The Flies and Fleas of Book Fair

Any book lover would never miss any book fair, especially the KLIBF at PWTC. Every year, I would go at least twice. Once, with a someone - my hubby, a friend or anyone. The second one is definitely alone. Whenever I'm alone, I tried to be discreet, try to avoid contact with anyone who might know me.

It is kind of fun to watch people buying my book whenever I drop by at Utusan Publication. Hearing them say, 'what is locus standi?' And I remained anonymous just to eavesdrop what people might say about the book, their first impression and whether they have read any of my work.

Most of them would never know who am I. After all, I only have 2 novels. One with Utusan and the other with Synergymate. None of the publishers think that I am worthy enough to grace their booth or even DBP for that matter - even though I have been writing for Dewan Sastera, I have a column with Dewan Siswa and Tunas Cipta, I still write for Dewan Masyarakat. But I guess who read those magazines anyway.

But then again, does a writer really want to spend their precious times smiling to all the visitors when she can do other things like snorkeling, gardening, baking and walking the cats.

Another thing that I hate about attending book fair is the promoters. They are everywhere! Some want to promote foreign languages, books for children with exorbitant prices. I normally avoid those booths totally. I pretended not to hear when they approached me. But of course, my patience often grew thin easily, when I kept bumping into these guys in every nook and corner!

Most of the time I would just walk off or give them the 'buzz off' sign as if I was shooing flies. But, when I get irritated with their constant annoyance, they will get the following answers from me:

'Excuse me, ma'am, can I...'
'I already said no to 10 of your colleagues!'

'Ma'am, ...'
'Could you please stop annoying me?'

'Ma'am, do you have children?'
'Do I look married... to you?' (I sounded like the Grasshopper in Pixar's A Bug's Life)

The thing is I would have stopped by and find out more about their products had they not irritate me so. I noted that they books are of quality. But I'm just a visitor who doesn't like to be told. I want to find out myself and if I really want it, I will come to them.

Oh, well. Their loss, not mine!