Singapore Living, by Stephanie Kolentsis
The Singapore Writers Festival is back for its 37th year. This annual literary celebration presents big-name literary talents, with a spotlight on Singaporean and Southeast Asian authors.
Over two weekends, from November 17 to 26, readers and writers will come together for a series of discussions, workshops, and performances. If you’re struggling to choose between the 150 different programmes on offer, here are my top picks.
Opening Weekend (Nov. 17-19)
Viet Thanh Nguyen
Keynote Talk
Nov. 18, 5:00 pm
Ticketed ($30)
This opportunity to hear from the writer behind the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Sympathizer is not to be missed. Vietnamese-American writer Viet Thanh Nguyen will deliver a thought-provoking lecture on how storytelling impacts displaced communities.
We Never Thought Hip Hop Would Bring it This Far
Performance
Nov. 18, 8:00 pm
Free
Get ready to groove and celebrate five decades of hip-hop! Five writers will take you on a lyrical journey from the OGs in the Bronx to the trap bangers of the 2010s, responding to their favourite hip-hop songs from each decade while a live DJ keeps the beats flowing.
Don’t Be a Stranger Now: A Workshop on Workshopping
Workshop
Nov. 18, 4:00 pm
Free
Four of our own AWA members from the AWA Writers' Group will be hosting a workshop on best practices for a writers’ group that fosters community. Participants are encouraged to bring a piece of writing to be workshopped. Mandakini Arora, who co-chairs the AWA Writers' Group, shares here why this workshop means so much to her.
Closing Weekend (November 24-26)
Women So Overt, They’re Covert
Conversation
Nov. 24, 8:30 pm
Festival Pass ($30)
Join a panel discussion featuring literary powerhouses, Ovidia Yu, Bali Kaur Jaswal, and Jesse Q. Sutanto, as they unravel the secrets behind their fierce female protagonists who challenge stereotypes and redefine the role of women in the world of murder mysteries.
Susan Rogers: Take A Bad Song, and Make It Better
Meet the Author
Nov. 26, 10:00 am
Festival Pass ($30)
Meet Susan Rogers, author of "This Is What It Sounds Like”, and auditory neuroscientist who shaped Prince's legendary sound in hits like "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry." Get ready to dive into the world of music with her, from behind-the-scenes stories to tips on transforming a mediocre song into a hit.
To see a full list of events, visit the Singapore Writers Fest website.
 | Stephanie Kolentsis is a learning designer with over 13 years of experience working as an educator across Asia. She’s also an explorer who loves to share her adventures with the AWA community. You can check out her website at www.sklearningdesign.com |
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