IT was a dream come true for Sarawakian writer Malcolm Mejin when he secured a book deal with international publishers Penguin Random House SEA two years ago.
The children’s author, who had previously self-published three books in his Diary of a Rich Kid series, is now preparing for the release of his latest title, Magical Mayhem, under the prestigious label by the end of this year.
This will mark his third book with Penguin Random House, following the successful releases of Lost in Space and The Ghost of Mount Hantu last year.
“Working with Penguin Random House has been a dream come true,” Malcolm said.
Malcolm showing the five books in his ‘Diary of a Rich Kid’ series so far, with the sixth to be released by the end of the year. — Photo courtesy of Malcolm Mejin
“Before joining them, I handled the entire process of proofreading and editing my manuscripts on my own after completing the writing. Now, with Penguin, I collaborate with two editors: a structural editor and a copy editor. This allows me to devote more energy to the creative aspects of writing,” he said.
He added that receiving constructive feedback from his structural editor has been invaluable.
“I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how to enhance the structural flow of my work and stay focused on the realistic elements of storytelling without getting sidetracked.”
It took Malcolm about two months to write Magical Mayhem, which promises to captivate readers with its infusion of magical elements in an engaging plot.
The story centres on the main character, Robin Jin, who stumbles upon magic by chance and finds himself wielding a wand that allows him to perform extraordinary feats beyond his wildest dreams.
“Without giving too much away, the story revolves around the magical chaos that ensues when Robin discovers magic,” Malcolm shared.
“There’s also the possibility of the entire world being in peril due to new villains in the story.
“I crafted the characters in a way that they have quirky personalities, which I hope will make them memorable to readers. Who doesn’t love memorable villains, right?”
Malcolm also noted that Magical Mayhem delves into deeper themes of sacrifice, camaraderie, and betrayal.
“It will be a compelling read for those who seek more than just a magical adventure, offering readers a dive into a fantasy filled with relatable life questions. In the end, would you choose power or love for humanity?”
This upcoming title is not Malcolm’s first exploration of magic in the Diary of a Rich Kid series. In Secret of the Sea, which he self-published in 2021, Robin and his friends are transformed into mermaids and mermen, introducing readers to a world of underwater magic.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind Magical Mayhem, Malcolm revealed his lifelong love of magic.
“There’s something inherently beautiful about the theme of magic. It’s almost impossible to experience magic in real life, yet it remains endlessly fascinating. I hope readers will experience a magical moment when they pick up this book.”
Writing the book was an exhilarating experience for Malcolm, who had always wanted to write something magical.
“With my first book (Diary of a Rich Kid), I aimed to keep the narrative as realistic as possible, avoiding any magical elements. However, as the series evolved, I decided to loosen the reins and have a bit more fun with it.
“Embracing the magical elements allowed me to explore new creative possibilities and add an extra layer of excitement to the story.”
