Gabe Chong was born and bred in the diverse East-West melting pot of Singapore. The proud father of two inspiring daughters, he lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, with his wife, Addie, outnumbered by the trio. But loving it.

An architect, history enthusiast, and army officer in his youth, he scripts stories circling the World War II era. In each, he explores the bygone setting, focusing on its essences, among them the sensory, weaving his vibrant characters and their ethos, cultures, and fares into a richly crafted plot. He delves into their ethnic likenesses as against fissures. Quirks too. All the while, he draws on his awareness of the arts, touching on architecture and music.

Creating narratives where fresh renderings meet the charm and events of days past delights him. While his tales span across the seas, they cycle back to his adored Asia, a region he enjoys a profound affinity. And to Australia, a land to which he feels bound. They persist in captivating him.

His jaunt started with John Vader’s Spitfire, a non-fiction he took off his father’s bookshelf, before venturing into writings by luminaries such as Kipling, Dickens, Maugham, and Barber. Thereafter, he became a lasting reader of historical and cultural works, besides war, romance, crime, and spy novels. Clavell, Forsyth, and Ludlum joined the list of leading lights. Likewise, McCullough, Tan Twan Eng, and Lisa See. Many others have since followed.

Outside his den, he relishes travel, hikes, skiing, and capturing moments on his DSLR, not least prowling for scrumptious, authentic street food, craft coffee, and chocolate. Salubrious, rich and dark!

Go on a journey with Gabe….

www.gabechong.com