Two book awards that originated in Taiwan have been extended to the Chinese mainland to seek out new talent and broaden the market.
The Hsin Yi Picture Book Award, derived from the province's prestigious Hsin Yi Children's Literature Award that was initiated in 1987, was opened to mainland writers and illustrators for unpublished picture books and scripts.
This was done to "scout for more original talent to create original picture books, mainly for children", says Chang Sing-ju, CEO of Hsin Yi Foundation, the award's organizer.
Among the 246 submitted works, Gan Dayong, a Beijing-based IT company employee, won second prize. The other winners were all from the mainland and worked in a variety of occupations.
"I had never created a picture book before," says the 37-year-old, who learned to paint as a youngster.
It was his 7-year-old daughter, Tiantian, who inspired him to create a picture book.
"Tiantian has a wall of picture books, and we have a great time reading these books together," Gan says.
Gan's award-winning work centers on the story of a cricket and features illustrations that appear to be Chinese ink paintings.
Gan believes Chinese illustrated books are not close to the real world. He says the author should have a sense of social responsibility.
The award-winning authors will have the opportunity to publish or sell their works on the international book market.
One of Hsin Yi's award-winning works, A New Year's Reunion, was published late last year and listed among The New York Times' Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2011.
While picture books are relatively new in China, kungfu stories have a long tradition and require fresh blood.
The Seventh Sayling Wen Kungfu Story Award, previously given in Taiwan, offered a 200,000-yuan ($31,480) top prize for mainland authors. Three out of 377 novels and four out of 342 novellas received prizes. Among the seven prize-winners, five were from the mainland.
The award commemorates Wen Say-ling, a Taiwan-born entrepreneur and kungfu novel writer who died eight years ago.
"This year's nominated works depict the kungfu spirit of modern society, and we have also noticed an increase in the number of young and female writers," says Li Rongde, one of the judges who is also the director of a national association, The Chinese Studies of Literature on Martial Heroes.
"However, with more detailed depictions and more refined language, the Taiwan writers generally have a higher level than writers from the mainland," Li says.
Hsu Chih-wei, 25, from Taiwan, won the top prize. Hsu is currently living in Japan. Her novel is vivid and extends the world of kungfu into daily life. The novel will be published in 2012.
Judges opined "the author must be a genius".
"I'm not important. The story is," Hsu responds.
Editor: Shi Liwei
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