Who Wants to Read About Me? The Art and Business of Writing a Memoir

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Description

We all have stories about our lives worth telling, but who will read them? Take a rare peek behind the curtain as writer Don Shiau, currently working on his first memoir, consults two experts.

Hear from Melissa De Silva, author of the Singapore Literature Prize-winning ‘Others’ Is Not a Race; and Ng Kah Gay, publisher of Ethos Books, on what makes a compelling personal narrative.

Watch Don pitch his book to them, hear their feedback, and get to weigh in as a member of the audience as well! This insight into a work-in-progress manuscript is essential for readers and aspiring writers. 

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About the speakers

Melissa De Silva is passionate about storytelling that articulates human experience and our connection to the Earth. Her genre-bending memoir about growing up and living as a Eurasian in Singapore won the Singapore Literature Prize 2018 in Creative Nonfiction. She is currently working on a speculative novel focused on the environment and is pursuing a diploma in filmmaking to explore visual forms of storytelling. 

The publisher of Ethos Books, KG focuses on making books and supporting an environment for literature, the arts and culture in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The passionate and experienced team is part of a growing ecology of independent agents producing and circulating fiction, non-fiction and poetry that speak to our times, including critical concerns such as climate action.

Don Shiau is a writer, performance poet, and arts organiser. He co-runs spoken word platform Outspoken (IG: @outspoken_sg) and conducts poetry workshops in schools. He is currently working on his debut novel, the development of which has been graciously supported by Sing Lit Station (via its 2024 Manuscript Bootcamp), the National Arts Council and National Library Board (via the 2025 Writers’ Lab), and Singapore Book Council and Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore (via the inaugural Writers+ Grant in 2025).

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Service information

• Date: 4 May 2025
• Time: 3pm – 4pm
• Price: Free admission
• Venue: 100 Victoria Street, National Library Building – Visitors Briefing Room (Level 1), Singapore 188064

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MORE INFORMATION HERE