
The 14th Taichung Literature Awards is now open for submissions! Organized by the Taichung City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau, the 14th Taichung Literature Awards is officially calling for entries. Centered around the theme “Gentle Simmer: A Life Well Written,” this year’s award invites Chinese-language writers from around the world to capture the nuances of life through refined and thoughtful words. Participants are encouraged to transform emotions and memories that have been nurtured and fermented over time into touching literary works.
Submissions for this year’s award are open from now until August 13, featuring a total of nine categories. In addition to the original categories—Fiction, Prose, Modern Poetry, Classical Poetry, Taiwanese Poetry, Hakka Poetry, Fairy Tales, and Prose for Junior and Senior High School Students—a new category, Reportage, has been added this year. There are no restrictions on the theme of submissions. Entries may be submitted either by mail in printed form or via online registration. With total prize money reaching NT$1.68 million, the award warmly welcomes both seasoned writers and emerging talents alike. All who are passionate about writing are encouraged to participate and join in recording life and depicting the essence of this land through literature, together creating a rich literary landscape.
According to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Taichung Literature Awards have entered its 14th year this year. In addition to cultivating local culture, the awards embrace diverse perspectives to foster international connections. Last year, it attracted over 1,700 submissions from 14 countries and regions, including Taiwan, China, Japan, Singapore, the United States, Canada, and Switzerland—demonstrating Taichung’s growing engagement with the global literary community. The bureau hopes that through this literature award, more outstanding writers and works will be discovered, allowing the world to witness the literary vitality of Taichung.
Writing is not only a means of documentation but also a literary journey that requires time, refinement, and patience. According to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, in addition to this year’s call for submissions, a series of literary workshops has been planned to accompany aspiring writers in their in-depth exploration and personal growth through an apprenticeship-style learning model. Scheduled to take place from June to July, the workshops will cover themes such as reportage and non-fiction writing, fiction writing, and modern poetry. The program features a distinguished lineup of both established and emerging writers—including Fang Hui-zhen, Tsai Hui-ping, Ho Hsin-chieh, Chen Hsueh, Liao Mi, Chung Wen-yin, Chen Fan-chi, Lee Chang-ching, Cheng Wan-jung, and Liu Ting-yu—offering participants a solid foundation in literary craft! In addition, two Writers’ Correspondence Mentorship sessions will be launched to provide online guidance and structured writing resources for learners in remote areas or those unable to attend in person. Beyond the workshops, the program also recognizes students as the seeds of future literary creation. To inspire young minds, authors Lin Kai-lun and Lin Li-ching have been invited to visit schools and share their diverse and enriching career journeys, offering insight into how their experiences have shaped their literary styles. Through close interaction with the authors, the program aims to spark students’ writing potential while broadening their perspectives on future career possibilities.
Literary creation knows no boundaries—regardless of nationality or age! All literature enthusiasts are warmly invited to take part in this journey of writing, where self-discovery and creative growth go hand in hand. For detailed guidelines and the application form, please visit the Taichung City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau’s website (URL: https://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw/3003254/post; online submission: https://bit.ly/4mCVbeI). For more exciting events, be sure to follow the “Taichung Literature Museum” Facebook page.