The Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) is a book lover’s haven. For two weeks in November, SWF attendees are able to hear from and interact with their favourite authors from around the globe. The festival has featured some heavy-hitters across publishing over the years, from speculative fiction writer R. F. Kuang to The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood. This year’s line-up is no less impressive—featuring a gamut of fiction and non-fiction writers from around the world. If you’re planning on heading down, we’ve rounded up some international authors to check out at the 2026 SWF.
Amitav Ghosh
Highly-lauded historical fiction author Amitav Ghosh is one of the most highly-anticipated arrivals. Ghosh has garnered widespread recognition over the 40 years of his career, and has earned multiple awards, including a Dan David Prize in 2010—which he shares with author Margaret Atwood—and Jnanpith Award in 2018. Ghosh will be at SWF from 14 to 15 November where he’ll be giving a Festival Keynote Talk and be a part of a panel discussion.
Shiori Ito
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Shiori Ito has become an important figure in Japan after her 2017 memoir Black Box spearheaded the #MeToo movement in the country. The memoir is an account of Ito’s own experience facing the legal system in Japan, which refused to investigate her sexual assault case due to the involvement of a high-profile individual. In 2024, Ito released a documentary of her journey since the release of the memoir entitled Black Box Diaries, which was nominated for Best Documentary at the Oscars and BAFTAs. Festival attendees will get the chance to catch the documentary and Ito herself will be speaking at a few panels.
Rachel Smythe
With the advent of the internet, there are more opportunities than ever for authors to publish their works. Some of these works have become so popular that they get traditionally published. One of these works is Rachel Smythe’s Lore Olympus. Originally published on Webtoon, Smythe’s Greek mythology retelling of Hades and Persephone has since been picked up by Inklore—Random House Worlds’ webcomic publishing branch—where her webtoon was turned into a graphic novel. Fans of the beloved webtoon can hear from Smythe herself as she talks about adapting classic folk tales for modern audiences.
Sils such as Gods of Jade and Shadow and Mexican Gothic. Her works largely consist of horror and historical fiction that centre around Latin American characters, stories, and settings. Her latest novel The Intrigue, a noir set in 1940s Mexico, was just released in July 2026. If you’re a fan of her work, you can head down to The Arts House and attend one of the author signing sessions that will take place after the panels
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is the author of Ace of Spades, a breakout hit in 2021 that follows two Black students as they navigate racial discrimination at a private academy. She has become a prominent voice within the YA genre, offering a fresh perspective to the dark academia and thriller genres. She has also gained recognition in the romance space with works like Four Eids and a Funeral—co-authored with Adiba Jaigirdar. Other prominent works by the author include Where Sleeping Girls Lie, and her latest novel, The Heirs.
Kathrinna R.
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If you’re looking for new voices in the comics space, this upcoming SWF is the place to be. Indonesian comic book writer and illustrator Kathrinna R. will be launching her new comic Tanaraya: The Yaksa Slayer at SWF—which has been picked up by Singapore-based independent publisher, Difference Engine. Tanaraya is her first graphic novel to be released in English.
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