The President’s Poet
When Stephanie Esther Fam first began writing the poems that would become
“Shades”, she did so as a quiet act of self-reflection — a way to navigate personal experiences of loss, healing, and rediscovery — over 18 years. She never imagined those deeply personal words would one day resonate with audiences across stages, screens, and hearts.
With the support of Collective Perspectives (CP), Stephanie transformed “Shades” from a private collection into a self-published book and multi-platform experience. CP guided the project from concept to completion, supporting her through publishing, branding, event curation, and digital outreach. The result was a body of work that transcended the page to become a movement rooted in authenticity and healing.
The official book launch “Shades of Creativity” on 29 January 2022 at Gateway Theatre marked a major turning point, creating space for the community to engage with her work through readings, reflections, and connection. From there, her voice expanded into forums such as the event co-organised with Singapore Book Council “Shades of a Poet, Echoes of You” at the National Library Board, and a range of corporate and community engagements with TBWA, Far East Organization, and CPAS.
Stephanie’s voice also began reaching wider, more diverse audiences through digital formats. She launched:
- The “Shades” eBook, available on Google Play Books, expanding access to her work globally.
- The“Shades of Steph” podcast, where she spoke candidly about the inspiration behind her poems and the stories that shaped her.
A defining moment in Stephanie’s journey was her poem recital at the President’s Star Charity — one of Singapore’s most high-profile televised fundraising events — together with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mrs Tharman. Her presence on that national stage symbolised not only recognition of her work, but the emotional impact her poetry could have in uniting people across differences through shared human truths.
One of the most powerful expressions of her poetry came to life on stage in ”Absence – the Play”, a moving theatrical adaptation of seven selected poems from ”Shades”, staged at the Gateway Black Box with full support from CP. The performance allowed audiences to experience her words in an entirely new dimension — through theatre, movement, and collaboration.
Through all of this, Stephanie has grown from a writer of introspective lines into a public voice for empathy, courage, and connection. Her story and work are featured in both mainstream and alternative media, and she’s been invited to appear on various productions and televised programs.
“Shades” is available via the CP eCommerce portal, creating ongoing income and visibility — proof that art — when supported with care and intention, can be both soul-enriching and sustainable.
Stephanie Esther Fam’s story is one of transformation — of a poet stepping into her power, and of how words, when lifted and shared, can change not only the person who writes them, but the world around them.
