Puty Puar's Blog - Posts Tagged "selfimprovedme"
NEW BOOK: Self-Improved Me (2024)
Self-Improved Me: An Illustrated Guide to Self-Discovery and Continuous Improvement
I started my obsession with imported bookstores when I was in junior high school. I’ve always loved books since I was little, but entering QB World Books (permanently closed), Aksara (permanently closed?), or Kinokuniya was� enthralling. Oftentimes, as I walked through the aisles and looked at the beautiful book covers with enticing titles, I held my breath. My budget was limited back then so I could only afford one or two books at the normal price, but I’ve been used to unrequited love. I didn’t mind falling in love with things I couldn’t have and keeping some dreams wouldn’t hurt, would it?
There were two dreams I kept clinging to: 1) To buy whatever I wanted at imported bookstores without thinking about money, 2) To get my work sold there. Any kind of work; writing, illustration, design, merchandise, whatever they will take me for. I checked number one about 13 years ago when I got a decent job and earned my own #adultmoney.
Number two came true this year. My work; my writing and illustration, got published by !
If there was a time machine and I could show the 14-year-old-me the cover, with my name and PENGUIN LOGO ON THE TOP RIGHT (!), she would think I just Photoshopped it (lol). But yeah, here I am, 35 years old, .
Before I explain what the book is about, I’d like to take some time and space here to pat myself on the back and celebrate the dream-came-true moments. My book is sold at Kinokuniya Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It’s also available at MPH Malaysia and Periplus :�)
So, what is the book about?
I must say that the title is pretty self-explanatory, ‘Self-Improved Me� is a self-improvement book. It is about the pressure in modern society, how it unconsciously creates guilt and makes it so hard to be aware of ourselves and what we truly aim for. How we can’t stop comparing ourselves and doing things just because everybody seems to be doing it. The book is about the self-discovery process: taking the first steps to gain clarity in life, honoring our growth process, and embracing our imperfections.
With bite-sized writings and illustrations, ‘Self-Improved Me� aims to help get us to know ourselves better. It includes exercise templates and practical tips for arranging our priorities, measuring our progress, and making better decisions based on self-reflection and evaluation.
In short, everything I’ve been advocating as a content creator: on Instagram, Twitter, blog, and my previous book, ‘Empowered ME (Mother Empowers)� (2022).
Some of you might be aware of the similarities between ‘Self-Improved Me� and ‘Empowered ME (Mother Empowers)�. In fact, I initially offered the translation of ‘Empowered ME (Mother Empowers) to Penguin Random House SEA, and Nora, the publisher, was interested in the general concept. However, she told me that bringing ‘mother� on the title worked well in Indonesia because I’ve been closely engaged with mothers� communities here. With such an issue that is relatable to many and my illustration style fitting a younger audience, it can be reworked as a new book! So a new book it was: for women, not specifically for mothers.
While the essence of ‘Empowered ME� such as journaling is there, I reworked most of the things to focus on ‘Me� instead of motherhood, and added more full-page illustrations :)
I must admit that the whole process, from getting the deal, writing (Nala was a newborn, and we had Nanny’s drama back then), editing, and bringing the book to Indonesia, was not easy. Yet I felt immense support from many people to whom I would give my utmost gratitude; my family, my publisher, the bookstores team, and surely my readers :�)
This will not be my last post about ‘Self-Improved Me� because the book will continue its journey in 2025. I hope it resonates with many people who are tired of ‘New Year, New Me� and would like to try ‘New Year, Self-Improved Me�, so please stay tuned! :D
***
I started my obsession with imported bookstores when I was in junior high school. I’ve always loved books since I was little, but entering QB World Books (permanently closed), Aksara (permanently closed?), or Kinokuniya was� enthralling. Oftentimes, as I walked through the aisles and looked at the beautiful book covers with enticing titles, I held my breath. My budget was limited back then so I could only afford one or two books at the normal price, but I’ve been used to unrequited love. I didn’t mind falling in love with things I couldn’t have and keeping some dreams wouldn’t hurt, would it?
There were two dreams I kept clinging to: 1) To buy whatever I wanted at imported bookstores without thinking about money, 2) To get my work sold there. Any kind of work; writing, illustration, design, merchandise, whatever they will take me for. I checked number one about 13 years ago when I got a decent job and earned my own #adultmoney.
Number two came true this year. My work; my writing and illustration, got published by !
If there was a time machine and I could show the 14-year-old-me the cover, with my name and PENGUIN LOGO ON THE TOP RIGHT (!), she would think I just Photoshopped it (lol). But yeah, here I am, 35 years old, .
Before I explain what the book is about, I’d like to take some time and space here to pat myself on the back and celebrate the dream-came-true moments. My book is sold at Kinokuniya Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It’s also available at MPH Malaysia and Periplus :�)
So, what is the book about?
I must say that the title is pretty self-explanatory, ‘Self-Improved Me� is a self-improvement book. It is about the pressure in modern society, how it unconsciously creates guilt and makes it so hard to be aware of ourselves and what we truly aim for. How we can’t stop comparing ourselves and doing things just because everybody seems to be doing it. The book is about the self-discovery process: taking the first steps to gain clarity in life, honoring our growth process, and embracing our imperfections.
With bite-sized writings and illustrations, ‘Self-Improved Me� aims to help get us to know ourselves better. It includes exercise templates and practical tips for arranging our priorities, measuring our progress, and making better decisions based on self-reflection and evaluation.
In short, everything I’ve been advocating as a content creator: on Instagram, Twitter, blog, and my previous book, ‘Empowered ME (Mother Empowers)� (2022).
Some of you might be aware of the similarities between ‘Self-Improved Me� and ‘Empowered ME (Mother Empowers)�. In fact, I initially offered the translation of ‘Empowered ME (Mother Empowers) to Penguin Random House SEA, and Nora, the publisher, was interested in the general concept. However, she told me that bringing ‘mother� on the title worked well in Indonesia because I’ve been closely engaged with mothers� communities here. With such an issue that is relatable to many and my illustration style fitting a younger audience, it can be reworked as a new book! So a new book it was: for women, not specifically for mothers.
While the essence of ‘Empowered ME� such as journaling is there, I reworked most of the things to focus on ‘Me� instead of motherhood, and added more full-page illustrations :)
I must admit that the whole process, from getting the deal, writing (Nala was a newborn, and we had Nanny’s drama back then), editing, and bringing the book to Indonesia, was not easy. Yet I felt immense support from many people to whom I would give my utmost gratitude; my family, my publisher, the bookstores team, and surely my readers :�)
This will not be my last post about ‘Self-Improved Me� because the book will continue its journey in 2025. I hope it resonates with many people who are tired of ‘New Year, New Me� and would like to try ‘New Year, Self-Improved Me�, so please stay tuned! :D
***
