Sumi Singh, a self-published author living in Goodwood, has turned her lifelong passion for storytelling into a powerful creative outlet. A journey that began with childhood journaling and a love for romance novels has now evolved into a published series, with readers as far as the United States and India discovering her work through Amazon.
“I was born in Kimberley, and after completing primary school, my family relocated to Pretoria, where I finished high school,” she recalls. “At 18, I was appointed as a sessional worker in Pretoria and Cape Town for a minister in Parliament during the historic year of 1994, when Nelson Mandela became president.” In 1995, Singh married her husband, from Pretoria, and they later settled in Cape Town, where they raised their two daughters and built a life in Goodwood. While juggling work and family life, Singh continued to write — first in private journals and then later, full-length novels.
Romance novels
“Romance novels captured my attention early on, and it’s the genre I chose to write in,” says Singh. Her published works — Sydney’s Boxer and Fighting for Fame — form part of the Youngblood Series. Both novels can be read as standalone stories and are available as e-books on Amazon.com. Paperbacks can be purchased directly from her by emailing admin@sumisingh.com.
Sydney’s Boxer
“The idea for Sydney’s Boxer didn’t come to me immediately,” Singh explains. “It showed up as synchronicity. I was steered in the direction of boxing, and the characters took shape from there. At the time, I knew nothing about boxing. It was daunting, but I watched countless boxing movies, attended matches, and even trained briefly. That novel explores themes of grief and courage. Fighting for Fame, on the other hand, deals with chasing dreams and the impact fame can have on relationships.”
Self-publishing
Self-publishing, Singh admits, hasn’t been without its challenges.”It’s not for everyone,” she says. “Balancing a full-time job while writing during late nights and weekends was tough. You also have to outsource everything — editing, formatting, cover design — which is usually handled by a publisher. Time management is critical. But if done right, you can produce a high-quality story that readers enjoy.”
Her message to aspiring writers is clear: “Don’t let fear or doubt stop you. Yes, the process is time-consuming and finding the right collaborators is hard — but it’s all possible with resilience and belief. The reward of completing and publishing your work is truly life-changing.”
Community support
Community support has played a big role in her journey. “As a long-standing member of the Goodwood Harriers running club, I was overwhelmed by the encouragement I received. Many runners bought Sydney’s Boxer, and my family and friends have been incredibly proud of my accomplishments.” Next up, Singh will be speaking at the Goodwood Library on Thursday 14 August as part of Women’s Month, where she’ll discuss writing and connect with readers. She’s also working on the final installment of the Youngblood Series and has plans to write a non-fiction book in the future.
“I’m humbled and grateful to be doing what I love,” Singh says. “And I hope my journey inspires others to write their stories too.”
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