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About

Singapore Book Council

The Singapore Book Council (SBC) is an independent charity with IPC status. Established in 1968, as the former National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS), SBC aims to Power Our Imagination by developing creativity, imagination, original thought, and empathy. Our programmes focus on creative writing, reading, illustration, translation and storytelling.

Vision
The power of words, connecting peoples and cultures.
Image

Our History

 
Today, the Book Council continues to grow and cultivate Singapore's books and local literary arts scene by organising a variety of festivals, programmes and projects, and managing its own training arm. As a long-time advocate of Asian children’s literature and storytelling, it has also helmed the premier regional Asian Festival of Children’s Content since 2010.
 

The Book Council is a recipient of the National Arts Council’s Major Company Grant from 2025 to 2027.

Our Growth and Development

1968 – 1992

During our founding years to the early nineties, NBDCS set its sights on promoting reading and improving literacy skills with initiatives like the Festival of Books and Book Fair, and the National Reading Month. It was also concerned with the progress and development of good library services in Singapore in its early years.

1992 – 2000

To recognise local literary talent, NBDCS launched Singapore’s top literary award, the Singapore Literature Prize in 1992. The award was initially aimed to promote Singapore literary works in English, but its scope has since expanded to include works in Malay, Chinese and Tamil as well as non-fiction works.

2000 – today

The Singapore Book Council has now expanded its portfolio to be the organiser of six literary awards and the premier Asian Festival of Children’s Content. It continues to cultivate and nurture budding writers, illustrators, publishers and educators by offering them training via the SBC Academy. The Singapore Book Council also promotes Singapore literary talents and their works by sending them to international events such as the London Book Fair, Frankfurt Book Fair, and the New Delhi World Book Fair.

Key Milestones

1969
1992
2000
2006
2007
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2015
2020
1969

Inaugurated on 13 February 1969

Initiated Festival of Books and Book Fair, and National Reading Month

1992
Launch of the first edition of the Singapore Literature Prize
2000
Organised the Asian Children's Writers & Illustrators Conference (ACWIC)
2006
Set up the Singapore Writers Centre
2007
Organised the first annual Singapore International Storytelling Festival
2009
Organised the inaugural All In! Young Writers Seminar
2010
ACWIC morphed into a full-fledged Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC)
2011
Launch of the Hedwig Anuar Children's Book Award and Scholastic Asian Book Award
2012

Young writers' seminar grew to become the All In! Young Writers Media Festival

Training arm re-named Academy of Literary Arts and Publishing

2013
Launch of the Scholastic Picture Book Award
2015

Launch of new reading initiative, Let's Read Together, specially designed for young children from low-income families

Launch of Twilight Tales, a literary arts initiative for adults, featuring Singapore authors/talents

Launch of the Samsung KidsTime Authors' Award
Participation in international and regional fairs to promote Singapore writers and books

2020
First-ever digital edition of Asian Festival of Children’s Content and Singapore Literature Prize

Programmes

What's On
Asian Festival of Children Content (AFCC)
Singapore Translation Symposium
Singapore Writers Festival

SBC Academy

Singapore Bookstores
Literary Arts Resources
International Literary Festivals and Awards

Outreach

SBC CAMPUS
Little CAMPUS

Awards

Singapore Literature Prize
Anugerah Persuratan
S.E.A. Write Award
Hedwig Anuar Children's Book Award

About

Our History and Story
Our People
Media Centre
Annual and Financial Reports
Information

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