Yeng Pway Ngon—Chinese language poet, novelist, playwright and critic—is one of the country’s most prolific authors, having published over 25 volumes of poetry, essays, fiction, plays and literary criticism. Yeng’s work is noted for its examination of the modern human condition, and has been translated into English, Malay and even Dutch. Yeng received the National Book Development Council of Singapore's Book Award in 1988, the Singapore Literature Prize in 2004, 2008 and 2012, and the S.E.A. Write Award in 2013. In 2003, Yeng received the Cultural Medallion for his contributions to literature in Singapore.

Born in 1947 in Singapore, Yeng’s first foray into arts began in his early school years, where his talent for painting resulted in his winning an art competition in school. However, his interest in painting was daunted by art materials that were costly for a schoolboy living on his pocket money, and he looked for another more affordable avenue to channel his artistic energy. Yeng started reading poetry, setting himself on a literary path that would come to define his artistic career.

When he was in secondary two, Yeng was given an assignment to write an essay on any topic he wished. Instead of an essay, Yeng submitted a poem. Expecting a scolding for not following his teacher’s instructions, he instead received high marks for his poem. His curiosity piqued, Yeng submitted his poem for publication, and was thrilled to find his poem published in the newspaper shortly after. Encouraged by this, he started focusing his creative energy towards writing.

However, Yeng still found reading poetry to be more interesting that writing, but that changed when he started his studies at Ngee Ann College (now Ngee Ann Polytechnic) where he discovered the possibilities of poetry. This began when he acquired a book by Taiwanese poet Ya Xian, and he began adopting Ya Xian’s style in his own poems. He would be similarly inspired later by Taiwanese poet Yang Mu and other modern Taiwanese poets of the ’60s. From these, Yeng formed a modernist poetic voice and style that was his own.

This period also saw the start of Yeng’s literary career. He became the editor and publisher of the literary magazine 《茶座》 Teahouse, and published a poetry collection《手术台上》 On The Operating Table in 1968. In 1969, Yeng graduated from Ngee Ann College with a BA in Chinese Literature, and went on to become the editor and publisher of the literary magazine 《前衛》 Vanguard Monthly. In 1974, Yeng published a poetry collection and a collection of essays, and opened 前卫书店 Vanguard Bookshop at Golden Mile Tower. Two years later, he sold off the Vanguard Bookshop to open 草根书室 Grassroots Book Room, which remained in business for five years before Yeng closed it, putting a temporary stop to his career as a bookstore owner.

From 1978 to 1983, Yeng worked as a newspaper columnist for Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau where he wrote the humorous arts criticism column 《说长道短》. In 1983, Nanyang Siang Pau merged with another Chinese daily Sin Chew Jit Poh, and Yeng carried on his work as a columnist with the resulting newspaper Lianhe Zaobao writing insightful essays in the 《人在江湖》 column. He would also spend a year in Hong Kong in 1994 as a freelance columnist for United Daily News, Ming Pao, Sing Tao Daily and Sing Tao Evening News.

The ’80s were a fruitful period for Yeng’s creative endeavours. He wrote radio plays that were broadcast on Rediffusion, and published many books of essays, short stories, and novels. In 1988, Yeng received a National Book Development Council of Singapore book award for his novel 《一个像我这样的男人》 A Man Like Me, which he published the year before.

Subsequently, Yeng became editor and publisher of literary magazine 《接觸》 Encounter in the ’90s and his play 《寄错的邮件》 The Misdelivered Mail was staged by the Singapore Art Theatre in 1993. In 2000, Yeng was invited to be a fellow at the Taipei International Writers-in-Residence programme by the Cultural Bureau of Taipei. This would be a particularly meaningful experience for him to be recognised and appreciated as a Singapore writer in the Taiwanese literature scene.

Through the decades, Yeng's literary output has been greatly influenced by critical milestones in his own life. In 1977, Yeng was detained under the Internal Security Act for his alleged communist sympathies. The four months he spent in detention made him appreciate the freedom he previously enjoyed, and was an eye-opening experience for him that would affect his art. In 2008, Yeng was diagnosed with cancer, and he channelled his personal experience into one of his novels where a character contemplates death with much thought and reflection.

Following his book award in 1988, Yeng would also come to receive many other accolades and honours. His novels 《騷動》 Unrest and 《我与我自己的二三事》 Trivialities About Me and Myself both received the Singapore Literature Prize in 2004 and 2008 respectively, with the latter being named as one of the top ten Chinese novels in the world by Hong Kong magazine 《亚洲周刊》 Asiaweek in 2006. His novel, 《画室》 The Studio, would also receive the same accolade from Asiaweek in 2011. He also received recognition in Southeast Asia, receiving the S.E.A. Write Award in 2013.

In 2003, Yeng received the Cultural Medallion for his contributions to Singapore literature.

Yeng passed away in 2021 after a long battle with cancer.