Yvonne Foong

My bestselling first book, I’m not sick, just a bit unwell is finally on sale in America! They may be purchased at two different locations.

House Ear Institute

Medical Square Pharmacy
2100 West 3rd Street Suite #190
Los Angeles, California 90057

Telephone: (213) 483 1744

NF2Crew

A kind member of the NF2Crew in Pennsylvania is helping me sell the books, either by post or by hand. Send her an e-mail directly to place orders:- marie.drew(at)comcast(dot)net

Note All sales proceed go towards funding my much needed medical treatments.

“From her lifelong battle with Neurofibromatosis to being Crowned as Most outstanding Youth Of The Year of 2005, Yvonne Foong’s story is both involving and extraordinary. If you have ever wondered what it’s like to cope with an incurable illness, this book introduces you to the day-to-day realities of a teenager who is the girl-next-door.” John Ling, author of Fourteen Bullets.

“It is like nothing can stop this inexceptional individual” HerWorld magazine.

“There wasn’t a single break the moment I picked up this engaging book. I must say I’m truly impressed by Yvonne’s courage, perseverence, and positive outlook on life.” Yang Mei Ling, writer, Seventeen Magazine Malaysia.

“I enjoyed and was extremely moved by Yvonne Foong’s candid accounts of life with Neurofibromatosis. Her courage and positivity is inspiring and heartening” Daphne Lee, Starmag.

Note to self: Yvonne must not neglect her blog. Yep, I must not. Lots of things are happening lately. I won’t call myself busy, because I enjoy being occupied. Idling is so not my kinda thing.

Firstly, the second printrun, another 1,000 books are ready. Now awaiting distribution. The books will very soon be on sale at House Ear Institute, LA. Yay! I’m also getting in touch with personnels at MPH and Popular bookstore to organise more book reading sessions. Hopefully in Penang and Johor.

Meanwhile, the idea for my second book is being conceived. I got an agent! Yay! Now I must really get to work and stop procrastinating. My motto pledges to remain productive, so stick to it!

Urgh… I am falling behind track. My books have been on sale for months. The First 1,000 printrun has almost sold out, with the remainders in bookstores, longing to be part of someone’s bookshelf. Yet I have done nothing much to promote. Lydia Teh is organising a contest, offering copies of Honk! If You Are Malaysian and Life’s Like That, as well as books from her own bookshelf as prizes. I feel so envious. How fun. How exciting!

For my own book, I’m more concerned about distribution. Jun Kit the book designer left for holiday in Japan without informing me, so now I’m pining for his return. I need him to piece together a page of blurbs to go with the second print. I need them for distribution to the pharmacy in House Clinic, LA and NF Inc in Minnessota. My aunt in Bath, England, is also helping mail books to UK residents ordering through my blog. A kind Swedish reader has ordered two books, one for her own and one for the Swedish library! Although the book is not yet with her, yet I am already very grateful for her kind intention to help! To think that my book will soon be read by Swedes, wow!

Ok back down from cloud 9. Jun Kit faster come home. If you’re reading this blog from Japan, SOMEONE AT HOME IS IN BADLY NEED OF YOU! Oh the quirks of self-publishing.

Here goes some pictures from last Saturday’s book launch at MPH MidValley! I hope you guys liked my speech about writing and publishing. Enjoy!

Early last year, before I made anything substantial out of myself, I browsed the internet looking for publishing opportunities. Hoping to find a publisher closer to home, my online queries comprised of local keywords. Eventually, I came across a website about “The Book Project” by Karen-Ann Theseira.

For an aspiring writer, The Book Project was equivalent to a pot of gold. I sent an enquiry and received an almost immediate respond from the boss herself. I began writing my very first article now published in Book Project 2.

As a writer, I regret to say I started late. Sure, The Book Project may have received some discouraging comments within the local literary scene, but through it, I have gained some invaluable experience on what it takes to be a bestseller. By attending book launches and readings, observing how Karen-Ann engaged the public’s attention, I have also grown comfortable with book store event settings. When my own book was published, I wasn’t nervous the way I used to be when speaking at The Book Project events.

I got to know many friends and along the way improved my writing as well. The purpose of The Book Project is to provide local writers a platform to showcase their talents. I must admit, knowing that there exists the hope of being read is priceless.

Someone once said, there is no such thing as bad writing. Every word is worth reading and appreciated in its very own right. (paraphrased)

Finally, not only has The Book Project attracted awesome talents, we have finally secured a traditional publisher!

With the 3rd book, rebranded as “Write Out Loud”, selling in bookstores very soon, earlier editions are slowly depleting and will not be printed again.

Knowing that I’m raising funds for medical treatments, Karen-Ann is very kind to let me sell the remainders through my blog. I personally feel, they make decent Christmas presents for little children and young adults who aspire to become writers some day. “Look, so-and-so’s writing when he was still a nobody. You can do it too!”.

Usual retail price is RM22 per book. This is a bargain!

To place an order, send me an e-mail at sale(at)heart4hope(dot)com

Next week, I’ll be launching my book “I’m not sick, just a bit unwell” (ISBN 983-43253-0-4).

Details are as follow:-

MPH 1Utama
3rd December 2006
3-4pm

MPH MidValley
9th December 2006
3-4pm

I will speak of my experience in writing and publishing, and what writing my own biography means to me. It is in my hope that more physically challenged Malaysians would be inspired to join the mainstream society and lead active, fulfilling lives.

The launch will be followed by a Q&A session, whereby attendees will be encouraged to question me and among one another. Don’t be surprised if you end up bringing home new perspectives and friends!

Please come support me if you have the time!

Handed 100 more copies of my book to MPH Distributors. Some outlets have sold out. That’s so exciting to know. MPH 1Utama placed my books and poster on a prominent shelf near the cashier, but the ones at MPH Midvalley were quite hard to find. Nevertheless, I checked the computer yesterday and found only 11 copies left!

Now I wish everyone reads my column in YellowPost, because of late, I have been writing better over there.

ISBN: 983-43253-0-4

“I’m not sick, just a bit unwell - Life with Neurofibromatosis” is on sale at the following locations.

• Borders, Berjaya Times Square
• ALL MPH bookstores
• ALL Popular bookstores
• Bellevue Enterprise, Miri
• Iwase bookshop Sdn. Bhd.
• Fortress Iviera Sdn. Bhd.
• MY Bookstore Sdn. Bhd.
• Bumiktisa Corporation Sdn. Bhd
• Booker International
• Qalif Bookstore
• Tong Hing Supermarket Sdn. Bhd.
• Zenithway Sdn. Bhd.

* The list includes North, South, East, West Malaysia, and Brunei!

So, what is this book about?

“From her lifelong battle with Neurofibromatosis to her being crowned as the Most Outstanding Youth Of The Year 2005, Yvonne Foong’s story is both involving and extraordinary. If you have ever wondered what it is like to cope with an incurable illness, this book introduces you to the day-by-day realities of a teenager who is the girl next door.

Emotional, stark, and entertaining, her story sheds light on the struggles that all challenged Malaysians face. You may never look at them in the same way ever again”

Hello, hello everybody! Sorry to keep you guys in anticipation. There is finally something substantial about my book to announce. This morning, I signed an agreement with MPH Distributors! It won’t cost exorbitantly because I want the book to be affordable for everyone. Heh… now you have a rough idea how little authors earn. Even Lilian Too who sold millions of copies of feng shui books worldwide, admitted at last Sunday’s Local Author’s Hi-Tea at MPH 1Utama, that she makes money from publishing and not much from writing.

So ladies and gentlemen, you may start prying for a book entitled, “I’m not sick, just a bit unwell”, at all major bookstores, hopefully next week. I’ll definitely announce again when you may start buying. So excited!

Meanwhile, the hospital in LA is making arrangements for my surgery. The surgery counsellor is seeking confirmation from the hospital president if the reduced price package still stands. Please pray for me!

I found a way to numb heartaches. The gift that comes from being a writer is that we are capable of suppressing emotions with emotions. I have a lot of stories in me that are waiting to be told, but never found a way to express them without the fear of being judged and criticized.

Of late, I have these pain in the chest that I badly need to suppress, and the more I feel that way, the more I want to write something to keep myself busy.

Last night, I read a heartfelt testimonial by a child of donor insemination, and found that I could relate to her feelings very well.

I have once cried at the fact that I am a product of genetic mutation, a mutant that my parents would do better without. Like children of donor insemination would feel, we are bothered by the fact that although we’re humanbeings all the same, our genetic makeups speak differently of us.

I have long forgotten about this thought of being different, but that doesn’t mean the feeling does not exist, because the moment I read that testimonial, memories of the past surface, and once again I realized that I am indeed different from other people.

It’s not always a very nice feeling, because whenever things don’t turn out well, we somehow relate them to being different.

So I thought about it, and thought perhaps, my next novel is going to be about being different. I hope to persevere and stick to my decision this time.