Lixin Tan

Lixin Tan is a Singaporean poet and fiction writer whose work explores memory, identity, family, grief, and the unseen forces that shape human experience. Born and raised in Singapore, she writes across poetry and fiction, bringing together lyrical prose, emotional honesty, and a fascination with the supernatural, particularly horror and Chinese folk religion.

Her first two poetry collections, Keeping Skeletons (2013) and Before We Are Ghosts (2015), explore childhood, identity, and loss through intimate, image-rich verse. Her forthcoming poetry collection turns its focus toward familial relationships and mental health, continuing her interest in the emotional bonds that shape people's lives. Throughout her poetry, Lixin is drawn to the ways memory, place, and relationships influence who we become.

Alongside her poetry, Lixin writes fiction with a particular interest in horror, folklore, and Chinese folk religion. Her stories often blend psychological tension with the supernatural, using myth and tradition to examine themes of love, guilt, belonging, and the enduring influence of the past. Whether writing poetry or fiction, she is interested in stories that linger long after the final page, where emotional truth and the uncanny exist side by side.

Her work has appeared in numerous literary publications, including Trampoline, Willows Wept Review, and Fright 1, an anthology associated with the 2022 Storytel Epigram Horror Prize. In 2021, one of her poems was nominated for the Pushcart Prize, recognizing the strength of her contemporary poetry. She has also appeared as a speaker and panelist at the Singapore Writers Festival, contributing to conversations on literature, creativity, and Singapore's evolving literary landscape.

Today, Lixin continues to write poetry and fiction that explore the intersections of memory, family, culture, and belief. Whether grounded in everyday life or touched by the supernatural, her work reflects a deep curiosity about what people inherit—from those who came before them, from the places they call home, and from the stories they choose to carry forward.

Lixin's passion for storytelling began at an early age. As a young writer, she received international recognition in the Commonwealth Essay Competition, earning a High Commendation in 2009, Bronze in 2010, and Gold in 2011. These early achievements marked the beginning of a literary career that has continued to evolve across poetry, fiction, and literary advocacy.

She lives in Singapore.

Works at Moji:

Upcoming 2027

A poetry collection, in progress.

Anthology & Contributor:

Anthologies

• Fright 1 (Epigram Books, 2024) — contributor. Anthology featuring the winners and selected entries from the 2022 Storytel Epigram Horror Prize.

Literary Journals & Magazines

• Trampoline
• Willows Wept Review
• Additional poetry and fiction published in various literary journals and magazines.

Follow her on:  

Instagram:@lixin.tan 

Cargo: lixin.cargo