The Asian Bookshelf

Writer, Jon Gresham, talks to Dr Rosslyn Prosser and Dr Mandakini Arora about teaching and studying creative writing at LaSalle College of Arts, the differences between teaching CW in Singapore and Australia, successful international South East Asian writers, submitting overseas, the process of decolonizing the anglo-centricity and colonial overhang of creative writing education, and the challenge of finding and exploring creativity. Dr Rosslyn Prosser is the Programme Leader of La Salle’s MA in Creative Writing, Dr Prosser is an academic & writer who has published a range of forms and genres from academic publication to life-writing, prose and creative non-fiction. She has taught creative writing, literary studies, media and communications and gender studies in Australian universities for over 20 years and at LaSalle for the last 2 years. Dr Mandakini Arora is a writer and has edited Small Steps, Giant Leaps: A History of AWARE and the Women’s Movement in Singapore (AWARE, 2007) & Jean Marshall’s Pahang Letters, 1953–54: Sidelights on Malaya During the Emergency (Ethos, 2017). She holds a PhD in history from Duke University & graduated from La Salle with an MA in Creative writing this year Books mentioned Mathew Salesses, Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing & Workshopping (Catapult, 2021) Felicia Rose Chavez, The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How to Decolonize the Creative Classroom(Haymarket Books, 2021) Barbara W Tuchman, The Guns of August (Penguin Random House, 1994, originally published in 1962) Olga Tokarczuk, Flights (Fitzcarraldo Editions, 2017) Benjamin Labatut, The Maniac (Pushkin Press, 2023) Akhil Sharma, Teaching Creative Writing in Singapore (Akhil Sharma, 2023) Kamau Brathwaite, Calypso Joshua Ip, Sonnets from the Singlish (Math Paper Press, 2012) Other Links LaSalle College of Arts, Master of Arts in Creative Writing American Women’s Association Writing Group Darryl Whetter

The Asian Bookshelf discusses Dirty Old Media Men by Millie Lee (pseudonym)In this episode, presenter Devika Misra is joined by writer T.A. Morton to delve into Millie Lee's debut novel, Dirty Old Media Men. Together, they explore the memorable characters and key themes of the book, including sexual harassment in the workplace and the role of satire in addressing such critical issues. They also discuss whether the provocative title is reductive in today’s context.Book mentionedhttps://www.monsoonbooks.co.uk/product/dirty-old-media-men-by-millie-lee/

Presenter Devika Misra, talks to Felicia Low and Adan Jimenez, writers of the award winning Sherlock Sam series (Epigram Books) about writing Sherlock Sam together, local books with strong characters, the differences between Middle Grade and Young Adult books, a new series coming from Felicia and Adan, Felicia’s work with Difference Engine, graphic novels and comics, and what’s next for Singapore’s greatest kid detective, Sherlock Sam. Books mentioned The Sherlock Sam Series (Epigram books) Mr Midnight Vol 104: Zombies in the Zoo (Angsana Books 2023) Little Hero, Emily Lim-Leh (Penguin Random House SEA 2024) Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma, Melanie Lee & Arif Rafhan (Difference Engine 2020) Ace Agent Spy Cat and the Flying Squirrel, Darren Lim (Epigram Books 2020) Other Links Difference Engine, an independent comics publisher based in Singapore. Adan & Felicia on Instagram

Presenter Devika Misra, and writer, Jon Gresham, talk to Sunaina Suri, Editor of Our Own Voices, A Collection of Singaporean Mental Health Journeys (Marshall Cavendish 2024) about the treatment of mental health in Singapore, the stigma around mental health, the need for community support, the importance of talking about mental health issues, how to write about mental health and the importance of each of us not being and not feeling alone. Trigger Warning:In this podcast we discuss events and experiences that may trigger trauma, distress or anxiety. We discuss mental health issues, suicide, verbal and physical abuse, social anxiety, depression, stress, and other sensitive issues. We note that we are not mental health professionals and that some parts of this book are confronting and harrowing, please do contact the suggested numbers and links below if you would like to talk to someone. Important Links Samaritans of Singapore - Provides a safe space when life gets to you Samaritans phone 1767 & Whatsapp 9151 1767Resilience Collective - holds peer support groups amongst other servicesCaregivers Alliance - support for caregivers AWARE – Association of Women for Action & Research Women’s Helpline: 1800 777 5555 HOME - humanitarian organisation for migration economics, which champions the rights of migrant workers Migrant Worker Hotline +65 6341 5535 (WhatsApp & Landline)Domestic Worker Hotline 1800 7977 977 (WhatsApp & Landline)Oogachaga - a community-based, non-profit, professional organisation working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals, couples and familiesMindSG Healthhub - ‘resources and services’, for emergency hotlines & to book and appointment with IMH (Institute of Mental Health) or a polyclinic Books mentioned Loss Adjustment, Linda Collins (Ethos Books 2019)The Story of SCH: A Mental Breakdown, A Life Journey, Danielle Lim (Ethos Books 2014)A Good Day to Die, Mahita Vas (Marshall Cavendish 2021)White: Behind Mental Health Stigma, Xiangyuan Lim (Klin Studio 2020) Other Links Michaela Coel

Presenter Devika Misra, and writer, Tracey Morton, talk to William Phuan, Executive Director of the Singapore Book Council about creativity, teaching creative writing, self-censorship, cities of literature, multilingual writing traditions in Southeast Asia, ebooks and digital readers, children reading, the Singapore Literature Prize, recognition of translators and publishing in Singapore. Links Singapore Book Council The SBC Academy Suchen Christine Lim’s Home Page CNA Interview with William Phuan & Gwee Li Sui, November 2013 Asian Festival of Children’s Content Singapore Literature Prize

Presenter Devika Misra, and writer, T.A. Morton, talk to Jon about his debut dystopian novel, Gus: The Life & Opinions of the Last Raffles’ Banded Langur, nature’s response to the world we have created, the role of the novel, social media, talking animals, the local and the universal, laughter, Grand Theft Auto set in Singapore with raging monkeys, and wildness in literature. Books mentionedGus: The Life & Opinions of the Last Raffles’ Banded Langur, Jon Gresham (Epigram Books 2024)The Odyssey, Homer, Trans. Emily Wilson (Norton 2017)Ulysses by the Merlion, Edwin Thumboo (Heinemann 1979)Joseph Campbell’ Hero’s Journey, which Gus’s journey & the novel do not followFor critiques of the Campbell Monomyth see here, The Heroine's Journey: Woman's Quest for Wholeness, Maureen Murdock (Shambhala 1990), 45 Master Characters, Victoria Lynn Schmidt (Writer’s Digest Books 2001), here and here. There is a need for less individualistic, Eurocentric, heteronormative “hero’s journeys” in literature. Other linksMore about Gus on Jon’s website On animals talking:The Animals in That Country, Laura Jean McKay (Scribe 2020)Fox 8, George Saunders (Random House 2013)26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss, Kij Johnson (Clarkesworld Issue 150 – March 2019)The Evolution of Trickster Stories Among the Dogs of North Park After the Change, Kij Johnson (Coyote Road: Trickster Tales 2007)Elmer, Gerry Alanguilan (Epigram Books 2011)Elizabeth Costello, JM Coetzee (Vintage 2004)

The Asian Bookshelf discusses Vrushali Junnarkar’s Epigram Books Fiction Prize Winning debut novel The Campbell Gardens Ladies’ Swimming Class (Epigram Books 2023). Presenter Devika Misra, and writers, T.A. Morton and Jon Gresham, explore Vrushali’s prize winning debut novel, its characters, themes and concerns, exploration of class, racism and female agency, and exposure of bias and prejudice. Books mentioned Vrushali Junnarkar, The Campbell Gardens Ladies’ Swimming Class (Epigram Books 2023) Hanan Al-Shaykh, The Women’s Swimming PoolBalli Kaur Jaswal, Now You See Us (Harper Collins 2024) Other linksHOME, a Singapore-based charity dedicated to empowering and supporting migrant workers who experience abuse and exploitationIndonesian maid holds free lessons for foreign domestic workers in Clementi pool, Straits Times, 28 Jun 2022

The Asian Bookshelf talks to independent bookshop owner, Alex Chua of Book Bar. Books mentionedYeoh Jo-Ann, Impractical Uses of Cake (Epigram Books 2019)Fish Eats Lion (Math Paper Press 2012). See also Fish Eats Lion Redux (Epigram Books 2022)Coast, Ed. Daren Shiau & Wei Fern (Math Paper Press 2011)From the Belly of the Cat, Ed. Stephanie Ye (Math Paper Press 2013) Other linksBook BarBook Bar on InstagramEpigram BooksDoes Singapore need bookstores? By Ruby TMath Paper PressMelissa De SilvaAmanda Lee KoeCyril WongJoshua IpNational Library Board

The Asian Bookshelf discusses Elaine Chiew’s The Light Between Us (Neem Tree Press 2024). Presenter Devika Misra, and writer, Jon Gresham, talk to Elaine about her debut novel, The Light Between Us,the power and artifice of images, photography in the early twentieth century compared to now, writing different time periods and a non-western centered novel, and her path to publication. Books mentionedElaine Chiew, The Light Between Us (Neem Tree Press 2024)“Life is a movie. Death is a photograph” from Susan Sontag, The Benefactor (Farrar, Straus and Giroux 1963, Penguin 2009). See also On Photography (Farrar, Straus and Giroux 1977, Penguin Modern Classics 2008)F Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (Scribner 1925)Sarah Churchwell, Careless People (Virago 2014)Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians (Doubleday 2013)Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler’s Wife (MacAdam/Cage 2003) Other linksCheshire Novel PrizeBruce Hung at IMDbDai Xiangyu at IMDbInstitute of Contemporary Arts Singapore at LaSalle College of the ArtsThe Lake House (Warner Bros 2006)On Speculative Fiction in Southeast Asia read this article Defying Classification: An Introduction to Southeast Asian Speculative Fiction by Victor Fernando R Ocampo in Lithub, April 2022

The Asian Bookshelf discusses Melissa De Silva’s Singapore Literature Prize Winning book ‘Others’ Is Not a Race: Being Eurasian in Singapore and Malaysia (Monsoon Books 2023). Presenter Devika Misra, and writers, T.A. Morton and Jon Gresham, explore what they love about the book, the Creative Non Fiction form, identity and privilege, and how community status and roles change over time. Books mentionedMelissa de Silva, ‘Others’ Is Not a Race: Being Eurasian in Singapore and Malaysia (Monsoon Books 2023)W Somerset Maugham, The Letter in the short story collection The Casuarina Tree (Heinemann 1926). See also Tan Twan Eng, The House of Doors (Bloomsbury 2023) For some other books by Eurasians in Singapore:Rex Shelley, The Shrimp People (1991)Kevin Martens Wong, Altered Straits (Epigram Books 2017)The Eurasian Association Bookshop Other linksMy Debal Diaries - Tracing The History of Singapore’s Eurasians, Channel News AsiaKodrah Kristang - The Initiative for the Revitalization of the Kristang Language in SingaporeNational Archives of Singapore Joseph SchoolingThe Eurasian Community in Singapore InfopediaIntersectionality explained on Wikipedia“Instead of asking what are people‘s roots, we ought to think about what are their routes, the different points by which they have come to be now; they are, in a sense, the sum of those differences. That, I think, is a different way of speaking than talking about multiple personalities or multiple identities as if they don‘t have any relation to one another or that they are purely intentional. These routes hold us in places, but what they don‘t do is hold us in the same place.” Cultural theorist Stuart Hall in The Journal of The International Institute, Vol 7, Issue 1, Fall 1999