While looking for a literary agent and a publisher, she befriended Malaysian illustrator Reimena Yee, an invaluable source of help and support. Additionally, it was When I Was a Kid creator Cheeming Boey who gave her the idea to self-publish her graphic novel. 

“My path has been like walking in the footsteps of someone who went in the snow before me,” Eng says. “I’ve not experienced trying to break into this industry on my own. I’ve had people vouching for me along the way and saying they believed in me and wanted me to succeed.”

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Despite being turned down by publishers for various reasons (among them a lack of a strong story plot in Fried Rice and lack of experience), Eng is excited about the release of Fried Rice in March, which will see 3,000 copies in its first run. 

“I believe that timing is important and at the right time, you strike when the iron is hot,” she says. “At the same time, I don’t believe in rushing into things. I don’t think it’s sustainable for a person to want everything fast and instant. I think there’s value in making decisions slowly, even if people ask why you’re taking so long.”

For the first time, Eng will also participate in the Echoes art exhibition at Art+ Contemporary Gallery in Bangsar Village II, showcasing her work alongside other female artists from now until April 10, 2024. Last week, she did her first Fried Rice book signing and sharing session at Eslite Spectrum bookstore in Bukit Bintang.   

“My hope is that people will find it nostalgic since it is set in Malaysia and portrays Malaysia in this old-fashioned yet realistic way. I grew up reading Lat’s comics, which also captured these slice-of-life, daily stories,” she says.

“From the start, I was very clear on what the story would be for Fried Rice. I wanted it to be simple and manageable, since it was my first book. Sure I was definitely disappointed at first when publishers turned me down. But I was so set on turning it into a book that I thought, I’ll find another way. I guess we’ll see how it turns out, right?”

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