Keep Calm and Write Your Book
I once met a publisher who showed interest in publishing my first book, Our Home in Myanmar. However she suggested that I alternate chapters, with every second
I once met a publisher who showed interest in publishing my first book, Our Home in...
Once your book is finished and out in the world, your job as an author...
Our Home in Myanmar is available in Burmese as a free ebook. You can download...
Borderless Journal, June 2024 issue With thanks to Borderless Journal for...
Jessica Mudditt shares her favourite travel memoirs of 2023 on Shepherd’s website.
The Hembury Books Podcast is hosted by Jessica Mudditt, who interviews authors about their journey to publication. She also speaks to publishing industry experts and shares her writing and self-publishing tips.
Thanks to Ko Zarni for adapting the cover of the language...
Our Home in Myanmar was published in May. Here is how it begins. If you'd...
This memoir by first-time author Jenevieve Chang describes her escapades in Shanghai as a member...
I once met a publisher who showed interest in publishing my first book, Our Home in Myanmar. However she suggested that I alternate chapters, with every second
Once your book is finished and out in the world, your job as an author is not over (spoiler alert: it’s like parenting – it
Our Home in Myanmar is available in Burmese as a free ebook. You can download the PDF by clicking here. My thanks to the two translators
“In the telling of her story, she holds a sure, steady pace. It is a beautifully crafted book, and the editing is first rate, all of which made it absorbing and unforgettable, especially at those times when I reluctantly had to put it down to attend to life matters and work.”
My grandfather Howard Mudditt was a publisher in the UK. My mum found this newspaper clipping in my dad’s folders and sent it to me
Synopsis When a couple is brutally murdered in their rural Australian home, Detective Sergeant Jarrod O’Connor is thrown into a chilling case that quickly spirals
Hembury Books is on a mission to get manuscripts out of drawers in Australian households and into the hands of readers.
Your book’s title is its first impression, a beacon in a sea of countless options. It’s the core promise that you make to your reader.
And it’s one of the most powerful tools in your book marketing toolkit.
If you are in a similar boat, I encourage you to – as soon as possible – reach out to other businesses and contacts that you feel might be interested in promoting and/or selling your book. They aren’t necessarily going to come to you. You have to make things happen.
To celebrate one year since Holly’s Hell – Seven Years in a Thai Prison by Holly Deane-Johns was published, I invited Holly back on the Hembury Books Podcast. I asked her how her life had changed since becoming an author.
An authors’ voice should not be diluted, or their characters messed with.
It is not vain to want your book to exist in the world. It is not vain to take matters into your own hands and make it happen.
REVIEW BY DIANE CLARKE Andrea Barton has just released the second book in the Jade Riley Mystery series, A Killer Among Friends. But,
This Monday 25 November, the sequel to Catch the Wind by Bruce Lowery will be published. Our publishing coordinator Suz Robinson will be hosting a
Award-winning authors Mark Berridge and Mary Garden share their tips for where to find the best opportunities for reviews and awards.
I have attended a lot of literature festivals, but only ever as a guest. Never as an actual author. When IngramSpark invited me to join them on a self-publishing panel at Byron Writers Festival, I was wildly excited. I started counting down the days.
The Chocolate Bar Life author Danielle Colley becomes emotional as she describes how publishing her book has changed her life.
With thanks to Borderless Journal for this review and feature interview about Jessica Mudditt’s second book, Once Around the Sun. Jessica was interviewed by founding
Jessica Mudditt shares her favourite travel memoirs of 2023 on Shepherd’s website.
The Hembury Books Podcast is hosted by Jessica Mudditt, who interviews authors about their journey to publication. She also speaks to publishing industry experts and shares her writing and self-publishing tips.
Our Home in Myanmar is available in Burmese as a free ebook. You can download the PDF by clicking here. My thanks to the two
Our Home in Myanmar was published in May. Here is how it begins. If you’d like to read the rest, it’s available on Amazon, Booktopia
This memoir by first-time author Jenevieve Chang describes her escapades in Shanghai as a member of China’s first burlesque troupe during the late noughties. At
A few weeks ago I wrote an opinion piece for The Guardian about bringing our cat Butters to Australia from Myanmar via Singapore. I thought it
Here’s a list of websites that offer gigs to freelance writers in Australia. Enjoy!
Published in the April edition of The Point Magazine The Darcy Street Project is a social enterprise in Parramatta that has taught 450 people from
I went to Blacktown in Sydney’s west to meet the owner of Sun’s Burmese Kitchen for The Point Magazine.
I went to the opening of a new restaurant in Parramatta last week called The Kitchen, which is run by a Filipino-Indian duo called Rex
Published in Red Bull Amaphiko on 24 October 2016 In a country such as Myanmar where two-thirds of the population live below the poverty line,
Myanmar’s cosmetics market is expected to grow significantly in coming years, however consumer sophistication and spending power remains low compared with many countries in the region.
Hnin Yee Htun opened up a bar in downtown Yangon a little over six months ago and has already had her fair share of ups and downs in starting a new business. However she’s well-placed to face the vicissitudes of life with a smile on her face, because the 27-year-old is no stranger to drama.
Myanmar’s potential market for new cars is significant, but growth is hampered by regulatory uncertainty.
Rice expert Daphne Khin Swe Swe Aye said that the government’s ad hoc policies of the past have held back the sector and contributed to high poverty rates amongst Myanmar’s agriculture workers.
Cing Zeel Naing talks to Mizzima Weekly about ending her full-time career in medicine to launch a start-up online business selling traditional Chin fabrics to people in Myanmar and the US via her Facebook shop.
The Information Minister said that state media can “act as a bridge between the government and the public” and that it will continue to have a role in Myanmar under the National League for Democracy government.
This reminds us that mature democracies should be neither complacent nor overly didactic: democracy is always an unfinished journey.
Starting your own business in Myanmar poses challenges that are insurmountable for most – which in no way reflects the skills of those wishing to try.
There is no guarantee that an independent media will flourish in Myanmar despite the positive changes that have taken place, according to a 2013 Internews report.
Myanmar’s ambition to expand its economic reach beyond its own borders may be a necessary step toward becoming a fully integrated member of the international business community, however legitimacy comes at a price.
For 16 years, Sharky’s has satisfied Yangonite’s cravings for delectable cheeses, breads, gelato and cured meats, to name but a few of its luxurious offerings.
Myanmar’s economy is on the rise and tourism is at its highest point in decades, but that alone has done little to help the country’s struggling aviation industry, which experts worry is being hampered by low-safety standards and oversaturation in the market brought on by new carriers.
Since 2002, the Centre for Vocational Training (CVT) in Yangon has been working hard to help young people, and particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to overcome the many barriers to learning and improve their employment prospects.
Many quirks remain in Yangon’s real estate market. As someone who has lived in two houses and one apartment over the course of three-and-a-half years, I’ve compiled a list of tips aimed at improving your chances of being happy in your chosen abode.
While Inle Lake and Bagan may be better known to foreign tourists in Myanmar, the former British hill station of Kalaw in western Shan State is getting an increasing number of rave reviews.
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for my blog. Here’s an excerpt: The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This
Jackie and Brian Ackerman spent seven years working as electrical engineers in Washington DC before deciding it was time for a radical sea change.
In an exclusive interview with The Global New Light of Myanmar, Prince Luitpold, who naturally shares the same name as his ancestor, discussed his passion for quality beer, Oktoberfest’s origins and some fond memories of Myanmar.
Interestingly, up until quite recently, yoga and meditation were one and the same. The sole purpose of a ‘vasana’ (posture) was to prepare the body to sit for extended periods of time during meditation. It wasn’t until 100 years ago that yoga became a separate discipline and a host of new postures were invented.
The indirect costs associated with cancer, the treatment of which can last two years and involves lengthy hospital stays, puts a heavy toll on families who are already struggling to make ends meet.
Mr Rajiv Bhatia talks about his new book on India-Myanmar relations and the highlights of his four year posting as India’s ambassador to Myanmar: such as taking Senior General Than Shwe to the Taj Mahal.
For those intrigued by the practice of nat worship in Myanmar, a trip to Mt Popa is a must as it’s the most revered place in the country for this fascinating, millennium-old form of spirit worship.
When Yangon becomes too wet, hot or just plain busy, take comfort in the knowledge that a serene weekend retreat awaits in the cooler climes of Shan State.
The newly opened TinTin in Yangon is self styled as a home-made Mexican street food and tequila bar and there’s no doubt that it serves up great Mexican grub in hipster-happy surrounds.
Published in Mizzima Weekly on 23 July 2015 Ophir Energy plc is an upstream oil and gas exploration company which is listed on the London
Bombardier jets are also comparatively quieter and fly at higher altitudes: while the ubiquitous ATRs fly at around 14,000 feet, the Bombardiers cruise at 22,000 feet.
Nowadays, political works which wouldn’t have seen the light of day are best sellers.
Toba Restaurant and Café in Yangon’s trendy Yaw Min Gyi area is celebrating its first anniversary this month, which is no small feat considering how fickle and fraught the city’s bar and restaurant scene has become of late.
Although no data exists as to the prevalence of cataracts among Myanmar’s population, experts say more needs to be done to raise awareness about the condition, particularly as it can cause progressive deterioration of vision if left untreated.
“If a girl finds herself being abused – whether it be by her husband, her mother or her mother-in-law, she can develop a safety plan with fellow group members,” said Girl Determined co-founder Brooke Zobrist.
The numbers speak of FDI doubling from 2013 to 2014, so the numbers are good from that point of view. But is there nervousness or hesitation? I think investors are clearly looking at what is going to happen before and after the election.
Like two of the other new Indian kids on the block, The Taj sports a cute Hindi-styled font signboard above its entrance.
The Australian Government’s recent decision to cancel its pledged sum of US$42 million in aid to Myanmar has left many nervous about future spending on life-saving services.
“Most organisations in Myanmar focus on a single disability, such as blindness. I wanted to create an organisation that works for people with any type of disability and introduce the concept of independent living,” said the founder of the Myanmar Independent Living Initiative, Nay Lin Soe.
The Economist’s inaugural Myanmar Summit on 15 May brought together over 200 leaders in business, government, politics and academia to discuss the progress Myanmar has made since it began its transition from military dictatorship to civilian rule in 2011.
French citizen Delphine de Lorme is the creative director of the vintage store Yangoods, which opens in May 2015 at Bogyoke Market. She talks about her passion for pop art and all things vintage.
Although Myanmar’s quasi-civilian government launched efforts to overhaul the country’s out-dated education system in 2012, it is widely acknowledged that one of the greatest barriers to attracting higher levels of foreign investment is its low-skilled workforce.
Wendy Law-Yone is a Myanmar-born American writer whose critically acclaimed works were were banned in her native country until strict censorship laws were abolished in 2012.
An interview with foreign correspondent Barnaby Philips, the author of Another Man’s War
The opening of BB Cake and Coffee in Parami, a chic and spacious cake, coffee and pastry shop, is yet another indication that Myanmar’s commercial capital is creeping northwards.
Yangon is a city of contrasts and short-term visitors often come away with a somewhat lop-sided impression of what it has to offer. An excellent way of gaining a better understanding of the scale diversity of this fascinating former capital is to jump onboard the Yangon Circle Line.
The death sentence in Indonesia is carried out by a 12 man firing squad. The doomed are lined up against a concrete wall, blindfolded, and shot
As the third Irrawaddy Literature Festival draws near, it seems timely to write about my favourite books on the fascinating country that is Myanmar.
For those wanting to get off the proverbial beaten track after spending a few days in the tourist mecca of Bagan, set aside a short trip to the small town of Pakokku.
For those of us who find it hard to do nothing in this “always online” world, Ngwe Saung Beach is a really good place to practise the art of just being.
My blog’s annual review by WordPress
Air asserts that Nacha’s dishes are as authentic as any to be found in the northern provinces of Thailand because her mother trained the restaurant’s three Thai chefs and passed on her recipes to them.
IN PICTURES: A holiday in Sri Lanka
Sipping a latte in a residential compound that belongs to someone once considered the most powerful and feared man in Myanmar is one of the most surreal experiences Yangon has to offer.
Joern Kristensen is executive director of the Myanmar Institute for Integrated Development, which works in upland regions with large ethnic minority communities, many of which have suffered decades of civil conflict linked to the production and trafficking of narcotics.
Diabetes experts in Myanmar are concerned that prevalence rates will increase at an alarming pace as a result of changing lifestyles among urban populations and a widespread lack of knowledge about the disease.
Myanmar’s booming construction industry is spurring rapid growth in the paints and coatings sector, as a steadily increasing number of foreign firms attempt to stake out a share in a market that was until relatively recently, decidedly lackluster.
When Obama became the first US president to pay an official visit to Myanmar in 2012, I camped out at Yangon International Airport for hours in the hope that I’d catch a glimpse of my all-time favourite politician.
In a city where the cost of living is increasing at an almost unfathomable pace, Yangon’s Alamanda Inn Bar and Restaurant is bucking the trend by maintaining its reputation for top quality meals at reasonable prices.
During a recent visit to Myanmar, Professor Mark Juergensmeyer discusses the rise of global religious violence and the reasons behind this alarming trend.
A photo essay of Bagan – sans temples.
Burmese fashion designer Mo Hom returned to Myanmar in 2012 after a decade of success in New York. She talks to Mizzima about her drive to create the perfect fusion of modern and traditional designs.
Burmese comedian and activisit Zarganar discusses his campaign to secure the release of remaining political prisoners and military intelligence officers, as well as an unlikely friendship with a murderer called Buffalo, who helped him find the path to forgiveness.
Ablow’s conspiracy theory may be summarised as follows: Obama is not acting in the best interests of Americans because he is African and therefore ideologically opposed to sealing off US borders with Ebola-infected countries.
Former political prisoner Nay Phone Latt is the secretary of PEN Myanmar and executive director of the advocacy group, Myanmar ICT Development Organisation. He spoke to Mizzima Business Weekly about his growing concern about the use of hate speech in Myanmar – particularly on social media sites such as Facebook.
The British International School Yangon will open its doors to pre-nursery and primary aged pupils in August 2014.
Parami Pizza elevates Yangon’s pizza options to new levels
Myanmar’s top male models and industry guru John Lwin reveal their secrets to success – and the hurdles that hinder the country’s nascent male modelling industry.
In an exclusive interview with Mizzima Business Weekly to mark the 10th anniversary of the publication of Finding George Orwell in Burma, Emma Larkin discusses contemporary Myanmar and explains why the time is not yet right to shed her nom de plume.
Published on Democratic Voice of Burma on 14 July 2014 A growing interest in Burmese contemporary art is providing new opportunities for artists to gain international
As Myanmar’s economic and political reforms continue at a steady pace, its indigenous traditional textiles could become commercialised. Myanmar does not yet systematically export its traditional fabrics and there are no official associations to promote the industry.
A leading player in Myanmar’s seafood export sector talks to Mizzima Business Weekly about the industry’s future potential – which may only be realised if current constraints can be overcome.
The market liberalisation of Burma is enticing global tobacco companies such as British American Tobacco (BAT) to sell and manufacture cigarettes in Myanmar – however rampant smuggling of duty-free cigarettes into the country and the dominance of low-end local brands pose a challenge to legitimate business ventures.
Few restaurants have mastered the ability to cater to hundreds of people in as intimate a manner as Yangon’s Padonmar Restaurant.
The Yangon Animal Shelter recently opened a second shelter, however support is desperately needed and culling continues unabated.
During a particularly pleasant evening in Bagan las year, Tunisian duo Amine Zlaoui and Raouf Baccouche hit on an idea: to open Yangon’s first tapas bar.