The promotional event for the Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award had emerging writers Wu, Siao-Le, and Shen Sin-Hong talk about how to transform campus experience into excellent literary works.

“Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award,” offering a total prize of NT$353,000, is open for submission from now until September 28, 2023. Talented and qualified young writers aged between 12 and 30 are welcome to submit their works in four categories: poetry, prose, short stories, and graphic literature. Participants could also attend mind-blowing talks and outdoor reading activities to enrich their literary experience throughout the year and embrace the literary fun. After all, the more we write about reality, the more fascinating it becomes, and writing is not a lonely path.

Director Wang, Wen-Tsui of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government has clarified that Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai has supported young people’s creative writing. Each year, the Kaohsiung Public Library and the Kaohsiung Literature Museum co-organize the Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award to create a literary platform exclusively for the city’s young wordsmiths. Over the years, the Award has been dedicated to unearthing potential rising stars and nurturing young creative writers. In addition to the literature award, there have also been promotions on a series of literary events. Director Wang hopes that young people in Kaohsiung could enjoy themselves in diverse and creative activities to continue harnessing the creative energy of the youth and boosting the soft power and cultural energy of Kaohsiung. 

The Kaohsiung Literature Museum explained that 2023 marks the 18^th Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award. The theme of the Award is “fabricated files,” echoing the contemporary trend of realistic and profound creation. It is hoped that writers could be creative in turning realistic materials into fascinating and diverse content. Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award has been an important starting point for many writers. Therefore, the Award hosts a homecoming for emerging writers and previous award winners from April to July 2023 and invites them to lead a series of activities entitled “Youngsters Destined to Shine.” As leaders, they will share their personal stories and explore topics with the young people such as how to develop campus stories into prose, how to stimulate poetry from popular film and television culture, and how literary communities co-construct novels.

Promising young rising writers, including Wu, Siao-Le, Lin Kai-Lun, Siao Yi-Hue, will lead the activities, accompanied by experienced teacher-writer who has guided students to win awards, Shen Sin-Hong. In addition, Zuo Yao-Yuan, the recipient of the 2018 and 2020 Lin Rung San Foundation of Culture and Social Welfare as well as Liao Yu-Siang, the first-prize winner in the short story category of the TSMC Youth Literary Award in 2018 will also join the exceptional team of leaders. Young rising writers will not only share experiences but also guide the participants to practice writing. Accomplished cartoonist Zeng Yao-Qing, who has abundant experience in literary transformation, will lead two consecutive practical workshops called “Discovering Literary Gold through Images.”

The exciting series of events will continue until the end of the year. The Kaohsiung Literature Museum has promoted indoor activities in the first phase and launched outdoor activities, “Youth Reading Excursions,” in the second phase. The Excursion, led by professionals, allows young writers to conduct landscape observation and immerse themselves in cultural and historical field trips to incorporate their deeper and more profound understanding in the writing. The list of winners will be announced in early November when all winners will be joining “Face-to-Face with the Judges” seminars where judges from various literary categories and participating young writers will exchange ideas on trends and techniques in creative writing.

Reality is more fascinating when you put it into words; writers do not have to embark on the writing journey alone. We welcome all young writers to join us and take on the challenge. Let’s create and uncover more amazing literary files in Kaohsiung. Submissions are now open until September 28, 2023. Teachers who guide students in submitting five or more entries are eligible for recognition. For more information and details, visit our official website (opens in a new window). 

The promotional event for the Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award organized its first-ever conversation between poet Siao Yi-Huei and the 2018 award winner Liao Yu-Siang.

Tu Yu-Cian, currently a student, has set a record for winning in all three literary categories at the 2022 Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award.

A group photo of winners in the 19-30 age group with distinguished guests in the awarding ceremony of the 2022 Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award.

Recap of the 2022 Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award: “Face-to-Face with Judges” --Short Story Category (Syu Jia-Ze, Chen Yu-Syuan, and Chen Bo-yan)

Recap of the 2022 Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award: “Face-to-Face with Judges” –Graphic Literature Category (Chen Jia-Ci and Ding Bo-Yan).

Recap of the 2022 Kaohsiung Youth Literature Award: “Face-to-Face with Judges” --Poetry Category (Chen Chang-Yuan, Sao-Sia, and Lin De-Jyun.