Red in July

Born and raised in Singapore, Suzie Siraman has always felt a bit like an outsider-not just in Singapore but in the world in general. Being a minority within a minority within a minority has meant constantly charting her own unique path, which can be quite the painful adventure at times. But she wouldn't trade it for anything else. A lifelong teacher to teenagers, Suzie has always had a special bond with young people. As her student once told her, "You're just a grown-up kid!" She wanted to write something that resonated with them-a story about embracing diversity and how our unique skills and quirks are what makes us strong. It's not about what we know; it's about what we do and how we do it. An avid fan of sci-fi, fantasy, Suzie believes that the greatest truths are found in fiction. She also loves playing and designing board games-she has a collection of over 30 board games and has co-designed 10 of her own. The idea for her first novel took years to germinate, growing during her long swims, treadmill runs, and endless commutes-basically, anytime she needed a distraction! But every moment spent daydreaming turned into a world she was excited to finally bring to life. Suzie also has a slight obsession with colours and their endless gradients. Just like people, each shade is unique but connected to all others in ways that make the world a more vibrant place.