He has published four books of poetry and a book of essays. In 1987, Boey won the first prize at the National University of Singapore Poetry Competition. At age 24, he published his first collection of poetry. Somewhere-bound went on to win the National Book Development Councils (NBDCS) Book Award for Poetry in 1992. Two years later, his second volume of poems, Another Place, received the commendation award at the NBDCS Book Awards. In 1995, Days Of No Name was awarded a merit at the Singapore Literature Prize. In recognition of his artistic talent and contributions, Boey received the National Arts Council's Young Artist Award in 1996. His fourth volume of poetry After the Fire was released in 2006.