The Singapore Writers Festival heads into its 27th year, presenting an even bigger and better program line-up. Get up close and personal with famous authors, from the likes of philosopher A.C. Grayling to crime writer Stephen Leather. November 1-10

Love indie beats? Then don’t miss Camp Symmetry. See exciting acts perform live for this inaugural music festival, such as Texan post-rockers Explosions in the Sky and Californian surf band Best Coast, to name a few. November 2

It’s fine dining at its best with the week-long culinary festival, Chefs With Altitude. Bite into exquisite creations by award-winning names such as French chef Xavier Beaudiment from Le Pré and Tristan Stephenson from the UK’s Worship Street Whistling Shop. November 11-17

Funnyman Michael McIntyre will have you rolling on the floor laughing with his effortless ability to inject humor into everyday situations. November 12

Rev up for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express—a futuristic, high-octane musical about rivalry, love and hope that’s bound to captivate both young and old. Expect two hours of phenomenal 3D effects, jaw-dropping daredevil stunts and infectious energy. November 13-24

Catch Russia’s highly acclaimed Bolshoi Ballet and its enchanting rendition of Swan Lake as it makes its one and only stop in the region this year. November 20-24

Calling all art enthusiasts! Whether you want to admire works of art or take home a masterpiece, visit the Affordable Art Fair and its more than 100 galleries for stunning art pieces that won't leave a hole in your pocket. November 21-24

It’s a race unlike any other. Take part in the Swissôtel Vertical Marathon 2013 and make your way up one of Southeast Asia's tallest hotels. November 24

Spice up your Christmas shopping with Boutiques Flea Market at Gallery Hotel. This special Christmas edition will feature independent designers, so get ready to snag one-of-a-kind fashion pieces, snazzy home décor items, and much more. November 27-28

The much-anticipated Singapore Biennale is back, featuring the crème de la crème of both Southeast Asia’s art world, as well as farther afield, with countless thought-provoking pieces. Ongoing till February 16

PLUS: Things to do in Singapore this week

Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights 3
Universal Studios Singapore promises to scare you out of your skin as it puts on a Halloween show to remember. Oct 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, Oct 31-Nov 3, 7pm. Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 6577-8888. $50-198 from www.halloweenhorrornights.com.sg.

Sentosa Spooktacular
Sentosa teams up with the Thai film studio behind horror blockbusters Shutter and Pee Mak for this Halloween adventure, complete with five horror trails, each recreating scares from a different movie. Oct 25-26, Oct 31-Nov 2, 7pm. Fort Siloso, Siloso Point, 33 Allanbrooke Rd. (Sentosa Island). Call 1800-736-8672 for more info. $41-67.

Premier Racing Goes Halloween
This Halloween party hosted by Sabrina Van Cleef Ault will feature two hot Australian DJs The Faders as well as a haunted house. The event aims to raise money for the Riding for the Disabled Association with a charity auction and lucky draw too. Oct 25, 6:30pm. Singapore Turf Club, 1 Turf Club Ave., 6879-1000. $200.

A Coqilicious Halloween
Attend this spooky party and you’ll get a welcome shot of Patron XO Café, plus, a special Halloween cocktail Coqilicious (if you’re there before 9pm). Oct 26, 8pm. Coq & Balls, 6 Kim Tian Rd., 6276-6609.

Bacchanalia Brunch Series: Halloween Edition
DJs Julian and Stephen Day will play rocking beats at this three-course brunch party. Come dressed in your spooky Halloween best. Oct 26, 1pm. Bacchanalia, 23A Coleman St. Call 6509-1453 for more info. $50.

Charity Halloween Quiz
Pub quiz with a twist: come in your Halloween finery and take part in this charity quiz for Tabitha Foundation, which benefits Cambodians in need. Oh, and there’ll be 1-for-1 drinks to make things more fun. Oct 26, 7pm. Post Bar, G/F The Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Square, 9128-7125. $200 per team.

Clarke Quay presents: The Twilight Zone Halloween Party
Get ready for some paranormal fun with 98.7FM DJs and hosts for the night Rozz and Vernon A, local band Raw Energy as well as Mediacorp radio stars Glenn Ong and Jean Danker as they take you through a witch hunt, wicked music and some weird destinations around the neighborhood. Oct 26, 10pm. Clarke Quay Central Square, 3 River Valley Rd., 6337-3292. Free. www.clarkequay.com.sg/halloween.

Enchanted Fairywoods
Meet fellow fae folk and other freaks of the night at The Forbbiden City's bar and dining space Bianca Supperclub, a new addition to the multi-concept club from its recent revamp. Oct 26, 10pm. The Forbidden City, #01-02 Blk. A Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Rd., 6557-6268, www.indochine.com.sg. $20-28 two drinks included.

Harajuku Halloween
French Butoh performer Syv Bruzeau makes a special guest appearance at Kyo's Halloween party. Oct 26 & 31, 10pm. Kyo, #B1-02 Keck Seng Tower, 133 Cecil St., 8299-8735. $20-25 one drink included.

Halloween Madness
Get a free Jager shot when you patronize BQ Bar and Molly Malone's in costume. Also, buy either a beer bucket (choose from Stella or San Miguel) or five Jager shots for a chance to win an iPad Mini in the lucky draw. Oct 26, 6pm.

Halloween Special: The Asylum ft. Shut the Funk Up #2
The Halloween edition of Shut The Funk Up will have The Vault turned into a clown house with DJs Ramesh and friends dishing out funk and soul music. Oct 26, 10pm. The Vault, 237 South Bridge Rd., 6222-5001. Free.

Hell on Wheels: Halloween Bus Tour
A Halloween bar crawl that starts at Lime House and takes participating ghouls to four bars and clubs. Costumes are mandatory and drinking highly encouraged. Oct 26, 6:30pm. Lime House, 2 Jiak Chuan Rd., 6222-3130. $40.

Octopus Garden
Get acquainted with monsters from the deep at this Halloween beach festival with DJs and artists like Wobology, the LFK and Kilowatt Soundsystem, plus weird and wonderful fire jugglers, slack line walkers and yoga acrobats. Oct 26, 5pm. Azzura, 46 Siloso Beach Walk, 6270-8003. Free.

Planet Halloween
The White Rabbit plays host to intergalactic beings, promising a night of mischief and merrymaking with DJs KFC, Tyler Made and Domo on the decks. Oct 26, 2pm. The White Rabbit, 39C Harding Rd., 6473-9965. Free.

I-S PICK> The Rocky Horror 1-Altitude Party
Come dressed as your favorite characters from cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show and stand a chance to be crowned best dressed at this rocking Halloween weekend party. Oct 26, 9pm. Stellar at 1-Altitude, 62/F One Raffles Place, OUB Centre, 1 Raffles Place, 6438-0410, www.1-altitude.com. $33-120.

Rootz Resurrection Halloween Special
B.I.G, Ollie Flip and TItus dish out tracks from hip hop heaven and hell to get bodies heaving at this Halloween party. Oct 26, 10pm. Home Club, #B1-01/06 The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Rd., 6538-2928, www.homeclub.com.sg. $18.

I-S PICK> The Silver Scream: Zouk Halloween 2013
Forget about the popcorn. You’ll be too busy screaming once you step inside Jiak Kim Murder Movie Village for a fun halloween experience. Oct 26, 9pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $28-35 two drinks included.

Zombieland: The Ultimate Zombie Party
DJs Reid Stefan from New York and Ono from Bangkok headline this party that'll raise the dead. Head to the Zombieland website for tickets & table reservations. Oct 26, 9pm. Wave House, 36 Siloso Beach Walk, 6377-3113. $38-58.

The Improv Company Halloween Special: What's Under the Bed?
The Improv Company perform impromptu sketches with suggestions from the audience at this hair-raising Halloween special. Oct 28, 8pm. Blu Jaz Café, 11 Bali Lane, 6292-3800. $10.

SPORE Art Salon: Halloween Edition 2013
Mingle with creatives in this evening session of film, poetry, music and drawing. Bring your own paper and pencils. With a new home for all future editions, this creepy edition will feature local and international artists like We Jungle and Kelvin Atmadibrata. Oct 29, 8pm. Artistry, 17 Jalan Pinang, 6481-8589. $10.

The Great TGIW: Superheroes Halloween Special
The Great TGIW is back for a power-packed Superheroes edition. Put on your capes and wings and partake in superhuman feats of dancing this eve of Halloween, and stand a chance to win a stay at Parkroyal on Pickering. Ladies enter free. Oct 30, 10pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $25 two drinks included.

Tanah Pusaka: Haunting Stories of a Land Possessed
A spooky storytelling performance of traditional Malay folk tales—think characters like the bomoh, toyol and orang minyak—based on Verena Tay's short story "The Land". Oct 31, 8pm. Play Den, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6332-6900. $25.

Thursday Cinema Under the Stars: Halloween Edition
Catch outdoor screenings of Hotel Transvylvania (7pm) and Army of Darkness (9pm) at Café Melba. 3-course set dinners ($45++) are available; alternatively, call in and book a picnic basket ($50++). Oct 31. Café Melba, #01-56 Block N Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Rd., 6440-6068.

Welcome to the Dollhouse
If you missed the madness over the weekend, here's your last chance to impress with your scariest doll costume. Best dressed trick or treaters get Champagne! Plus, ladies who RSVP on Facebook get three free drinks before 11pm. Oct 31, 9pm. Zafferano, 43/F Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay, 6509-1488.

What's the big idea behind Giift?
We come from the financial industry where financial products have become more and more digitalized, monetize-able and exchangeable, so with the increasing popularity of loyalty and card programs, our first idea was to have these more digitalized, monetize-able and exchangeable. Our second idea was to connect both the beneficiaries of such loyalty and card programs, and their issuers, such as retailers, in a Network. The same way you have the social network Facebook or the professional network Linkedin, you now have the loyalty and card programs network Giift.

What were the challenges of getting it going?
From the start, we wanted Giift network to be global, so we had to build a platform that would be multi-use (points programs, vouchers, gift-cards), multi-currency and multi-language. To do so we had to build a major data base of programs. That, as a start-up, was challenging, but also very exciting.

What was it about Singapore that made it a good place to start?
We wanted to build a technology platform—Singapore is a tremendous hub for technology—and to build an international network. Singapore is a good hub for travel and offers one of the best labour forces in the world, unmatchable infrastructure and access to a market of 2.8 billion people within a short flight. It’s a place where talent embraces the world, creatively and innovatively.

How has the response been?
The Company is still very young but so far people have been very excited about the value we offer to both parties, being part of the new network and joining the next “Linkedin.”

What plans do you have for the coming months?
We believe in innovation, so our plan is to bring, every two months, significant new features, technology and monetization options. In the meantime, we’re launching (in October) our Sales force to start engaging with even more businesses in Singapore, China and the US.

What is it that makes Giift stand out from the competition?
We are a network rather than just a transaction platform, and we manage all types of loyalty and card programs. We also offer a complete set of services in 50+ countries. Our philosophy is to leverage the benefits of loyalty and card programs both for issuers and members.

Have you noticed different usage in the different markets you operate in (are loyalty programs more popular in Singapore, for example)?
Yes, for instance gift cards are very popular in the US and China, but memberships are more common in Singapore. But at the end of day, the benefits of loyalty and cards programs are always the same and this is what we enable. In addition we do it in a way that is very social.

What have you been working on most recently?
I have just published a new novel called “Moonstone – The Boy Who Never Was” about a sixteen year old gay kid living in Reykjavik in 1918. He’s an orphan, obsessed with cinema and a girl he sees as the double of the great French actress Musidora. When the Spanish flu epidemic hits the town, hundreds start dying and he finds himself in a new and challenging situation as a helper to one of the doctors.

Which piece(s) of your work are you most proud of—and why?
I like the clarity of “The Blue Fox”, the intensity of “From the Mouth of the Whale” and the wrong-headed comedy of “The Whispering Muse.” And I am very proud of my contribution to the film “Dancer in the Dark."

How did the success of The Blue Fox affect your work?
It showed me that it is in the local history and stories of society that an author finds the strongest material. Before The Blue Fox I imagine there might be such a thing as the ‘global’ novel. Now I know that if you want to tell a truly universal story, you have to speak from the smallest platform. It has made me more courageous in bringing stories from my small country.

Do you have a set daily routine?
Yes, I go the same cafes each day, visit the bookshops or library and research on the internet, but when it comes to writing, I stay in a former fisherman’s hut on the south coast of Iceland. There I have a very strong regiment of work, food and sleep, so I can write 12 hours per day.

What is it about Reykjavik that inspires you and did you feel similarly inspired when living in London (or elsewhere)? 
Reykjavik is home so gives comfort and peace, but it can become dull and predictable. It's such a small city, there are times when I feel the city centre is just an extension of my living room. So occasionally, staying in London or Berlin has been important to me. It gives perspective and takes you out of your role as a known entity within your community. And there are more book shops, cafes and libraries to visit.

What role do you see for poetry in the present day or is it the same as it has always been?
The art of poetry is perhaps the most mysterious of all human activities. It is the most ‘useless’ thing a man can do, the most unprofitable and most difficult to explain to others why you can’t help doing it. And still a new poet is born every day. There is immense hope in that.

We understand you’re a big fan of Bowie. What did you think of his latest (surprise) album?
It’s a bit too nostalgic at times but I think Bowie was right to allow us to join him on his journey to his past selves, and therefore to our past as teenagers who did everything to merge with the amazing imagination and emotional power.