[Profile] Edmund Wee: The Publisher Who Champions Singapore Literature in a Digital Age

The Profile Snapshot

In the often cutthroat world of publishing, Edmund Wee stands as a rare breed: a publisher driven by passion as much as profit. As the founder and CEO of Epigram Books, he has carved a distinct niche, transforming from a successful graphic designer into the godfather of modern Singaporean literature. His journey is not just about selling books, but about building a national bookshelf.

• 👨‍💼 Name: Edmund Wee
• 🏷️ Role: Founder & CEO, Epigram Books
• 🔑 Key Superpower: Cultural Champion & Niche Publisher

The Catalyst: Why It Matters

Edmund Wee and Epigram Books are in the headlines following the difficult decision to shutter their sole physical bookstore, Epigram Coffee Bookshop, in Singapore. This move comes hot on the heels of the closure of the iconic Times bookstores, casting a stark light on the immense pressures facing brick-and-mortar booksellers and niche publishers globally. For Wee, this isn't merely a retail closure; it's a strategic pivot that forces a critical examination of the value of physical literary spaces versus the relentless tide of digital consumption and changing reader habits. His response to this challenge offers profound lessons for cultural entrepreneurs everywhere, especially in neighbouring Malaysia where similar market dynamics are at play.

The Leadership Dialogue: Inside The Mindset

Reflecting on the closure, Wee speaks not with defeat, but with the clarity of a pragmatist who has never lost sight of his core mission. He emphasizes that Epigram was never founded to be a retail chain. The bookstore, he candidly admits, was a passion project—a beautiful, curated space meant to be a haven for local literary works. However, the economics became unsustainable. His eyes, often described as keen and analytical, betray a hint of melancholy when he describes saying goodbye to the physical space, but they quickly refocus with determination when discussing the future.

He articulates a vision where the soul of Epigram is not confined to four walls. The real battleground, he insists, is in the minds of readers and on the pages of the books they publish. Shuttering the outlet is a reallocation of energy and capital back into their primary superpower: discovering and nurturing Singaporean voices. He draws a parallel to the Malaysian creative scene, noting that survival depends on leveraging unique local narratives that global platforms cannot replicate. For Wee, resilience is defined by adaptability—knowing what to hold onto (editorial integrity, local stories) and what to let go of (unsustainable cost centres).

Career Milestones & Achievements

• Pivotal Career Shift: Successfully transitioned from award-winning graphic designer (founding 10am Communications) to book publisher at the age of 55, demonstrating remarkable second-act entrepreneurship.
• Building a Literary Canon: Almost single-handedly created a viable market for contemporary Singaporean literature, publishing over 300 titles and giving debut authors a prestigious platform.
• International Acclaim: Led Epigram to become the first Singaporean publisher to win the prestigious London Book Fair International Excellence Award in 2015, putting Singaporean writing on the global map.
• Championing Diversity Spearheaded the publication of critically acclaimed and socially impactful titles that address local history and identity, proving niche subjects have profound commercial and cultural value.

The Editor's Take

Edmund Wee exemplifies the Cultural Strategist leader. He operates at the intersection of art and commerce, possessing the artist's heart to champion stories and the CEO's mind to ensure survival. His leadership is not about explosive growth, but about sustainable impact and cultural legacy-building. In a region often obsessed with scale and tech disruption, Wee’s focus on depth, quality, and national identity is both a rebellion and a masterclass in focused branding.

• 👁️ Visionary Thinking: 9/10 – His vision to define a nation's contemporary literary voice was both prescient and purpose-driven.
• ⚡ Execution Capability: 7/10 – He built a renowned publishing house from scratch, though the retail venture showed the limits of stretching a niche model.
• 🌟 Industry Influence: 8/10 – A towering figure in Singapore's literary scene and an inspiration for cultural publishers across Southeast Asia.

"Publishing isn't just about selling books. It's about building a bookshelf for a nation. Sometimes, you have to close a shop to keep filling that shelf."