A “zine”- short for fanzine or magazine – is a DIY and self-published work created in limited numbers that allows individuals to express themselves through writing, art and imagery.
Passionate about the “zine” culture, as well as books and the arts, Suzana Ahmad, more fondly known as Sue Emoqwin, has always dreamed of opening a bookstore.
Her dream came true in March this year when she founded Tokosue, a quaint independent bookstore nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Interestingly, her mobile screensaver is a picture of a bookstore she found online a long time ago, and as fate might have it, Tokosue looks rather similar in appearance – proof that one can manifest their dreams when one’s heart, spirit and intentions are aligned with the universe.
“I fell in love with the place, and it so happened that the money I had saved was just enough.
“Things just worked out; it felt like it was meant to be,” said the full-time Bahasa Malaysia copywriter who also dabbles in scriptwriting, publishing, and writing.
Apart from “zines” of various genres, she also sells books by local authors, many of which centre on social awareness and poetry. Also on sale at her bookstore are t-shirts, as well as handmade arts and crafts.
“The store is run on a shoestring budget, and I’m grateful to kind friends and musicians who are supportive and donated various things to the store. Some local publishers also allowed me to sell their books on consignment – so that helped a lot,” she told FMT.
Possessing a genuine interest in people, Suzana knows the stories behind every individual who sells their creative works at her store.
“I’m also a writer, so I’m attracted to human stories and the person behind the craft,” she said, adding that she only mans the bookstore on weekends.
Suzana loves organising events on books, music, art and poetry in the hope of inculcating the reading habit in people. Her bookstore also becomes the venue for like-minded people to gather and get to know each other.
It is for this reason that she keeps rental rates affordable for those who wish to use her space for book events.
“As someone who works in publishing, I realised that the space to talk about books is quite limited, especially since independent publishers have small budgets,” she explained.
She also invited psychologists for a mental health talk once, recognising that many of her customers come from broken families and are dealing with mental health issues.
“I want this to be a space where people feel safe to express themselves without judgement,” she shared.
She is especially fond of the “KL Zine Day Out” event that she organised last July where people sold their own “zines”.
“‘Zinesters’ don’t have many avenues to sell their ‘zines’, thus it is important to create a space for their voices to be heard,” she said, adding that the event drew a sizable crowd.
As is the case with independent bookstores, having enough working capital is a challenge, as there are always new books being published, while stocks of the older books are still on her shelves.
“I’m continuously learning how to remain competitive and I’m trying to do more promotions on social media,” she said, adding that she intends to republish her “zine”, “Masyarakat TV” in the near future.
Ultimately, she wants Tokosue to be a safe space where people can feel comfortable, especially given the store’s inviting ambiance. “Even if you don’t want to buy anything, you’re welcome to just read and relax.”
Tokosue might be a small, cosy space, but its heart and spirit are definitely larger than life as stories abound in every nook and cranny of the store.
In a city that can oftentimes seem mindless and soulless, this is indeed a cherished safe haven.
Check out Tokosue on Instagram, Facebook and Shopee.
Tokosue
2.66, Level 1
Wisma Central, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours:
12.00pm- 8.00pm (Tuesday- Sunday)
Closed on Monday.