SHAH ALAM – Writers and members of the public with story ideas are getting the chance to take them beyond the page through the ‘Pitch Your Idea’ session at Malaysia Novel Festival 2026.
The inaugural festival brings together more than 20 publishing companies and production houses for the session, held from 10am to 5pm on the first day at the Karangkraf Auditorium here.
Grup Buku Karangkraf (GBK) Novel Unit head and acquisition editor Shahida Md Khasim said the idea for the session came from GBK chief executive officer Firdaus Hussamuddin.
She said ideas, scripts and storylines presented during the session could be adapted into dramas or films if they caught the interest of producers or television station owners.
“Members of the public with interesting scripts, as well as writers who want to see their published works adapted into television dramas, short dramas or films, can join the ‘Pitch Your Idea’ session.
“Participating production houses and publishing companies, including Novel Karangkraf, are also offering free consultations.
“We encourage anyone with an interesting idea or storyline to come because this is among Karangkraf’s efforts with its partners to boost the publishing industry and bring quality works to wider audiences.
“A good work can also be developed into other formats, including comics. For example, novels by Ramlee Awang Murshid have been adapted into comic collections,” she told Sinar Harian on Wednesday.
Participating companies include Novel Karangkraf, Viu Malaysia, Tangan Seni Studio, Sr One Production, Red Communications, Suhan Movies, Manés Wordworks, Zeel Production, D’Ayu Pictures, BamBam Studios, Mangosteen, Komet Productions, Mache Allstar United Sdn Bhd, Metrowealth, Global Station Sdn Bhd, iFAME, PB Films, FJ Pictures, Ink Loaf, Prolog Media and Bright Network.
Renowned producer and director Erma Fatima also heard pitches from writers looking to develop their works through Rumah Karya Citra, while actress Intan Ladyana did the same through her production company, Prisma Pictures Sdn Bhd.
Malaysia Novel Festival 2026, themed ‘Segalanya Bermula dengan Cinta’, runs from Sept 23 to 27, bringing together book lovers, writers, publishers and members of the creative community.
The festival also features a theatre competition, ‘Art Market’, ‘K-Phenomenon Masterclass’, ‘Kraf Market’, Novel Writing Convention, ‘Book Tea Party’ and the Festival Novel Malaysia Awards.
Book and novel sales, with prices starting from RM5, are also being held at Dataran Karangkraf, Section 15, here. Admission is free.