We are an independent publisher of literary fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
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.
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.
Featured
We Are Not The Enemy: The Practice of Advocacy in Singapore
View a recording of the launch here:
Available in paperback and e-book format. Purchase the paperback and get 50% off the e-book!
Advocates and activists in Singapore contribute to policy discussions and positive change through a combination of deft manoeuvres and patient politics. Yet civil society is often unacknowledged, their skill and labour instead frequently misunderstood, even earning them the label of “troublemakers” or “enemies of the state.”
This collection of essays and interviews is a candid reflection on the intentions, beliefs and strategies behind the practice of advocacy across a spectrum of causes. The contributors come from varying backgrounds and include academics, artists, lawyers, journalists, non-profit and advocacy organisations, student and community organisers. They share practical insights into their aims and community-building work, and the tactics they employ to overcome obstacles, shedding light on how to navigate a city-state with shifting socio-political fault lines and out-of-bound markers.
With an introduction, “It is Time to Trim the Banyan Tree”, by Constance Singam, and a conclusion, “Their Struggle is Ours to Continue”, by Suraendher Kumarr.
Ethos Books has also partnered with the Community for Advocacy and Political Education (CAPE) to produce The CAPE Handbook to Advocacy in Singapore. Authored by CAPE and produced by Ethos Books, this concise guide dispels misconceptions and offers practical action steps, easing readers into strategies for effective advocacy and activism in the city-state.
Contributors: Alex Au, Alfian Sa’at, The Community for Advocacy and Political Education (CAPE), Cherian George, Corinna Lim, Disabled People’s Association, Irie Aman, Kenneth Paul Tan, Kirsten Han, Ng Kok Hoe, Pink Dot, Reetaza Chatterjee, Remy Choo, SG Climate Rally, Suraendher Kumarr, Thirunalan Sasitharan, Walid Jumblatt Bin Abdullah
View contents and introduction preview pages
Also available at the following bookstores from the week of 18 March 2024:
- City Book Room
- Epigram Bookshop
- Grassroots Book Room
- Kinokuniya
- The Book Bar
- Wormhole
We, the people, have the power!
Past Conversations
Teh Tarik with Walid IRL - Independent Art Spaces with Fong Hoe Fang, Prashant Somosundram
Dec 28, 2023
Access the full transcript of Teh Tarik with Walid IRL - Independent Art Spaces with Fong Hoe Fan...
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"he can’t recognise the Singapore that I’m talking about, but I can" | Home, Community and Hope: Book launch of The Singapore I Recognise
Dec 4, 2023
Access the full transcript of Home, Community and Hope: Book launch of The Singapore I Recognise
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"Do we adjust our own moral compass, or do we rebel?" | The Rise and Fall of an Anti-Hero: Book Launch of catskull
Aug 29, 2023
Access the full transcript of The Rise and Fall of an Anti-Hero: Book Launch of catskull here.
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Attunement
Is life hustling you out of tune? As the week roars by, we invite you to a slice of attunement penned lovingly by us, our authors and friends. Freshly delivered weekly with care. Intimacy guaranteed. Read selected letters below.
To Build a Democratic Society
Mar 19, 2024
Dear Reader, I realised something was wrong with Singapore’s society when I started volunteeri...
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The future is promising
Mar 13, 2024
Dear Reader, I am inspired by the commitment of young activists that I meet. They are more arti...
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Walking Towards the Truth of Singapore
Mar 13, 2024
Dear Reader, Every day, the world seems to be collapsing a little more. Death and destruction ru...
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News
To Build a Democratic Society
Mar 19, 2024
Read
The future is promising
Mar 13, 2024
Read
Walking Towards the Truth of Singapore
Mar 13, 2024
Read
Lessons in the soil
Jan 12, 2024
Read
Textures 2024 @ The Arts House
Jan 3, 2024
Read
Ethos' Recommended Reads to Close 2023
Dec 29, 2023
Read
Teh Tarik with Walid IRL - Independent Art Spaces with Fong Hoe Fang, Prashant Somosundram
Dec 28, 2023
Read
December Showers and Sunshine
Dec 4, 2023
Read
A message from our publisher
Dec 4, 2023
Read
Unbothered, Moisturised, Flourishing
Oct 30, 2023
Read
We are born into this world steeped in stories to tell
Oct 23, 2023
Read
It's the season of change
Oct 9, 2023
Read
Burnt Toast Theory
Oct 2, 2023
Read
"when words are not enough remember love" —Chandran Nair (1944 - 2023)
Sep 28, 2023
Read
Remembering David Fedo (1943 - 2022)
Sep 26, 2023
Read
Justice, equality and progress for Singapore’s rare disease communities
Sep 25, 2023
Read
Education
Whether you're a reader who is keen to dig deeper into our books, or a teacher looking to bring our authors into your classroom, Ethos Books believes in supporting and enabling knowledge-sharing, discussion and community building through literature. Check out our school programmes on this page, as well as recommended reading lists and our free book club starter packs to start your very own book club today!