To Leave an Imprint in Written Word and to Light a Candle in the Dark



Words, they say are the best defence. Or perhaps, the best offence. It need not be said the impact of words in society be it printed, published, written or blatantly uttered to the comprehension of others. There are writers who do not conform to the more commercial of society, this is for you. For those who enjoy the written word and would love to share, this is for you. For the fictional writer and those who seek a place to improve, this is for you. For Malaysia and the world, and humanity. This is for you. Share...


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Friday, November 28, 2008

Copyright and Protection



We are using the applications below to ensure your stories are protected from plagiarism and theft:

1. Copyscape
2. Creative Commons Attribution-No derivative Works 2.5 Malaysia


*These links are not a part of the Kayu Api Productions Website

Copyscape
i. Copyscape: About
ii. Copyscape: About Plagiarism
iii. Copyscape: Preventing Plagiarism
iv. Copyscape: Responding to Plagiarism

1.0 Copyscape is not an automatic programme.

1.1 However, KAP promises to do a monthly scan of the internet via Copyscape in order to preserve the contents of Kayu Api Productions inclusive of the stories hosted. The stories are hosted on KAP with the permissions of the authors, therefore lending KAP the right to protect these stories as much as we are able.


*These links are not a part of the Kayu Api Productions Website

Creative Commons
i. Creative Commons Attribution-No derivative Works 2.5 Malaysia License: Concise version (Bahasa Malaysia) (English)
ii. Creative Common Attribution-No derivative Works 2.5 Malaysia License: Legal Code (Bahasa Malaysia)
iii. Creative Commons Attribution-No derivatives (General)
iv. Creative Commons Legal Concepts
v. Creative Commons FAQ
vi. Creative Commons: about

2.0 The Creative Commons Attribution-No derivative Works 2.5 Malaysia is one of the Licenses provided by Creative Commons in order to allow distribution of stories, songs, art and such online with the condition of

a. The Work has to be attributed
b. The Work cannot be altered, transformed or built upon.


2.1 It is compulsory for each story hosted on KAP to apply this copyright as it gives the author control over the distribution of their work.

2.2 The author has the right of action against the perpetrator under the protection of this license.

2.3 By attaining the Creative Commons Attribution-No derivatice Works 2.5 Malaysia License when submitting a story, the author gives Kayu Api Production the right to publish the story without any legal repercussions.

2.4 Kayu Api Production reserves the right to distribute the story under commercial or non-commercial purposes as it is the ultimate aim of Kayu Api Productions to see the stories in the site published.

3.0 It is a priority of KAP to protect the stories hosted on this website. However, no protection is ultimately complete. A copyright breach can only be fought by empowering the authors and these two steps of protection only allow the detecting and the right of law on the sides of the author.

4.0 It is not the responsibility of KAP to take action on behalf of the author.

5.0 KAP can only be executed with the support of the Malaysian community.

Update! Of Copyright Issues and Stories v.1

Heys!

It's a little after midnight and here, i bring you our very first update! Yays!

Okay, firstly, we have settled the legal, plagiarism and theft issues the best we could. This is by using the utilities of Copyscape(c) and a Creative Commons License as protection for the users of this website. A more detailed version of the protection provided can be found in the Copyright and Protection section.

We can't stress the importance of reading the Copyright and Protection article enough, as the article shows how KAP is handling the issue. Please give us feedback for your concerns and such in order for us to aid you in our cause.

Secondly, we've started out with one story so far, which is more of a guinea pig, really. We will start posting others up as soon as possible, now that we believe the legal issue has been settled. So, expect more updates in terms of stories!

The website is going smoothly so far and it's all thanks to you for supporting the website! Although, we do admit that there's still some ways to go but we promise the ride would be worth it! =D

We have much more to update but that definitely will not deter us from answering any questions.

Have a great day~

Alin and June


Monday, November 24, 2008

Story: Evening Walk by Alin



Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 2.5 Malaysia License.

Story: Evening Walk by Alin

Name: Alin
Pen name: Catanna
Title of Story: Evening Walk
Genre: Fiction, General
Summary: Something i wrote in the past. It's a little depressing though, i have to admit. Read it with your own interpretation in mind. Otherwise it won't have any meaning ^_^



Story: Evening Walk


I rose from my cross-legged position on the tiled floor. It used to be done in wood. Yet, of course, civilization, modernization or whatever we choose as the excuse for our competitive nature will probably stick its oar again. We might find ourselves with the marble floor, or if our budget allows, our floors might be fully carpeted in the near future. Then again, the carpet will only raise the already sweltering temperature.

I looked out the window as I folded my ‘telekung’ and ‘sejadah’, tucking them away. The world rolled before me. Not that I can see much of it anyway. With every tree that I see, I viewed hundreds more; dead. Their dry branches were reaching out to the sun.

Nonetheless, it would be a beautiful day for a walk, I sighed. I stepped out the front door and surveyed the world before me. Heat prickled my skin yet, it does not strike as harshly as the midday sun. Yet, what does it matter the time? The day is still hot. The evening air was fresh, or at least, as fresh as one might find in the city.

The sun was sinking far into the west. The view obscured by a wall of concrete though the delicate rays of the sun can be seen over the massive slabs of stone. As I said before, few trees were within sight. I could hear my neighbour screaming at her son. Her words splashed with a large dosage of mandarin. I think he wanted to play with his friends. Radio blasted down the street with some deejay gossiping about another star’s argument with her rival. Catfight. How fascinating. Another debated the alarmingly increasing numbers of homosexual partners flooding the streets. The tinkering sound coming from a construction site echoed on my left. There was no doubt what they were building; another highway to overlap with the already congested road running along civilian houses.

Sighing once again, I began the process of locking my door then proceeded to my gate. Even before the walk, sweat already pooled down my front.

Turning around a corner, I deftly avoided a speeding shuttlecock. The said object landed by my feet. Five boys came rambling down the street as I stooped to pick it up, dropping their own version of a five-man game of badminton.

“Kak!” they called. “Are you alright?” came yells of concern in Malay, the same emotion, written all over their faces. Their voice overlapping one another’s until it seemed like a group of goats bleating in hunger. I laughed in spite of myself.

“I’m alright, not that a single shuttlecock like this can hurt me anyway. You would do to be careful okay? It is not safe to play vigorously on the road. Especially not now, in the evening,” I replied in Malay patting one of the boys on the head. They were used to my antics.

“Yeah, yeah we know that. We are extremely careful in the morning, in the evening, even at night,” said one of the boys.

“Too bad it’s not the same during exams,” remarked another sarcastically. They burst out in laughter only to be interrupted by a call from one of the boy’s mother. The mentioned boy immediately detached himself from the group and ran towards his mother where a conversation in Tamil took place. I would know. I could hear their conversation as the mother was slightly hearing-impaired.

“Well, you can continue on with your game now,” I said, assuring them that I was alright.

“Okay, bye Kak! Have fun on your walk,” they said cheerfully over their shoulders as they walked back to the game site. I watched their retreating backs. Such harmless children.

This world, viewed through the eyes of a child. There are no enemies, only people who had lost their paths. There are no threats, only shadows. Does it hurt to view this world through the eyes of a child? We bravely plunge ourselves into the world of adulthood, leaving pieces and traces of our selves, basking in the glory of entering the ‘grown-up world’. And we take a step forward, and another.

Looking behind me, I see pieces of clothing littering that path; they are pieces of our pretence, the tuffs of hair we had lost; strands of faith, broken branches and dying greens; promises, honour, torn apart. Our hearts are hardened by the journey while our hands are guilty for countless sins. Was it worth it, to walk this far?

I am guilty, as much as you are. Yet, I watch my sins trailing past me, regret and remorse filling my heart to the brim only to be tipped over and washed into the drain.

Shaking my head trying to clear my thoughts, I moved forward. The scenery hardly changed. Save there was an odd house coloured bright pink in the corner. An excellent landmark it will make, much to the embarrassment of their neighbours. Yet, it was a bold colour, a statement in stone claiming their uniqueness. I am happy for them. Finally, after climbing a steep yet small hill I arrived at the park.

Pieces of broken beer bottles bordered a bench. Candy wrappers and discarded pages from newspapers flew with the breeze. What seemed like modern sculpture made of round plastic bags were piled on top of one another sat atop, under and around the rubbish bin. Yet, I could not bring myself to reach out and pick up the sharp pieces of glass glinting dangerously under the dying sun.

I sat on a bench, my heels crushing the pieces of glass. They are nothing, merely pieces of yesterday. At the corner of my eye, I could see the all-familiar no parking zone. As usual, one is always tempted to break the law. A bright yellow Kancil sat right next to the no parking sign. I noticed a policeman passing by. Quite odd to find one of them in this area, really. He caught sight of the vehicle and moved in to execute his job. Another man was making his way towards the car. He was a lean animal. His eyes were boring straight at the policeman daring, provoking. The policeman looked up, summons in hand. His hands shook a little at the aggravating glare. But it was a distinct shiver. One that I doubt Mr. Macho Guy could see. The car sped away after awhile. It was a wise move. Better your pride than your life.

Where does that leave us? I thought closing my eyes. Today’s headlines flooded my thoughts.

I do not dream of a world tomorrow. I dream of the world yesterday. I saw its foundation. I watched it crumble, torn apart by our very own hands. Yet, despite all that professed rural areas that desperately needed to be improved, it was a beautiful green world. I am merely thankful that our essence had not changed. Not that much at least. We are still human. Still capable of emotion. Still a candidate for hope.

From here, the five boys seemed like black dots. Another joined them. It was my neighbour. Thoughts still obscured and innocent, by ten they should be nice and ripe for the picking, their shade a dark grey. Much like the towering slabs of stone. Like the tar covering the earth. Like the emotion of the contaminated sky. By twelve, they would be burnt. The origins of the black soot covering them being the environment.

It amazes me how shallow we have become. How a squabble over a morsel of bread leads to the death of a friend. How hatred and pain, both human emotions sleep on the floor yet greed warms the bed for accommodation. How comfortable our grip on the hilt of a knife is compared to our honour.

Aah, I thought to myself. The Azan is rising, signalling the end of yet another day. I was comforted by the brief reminder of faith. It exists. Rising from the bench I took a step away, my feet grinding the bits of glass. Still, I dared not pick up the pieces.

©Alin2008
...Read more

Friday, November 21, 2008

Story Database

¤ Evening Walk by Alin

¤ Dance of the Elements by Yin Khuan

¤ Raven's Last Flight by Jaspreet

¤ Terey: Right of Law by Alin

¤ Poor Thing by Alam

¤ A Lonely Valentine's by Fadzlishah Johanabas Rosli

¤ Into the Rain by Fadzlishah Johanabas Rosli

¤ Revelry Queen sees the Empty Tomb by Raina

Welcome to Kayu Api Productions

Hey!

Welcome to Kayu Api Productions! We're the new site in town, focusing on stories written by you! Our focus is mainly on Malaysians as we understand opportunities for your stories to be read is sparse and few, especially if you want to get feedback for your work. Ones that range beyond the single sentences anyway =P

We're here to provide a space that writers can communicate and exchange ideas freely! Our main function is to provide a comfort zone for you as a writer and, as the site progresses, to become a platform for your recognition as writers =)

So do submit stories! It would be an honour for us to host it up for you. And, if you think we're lacking somethings, drop us a note. We swear that we'll work on it ^_^

Poke around, have fun! And write at the end of the day.We can only grow with the support of the public.

Hope you enjoy your stay~

Alin and June

Details

Vision and Mission



Aim

To find a way to inject alternative stories into the local market be it by seeking a path to publishing, campaigning or simply building awareness.

Vision and Mission

1. Diversify the local market of creative writing to accept beyond the typical boundaries of fictional and non-fictional work.
2. Provide a space for Malaysians to improve their written work.
3. As a center of virtual congregation and communication for all Malaysian writers to exchange ideas, opinions and experiences among one another.
4. A starting platform for writers of all ages and ability.
5. Find opportunities for writers to receive credible feedback in order to improve their writing.

Submit Story


Contact Us



Thursday, November 20, 2008

Kayu Api Productions - All that you need to know

1. Rules and Regulations in KAP
2. Details for submission



Rules and Regulations in KAP

1. Stories hosted on KAP belong to the authors who have written them and not KAP.
2. KAP reserve the right to reject stories that are of questionable content.
3. Writers whose stories are rejected have the right to demand the reasons for KAP's decision.
4. Everyone is to be polite. We don't care if it's hypocritical to your nature. Just be nice and no one gets hurt.
5. 1. No one is to be ashamed of anything they write. We respect diversity and understand that there are many stories aside from ones we are familiar with.

Details for Submission

1. It must be an original story.
2. The submission must contain the preferred genres for the stories (otherwise your hostesses will take the liberty of slotting the story where *we* feel they belong)
3. Stories submitted to KAP will be published on the blog unless specified otherwise
4. Must contain:

Name or penname:
Title of Story:
Genre:
Summary: