictional setting of her stories.
Student and aspiring writer Lydia Qaisara getting some writing tips from Shivani.
Audience members who had more questions had the opportunity to chat with her during tea.
Form Four student and Girl Guide Lydia Qaisara Abu Azizi, who aspires to be a writer, said her chat with Shivani was immensely insightful.
“Shivani was very approachable and gave me a lot of pointers on how to explore my ideas.
“I think it was an amazing session as it’s not everyday you get to meet and get tips from a published author,” she said.
The author, who teaches English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, has been writing and publishing fiction and poetry for over 20 years.
Her first book, Wildlife on Coal Island, was a collection of short stories that was published by UPM Press in 2011 and republished by HarperCollins India in 2012.
Her first novel, Yalpanam, was published by Penguin Random House SEA in September 2021.
The author’s short stories and poems have appeared in numerous international journals and magazines.
Shivani is currently working on her next novel.
NSCA Literary & Education sub-committee head Datuk S. Jeyadhevi said the event was so well-received that her committee hoped to organise writing workshops with the author in future.
“It was really eye-opening to see the response from the students who had so many questions for Shivani.
“This is the first time we have organised a book talk and hope to have more such events in future,” said Jeyadhevi, who is also the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia Chief Commissioner.
A total of RM2,050 was raised for charity.
The funds will go towards educational initiatives for underprivileged students via a project with the Rotary Club of Senawang.
