About Ethos Books

Established in 1997, Ethos Books, an imprint of Pagesetters Services Pte Ltd, creates fresh, different and enduring books that reflect the ethos of our changing times. We are an independent Singapore publisher of literary fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

Giving voice to emerging and exciting writers from diverse backgrounds, we help foster an environment in which literature and the arts not only survive, but thrive. In short, we nurture the growing literary community in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

 

Editorial ethos

Our authors and their ideas come first. By taking a collaborative approach to publishing, we bring each author‘s voice and vision to fruition. We are always open to new ideas: different ways of working and fresh ways of delivering the unparalleled satisfaction only a good book can bring.

 

Reach

We are an integral part of the literary arts community, the printing and publishing industry. Our work can be found and experienced in bookshops and independent spaces around Singapore, and in the digital realm. Through an active rights and translation programme, our titles have been published by likeminded publishers in Australia, China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Poland, Taiwan, the UK and the USA.

 

Singapore and Southeast Asia literatures

We work with agents, artists, designers, editors, printers, producers, translators and publishers to bring our authors to new platforms. Our role as initiator and coordinator allows us to surface and circulate the stories and perspectives from one of the most culturally intricate and diverse regions in the world.

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Team

KAH GAY

As the publisher, 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.

MR FONG

For the last 23 years, Fong Hoe Fang has led Pagesetters Services in advertising and communication design work. In 1997 he started the Ethos Books imprint for Pagesetters to give voice to emerging writers and to help foster a lively literary environment. Today, Fong continues his quest to help writers tell compelling social stories.

WAI HAN

Wai Han, a Social Work graduate, helps to edit and produce books with the team. (An irony indeed, considering that she dreaded writing compositions during school days!) She enjoys composing Chinese blessing poems for friends with their names, volunteering through singing Cantonese gospel opera to the elderly, and working on issues of social conscience.

Cassandra

Cassandra is applying her love for words—regarding their beauty, arrangements and potential as a frame for human experience—by working on editorial and book projects. She’s thrilled to revel in and refine language, and the stories they form. Otherwise, she’ll be taking long walks in nature, or around urban areas to update her internal “foodie map”.

Zining

Mok Zining is obsessed with random things: orchids, arabesques, sand. Her first book, The Orchid Folios (2020), was shortlisted for the 2022 Singapore Literature Prize in English Poetry. Currently, she edits for Ethos Books and is at work on an essay collection, The Earthmovers.

Nicholas

Nicholas focuses on commercial publications and business development. A multimedia swiss knife, he has a background in journalism, documentary videography and e-commerce websites. He is also our resident druggist, serving up tea and pour-over coffee. In his free time, he enjoys good food, films and jazz music.

Bee Yan

Bee Yan is our Finance & Administration Manager. Her main portfolio is to handle all accounting and financial functions of the company. She also doubles up as HR and payroll Master. She is our go-to for yummy vegetarian places and enjoys nurturing and building rapport with the next generation.

Join Us / Internships in Publishing

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Internships are closed till further notice.