Written by: Josephine Jacob and Filza Alisha
Singapore’s literary scene is evolving with the rise of diverse prolific writers, transforming the current local literary landscape. Over the years, it has thrived from efforts made by local publishing houses and writers.
One of these local publishing houses which not only gathered local interest, but also fostered support for Singapore’s burgeoning pool of writers is Ethos Books. An example of their efforts is the creation of Ethos Dreams – A collaboration between Ethos Books and local bookstore Dakota Dreams.
WHAT IS ETHOS DREAMS?
Ethos Dreams was a dedicated effort to champion the cause of local writers from 15th July to 6th August 2023, with a focus on spotlighting the diverse perspectives that define the Singaporean experience. The pop-up featured over 60 Ethos titles by local authors and artists, such as Mok Zi Ning and Euginia Tan.
Visitors to Ethos Dreams were invited to engage in a range of activities designed to enrich their literary experience such as participating in the #theSGirecognise postcard project, where one can pen their love letters to Singapore!
“Dakota Dreams is the bookshop set up by 5 retirees, and we (Ethos) are sort of like their “friends”, explained Benjamin Lee, one of the project organisers for Ethos Dreams.
According to Benjamin, Dakota Dreams was founded by 5 retirees: Sng-Fun Poh Yoke, Vienna Fong, Richard Chong, Chan Wai Han and her husband, Fong Hoe Fang.
Mr Fong Hoe Fang, founder of Ethos Books and Dakota Dreams in 1997 and 2022 respectively, expressed that he was interested in the stories of people who helped to build Singapore. This sentiment lies especially relevant for the Ethos Dreams pop-up, given that it took place on the days leading up to this year’s National Day.
This endeavour encapsulated not only a celebration of local literature but also to support people in need – Ethos Dreams donated 10% of sales to the Standing Solidarity Fund, a resource created by the community group ‘Migrant Mutual Aid’ as a direct redistribution channel for migrant workers’ needs.
Additionally, each weekend, special guests such as Books & Beers and Wormhole came to Ethos Dreams to share more about their works and events.
Ethos Dreams operated as one of the unique platforms for local writers, providing a curated space that resonates with the ethos of Singapore’s multicultural society. .
HOW HAS SINGLIT ENDURED?
Notably, Ethos is not the first organisation to champion such a cause within Singapore. The advocacy for Singaporean literature (SingLit) has existed long throughout Singapore’s history, tracing back to the Straits-born Chinese community in the colonial era. The inception of notable Singaporean works of literature dates back to 1937 with Teo Poh Leng’s F.M.S.R A Poem.
During the late 1990s, SingLit experienced a resurgence, propelled by a fresh generation of poets born around or after Singapore’s independence from Malaysia in 1965. Some of the more significant writers include Boey Kim Cheng, Yong Shu Hoong, Alvin Pang, Cyril Wong and Alfian Sa’at. Since then, local indie publishers such as Ethos Books have been actively promoting this generation of writers and their literary creations.
WHO ARE THE OTHER PLAYERS IN THE INDUSTRY?
As previously mentioned, there are other publishers in the industry, aside from Ethos, that help keep the spirit of SingLit alive. Some founding publishers that helped to inspire the spread of local literature include Asiapac founded in 1983, Talisman Publishing in 1988, and Candid Creation in 1999.
These houses have served as an inspiration for more contemporary publishing houses such Epigram Books, championing the cause of promoting local literature. These rising giants have played a pivotal role in sustaining and invigorating Singapore’s growing literary scene.
HOW CAN SINGAPOREANS SUPPORT LOCAL WRITERS?
It’s clear that efforts have been taken by publishers to spread awareness for the importance of preserving SingLit, but it takes two hands to clap. On the other end of the rope, Singaporeans should also take the initiative to keep the flame of SingLit alive.
One of the ways we can do this is by buying these books from official local publishers. This will help motivate more local writers to create works and in turn, propel the growth of local literature. It is essential to acknowledge that financial backing plays a crucial role in driving the growth of the literary scene, acting as a safeguard against potential collapse due to financial limitations.
Other ways to support local writers would be to participate in more Singlit events to further spread the word about local literature, an example being Ethos Dreams. There are also many Singlit events targeted at children, with School Programmes, Assembly Talks and Workshops, all to promote the appreciation of local literature. This will assist in the development of the literary scene in Singapore.
By simply involving yourself in the literary scene, whether it be by purchasing books, or simply attending literary events, you can be part of something bigger. Play your part in creating an environment where Singaporeans can embrace local literature and make it thrive.
