Russell Lee (writer)
Russell Lee | |
|---|---|
.jpg) A masked actor representing Russell Lee at a book signing. | |
| Pen name | Russell Lee |
| Period | 1989–present |
| Genre | Horror, Drama, Comedy, Non-Fiction |
| Subject | Writing books |
| Notable works | True Singapore Ghost Stories |
| Signature | |
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| Website | |
| flameoftheforest | |
Russell Lee is the pseudonym of the Singaporean authors of True Singapore Ghost Stories, a well-known book series of ghost stories in Singapore, Malaysia, other parts of Asia ever since the release of Book 1 in 1989.[1]
The brand had a lasting impact on Singapore publishing. Their first release was the first of many that were published for the mass market. True Singapore Ghost Stories surpassed 30,000 copies in three months.[2]
Despite publicly claiming to be a real person, Russell Lee never provided any photograph of himself nor revealed anything about his personal life. At book signing events for True Singapore Ghost Stories, a person claiming to be Russell Lee would always show up, wearing a mask and clothes that cover every inch of his body. Due to the improbability of not having any leaked details about his identity for decades, the professional consensus is that Russell Lee is a pseudonym, and the masked appearance is merely an actor putting on an act for marketing purposes.[3]
True Singapore Ghost Stories[edit]
As of 2023, 28 books in the True Singapore Ghost Stories series have been released. With over 1.5 million copies sold worldwide.[4]
In 2014, True Singapore Ghost Stories 25th Year Special Edition was released, where it looked back at the first 25 years of the series.
Book 27, the latest in the series, was released in 2023. The authors expressed their hope to reach Book 50.[5]
The book series has also been made into a 13-part TV series.[6]
Works[edit]
| The Complete List | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/N | Book | Year Published | Publisher | ISBN |
| 1 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories | 1989 | Flame Of The Forest Publishing | ISBN 9810012829 |
| 2 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 1 | 1989 | Flame Of The Forest Publishing | ISBN 9810013469 |
| 3 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 2 | 1992 | Flame Of The Forest Publishing | ISBN 9810025297 |
| 4 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 3 | 1994 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9810052243 |
| 5 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 4 | 1994 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789813056480 |
| 6 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 5 | 1995 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9813056967 |
| 7 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 6 | 1995 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9813056371 |
| 8 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 7 | 1995 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789813056060 |
| 9 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 8 | 1996 | Angsana Books | ISBN 981305607X |
| 10 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 9 | 1997 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789813056152 |
| 11 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 10 | 1999 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789813056183 |
| 12 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 11 | 2003 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9813056576 |
| 13 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 12 | 2004 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789813056800 |
| 14 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 13 | 2005 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9813056983 |
| 15 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 14 | 2006 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9814193070 |
| 16 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 15 | 2006 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814193191 |
| 17 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 16 | 2007 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814193320 |
| 18 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 17 | 2007 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814193450 |
| 19 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 18 | 2008 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814193542 |
| 20 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 19 | 2009 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814193771 |
| 21 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 20 | 2010 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814193931 |
| 22 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 21 | 2011 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814315135 |
| 23 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 22 | 2012 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814315241 |
| 24 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 23 | 2013 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814315418 |
| 25 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories 25th Year Special Edition | 2014 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814315548 |
| 26 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 24 | 2015 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814315647 |
| 27 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 25 | 2017 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814315814 |
| 28 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 26 | 2020 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814388085 |
| 29 | The Almost Complete Collection of True Singapore Ghost Stories Book 27 | 2023 | Angsana Books | ISBN 9789814388160 |
See also[edit]
- True Singapore Ghost Stories book series
- James Lee, fellow writer under Angsana Books[3]
References[edit]
- ^ Ho, Olivia (2021). "Unsung S'pore icons: Home-grown horror tales spook a new generation". The Straits Times. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
- ^ "Flame Of The Forest - About Us". www.flameoftheforest.com. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ a b "What Ever Happened to Russell Lee, the Mysterious Author of 'True Singapore Ghost Stories'?". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ "True S'pore Ghost Stories sold at S$9.90 per book for past 33 years". The News Singapore. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ "Inspiring chills at Halloween Horror Nights". The New Paper.
- ^ "Fear factor". The Straits Times.
External links[edit]
| International | |
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| National | |
