The Power Of Prose, Poetry And Picture

An author, a poet and a graphic novelist, who are participating in the Singapore Writers Festival this month, discuss the power of prose, poetry and picture

- Hashirin Nurin Hashimi

ADAM TIE

Author, and founder and resident poet at The Novel Encounter

The premise is simple: give Adam Tie three words, tell him a backstory, or anything at all, and watch him work on his vintage Corona typewriter to customise a poem for you or a loved one, in five minutes flat. Tie, or “Mister Write” as he calls himself on social media, is on a mission to help you find the romance in customised typewritten poetry, or a good date with a mystery wrapped book, through The Novel Encounter.

He started the online bookstore five years ago, introducing mystery wrapped books as the perfect gift, “just like a Kinder Surprise is with chocolate”. He explains, “I took my favourite books, wrapped them up and put a sentence on the wrapping, and waxed-sealed them, because, why not?” Not just any book, though, as Tie makes sure to curate those that have a rating of 3.9 out of 5, and above, on Goodreads. “We have a return policy—if you don’t like the book, or have read it before, we’ll do an exchange or give you a refund. We’ve only had five such refunds since our inception, which I think is pretty good.”

The customised typewritten poetry service he offers came later. He recalls selling his books at a vintage fair, when the owner of a neighbouring booth asked if he could help keep an eye on his typewriters so he could go to the bathroom. Just as Tie was fiddling with one of the typewriters, a girl came up to him. “She asked, ‘Are you one of those poets who can write me a poem on the spot?’, and I said, ‘Okay, tell me a story.’” By the end of the day, he had a typewriter and initiated a new “novel encounter”, a service he now provides at live events, festivals, brand launches and weddings.