TK Park has launched an innovation sandbox to reinvent the publishing industry with new programme, "Tomorrow Creator Book Lab", consisting of three activities.
First, a self-paced online course is designed to equip "booktrepreneurs" with skills of the future. Five modules cover the publishing business, editorial, creative experimentation, copyright and global distribution. It brings together a number of instructors, including Tomorn Sookprecha, Prof Nopadol Rompho, Poomisaht Rujeerapaiboon and Arthit Thamachart.
For those interested, register at Eventpop. Running until the end of July, the course is free and open to all. Upon completion, participants will receive e-certificates. Second, a hackathon is designed for book innovators to flex their creative muscles. A team of up to five people, aged 15 and above, are encouraged to pitch a project proposal of no more than three pages in any of these four topics -- bookstores of the future, neighbourhood development for reading promotion, innovation and book events.
Applicants must complete at least three out of five modules. Submission is open until the end of this month. Results will be announced on Aug 6. Chosen participants are expected to join an onsite incubation on Aug 15, and receive individual mentorship from Aug 17-31. Final pitching takes place on Sept 5. Awards for five winning entries total 30,000 baht.
Lastly, a workshop is tailored for writers aspiring to showcase their works on the global stage. Coaches include Theerapat Charoensuk, executive committee of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (Pubat), Jakkrit Yompayorm, founder of Avocado Books, and many others.
Applicants are required to complete copyright and global distribution modules by the end of this month. Results will come out on Aug 11. The workshop takes place from 11am to 6pm on Sept 5 at Union Mall.
Visit tkpark.or.th.
