It’s back! The Malaysian Writers Fest 2025 is happening on 4 October 2025. The Language House, Kuala Lumpur!
This year, we’re trying something new. Instead of having a couple of programmes every week, we decided to gather everyone in one place, on one single day. That’s right! Eighteen different panels, workshops, talks, and chitchat sessions to choose from!
Early bird pricing starts at RM125 (full day) for our members. So hurry up and sign up now!
Not sure which programme to attend? Check out our speakers and programme list below.
From the craft of writing, to editing and publishing, or even making your own zines. We cover it all in a single day.
With our full day pass, you can hop between programmes and meet all the people.
Workshop: Food in Fiction
Sharmilla Ganesan is here to help you cook up a delectable story about food in this lite bite of a workshop.
By: Sharmilla Ganesan
Workshop: Beginnings and Endings
Short stories are tricky to begin and end. Get guidance on crafting the perfect story from award-winning author Shih-Li Kow!
By: Shih-Li Kow
Malaysian Lit as Cosmopolitan
Is literature written abroad more or less authentic than literature written at home? What does it mean to write in or about Malaysia and Singapore today?
By: Brandon Liew, Daryl Lim
Young at Heart
What is the difference between middle-grade and young adult literature? How do you write for these audiences? Let the experts tell you!
By: Hanna Alkaf, Raidah, Tutu Dutta
Copywriting Conditions
What is it like to be a pen for hire? Join these intrepid copywriters as they delve into the differences between clients and assignments, and working in an AI-saturated market.
By: Nana, May Chong
Publishing Short Stories 101
You’ve written the story. Now it needs to travel from the recesses of your computer and out into the world. But how? Let these short story writers tell you!
By: Sharmilla Ganesan, Shih-Li Kow
More Than Pretty Pictures
The truth is, many books are judged by their covers. Let these celebrated artists tell you how to commission illustrators to help you tell your story.
By: Charis Loke, Amita Sevellaraja, Thar Chandran
Self-Publishing: Marketing, Mistakes, and More
Self-publishing isn’t just about making books, it’s also about selling them! Get tips from seasoned self-published authors whose books line the shelves.
By: Anna Tan, Farah Liyana
Workshop: Zines, Zines, Zines!
What is a zine? Ever wanted to make your own? In this workshop, learn the basics of zine-making and let your DIY spirit run free!
By: Ieda Mazlan
Workshop: Agent Secrets
Querying literary agents is a genre all by itself. Find out more about the form and refine yours in this workshop by How to Free a Jinn author Raidah Shah Idil.
By: Raidah Shah Idil
Chat with Illustrators! Borak Bersama Pelukis!
Join artist Charis Loke for an informal chat about different kinds of book illustration.
Sertai pelukis Charis Loke untuk perbincangan tentang jenis lukisan yang biasa dihasilkan untuk buku.
Our Cultures, Our Families, In Our Stories
Some say writing what you know makes your work less universal. Not true! Find out how to weave your own family background and culture and into your writing.
By: Adriana Nordin Manan, Tutu Dutta
Editing and Your Editor
What does an editor actually do? Where does the author end and editor begin? These editors reveal exactly what goes on behind the curtain!
By: Fadli al-Akiti, Thatchaayanie
Etiquette with Booksellers
Ever wondered what the book business is like? How do booksellers decide what will sell and what won’t? And will they carry your books? Find out from these toko!
By: Roestam Alias, Andrew Chong, Jen NT
Chat with Editors! Borak Bersama Editor!
Join editors Subashini Navaratnam (Gerakbudaya), Thatchaayanie Renganathan (Penguin SEA), and Fadhli al-Akiti (Dewan Sastera) for an informal chat about your WIPs!
Sertai Subashini Navaratnam (Gerakbudaya), Thatchaayanie Renganathan (Penguin SEA), dan Fadhli al-Akiti (Dewan Sastera) dalam sebuah sesi borak tentang work-in-progress anda!
Chat about Zines! Borak Tentang Zine!
Join Wilson Khor (Working Desk Publishing) after the zine workshop for further consultation and feedback on your zine!
Sertai Wilson Khor (Working Desk Publishing) selepas bengkel zine untuk konsultasi dan maklum balas tentang zine anda!
Talk: Printing Show ‘n’ Tell
Society Founder Gina Yap shares her years of print experience in this engaging talk about paper types, materials, and printers!
By: Gina Yap
Showcase: From Paper to Screen
How do you turn words on a page to magic on the screen? Junad M. Nor guides us through a showcase of her short films, followed by a Q&A on her writing process moderated by Amir Muhammad.
By: Junad M. Nor, Amir Muhammad