Monsters Under the Bed is a creative writing school that focuses on training students to achieve higher literary proficiency and creative writing skills.
We have helped hundreds of budding writers fulfill their literary endeavours. Our methods combine the practices of accomplished writers with the natural creative intelligence of youth. The result is a holistic and accessible creative writing programme.
The learning journey is suitable for children age 4 – 16.
Vision
Home for writers to grow and excel in their craft.
Mission
Monsters Under the Bed strives to help children develop their imagination through creative mediums and fun language experiences. Thinking out of the box is no longer a constant reminder, but second nature.
Word on the street
“The MUTB concept is ingenious in that it doesn’t rely on fancy games or showmanship. Rather, it appeals to the innate desire of everyone to tell stories, and uses that as a starting point to make creative writing accessible and unlock the potential of each and every child.”
“I really like the course. We never get to learn any of this in school.”
“I like the teaching style that defines the MUTB training team. It is so personal and sincere. You can tell that the kids are totally engrossed in the lesson”
“I am very impressed with the MUTB method. It is simple to understand yet powerful enough to ensure that writers of varying levels will benefit from it.”
“I have come across many creative writing books in the market, and can honestly say, MUTB’s method is a breath of fresh air.”
Key Personnel
Dr. Joseph Guan (M.M.Ed, Ph.D) | Principal Consultant
Dr Joseph Guan has had over 20 years experience in education field both locally and internationally and in his last position with the Ministry of Education he was the Principal of St. Joseph’s Institution. Dr Guan holds a PhD in Education majoring in Learning Strategy and a bachelor and master degree in music. He was featured in the International Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs in 1999 and 2000 and was initiated into the Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honour Society in Education for his high professional, intellectual and outstanding contributions to education. Story Craft was vetted and endorsed by Dr. Guan as an effective approach to developing literary skills in children age 7 to 16.
Ryan Ong, B.A. English | Curriculum Developer
Ryan Ong obtained his Degree in English from the University of London (Goldsmith College). In his pursuit for a holistic understanding of the impact of communication and language in society, he also obtained Diplomas in Mass Communication as well as PR and Marketing. Ryan’s primary focus, both academically and as a passion, is the multitude of forms underlying human expression. His core influences are derived from post-colonial and magic realist literature, and the manner in which individuals from hybridized cultures such as ours develop modes of confident self-expression and articulation. Ryan is currently a syndicated writer on Yahoo!, a featured writer for MoneySmart.com, and a freelance editor for a wide range of genres. In 2011, Ryan published his first horror anthology that showcases his best works.
Benjamin Kong, B.A. English Language & Literature | Curriculum Developer
He spent 12 years of his life devoted to teaching. He has taught General Paper and Project Work at the Junior College level, and English Language and Literature at the Secondary School level. His specialization is in Gifted Education, and he has taught in both a premier boys’ school and a premier girls’ school, both gifted education centres. At the boys’ school, he managed a championship debate team for 3 years running, while at the girls’ school he looked after the holistic well-being (academic and non-academic) of the gifted pupils as Head of Gifted Education. He has also been in charge of the Creative Arts Programme students for his school, first as a teacher, then as a Head of Department overseeing the programme.
His experience includes providing guidance to the student writers as well as overseeing programmes and activities to support writing talent in school. His other experience is in Curriculum Design – he spent 3 years in the Curriculum Planning and Development Division in the Ministry of Education, and led the team in charge of the implementation of a new ‘A’ level subject in the Singapore-Cambridge examinations called Knowledge and Inquiry.
Dave Chua, Writer | Curriculum Developer
His short story, “Father’s Gift”, won a Singapore Press Holdings-National Arts Council of Singapore Golden Point Award in 1995. His first novel, Gone Case, was given a Singapore Literature Prize Commendation Award in 1996 and was published that year.
He won second prize for his story, Last Days, in a short story contest organised by Chiaroscuro, a speculative fiction pro-rate e-zine, in 2010.
He writes for various publications in Singapore, such as The Straits Times, InSing, and The Edge, and is the Vice Chairman of the Singapore Film Society. For his feature-length scripts, he was awarded a second prize at the Singapore Screenplay Awards in 2001.
He is a recipient of the Arts Creation Fund and is currently working on a graphic novel version of Gone Case with the artist Koh Hong Teng and a book of short stories, entitled The Beating and Other Stories, to be released soon.
He has taught as part of the Creative Arts Programme for several years and is a mentor for both the CAP and the Mentor Access Programme organised by NAC. In 2009 he was writer-in-residence at Raffles Institution.
Brenda Broster, Writer | Curriculum Developer
She considers herself a ‘scribbler’. A keen observer, she is fascinated by people. Her first book, a collection of short stories titled, “This Is Life”, was published in 2006. The response she got to this book encouraged her to continue writing.
‘The Doughty Warriors ‘It’s Our Forest Too!’ was launched in Singapore in October last year. The next book in the series ‘The Doughty Warriors Save the Bears’ is already written and is launched in 2010. Brenda is currently working on three more books, including “The Doughty Warriors All At Sea”, and has established her own Publishing Company in Singapore. See www.Doughtywarriors.com. Brenda is still writing.
Jacqueline Chia, M.B.A Literary Studies | Curriculum Developer
She is currently pursuing her Masters in Literary Studies at the National University of Singapore and researching for a book project. She started writing seriously at the age of 16 and has published several poems in international E-zines, as well as in an anthology of titled “Voices of Our Generation” that was published in the United States.
Jacqueline spent the past 4 years working as a copywriter in Singapore’s top local advertising agencies. She was the head editor for local literary journal, 14:59, from 2010 to 2011.