First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative 2009

The “First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative” is an initiative from the Media Development Authority (MDA) and the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) to nurture talents in the publishing industry. It is supported by the Singapore Book Publishers Association.

The “First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative” is targeted at assisting the publication of new works by unpublished local writers and / or illustrators. Cash incentives are provided.

The 2009 initiative will focus on Picture books for children in 2 categories: ages 2-4 & ages 5-7.

Members of SBPA who are interested to be the official publisher of the 2009 intiative are invited to contact Regina Kuan by 24 October 2008.

Shortlist for the Singapore Literature Prize 2008

The National Book Development Council of Singapore is pleased to announce the shortlisted works for the Singapore Literature Prize (SLP) 2008.

The shortlisted titles, listed in no order of merit:

English category
1. Last Boy – Ng Yi-Sheng
2. The Lies that Build a Marriage – Suchen Christine Lim
3. Lions in Winter: Stories – Wena Poon
4. Rainbows in Braille – Elmo Jayawardena
5. Five Right Angles – Aaron Lee Soon Yong

Chinese category
1. 希尼尔小说选 / 希尼尔
2. 我興我自己的二三事 / 英培安
3. 谢裕民小说选 / 谢裕民
4. 张曦娜小说选 / 张曦娜
5. 天微明时我是诗人 / 潘正镭
6. 左手的快乐 / 梁文福

Malay category
1. Bila Rama-Rama Patah Sayapnya – Mohamed Latiff Mohamed
2. Anugerah bulan buat bonda – Muhammad Salihin Sulaiman
3. Langau Menyerang Masjid dan Cerita-cerita Lainnya – Suratman Markasan
4. Cetusan Kalbu Seorang Penyair – Peter Augustine Goh
5. Perahu Melayu Di Lautan Khulzum – Johar Buang
6. Sekeras Waja Selembut Sutera – Manaf Hamzah

Tamil books
1. Pin Seat – Sankar Jayanthi
2. Aayul Thandanai – J M Sali
3. Naan Kolai Seyum Penkal – K Kanagalatha
4. Ouyir Ourugum Sabtham – Palanisamy Subramanian

This prestigious writing award carries a cash prize of SGD 10,000 for the winner and is given to one outstanding published work in each of the four languages – Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. This biennial competition is open to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents and is awarded for published works of fiction (novels and short stories) and poetry published between January 2006 and December 2007.

A total of 70 titles were submitted for the four languages: 18 English titles, 18 Chinese titles, 13 Malay titles and 21 Tamil titles.

The winners will be announced in an award ceremony in late November or early December 2008. Winners of the SLP will be awarded a cash prize of SGD 10,000. In the event that there is no winner, a Merit Prize of SGD 5,000 or Commendation Prize of SGD 1,000 will be given.

Creating Graphic Novel Workshop with Neal Skorpen, cartoonist & animator from the US