On a humid afternoon in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, a young woman with eyes full of quiet resolve pushed open the building’s glass doors, a manuscript with curling edges tucked underneath one arm. The city buzzed around her, but her heart thudded louder — it was her fourth publishing office that month. Those pages carried the weight of years of late-night scribbles, fierce determination and the kind of stubborn hope only a first time writer can experience. She rehearsed her pitch with every step, all-the-while convincing herself that this time would be different, and that someone would finally see what she saw; a voice worthy of print. But behind that resolve hid two quiet truths: she knew the odds, and she knew they weren’t in her favor.
Charissa Ong Ty’s journey reads like a novel – not just because she is a novelist, poet and publisher, but because her own life seems as if it was spun from the very themes she writes. A sequence of events featuring resilience, fortitude and raw emotion. Born in 1992 and based in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, Charissa wears many hats: interactive media designer, emphatic poet, self-made entrepreneur, and literary champion. Her name now resonates across Southeast Asia — and increasingly beyond its borders. But her success that began with a dream was punctuated by a number of setbacks.
The early years of Charissa’s career were not marked by instant applause. It was while working in a conventional design role that Charissa found herself restless. It was something about the nature of content creation in advertising that began to feel hollow. She sensed there was greater depth in the words barely contained within her. In her free time, she began writing on Instagram — poems and short reflections. These were the earliest glimpses into the creative mind of a storyteller in the making. It served as a light-hearted creative outlet rather than a serious career path at the time.
But beneath those small, unofficial works lay a deep-rooted ambition – to see her work published. But Charissa realized that publishers in Malaysia were not looking to publish the emotionally honest, bold fiction that she was producing. At the time, it was quite rare for works of fiction to be published locally. But each rejection deepened Charissa’s resolve. She wasn’t just writing for herself, she was writing to be heard.
The series of no’s led Charissa down a path of audacity: she built her own publishing house from scratch. At just 24, she launched Penwings Publishing. It was a brave leap into a world that would make her both creator and curator. This route was neither conventional, nor did it guarantee success, but it gave Charissa the creative control and direction she yearned for; the covers, the design, and the distribution. She recognized early on that a lack of institutional support was an opportunity, not a setback.
But Penwings was never just a personal vehicle, rather it was a home for other voices as well. A safe place for those who faced similar obstacles as Charissa. She published writers such as Germaine Thai, Zack Shah, Tasha Lim, June Twilis and Timothy Joshua Chia. Her young brand became a crucible for new, budding talent. It welcomed authors who wanted to get their voice across, but without giving up creative control.
Once Penwings was under her belt, Charissa’s writing evolved, and she eventually released her debut book; Midnight Monologues, a collection of poetry and short stories. The book struck a deep chord, making Charissa the #1 Best-seller, and in 2017, it was a finalist in both Poetry and Cover Design at the International Book Awards. It was followed by other works; Daylight Dialogues, What Does Your Name Mean?, My Medicine, Poetry and Short Stories – A Practice Book. Each work was a testament to Charissa’s literary growth and courage.
The next work was her science-fiction novel, Pseudo-Immortals, the most recent tribute to Charissa’s fearless imagination. A cutting-edge novel that questions human consciousness and identity in a world driven by technology and futuristic AI. Her background in tech grants unusual depth and personality into her writing, making for an immensely engaging read. With this novel, Charissa redefines her literary horizons making her mark amongst Southeast Asia’s most prominent literary voices.
With over 60,000 books sold under her company Penwings Publishing, the young author’s impact is already immense in South Asia, but now she’s looking to cast her vision beyond borders. Her venture into the U.S. market marks a significant milestone that will help broadcast her voice to global audiences. This gradual expansion is not just about personal success. Rather it pushes a goal to shift cultural narratives, and help build a bridge between Southeast Asian literary creativity and Western sensibilities, proving that emotionally rich and authentic storytelling have the power to transcend all boundaries.
By blending cultural nuance with universal themes, Charissa’s work invites readers from diverse backgrounds to connect with experiences that are at once intimate and honest. Her stories are a junction of tradition and innovation where familiar concepts coexist with speculative imagination, offering a perspective that manages to be both fresh and resonant. Through her efforts, the young visionary is not only projecting regional voices onto the international stage but also redefining what modern storytelling can achieve – thus proving that emotional depth and literary artistry holds the ability to inspire empathy and understanding across cultures. Her tireless initiatives have not gone unnoticed on the global platform. She was featured in Tatler Asia’s Aesop’s Women’s Library, among a curated selection of Malaysian women authors and ELLE’s 2025 Creative Council.
ELLE’s 2025 Creative Council celebrates top creatives in the country and their contribution to the arts that made social impact. Charissa is highlighted due to her best-selling books, the impact she has with her publishing company and community efforts to improve the book industry in the country.
In 2024, Ong was recognized by Tatler Asia as one of its Front and Female changemakers – a major honor that spotlights women who are making real impact within Malaysia pushing boundaries in business, creativity and leadership. Charissa also received the Top 10 Outstanding Creative Youth Award in 2025, a highly respected title awarded by The One Academy, one of Malaysia’s leading creative design schools celebrating alumni who have made significant strides in entrepreneurship and innovative outlets. These recognitions aren’t limited to her writing, they also acknowledge her role as a creative leader and influencer in Malaysia’s literary and cultural landscape.
Beyond her literary life, the young pioneer has built a strong career with foundations in the world of tech and design. She has worked as Lead Product Designer for Boost e-Wallet in Malaysia leading design teams and building product ideas. Her background in interactive media design is not just a side note; she graduated with first-class honors in Interactive Media Design which underpins much of her creative and entrepreneurial work. She currently leads a team of creatives as Production Manager at Playstation Malaysia. Her expertise spans multiple industries, including Gaming, and E-commerce. Apart from her corporate roles, Charissa also contributes in roles of mentorship and creative education. Her dual identity as a designer and author allows her to teach from a place of experience and authenticity.
Charissa Ong Ty is more than a poet or entrepreneur – she’s a storytelling polymath. At a young age, she defied industry norms, built her own brand, and carved out a space for creative voices like her own. Her inspiring journey serves as a reminder that creativity is not just self-expression, it also means building, sharing and sustaining. To read Charissa is to experience raw emotion through the written word. In a world where so many voices compete to be heard, Charissa’s stands out: clear, compassionate and unique.
For anyone chasing a dream, Ong’s journey proves this: when opportunity doesn’t knock, the best move is to construct your own path – and make room for others along the way.
Readers can connect with her directly through the following platforms:
Website: https://penwings.com/authors/charissa-ong-ty/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cotypoems/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://my.linkedin.com/in/charissaongty/ms
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charissaongty/