Singapore Literature Prize 2018 Programme Booklet by Singapore Book Council

Contents

Chairperson’s Message

Executive Director’s Message

Singapore Literature Prize

06–07

Singapore Book Council

08–09

Singapore Literature Prize 2018 Shortlists

12–30

Singapore Literature Prize 2018 Judges

32–43

Ceremony

46–48

Past Singapore Literature Prize Winners

50–53

Outreach & Upcoming Events

56–59

Donors, Sponsors & Partners

60–61

Acknowledgements

Chairperson’s Message

Welcome to Singapore Literature Prize 2018! The Singapore Literature Prize (SLP) takes on added significance this year as we also mark the 50th anniversary of the Singapore Book Council. As we look back and note our many milestones and achievements, we are also eagerly looking forward to continue our mission to advance the literary arts sector in Singapore.

This year, we have also made outreach a core component of SLP. The awards ceremony is open to the public for the first time, as we invite them to take part in our celebrations. We have also launched a new initiative SLP Campus, in which we bring Singaporean writers to schools so that students can learn more about SingLit through meet-the-author sessions, workshops or talks. Acknowledging and celebrating writers, and inspiring new writers will continue to be one of the pillars of our mission. As the Singapore Book Council celebrates its Golden Jubilee, we look forward to penning the next chapters to come and we invite all of you to join us in this journey.

Claire Chiang Chairperson Singapore Book Council

M e s s a g e

To respond to a rapidly changing industry and society, SLP has also evolved and grown over the decades. Being Singapore’s top literary award, it has an imperative to represent writings from all sectors of the diverse literary community. SLP has expanded to include works published overseas and locally by Singapore writers writing in the four languages, and across three genres: fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. It is arguably the only literary award in the world that recognises such multilingual achievements.

C h a i r p e r s o n ’ s

While we have a new name – Singapore Book Council – and a new home at Goodman Arts Centre, we have in fact been steadfast over the years in our efforts to promote and develop Singapore literature, or SingLit. From the NBDCS Book Awards, which were first given out in 1976, to the Singapore Literature Prize and Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award, these prizes have been an integral part of our work. They not only celebrate the excellence achieved by some of our best writers, they also serve as a source of inspiration to motivate the next wave of writers.

Executive Director’s Message

A very warm welcome to Singapore Literature Prize 2018!

The theme for our 2018 ceremony is to “acknowledge, celebrate, inspire”. We want to acknowledge all the past SLP winners, celebrate the new winners and also inspire more writers to write. From the inaugural prize awarded to Suchen Christine Lim in 1992 to the 12 categories of prizes this year, SLP has constantly faced challenges over the decades, adapted and grown. But SLP has always stayed true to its spirit and aim: To recognise and encourage excellence in creative writing by Singapore writers.

Then troubles began as the sponsorship ended in 1999. The Australian bookstore chain Dymocks stepped in, and the prize was renamed the Dymocks Singapore Literature Prize in 2000. It also switched to accepting published fiction works. Dymocks pulled out after a year and SLP was discontinued from 2001 to 2003. Its future was in doubt.

SLP will continue to evolve and grow as our literary arts scene develops. We had asked Suchen about her recollection of winning the first-ever SLP. While she was thankful for the recognition, more importantly she said the award gave her the impetus to keep on writing and to write stories about ourselves and about Singapore. Her words made us reflect: In an intertwined way, the story of SLP is also the story of us. So our story continues. Have a great celebration!

William Phuan Executive Director Singapore Book Council

M e s s a g e

However, with the support of the National Arts Council, SLP was revived in 2004 and became biennial. It also expanded to include the four languages. SLP underwent another major change in 2014. It introduced a new category so that there were now three categories – fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. This format remains till today.

D i r e c t o r ’ s

Over 60 writers have won the SLP since it started. As we celebrate a new batch this year, it is also instructive to look back. SLP was originally open to only English unpublished manuscripts and held annually. Sponsored by Singapore National Printers and EPB Publishers, SLP boasted a cash prize of $10,000 and the chance to be published.

E x e c u t i v e

Like any good book, the evolution of Singapore Literature Prize, or SLP, also has its own fair share of twists and turns to make for a compelling story. It is a story of ambition, service, indefatigability and ultimately, celebration.

S i n g a p o r e

L i t e r a t u r e

P r i z e

Singapore L iter ature Prize

The Singapore Literature Prize (SLP) is organised by the Singapore Book Council (SBC) and is Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top literary prize. Established in 1991, the awards aim to:

Promote Singapore literary talent through recognition of outstanding published works by Singapore authors in any of the four official languages: English, Chinese, Malay or Tamil;

Stimulate public interest and support for creative writing in Singapore.

This biennial award is open to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents whose works of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction have been published in Singapore or abroad during specified period of time in any of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four official languages. The award has undergone many changes over the years. During the first years of the award, it was conceived as an annual competition to promote creative writing and local literary works in English. The award was presented to the best unpublished work and carried a cash prize of $10,000. Veteran writer Suchen Christine Lim won the inaugural award in 1992 for her novel Fistful of Colours.

Suchen Christine Lim announced as the winner of the Singapore Literature Prize 1992 at the Casuarina Suite, Raffles Hotel.

S i n g a p o r e L i t e r a t u r e P r i z e

Winners of the Singapore Literature Prize 2016.

SLP became biennial in 2004 and was open to published works in the four languages. In 2014, a creative nonfiction category was added, and a separate category for poetry was created as well. Many notable local writers have won the SLP, including Mohamed Latiff Mohamed, Yeng Pway Ngon, KTM Iqbal, Cyril Wong, Josephine Chia, Amanda Lee Koe and Sonny Liew. For more information, please visit bookcouncil.sg/awards/ singapore-literature-prize.

Singapore Book Council Singapore Book Council (SBC) is a charity founded in 1968. Its vision is to Build Our Imagine-nation by developing creativity, imagination, original thought and empathy through writing, reading, illustrating and storytelling. Its mission is to fulfil this vision by developing the literary arts sector through books and literary events, workshops, and awards. Its focus is Asian content, content creation, translation, training and appreciation of local books.

S i n g a p o r e

B o o k

C o u n c i l

All In! Young Writers Festival 2018: Opening Keynote session by writer/educator Laremy Lee.

#BuySingLit 2018: Anak Itik, Malay pop-up theatre by Mini Monsters.

SBC is currently chaired by Ms Claire Chiang, co-founder of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts.

Singapore Book Council Academy: Malay Fiction Writing Workshop by Unggun Creative.

SBC supports the community at all levels, from language programmes and books for children, to aspiring individuals and professionals like writers, illustrators, storytellers and relevant industry partners by providing a platform to learn, network and collaborate. It also organises events to foster professional and community engagement like the annual Asian Festival of Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Content and All In! Young Writers Festival, and grants prestigious awards, like the Singapore Literature Prize, to recognise and encourage excellence. Finally, SBC offers publishing-related and literary arts-focused courses and workshops to enhance skills and encourage lifelong learning through its academy.

S i n g a p o r e

Asian Festival of Children’s Content 2017: Children’s Literature Lecture by PJ Lynch, the Children’s Laureate from Ireland.

SBC is supported by NAC under the Major Company Scheme for the period from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2019. For more information, please visit bookcouncil.sg.

Connect With Us singaporebookcouncil sgbookcouncil w: bookcouncil.sg e: info@bookcouncil.sg Poetry reading by poet/educator Crispin Rodrigues during SBC’s office warming in Dec 2017.

90 Goodman Road, Block E, #03–32 Goodman Arts Centre, Singapore 439053

C o u n c i l

Because it all starts with a story.

B o o k

SBC aims to become a hub for Asian content for the world, encouraging stories to be created and told across platforms. Through telling our own stories by writing or illustrations, it promotes understanding, impacts legacy and connects Asia with the world.

Singapore L iter ature Prize 2018 Shortlists

Poetry In Chinese

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Chua Chee Lay 蔡志礼聆听陌地声 (Lingzi Media, 2017) (Ling Ting Mo Di Sheng/ Melody From Foreign Lands) Dr Chua Chee Lay is a third generation Chinese Singaporean, a linguist, educational technology researcher, award-winning poet, writer and a dedicated educator. In 2016, he represented Singapore in the Singapore-France Writer-in-Residence programme. Dr Chua is the Chief Editor for several books and series, including Keeping My Mandarin Alive: Lee Kuan Yew’s Language Learning Experiences.

Denon Lim Denan 林得楠如果还有萤火虫 (Lingzi Media, 2017) (Ru Guo Hai You Ying Huo Chong/ If There Are Still Fireflies) Denon is the President of Singapore Association of Writers. His poetry won the second prize of the Golden Point Award in 2001. In 2003, he won first prize in the Golden Point Award. He has published numerous collections, including new poetry If There Are Still Fireflies in Dec 2017. Among them, Meng Jian Shi, shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize 2006. Denon is also the Executive Director and Chief Editor of Lingzi Media Pte Ltd.

Lee Hock Ming 李茀民诗有别趣 (Singapore Association of Writers, 2016) (Shi You Bie Qu/ Delights of Poetry) Dr Lee Hock Ming started writing poetry in the 1980s. He obtained his BA and MA in NUS, and his PhD in Shanghai Fudan University. He is currently an Associate Professor with BNU-HKBU UIC, teaching Contemporary Chinese Poetry, Chinese Misty Poetry, and Taiwanese Poetry. He is also an adjunct Professor of Chinese Culture at BTU-Sino US College.

Tan Chee Lay 陈志锐狮城地标诗学 (City Book Room, 2017) (Shi Cheng Di Biao Shi Xue/ Landmark Poetics of the Lion City)

S h o r t l i s t s

Tor Kok Choon, also known as Tong Nuan, is currently working as a freelance writer. His poetry and novels have won the Golden Lion Award, the Golden Point Award and Fang Xiu Literature Award. Tong Nuan’s published works include My Song is for All Men (with Du Zhong and Yan Si) and Weights, and a collection of miniature novels entitled Nothing More Than Some Worldly Stories about He and She.

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Tong Nuan 佟暖秤砣集 (Self-published, 2017) (Cheng Tuo Ji/ Weights)

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Associate Professor Tan Chee Lay is the Executive Director of the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language and Deputy Head of NIE’s Asian Languages and Cultures Academic Group, Nanyang Technological University. A prominent writer and artist, he has won several writing awards, including the Golden Point Award, Young Artist and Fang Xiu Literary Awards. Dr Tan has over 20 books published.

Poetry In English

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Amanda Chong Professionsâ&#x20AC;¨(Math Paper Press, 2016) Amanda Chong is a lawyer trained in Cambridge and Harvard, who writes poems on her lunch breaks. A winner of the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, her poetry has been engraved on the Marina Bay Helix Bridge and included in the Cambridge International GCSE syllabus. Her first collection is Professions. Her website is www.amandachong.com.

Euginia Tan Phedra (Ethos Books, 2016) Euginia Tan has published three collections of poetry Songs About Girls (2012), Playing Pretty (2013) and Phedra (Ethos Books, 2016). She has pushed herself along many creative boundaries. She has been involved with visual art curation as well as playwriting by pushing the potential of text with multi-disciplinary form to create stories.

Loh Guan Liang Bitter Punch (Ethos Books, 2016) Winner of the 2011 Moving Words Poetry Competition, Loh Guan Liang is the author of two poetry collections: Bitter Punch (2016) and Transparent Strangers (2012). He also co-translated Art Studio (2014), a Chinese novel by Singapore Cultural Medallion recipient Yeng Pway Ngon. He updates at lohguanliang.weebly.com.

Samuel Lee A Field Guide to Supermarkets in Singapore (Math Paper Press, 2016)

S h o r t l i s t s

Theophilus Kwek has published five volumes of poetry, most recently The First Five Storms (2017) which won the New Poets’ Prize. His poems, essays and translations have appeared in The Guardian, The London Magazine, The Irish Examiner, the Asia Literary Review, and elsewhere. He serves as Editor of Oxford Poetry.

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Theophilus Kwek Giving Ground (Ethos Books, 2016)

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Samuel Lee’s A Field Guide to Supermarkets in Singapore (Math Paper Press, 2016) has been mentioned in The Business Times as “poetry debut of the year.” Elsewhere, his poems have appeared in the Yale Literary Magazine and UnFreeVerse (Ethos Books, 2017). He is an associate editor at poetry.sg.

Poetry In M a l ay

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Farihan Bahron Tukang Tunjuk Telunjuk (Unggun Creative, 2017) (Finger-Pointing Expert) Farihan Bahron, co-founder of the publishing outfit Unggun Creative, received First Prize for the Golden Point Award in 2015 for the Malay short story and poetry categories. He has since published four books and recently received the Anugerah Harapan (Young Writer Award) at the Anugerah Persuratan ceremony in 2017.

Peter Augustine Goh Sumur Kebenaran (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2016) (The Well of Truth) Malay-language author Goh Mey Teck writes across multiple genres and under the pen name Peter Augustine Goh. A threetime Golden Point Award winner, he received the 2016 Singapore Literature Prize for Air Mata Di Arafah (Tears in Arafah). Some of his works are studied at the ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level examinations, with others translated into English, Chinese and Tamil.

Yazid Hussein Murad Mati: Pak Long Kisahkan (Self-published, 2017) (Murad is Dead) A Malay language and literature teacher by profession, and part-time researcher, Yazid Hussein’s research interests include the genre of Malay Classical Literature and contemporary trends and thinking in Singapore Malay writers in writings. His creative works include plays, poetry, short stories, novels and criticism. His works have been published in local and international media.

Poetry In Ta m i l

A K Varadharajan ் இயூ பிள்ளைத்தமிழ் லீ குவான (Self-published, 2016) (Lee Kuan Yew Pillaith Thamizh/ Lee Kuan Yew Imaginary Childhood)

S h o r t l i s t s

Segar s/o Muniandy has a Bachelor of Arts in Tamil Language and Literature from SIM University. Writing since 1981, he has contributed over 100 short stories and few hundreds of poems in Singapore and Malaysian newspapers, and magazines. He has also published anthologies of short stories, collections of poems and nonfiction books. His poetry book Kaivilakku Kadavul was shortlisted for SLP 2016.

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M Segar ் சீதை (Self-published, 2017) இராவணனின (Ravananin Seethai/ Ravana’s Seethai)

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A K Varadharajan writes both Tamil classical poetry and prose. His poetry book Singapore Naan Mani Malai won the merit award in Singapore Literature Prize in 2016. His book on the imaginary childhood of Mr Lee Kuan Yew won the award from Singapore Tamil Writers Association in 2017.

Cre ativ e N onfic tion In Chinese

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Choong Chee Pang 钟志邦从南大到北大 (Lingzi Media, 2017) (Cong Nan Da Dao Bei Da/ From Nanyang University to Peking University) Choong Chee Pang is a biblical scholar and theologian. He is now a visiting professor at various universities in China and Hong Kong, including Peking and Fudan. A self-taught artist, he has won several art awards and participates regularly in art exhibitions in Singapore and abroad.

Ho Yuen 何盈狮城重案录之警匪喋血 (Lingzi Media, 2016) (Shi Cheng Zhong An Lu Zhi Jing Fei Die Xue/ Singapore Crime Scene 1) With close to 45 years of experience in the media industry, Ho Yuen is a retired veteran journalist, specialising in crime journalism. Ho Yuen retired from his journalist career at Lianhe Zaobao in 2011, and has been re-employed as a contract subeditor since. He is a published author with nine books under his belt, with a focus on crime and police stories.

Lee Kok Leong 李国樑大眼鸡·越洋人 (Traveler Palm Creations, 2016) (Da Yan Ji. Yue Yang Ren/ Breaking the Waves) Lee Kok Leong is a freelance researcher engaging in local Chinese social history. He has an interest in tracing cultural roots and bridging social integration from macro and micro perspectives. He travels extensively to major cities and rural places to offer deeper insight in his works.

Liu Su 流苏蔷薇边缘 (City Book Room, 2017) (Qiang Wei Bian Yuan/ Roses at the Edge)

Zhang Xing Hong 章星虹星洲星光 (Global Publishing, 2016) (Xing Zhou Xing Guang/ Island of Stars) Zhang Xing Hong is presently an Invited Research Fellow at the NTU Centre for Chinese Language and Culture, and was previously an executive sub-editor at ZBNow, Lianhe Zaobao. She is the author of Han Suyin in Malaya: Physician, Writer and Public Intellectual (1952-1964) (2016) and Island of Stars—Singapore Stories (2016). She has translated a selection of Haresh Sharma’s plays in A Collection of Plays by Haresh Sharma (2010).

S h o r t l i s t s

Hee Wai-siam, also known as Weng Xian-wei, teaches Chinese literature and culture at the NTU. His works include the poetry anthology Unidentified Species, a collection of creative nonfiction The Second Face and a collection of short stories Wandering and Despondent. He has won more than 10 awards in literary competitions locally and abroad.

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Weng Xian-Wei 翁弦尉第二张脸 (Global Publishing, 2016) (Di Er Zhang Lian/ The Second Face)

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Liu Su has a Doctoral degree in Philosophy from Nanyang Technological University. She worked as a Chinese language teacher and curriculum specialist at the Ministry of Education from 1989-2000. She was a lecturer in Chinese language at National Institute of Education from 2001-2011. She is presently a part-time lecturer at NTU and NIE.

Cre ativ e N onfic tion In English

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Charmaine Chan The Magic Circle (Ethos Books, 2017) Charmaine Chan is a writer, journalist, editor, poet and former lawyer from Singapore. Her work has appeared in Her World, The Peak and Prestige. Her poetry was featured in the bestselling anthology, No Other City: The Ethos Anthology of Urban Poetry. The Magic Circle is her first full-length work.

Charmaine Leung 17A Keong Saik Road (Ethos Books, 2017) Charmaine Leung is a Singaporean writer who has lived in Hong Kong for 15 years. Her literary work focuses on human relationships, and the dynamics in these relationships brought about by change in societies. 17A Keong Saik Road is her first published book.

Melissa De Silva ‘Others’ is Not a Race (Math Paper Press, 2017) Melissa De Silva is Singapore’s Education Ambassador for global online platform Write the World (writetheworld.com), a nonprofit that promotes creative writing among young writers aged 13 to 18 years. The former journalist currently works as a freelance editor. She is also working on a historical novel set in Singapore.

Nirmal Ghosh Unquiet Kingdom: Thailand In Transition (Straits Times Press Pte Ltd, 2017)

Tjio Kayloe The Unfinished Revolution: Sun Yat-Sen and the Struggle for Modern China (Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2017) Born in Surabaya, Indonesia, Tjio Kayloe settled down in Singapore after a long career in investment banking in Hong Kong, Singapore and New York. A graduate of the University of London and Columbia University, New York, he now researches on the history of modern China. This is his first published work.

S h o r t l i s t s

Writer and artist Shubigi Raoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interests include archaeology, neuroscience, libraries, histories and lies, literature and violence, ecologies and natural history. Since 2014 she has been working on Pulp: A Short Biography of the Banished Book, an award-winning ten-year film, book and art project about cultural genocide. More can be found at www.shubigi.com.

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Shubigi Rao Pulp: A Short Biography Of The Banished Book (Rock Paper Fire, 2016)

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Nirmal Ghosh, a Foreign Correspondent for The Straits Times since 1994, has lived in Singapore, Manila, New Delhi, and Bangkok where he spent 13 years, first as Thailand Correspondent and then as Indochina Bureau Chief covering the region. He is currently United States Bureau Chief, based in Washington, DC. Unquiet Kingdom is his fourth book.

Cre ativ e N onfic tion In M a l ay

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Ahmad Bin Md Tahir Rona Wicara (Self-published, 2016) (Colour of Expression) Ahmad Md Tahir is one of the founding member of KAMUS (Young Writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Literary Movement). He has published two collections of poems in Malay, Bunga Makna (1992) and Aisberg Kesimpulan (2013). Several of his poems have been translated into English and published in various anthologies of poetry such as Moving Words (2011) and SingaPoetry: An Anthology of Singapore Poems (2015). Rona Wicara is a compilation of his essays that have been published in Berita Harian and Berita Minggu.

Sharifah Mohamed Makmal Penulis (Self-published, 2016) (Authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lab) Sharifah Mohamed is a senior technologist at the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore. She is the author of several books, including Anggerik Jingga (Orange Orchid), Kenapa Saya Menulis (Why I Write) and Teja (Rainbow). Sharifah writes short stories, creative nonfiction and essays.

Cre ativ e N onfic tion In Ta m i l

Bala Baskaran ் கபாணியும் தமிழ் முரசும்: இன ் றைய பார்வை க�ோ. சாரங (Self-published, 2016) (G. Sarankapaniyum Tamil Murasu: Eendraya Paarvai/ G Sarangapany and the Tamil Murasu: A Current Appraisal)

M Segar ் ணமும் (Self-published, 2017) எழுத்தும் எண (Eluttum Ennamum/ Words and Thoughts) Please refer to page 17 for M Segar’s bio.

S h o r t l i s t s

Chitra Ramesh is the president of Vasagar Vattam, a literary society promoting reading. She has been an executive member in the Singapore Tamil Writers Association for more than 18 years. Her books Oru thuli Santhosham (A Drop of Happiness) and Autograph have been shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize 2018. Her first book Nakarathin Kathai was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in 2015. Her short story has won the prestigious Golden Point Award.

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Chitra Ramesh ஆட�்டோகிராஃப்் (Self-published, 2016) (Attokirap/ Autograph)

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Bala Baskaran is a lecturer, broadcaster, journalist and independent researcher. Formerly a lecturer at the University of Malaya, he has four publications under his name and has also published articles in Tamil, English and Malay. He was honoured with the Kanayaazhi award by local literary group Kavimaalai in 2016 and won the Karikaalan award for his SLP shortlisted title.

Fiction In Chinese

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Lee Chuan Low 李选楼救灾前线 (Lingzi Media, 2017) (Jiu Zai Qian Xian/ Rescue Frontline) Lee Chuan Low has won several literary prizes and awards. His published works include critical essays, short stories and novels. He also published several travelogues and anthologies. Chuan Low is currently the Vice President of the Singapore Literary Association and the Editor of the Singapore Literary Times.

Lin Gao 林高框起人间事 (Lingzi Media, 2017) (Kuang Qi Ren Jian Shi/ Life Between Frames) Lin Gao is an Invited Councillor in the Singapore Association of Writers. He was awarded the Singapore Literature Prize for Chinese Fiction in 2014 and the Cultural Medallion in 2015. He graduated from the National Taiwan University and earned his Master’s Degree from Huazhong Normal University. He has a total of 19 publications, including Life Between Frames and Reminders.

Xi Ni Er 希尼尔恋恋浮城 (Lingzi Media, 2017) (Lian Lian Fu Cheng/ The Floating Republic) Xi Ni Er is now the President of the Singapore Association of Writers. He has won the Singapore Literature Prize, Cultural Medallion for Literary Arts, and the S.E.A Write Award, just to name a few awards. Some of his works include The Unbearable Heaviness of Life and The Earnest Mask.

Zhang Hui 张挥烟事袅袅 (Society of Literature Writing, 2017) (Yan Shi Niao Niao/ Smoker Memories)

S h o r t l i s t s

Li Qing Song won the First Prize in the Chinese category of the Golden Point Award in 2009. He published his first fiction novel entitled The Story of Ghost Writer in 2015. Manuscript – Collection of Short Stories is his second book.

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Li Qing Song 李青松书稿 (City Book Room, 2016) (Shu Gao/ Manuscript – Collection of Short Stories)

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Zhang Hui is an award-winning writer who has published 13 books. His works focus on Singapore’s history and heritage issues, such as the loss of cultural identity of local Chinese. Through his works and advocacy, Zhang Hui has helped to revitalise Chinese literature in Singapore and raised its profile internationally.

Fiction In English

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Balli Kaur Jaswal Sugarbread (Epigram Books, 2017) Born in Singapore and raised in Japan, Russia and the Philippines, Balli Kaur Jaswal studied creative writing in the United States. She has received writing fellowships from the University of East Anglia and Nanyang Technological University, and was named Best Young Australian Novelist of 2014 by the Sydney Morning Herald. She is the author of three novels.

Jennani Durai Regrettable Things that Happened Yesterday (Epigram Books, 2017) Jennani Durai is a former journalist, a VONA/Voices fiction fellow for 2016, and co-author of the official commemorative book of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 50th birthday, Living the Singapore Story (2015). She attended the Ceriph Mentorship Programme in 2014, and won third prize and an honourable mention in the 2015 Golden Point Awards.

Jeremy Tiang State of Emergency (Epigram Books, 2017) Jeremy Tiang is a full-time writer and translator. His short story collection It Never Rains on National Day (Epigram Books, 2015) was shortlisted for the 2016 Singapore Literature Prize. He has translated more than 10 books from Chinese into English. He also writes and translates plays, and currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.

Nuraliah Norasid The Gatekeeper (Epigram Books, 2017)

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Nuraliah Norasid holds a PhD in English Literature and Creative Writing from Nanyang Technological University. She works as a research associate at the Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA), where she studies marginalities and the confluence of religious ideas and secular society.

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Wong Souk Yee is a playwright and former political detainee who contested the 2015 General Election as a member of the Singapore Democratic Party. An adjunct lecturer at the National University of Singapore, she co-founded the now-defunct theatre group Third Stage.

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Wong Souk Yee Death of a Perm Sec (Epigram Books, 2016)

Fiction In M a l ay

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Adam Bin Fadila Bilal Mencari Nur (Self-published, 2017) (Muezzin In Search of Light) Adam Fadila is a retired Malay Language teacher and textbook writer at the Ministry of Education. A language activist, some of his literary essays and short stories have been published in the Berita Harian newspaper. Adam is also a finalist for short story contests organised by Berita Harian.

Djohan A Rahman Tika Aksara Menari (Mini Monsters Limited, 2017) (When The Alphabets Dance) In 2003, Djohan was part of the Singapore’s contigent to participate in the Short Story workshop organised by MASTERA (South East Asia Literary Council). His short stories, poems and essays have been published in Berita Harian and The New Paper. He has won the Golden Pen Award (Third for Malay Short Story in 2011 and Third for Malay Poetry in 2017). Tika Aksara Menari is his first anthology of short stories.

Farihan Bahron Kesumat Sang Avatar (Unggun Creative, 2017) (Avatar’s Wrath) Please refer to page 16 for Farihan’s bio.

Hamed Bin Ismail Bunga Tanjong (Mediacorp Eaglevision, 2016) (A Dancing Club: Bunga Tanjong)

S h o r t l i s t s

Hassan won the 2011 Golden Point Award in the Malay category, while his first story collection, Selamat Malam Caesar (Goodnight Caesar), was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize 2014. In 2015 Hassan was awarded the Anugerah Harapan (Young Artist Award) from Majlis Bahasa Melayu Singapura (The Malay Language Council, Singapore). In 2017 Hassan was awarded Hadiah Sasterawan Muda MASTERA (Southeast Asia Literary Council (MASTERA) Young Literary Award).

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Hassan Hasaaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ree Ali Souvenir Dari Angkasa Lepas (Kopi Cetak Sdn Bhd, 2016) (Souvenir From Space)

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Hamed has won the Anugerah Persuratan Singapura (Malay Literary Awards) for his stage plays, TV drama scripts and short stories. He also received the Golden Point Awards for Malay Poetry. His book Tafsiran Tiga Alam (Interpretations of Three Realms) won the Singapore Literature Prize 2016 and Hadiah Persuratan (Malay Literary Award) in 2017. Bunga Tanjong is his first novel based on a TV series of the same title. Recenty, Hamed won the Hadiah Sastera Asas-Nus 2017 for his short story, Ali Balin.

Fiction In Ta m i l

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S h o r t l i s t s

Chitra Ramesh ஒரு துளி சந�்தோஷம் (Self-published, 2017) (Oru Thuli Santhosham/ A Drop of Happiness) Please refer to page 23 for Chitra’s bio.

M K Kumar 5.12pm (Yaavarum Publishers, 2017) Kumar has written and published collections of short stories, including Marutham (2006), 5.12PM (2017) and a collection of poetry Sooriyan Olinthanaiyum Pen (2014). Kumar won the first prize for his short story 5.12PM from Kalachivadu, and won the first prize for his short story in the WSH Council’s Safety Starts with Me competition and many other several prizes in Singapore. He was recently given the Kannadhasan Award by the Association of Singapore Tamil Writers.

Prema Mahalingam நீர்த் திவலைகள் (Aaria Creations, 2017) (Neer Thivalaikal/ Water Droplets) Prema Mahalingam is currently working in the broadcast industry. She was awarded the first prize in 2017 in a short story competition organised by the Association of the Singapore Tamil Writers. In 2016, she was awarded the first prize in a novella competition organized by ASTW. Prema also came in third under the Tamil Poetry Category in the 2013 Golden Point Award. Neer Thivalaigal is her first published short story collections.

Singapore L iter ature Prize 2018 Judges

Poetry In Chinese

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Wong Yoon Wah (Chief Judge) Formerly the Singapore Association of Writers’ President and Head of National University of Singapore’s Department of Chinese Studies, Professor Wong’s creative work includes Beyond Symbol, Durians Are Not the Only Fruit and other poetry and essay collections. He has published over 120 scholarly works on Chinese literature, ranging in scope from classical to postcolonial. Winner of the Singapore Cultural Medallion 1986, he is now Senior Vice President of Southern University College, Malaysia.

Zhang Aidong Dr Zhang specialises in Modern and Classical Chinese literatures, as well as Chinese Language and Culture. Her editorial work includes The Masterpiece Series of Chinese Culture and international academic journals. She has conducted workshops and seminars on her research interests for Chinese universities overseas and school clusters in Singapore. Since 1996, she has taught at the Asian Languages and Cultures Academic Group, National Institute of Education

Chow Teck Seng Born in Singapore, Chow Teck Seng writes poetry primarily in Chinese, and won the Singapore Literature Prize 2014 in Chinese Poetry. The author of poetry collection The Story of You & Me, he also occasionally does literary and art translations. His poems were adapted into seven short films by LASELLE students this year. He is currently pursuing a PhD in comparative Sinophone literatures at Cambridge University.

Poetry In English

Alfian Sa’at (Chief Judge) Alfian Sa’at is a Resident Playwright with W!LD RICE. His published works include three collections of poetry, One Fierce Hour, A History of Amnesia and The Invisible Manuscript; a collection of short stories, Corridor; a collection of flash fiction, Malay Sketches. He also has two collections of plays, as well as the published play Cooling Off Day.

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Simon Armitage Simon Armitage is Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds. He has published ten collections of poetry, most recently The Unaccompanied (Faber, Knopf, 2017). His translation of the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Faber, Norton 2007) has sold over one hundred thousand copies worldwide. In 2015 he was appointed Oxford Professor of Poetry.

J u d g e s

A recipient of the 2016 Young Artist Award, Pooja Nansi is Singapore’s First Youth Poet Ambassador. She has written collections of poetry, and coauthored the teachers’ resource Local Anaesthetic: A Painless Approach to Singaporean Poetry. She is also active in the spoken word and performance scene, having curated Speakeasy to showcase Singaporean and international poets, and collaborated with Checkpoint Theatre for the play Thick Beats for Good Girls.

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Pooja Nansi

Poetry In M a l ay

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J u d g e s

Suraidi Sipan (Chief Judge) Suraidi Sipan’s career spans over 40 years and across writing, art and teaching. Initially a specialist writer for Malay language textbooks, he then edited the Singa journal and a Malay literature anthology, TEKAD. Suraidi has extensive experience in poetry recital, having been invited to recite poetry at Malaysia’s National Day and the International Arts Festival. Though retired now, he continues to write, paint and give talks on his numerous areas of expertise.

Mohd Anwar Bin Ridhwan Dr Anwar Ridhwan is Malaysia’s 10th National Laureate. He has produced five novels, seven collections of short stories, three dramas and two books of poetry, with his works translated into 16 languages. Once a visiting professor at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Japan, he now holds the post of senior lecturer at the Faculty of Creative Writing, National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA) Malaysia.

Mohd Raman Daud Mohd Raman Daud is an author of stage and TV plays, essayist and short storyteller. He has edited a number of fiction and nonfiction books including the late Dr Muhd Ariff Ahmad’s magnum opus Nilam. Since his youth, he has been a literary activist and cultural organiser.

Poetry In Ta m i l

KTM Iqbal (Chief Judge)

Rudhramoorthy Cheran Dr R Cheran is a Professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology at the University of Windsor, Canada. A poet, playwright and a journalist, he has authored over 15 books in Tamil, which have been translated into 16 languages. His latest work, In A Time of Burning, is published by Arc Publications, UK, reflecting on mass atrocities and trauma.

J u d g e s

Dr A R Sivakumaran is the Head of Tamil Language and Culture Division at the National Institute of Education, and consultant to the Ministry of Education for Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tamil textbooks. A pioneering figure in the study of Singapore Tamil literature, he is also Advisory Panel Member in the BA Tamil Programme at SUSS. Dr Sivakumaran has published a total of 16 books as author, co-author, editor and co-editor.

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A R Sivakumaran

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KTM Iqbal has authored 14 collections of poems and penned over 200 children songs for Radio Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Let Us Sing programme. His poem Thanneer (Water) has been displayed on the SMRT trains and exhibited at EXPO 2000 in Hanover, Germany. His awards include S.E.A.Write Award and the Cultural Medallion in 2014. His translated poems can be found in The Evening Number & Other Poems.

Cre ativ e N onfic tion In Chinese Teo Sum Lim (Chief Judge)

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Teo Sum Lim (pen name Wu Mu) is a Singaporean Chinese author. He received his PhD from Nanyang Technological University in 2018. He has been awarded several literary awards, including the Golden Lion Prize organised by Singapore Press Holdings in 1987 (Prose) and in 1993 (Poetry).

Yow Cheun Hoe Dr Yow Cheun Hoe is a poet writing in Chinese under the pen name You Yi Piao. His collection of poetry, Liuxian (Flowing Lines), was published in 2016. He won first prize in poetry for the Hua Zong Literary Award (1995, 1997) and second prize for the Golden Point Award (2005) also in poetry. He currently teaches at Nanyang Technological University.

Lee Jui Teng Professor Lee Jui Teng is from Nantou, Taiwan and obtained his PhD from the Chinese Cultural University. He held the posts of chief editor of Wenhsun Magazine and Director of the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, and is currently the Dean of the Literature Department at the National Central University, as well as current Head of the Humanities Research Centre.

Cre ativ e N onfic tion In English

Cheong Suk-Wai (Chief Judge)

Boey Kim Cheng Boey Kim Cheng emigrated from Singapore in 1997 to Australia. As an Asian Australian writer, Boey has published a travel memoir Between Stations, which was shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards for Nonfiction, and a fifth collection of poems Clear Brightness was shortlisted for the John Bray Poetry Prize and the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Award.

J u d g e s

Farish A Noor is Associate Professor at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the School of History, Nanyang Technological University. He has written on the subject of Southeast Asian history, with a particular focus on the colonial era of the 19th century. His most recent work is America’s Encounters with Southeast Asia 1800-1900: Before the Pivot (Amsterdam University Press, 2018).

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Farish A Noor

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Now in the public service, Cheong Suk-Wai is a music, art and history buff with four books to her name. Her books include the first history of the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the official SG50 book Living The Singapore Story: Celebrating Our 50 Years 1965-2015. Her current projects include a biography of former president Wee Kim Wee and a book commemorating the National Archives of Singapore’s 50th anniversary.

Cre ativ e N onfic tion In M a l ay Aishah Mohamed Kassim (Chief Judge)

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J u d g e s

Dr Aishah Mohamad Kassim is currently a lecturer and convenor of the Malay Language programme at the Centre for Language Studies (CLS), Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), NUS. She is also a member of the MOE curriculum review committees and has a keen interest in pedagogical research, sociolinguistics, Malay language and literature.

Mohd Hanafi Ibrahim Dr Mohd Hanafi Ibrahim received his PHD from The National University of Malaysia. He is currently the Director of the Department of Policy and Research at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (Institute of Language and Literature), Kuala Lumpur. In the field of modern literature, Hanafi has written essays, criticisms, literary research, short stories and poems.

Kartini Bte Anwar Dr Kartini Anwar is a lecturer in the Asian Languages and Cultures Academic Group, National Institute of Education (NIE). She teaches Malay literature and has presented a number of academic papers at regional and international conferences. Kartini is also on the judging panel of a number of literary awards.

Cre ativ e N onfic tion In Ta m i l

Azhagiya Pandiyan (Chief Judge) Azhagiya Pandiyan has headed the Tamil Language Services of the National Library Board since October 2017. He has held senior positions in journalism, broadcasting, public relations and academia. A recipient of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship in 1998, he holds a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in media studies from the University of Sussex.

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Mohamed Kassim Shanavas A voracious reader and a poetry enthusiast, Shanavasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; works span from poetry to short stories as well as nonfiction. His short story collection Moonravathu Kai (Third Hand) was awarded the Singapore Literature Prize in 2014, and his nonfiction work Nanavu Desam (The Real World) received Commendation at SLP 2016. He is currently Chief Editor of Serangoon Times magazine.

J u d g e s

Dr V Arasu is a retired Professor and Head of the Department of Tamil Literature, University of Madras. Hailing from a village in Thanjavur, he is a scholar and academic who has opened up new paths of study in Tamil culture over the past three decades. He has edited volumes, conducted special lectures and has many publications and online entries to his credit.

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V Arasu

Fiction In Chinese

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J u d g e s

Yap Koon Chan (Chief Judge) Yap Koon Chan is an established teacher, writer and editor. A teacher for 22 years, he has edited publications and journals on Chinese language education. To develop Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chinese literary scene, he started the Singapore Literature Society in 1980 and has helmed it since then. He also founded the ASEAN Chinese Literature camp to facilitate exchanges between regional Chinese-language writers. For his efforts, he received the Public Service Medal in 2014.

Soon Ai Ling Dr Soon Ai Ling studied Chinese at Nanyang Technological University and obtained her PhD from the University of Hong Kong. Her career in education spans from kindergarten principal to guest lecturer at The Education University of Hong Kong. Also a Writer-in-Residence at NTU, her publications include conference papers, essays and short stories, some of which have been translated into Japanese and English.

Lee Seng Chan Lee Seng Chan, known by his pen name Huai Ying, worked for MediaCorp for 14 years and was the digital editor at the Chinese newspaper Lianhe ZaoBao. He is the author of 28 publications and has also been invited to be on the judging panel for several literary awards.

Fiction In English

Kenny Chan (Chief Judge)

Shamini Flint Once a lawyer in Malaysia and Singapore, Shamini Flint is now a stay-at-home mother, writer, lecturer and environmental activist. She is the author of the Inspector Singh Investigates series, which has been translated into many languages and optioned for television. Her children’s books includes the Marcus ‘Diary’ series, Susie K Files series and Ten, which has been published by Clarion Books in the US.

J u d g e s

Kate Griffin is Associate Programme Director at the National Centre for Writing in the UK and a freelance literature consultant. She specialises in international literature and translation, as well as developing projects in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. She was a judge of the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize from 2006 to 2010. Her photography can be found at kategriffin.org.

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Kate Griffin

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Since leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, Kenny Chan has worked in the book industry for over 35 years. He has held senior positions at Popular Holdings, Reed Consumer Publishing and SNP Publishing, and managed bookstores like MPH, Harris (HK) and EPH (HK). He is currently Books Kinokuniya’s Senior Store and Merchandising Director in the Pacific Asia region.

Fiction In M a l ay

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J u d g e s

Razif Bahari (Chief Judge) Dr Razif Bahari’s eclectic research interests span from postcoloniality to Singaporean Malay identity, and even sumo and rugby. His writings include the 2001 book Pramoedya Postcolonially, a series of multidimensional reflections on Indonesia’s best-known novelist, Pramoedya Ananta Toer. His works have been described by various journals as challenging received wisdom, with tongue-in-cheek and dream-like qualities.

Isa Kamari Well known in the Singapore Malay literary scene, Isa Kamari’s many accolades include the S.E.A. Write Award, the Cultural Medallion in 2007 and the Anugerah Tun Seri Lanang. His first novel, Satu Bumi (One Earth), has been translated into English and Chinese, while Kiswah was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in 2004.

Okky Madasari Indonesian writer Okky Madasari’s works focus on resisting injustice, struggling for freedom and humanity. She is particularly known for her nuanced presentations of sociopolitical conditions in contemporary Indonesia. She has written five novels and a short story collection, some of which have been translated into English and German. She was previously a visiting fellow and resident writer at the National University of Singapore.

Fiction In Ta m i l

Seetha Lakshmi (Chief Judge) Dr Seetha Lakshmi is an Associate Professor of the Asian Languages and Cultures Academic Group at the National Institute of Education. Appointed as a trainer in 1997, she has been a leading figure in the teaching and research of standard spoken Tamil, curriculum review, innovative Tamil pedagogy for the Tamil diaspora and teaching Tamil through media.

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M A Nuhman Dr M A Nuhman was a professor of Tamil at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. His writing, editorial and translation work includes 35 books published in Tamil and English. Among these, he authored three poetry collections in Tamil, and also translated four others into Tamil from English. Since his retirement, Dr. Nuhman has continued to be a renowned poet, literary critic and a linguist.

J u d g e s

Kanagalatha (Latha) has published two collections of poetry in Tamil and a short story collection, of which the last, Nan kolai Seyium Penkkal (Women I Murder) won the Singapore Literature Prize in 2008. Her works have been translated into English, French and German, and published in multilingual anthologies in Singapore and overseas. A founding director of Poetry Festival Singapore, Kanagalatha is currently Associate Editor at Tamil Murasu.

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Kanagalatha

Ceremony

Programme

C e r e m o n y

6 August 2018 (Monday) Stephen Riady Auditorium @ NTUC 6.30pm

Opening Performance — Welcome speech by Chairperson, Singapore Book Council Ms Claire Chiang — Presentation of Awards — Closing Speech by Executive Director, Singapore Book Council Mr William Phuan — Closing Performance — Reception

C e r e m o n y

Creative Producer

Jeffrey Tan Jeffrey Tan is an experienced theatre director, drama educator and arts producer. His most recent production is Into The Blue Forest for the inaugural 100 & 100 More Festival at the Artground. He is currently working on an intergenerational production Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Happy, Happy, World as part of NAC Silver Arts Festival 2018.

Performers

Nadi Singapura

C e r e m o n y

Formed in November 2011, the Nadi Singapura ensemble is made up of young, aspiring and impartial musos who believe in uplifting their traditional drums and percussions like no other. Nadi, which means ‘pulse’ or ‘flow of consciousness’ in Malay, features the most common Malayan drums found in Singapore namely the kompang, rebana, jidur and gendang in their performances. Nadi Singapura strives to be a dynamic ensemble which adopts innovative approaches in the use of the Malay Archipelago drums.

Eunice & Friends The trio, Paul, Eunice and Andi, are graduates from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)-Royal College of Music Bachelor (with Hons) program and they share a common interest in chamber music making. Unlike many chamber groups, this trio consists of a flute, flugelhorn and cello. It is unique as most chamber groups are either purely strings or winds. However, they have the combination of woodwind, brass and string which encompasses the high, mid and low pitches. Currently, all three musicians are freelance performers for local orchestras and chamber music groups and they also teach both in schools and private students.

Pa st Singapore L iter ature Prize Winners

Pa st Winners of the Singap ore L iter ature Prize 1992 Suchen Christine Lim Tan Mei Ching

English Fiction English Fiction

Winner Commendation

English Poetry English Poetry English Poetry English Drama English Drama

Merit Commendation Commendation Merit Commendation

English Fiction English Fiction English Fiction English Fiction English Fiction

Merit Merit Commendation Commendation Commendation

English Poetry English Poetry English Poetry

Winner Merit Commendation

English Fiction English Fiction English Fiction

Winner Commendation Commendation

English Poetry

Merit

P a s t

S L P

W i n n e r s

1993 Desmond Sim Jeffrey Lee Paul Tan Haresh Sharma Sim Teow Li

1994 Tan Mei Ching Stella Kon David Leo Denyse Tessensohn Andrew Koh

1995 Roger Vaughan Jenkins Boey Kim Cheng Colin Cheong

1996 Colin Cheong Dave Chua Pat Wong

1997 Paul Tan

1998 Rosemary Lim Colin Cheong Alfian Saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;at Daren Shiau

Rex Shelley

Winner

English Chinese Malay Tamil

Winner Winner Winner Winner

English English Chinese Malay Tamil

Co-Winner Co-Winner Winner Winner Winner

English Chinese Chinese Malay Tamil

Winner Co-Winner Co-Winner Winner Winner

2004 Tan Hwee Hwee Yeng Pway Ngon Mohamed Latiff Mohamed Ma Elangkannan (M Balakrishnan)

2006 Cyril Wong Yong Shu Hoong Chia Joo Ming Mohamed Latiff Mohamed KTM Iqbal

2008 Ng Yi-Sheng Chia Hwee Pheng (Xi Ni Er) Yeng Pway Ngon Mohamed Latiff Mohamed K Kanagalatha

W i n n e r s

English Fiction

2000

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Merit Merit Commendation Commendation

P a s t

English Fiction English Fiction English Fiction English Fiction

2010

P a s t

S L P

W i n n e r s

Simon Tay Gabriel Wu Chia Joo Ming Johar Buang Murgathasan

English Chinese Chinese Malay Tamil

Winner Co-Winner Co-Winner Winner Winner

English Chinese Malay Malay Malay Malay Tamil

Winner Winner Merit Commendation Commendation Commendation Winner

English Fiction Chinese Fiction Malay Fiction Tamil Fiction English Poetry English Poetry Chinese Poetry Malay Poetry Tamil Poetry English Creative Nonfiction English Creative Nonfiction Chinese Creative Nonfiction Chinese Creative Nonfiction Malay Creative Nonfiction Tamil Creative Nonfiction

Winner Winner Winner Winner Co-Winner Co-Winner Winner Winner Commendation Co-Winner Co-Winner Merit Merit Merit Winner

2012 Eddie Tay Yeng Pway Ngon Ahmad Jaafar Bin Munasip Yazid Hussein Peter Augustine Goh Rohman Munasip Ramanathan Vairavan

2014 Amanda Lee Koe Lim Hung Chang (Lin Gao) Yazid Hussein Mohamed Kassim Shanavas Yong Shu Hoong Joshua Ip Chow Teck Seng Johar Buang Krishnamurthi Mathangi Josephine Chia Lim Siong Guan and Joanne H Lim Ho Nai Kiong Tham Yew Chin (You Jin) Mohamed Latiff Mohamed Kotti Thirumuruganandam

2016

W i n n e r s

Winner Merit Commendation Commendation Winner Winner Co-Winner Co-Winner Merit Merit Winner Merit Merit Co-Winner Co-Winner Winner Merit Commendation Commendation Commendation Commendation Commendation

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English Fiction Chinese Fiction Chinese Fiction Chinese Fiction Malay Fiction Tamil Fiction English Poetry English Poetry Chinese Poetry Chinese Poetry Malay Poetry Tamil Poetry Tamil Poetry English Creative Nonfiction English Creative Nonfiction Chinese Creative Nonfiction Malay Creative Nonfiction Malay Creative Nonfiction Tamil Creative Nonfiction Tamil Creative Nonfiction Tamil Creative Nonfiction Tamil Creative Nonfiction

P a s t

Sonny Liew Yeng Pway Ngon Chia Joo Ming Cheong Weng Yat (Zhang Hui) Peter Augustine Goh Sithuraj Ponraj Desmond Kon Zhicheng- Mingde Cyril Wong Gabriel Wu Tang Jui Piow Hamed Ismail, Hartinah Ahmad, Samsudin Said A K Varadharajan Sithuraj Ponraj Danielle Lim Peh Shing Huei Chin Kah Chong Ahmad Azmi bin Haji Mohamed Ishak Hafiza Talib Kotti Thirumuruganandam A K Varadharajan Mohamed Kassim Shanavas SP Paneer Selvam

Outreach & Upcoming Events

Singapore L iter ature Prize B o o k D ispl ay

O u t r e a c h

U p c o m i n g

E v e n t s

Celebrating our Writers The Journey of the Singapore Literature Prize 16 July – 9 September 2018 10am – 9pm Level 9, Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, Reading Room National Library Building One prize. In 4 languages. Over 60 winners. Discover the history of the Singapore Literature Prize. From its inaugural edition in 1992, the Singapore Literature Prize has been awarded to over 60 writers across three genres — poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and four languages — English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. The prize has also launched the careers of many writers in its 26-year history. Come and celebrate Singapore’s literary legacy through the writers and their works in this exhibition on the history of Singapore’s most prestigious literary prize.

Book display of SLP 2018 shortlisted authors at the National Library.

SLP Campus

For more information about SLP Campus and author’s public events, please visit bookcouncil.sg/awards/ singapore-literature-prize.

Series of Talks:

Talks can be conducted in the various formats for example, assembly style or lectures.

Students will be able to attend introductory or advanced writing classes conducted by SLP writers. Classes can be customised to the needs of the school.

Why choose SLP Campus? This programme is free for all schools. No registration fee is required to be paid by the school and students. Schools can book writers specialising across the genres of Fiction, Poetry and Creative Nonfiction.

SLP Campus outreach to teachers and students at the NSLF 2018.

E v e n t s

Workshops/ Masterclasses:

U p c o m i n g

Students will learn more about Singaporean authors through Meet-the-Author session and understand the importance of SingLit.

SLP shortlisted author Amanda Chong giving a talk on “Representing Gender in Poetry” at National Schools Literature Festival (NSLF) .

O u t r e a c h

SLP Campus is an outreach initiative by the Singapore Book Council to promote SLP writers and SingLit in schools. Students will learn more about Singaporean authors writing in the four languages through meet-theauthor sessions, workshops or talks, and gain a deeper understanding of SingLit. To book an SLP Campus session, please drop us an email at programmes@bookcouncil.sg.

Save The Dates 6–8 September 2018: Asian Festival of Children’s Content

O u t r e a c h

U p c o m i n g

E v e n t s

The 9th edition of AFCC returns this September as we showcase Singapore as the Country of Focus! With one Festival Pass, you can attend 90 programmes over three days that feature 150 speakers. Visit afcc.com.sg for more information.

30 September 2018: International Translation Day

AFCC 2018 will celebrate the works of the late children’s books illustrator, Kwan Shan Mei 关山美 in a special exhibition, Kwan Shan Mei: Drawing From The Heart. (Image: The Raja’s Crown. Illustration by Kwan Shan Mei. Courtesy of estate of Kwan Shan Mei)

Celebrate International Translation Day with pioneer translator 陈妙华 Chan Maw Woh, as we launch《悲君统治》(Bei Jun Tong Zhi), her Chinese translation of the Malay novel Duka Tuan Bertakhta by Isa Kamari.

6 October 2018:《情系狮城》Book Launch One hundred and twenty-nine local Chinese writers have come together to pen poems and essays about Singapore in this unique anthology《情系狮城》 (Qing Xi Shi Cheng/ Emotional Bonds with Singapore).

2–11 November 2018: Launch of Singapore Literature Prize Commemorative Book For the first time ever, extracts from past SLP winning works, as well as this year’s, are compiled together in this special collection, showcasing the best of Singaporean writing. The book will be launched at the Singapore Writers Festival.

19 December 2018: Singapore Book Council’s 50th Birthday Community Celebration Join us at our home at Goodman Arts Centre, as we celebrate our actual birthday with our community of friends and partners! Stay connected by signing up for our weekly e-newsletter! For more information, please visit bookcouncil.sg.

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Because it all starts with a story.

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E v e n t s

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U p c o m i n g

Become one of our donors today. Your cash donation will also be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar matching from the Cultural Matching Fund. So your donation in fact goes twice the distance. All donors are eligible for a 250% tax deduction. In return, we will acknowledge your contribution in our collaterals, offer you complimentary tickets, special discounts, priority access and exclusive event invites.

Our donors are an amazing group of dedicated individuals, foundations and companies that share our passion for Singapore literature. They believe in our vision and our focus on Singaporean and Asian content, content creation, training, translation and the appreciation of Singapore literature. They have consistently supported us in our events, workshops, and awards. The annual contributions by our donors are crucial in allowing us to confidently plan and execute our education and outreach programmes.

O u t r e a c h

We would like to invite you to support us in our vision to build the literary arts scene in Singapore. Though young, it is vibrant and thriving but will need strong support to grow it from strength to strength. Although, we receive Major Company Government funding, it only makes up 21% of our income. Ticket sales and sponsorships do indeed help, but it is the charitable contributions of our generous donors, like yourself, that make a significant difference to our work.

Donors

P a r t n e r s

Champion of Books

N ury Vit tachi

D o n o r s ,

S p o n s o r s

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Hong Leong F oundation

Pharoah E ntertainment LLP

Ang Soo Buay, Dr Gan See Khem, Hoods Inc, Sandra Choo Siew Lin, Wang Ching Chen

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