Homegrown translators, comic-book authors and debut writers now stand a greater chance of winning this year’s Singapore Literature Prize (SLP) after its organisers, Singapore Book Council (SBC), added three new categories for prizes in its Singapore Literature Prize (SLP) list of awards. The SLP is one of Singapore’s prestigious literary awards given out each year for published works of poetry, fiction and non-fiction in each official language as well as public votes based Readers’ Favourite awards. SBC announced on January 11 their addition of three new categories including one award given specifically for work written by debut authors while another award could go out based on public votes by public vote! In a press release dated January 11, they announced two additional awards – one dedicated solely towards translation works written by debut authors!
Prior to this year, the SBC would only recognize five winners of its main categories at its gala ceremony in May. Now it has added two new awards – Best Debut Award which recognises works written by debut authors; and Comic/Graphic Novel Award which honours work that contributes original and imaginative works that enrich social, cultural or psychological life of Singapore. These new categories will all take part in May.
As part of its efforts to expand awareness for its book prizes, SBC has decided to rename TOTO to Singapore Prize in order to better reflect the wide-reaching societal impacts. As part of this change, outreach activities such as workshops and talks will also be organised to raise awareness for Singapore Prize and its new name.
Last month, the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation introduced a new award – Singapore Literary Arts Award – to recognise outstanding achievements in writing. It will be handed out every two years; poet Marylyn Tan was honored as its inaugural recipient for her book of poetry This Is Not A Love Song; other winners have included historian Wang Gungwu, writer Wong Koi Tet and Malay literary pioneer Suratman Markasan.
The SBC has also introduced the new Distinguished Enterprise Award, to recognize companies with an in-depth knowledge of how their operations contribute to positive societal outcomes and who exemplify high ethical standards in business practices. This awards programme joins AmCham CARES High Distinction Awards which honour those that demonstrate sustained dedication towards corporate social responsibility.
The SBC is joining forces with various organisations to promote and celebrate winners and finalists of both Singapore Prize and Singapore Literary Arts Award worldwide. Events will take place across America, Australia, Europe, China and India and provide people with an opportunity to interact and learn from these outstanding works of literature and arts.