Been a while since I wrote a blog post in this mini-series on my writing musings for 2024. Today, I’ve good reason to add one more to this series before the year ends.
Because this morning, I invited not one but two local writers to share with my Writers Club on their journey to self-publication.
Since its inception in August 2023, my Club meets every month, mostly in-person but occasionally (like today) online. In our meetings, we talk about all things to do with our love for the art and craft of writing.
The first time we had a guest was back in March this year with the lovely and generous Ms Charmaine Leung, author of 17A Keong Saik Road (published in 2017 by local publishing house Ethos Books). She has since become a friend and supporter of my Club and our writing journeys.
For today’s meeting though, I invited two gentlemen who each chose to self-publish their works instead of engaging traditional publishers.
#1 Teacher, Coach and Self-published Writer Matthew Koh
Matthew Koh is the Managing Director of The Positive Arena, where he uses evidence-based positive psychology and coaching to foster transformation in individuals, schools, and organizations.
Passionate about teaching and youth development, Matthew was inspired to pursue positive psychology after observing mental health challenges among students. This led him in 2023 to write and self-publish his first book Teach Less, Coach More. This is a practical guide for educators to incorporate coaching into conversations to unlock youth potential.
The same year, Matthew also co-authored and published a second book, Genesis of Kindness. This book explores the role and importance of kindness in schools, workplaces, and communities.
I got to know Matthew two years ago when I attended a workshop he conducted about supporting student learning. Back then, Matthew was a full-time lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic.
After the workshop, I introduced myself and we started chatting about lifelong learning. Soon a friendship was formed and we have kept in touch since. Thanks to his kind invitation last year, I contributed a chapter to his second book, something I was most proud of and grateful for. (The only other time I did something similar was when I contributed an old blog post to a book published by website Salt and Light in 2022)
#2 Counsellor, Painter and Self-published Writer Michael Ong
One of Michael Ong’s treasured philosophies in life is: We are deeply broken but dearly loved.
A trained social worker and counsellor at heart, Michael spends his time talking with people and helping them achieve clarity one conversation at a time. He believes that every person has a unique story to tell. It is through the telling and sharing of these stories that one finds meaning and the motivation to change.
But what makes Michael stand out among fellow practitioners in the field of counselling is how he often invites people to have a conversation with him through his paintings. Only uncovered in the last few years, Michael’s talent when it comes to painting is now unquestioned. His portfolio of works are available for sale in mediums as diverse as wall-sized paintings, tote bags and even magnets.
Michael also writes and self-publishes. To date, he has two books: Tea Talk: One Story At A Time (2018) and Conversations With Myself (2024). Both were completed in Hanoi, where he’s currently stationed with his wife Jacqueline.
My friendship with Michael spans over two decades. We first met prior to my wife and I leaving Singapore to undertake humanitarian/missions work alongside Michael and his wife in Vietnam. This was way back in 2003.
Since then, Michael has become a dear friend and confidante.
Okay, now that you’ve been introduced to them, let’s unpack what both gentlemen shared this morning with my Club.
The Writers & Their Self-publishing Journeys
Writer #1 Matthew Koh
The first guest Matthew Koh kicked things off by sharing about his background and what led him to write his book.
Being in the space of teaching and coaching clients, especially young people, to build mental strength, it wasn’t long before he realised the logical next step was to publish a book that offers advice to parents and educators how to build mental resilience in their children and students.
So well received was the book’s first edition, published last August and available on Amazon, that Matthew is already hard at work now incorporating new chapters for a second edition!
While it wasn’t easy navigating on his own, Matthew made every effort in the past two years or so to research how to find independent editors to proofread his work, and how to publish the book himself.
His message to us today was clear: If you know clearly and believe passionately your message, audience and why you are writing your book, you will have more than enough motivation to see the self-publishing process through to its inevitable destination — a book in hand!
Writer #2 Michael Ong
There’s a calm serenity around Michael each time he speaks, drawing his audience automatically to stop and pay attention to everything he says.
That was my impression of Mike (as I call him) after our initial encounter 21 years ago, and it continues to be so today. Even though we share the same birth year, I’ve always looked up to Mike like an older brother I wish I had.
I believe today my Club members would agree about my first impression as well.
Partly his personality and, no doubt, partly his professional training, Mike invited us this morning to each share and introduce ourselves a little to him. It felt like he wanted to get to know each of us more intimately, so he could tailor what he said accordingly.
Funny, given that throughout his sharing, Mike kept reminding us he barely thinks about who he is writing his books for, and why.
Language and writing were never his strong suits. Mike even admits readily to making numerous grammar mistakes in his works. Yet writing and publishing his books (as well as painting in more recent years) have become natural extensions of his ongoing process to reflect on his inner struggles and those of his clients. And to offer a safe harbour for those like him who endure mental and emotional challenges.
In writing his books, Mike disregarded what most writers would consider as pre-requisites: a clear message, a well-defined audience and an unambiguous purpose. Instead, his writings were an organic expansion of himself, and the voice that issues forth from his words authentically his own.
No filters.
No censors.
Just him.
Takeaways from Writers “M & M“
Although neither guest dived much into the nitty-gritty of the self-publishing process, I felt in the short time they had with us, that they gave us more than we asked for.
They gave of their time, passions and thought processes. They shared how they step out of their comfort zone to offer the world a glimpse into their inner lives. Into what drove them to be the outstanding persons they are. In putting themselves out there vulnerably through their writings, they ultimately gave the world themselves.
For me, that’s the pinnacle of purpose for any writer.
It’s a reminder that even if a million people wrote about the same thing, no two accounts will ever look exactly alike, so long as each writer infuses that thing with their true selves and unique perspectives.
It’s why bookshelves everywhere continue to be replenished each year with yet more books talking about something that seemed to have already been written about by many others.
Therein lies the heart of why writers write. And why, I hope, the writers in my Club will keep on writing.
Because, just like “M & M”, the two writers who shared with us their journeys today, our lived experiences and stories matter to this world.
So they need to be written and ultimately published.
Like the gift that keeps on giving. To help us all connect and be connected to our shared humanity.
Again and again and again.
Infinitum.
