for now, new york:

Our Story

In July 2022, I was late for my bus out of New York. With my assigned seat taken, I found myself beside a stranger, whose name I learned was August, and who smiled at me radiantly. Something must have possessed me that day to give me the confidence to ask, “Do you want to hear my dreams? I'm working on a poetry collection, and I can't wait to send it into the world.” Striking a level of comfort rare and profound, August tells me to read her my work, and I do. When we reach Boston, she says, “Send me your stuff, I want to design your book!’” I was worried she didn't mean it, but a week later, we were in the Hungarian Pastry Shop, my favorite cafe just a few blocks from Columbia, dreaming this together.

'for now, new york:' is a poetry collection by Tze Sheng Milton Wong, designed by August Ramos, intended as an artful experience – an art book, so to speak. August's interpretations of my words add wonderful spreads to the book, while my photography seeks to complement the pieces.

This is also a collection I wrote on my way out of the city. I wanted to let New York’s energy flow through my blood, and paradoxically, to find occasion to pause, reflect on, and celebrate the things around me. Creating any art, I am convinced, demands you feel your feelings, and proper feeling necessitates your presence. Writing would ground me, each weekday night and every weekend afternoon, to explore the multitudinous, if sometimes ambivalent, New York experiences that had begun to change me. 

And so I worked on this alongside my thesis, two babies I saw myself midwifing in the busy months of August and September 2022. For the most part, it's been a secret I've been dying to spill. I wanted the world to see it only when it was complete, when I knew it finally turned out alright. I cannot be happier to share this with you now.

Ordering ‘for now, new york:’

'for now, new york:' is available globally on Bookshop, Amazon, and Blackwell’s, among others.

Depending on availability, New Yorkers may find the book in stores like The World’s Borough Bookshop.

Singaporean readers can order online or in-person at Kinokuniya (Main Store), or by visiting the Epigram Bookshop @ SAM or Book Bar.

Special accommodations (including consignment arrangements, bulk purchases) may also be arranged at tsmiltonwong@gmail.com.

Connect with Us

As artists, we want to engage our audience, so please let us know how you find the book! Milton is happy to receive emails at tsmiltonwong@gmail.com. Alternatively, please leave a review on sites like The StoryGraph and Goodreads, as well as on purchase sites like Blackwell’s and Amazon. These go some way in supporting indie artists like ourselves help reach a wider audience.

Thank you so much for being here!

Image credits for background above, and carousel below: August Ramos