About
Sofia Mariah Ma is a Singaporean writer.
She is of Javanese descent. If she were to look far enough into her past, she could have found some long-lost Chinese and Dutch roots amongst her ancestors, but her cats are keeping her too busy and she probably lacks sleep.
She holds an MA in English Literature, examining the works of Kazuo Ishiguro and his experimentations with genre.
Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Writing. Though every written word burns like scalding oneself on a hot kettle (accidentally, of course), on most days, even a bad cup of coffee is enough to pull her through.
Her current works-in-progress include a novel and a collection of short stories.
Works
The Last Diver on Earth. Regional Winner (Asia) for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. 2022. The Commonwealth Foundation, UK. [https://www.commonwealthwriters.org/shortstoryprize/regional-winners/] [Read online on Granta: https://granta.com/the-last-diver-on-earth/] [Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/earth-drank-deep-Other-Stories/dp/1911475622]
The Shadow Box. Second Place Winner for the Golden Point Award – English Short Story Category. 2021. The Arts House-National Arts Council, Singapore. [https://artshouselimited.sg/gpa] [Read online for a limited time: https://sofiamariahma.com/the-shadow-box-by-sofia-mariah-ma/]
The Forgetting. And Lately the Sun. 2020. [https://latelythesun.com/2020/11/25/the-forgetting-by-sofia-mariah/] [Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Lately-Sun-Speculative-fictions-climate-thrashed-ebook/dp/B08LQSPL74]
Mentions
Presenter/ Reader. ‘Readings by Golden Point Award 2021 English Short Story Prize Winners.’ Textures 2023: Arrived Home. 2023. [https://artshouselimited.sg/tah-textures-2023]
Workshop/ Free Write Host. ‘Writing the Human Condition in Speculative & Climate Short Fiction.’ The International Women’s Writing Guild. 2022. [https://iwwg.org/]
Panellist. ‘Glocalised Identities.’ Singapore Writers Festival. 2022. [https://www.singaporewritersfestival.com/programme-details/conversations/globalised-identities]
Singaporean wins regional prize in Commonwealth Short Story Competition. Lauren Chian. 2022. The Straits Times, Singapore. [https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/singaporean-wins-regional-prize-in-commonwealth-short-story-competition]