FOR first-time author Gavin Goo, writing and creating a children’s picture book meant facing up to his fear – a fear of cockroaches, that is.

But what, you may wonder, do cockroaches have to do with children’s books? A lot, as it turns out, if the main character in the book just happens to be a cockroach.

Said Mr Goo: “I have this fascination of a superhero cockroach, wearing a cape, flying around saving less fortunate cockroaches. I would like to imagine the good side of cockroaches although people consider them as pests.”

Mr Goo, 38, a freelance art director and illustrator, was one of the recipients of this year’s First Time Writers and Illustrators Publishing Initiative (FTWIPI). His book is called Rochee the Friendliest Cockroach.

The initiative was created with the aim to nurture talents in the publishing industry. Launched in 2005 by the Media Development Authority (MDA) and the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS), it assists the publication of new works by unpublished local writers and/or illustrators. More than 50 new works have been published as a result of this initiative. For more information, please click here.

Previous recipients of the FTWIPI have had great success with their works. Ms Lee Jin Pyn, who created The Elephant and the Tree, had her book picked up by US, Taiwanese, Japanese and Spanish publishers. Ms Emily Lim’s Prince Bear and Pauper Bear bagged a Bronze Medal at the 2008 World’s Largest Independent Publishers Competition (IPPY Awards), and her latest work, The Tale of the Rusty Horse, won the prestigious Moonbeam Children’s Book awards in the 4-8 year old Picture Book category.

For the second year in a row, Straits Times Press (STP) was the official publishing house for the initiative, and launched the nine books for this year’s programme at The Arts House on 24 October.

Ms Shirley Hew, Executive Director of STP, said of the books this year: “Their works have mass appeal and are comparable to their international contemporaries. Our role at STP focuses on the editorial, publishing and marketing processes so the writers and illustrators can be guided to create vibrant, imaginative content that will charm and thrill both children and adults alike.”

Another recipient was Ms Lam Wai Ling, a teacher, who wrote The Rolling Cat, about a curious cat that rolls around Singapore. She said of her experience publishing her first book: “We got advice from experienced writers, illustrators and book designers. Learning from them was priceless.”

She added: “The initiative by MDA and NBDCS has raised the standard of children’s publishing in Singapore.”

Agreeing, Ms Natalie Pang, 32, who authored The Shepherd and His Cloud, illustrated by artist Andrew Tan, learnt a lot from the publishing process. “I appreciated the professional advice and guidance rendered by Straits Times Press, and the panel of experts who was involved in reviewing our submissions.”

Her book tells the story of a shepherd who looks after clouds, and how his life is turned upside down by a mischievous little cloud.

She noted that the experience of working with publishers was enlightening.

“It’s my first time working with a publisher to get a story in print, so it was an eye-opener,” said Ms Pang, who is a consultant at Gallup.

The experience has instilled in her a drive to create more. “There are more stories in me than I thought,” she said.