Previous Editions
Established in 1992, the Singapore Literature Prize (SLP) is Singapore’s top literary prize, with more than 150 past winners. The prize is a biennial competition open to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents whose works of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction have been published in Singapore or abroad during a specified period of time. The work can be published in any of Singapore’s four official languages—Chinese, English, Malay, or Tamil.
The award carries a top prize of S$3,000 for the winner in each of the literary categories. In addition, the winners will be awarded with a specially-commissioned trophy.
Objectives
- To promote Singapore literary talent through due recognition of outstanding published works by Singapore authors across the four official languages: Chinese, English, Malay, or Tamil.
- To stimulate public interest and support for creative writing in Singapore.
Categories
The categories are:
- Creative Nonfiction (Chinese, English, Malay, Tamil)
- Fiction (Chinese, English, Malay, Tamil)
- Poetry (Chinese, English, Malay, Tamil)
In 2024, the Singapore Literature Prize introduces three new awards:
- Comics/Graphic Novel
- Translation
- Best Debut
Comics and graphic novels published in English by Singaporean creators in the past two years from 2022 to 2023 are eligible for the award. The Translation award is open to fiction works, either short story or fiction, published in the past three years from 2021 to 2023 translated into English. The translator must be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, but the original work can be written by a writer of any nationality.
The Best Debut award will be given out across the four languages. Shortlisted works in the three genres of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction are eligible, as long as they are the author’s first solo publication.
2020 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
புதினம் அல்லாத படைப்பு
2018 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
诗歌
Winner
《狮城地标诗学》
Shi Cheng Di Biao Shi Xue (Landmark Poetics of the Lion City)
《秤砣集》
Cheng Tuo Ji (Weights)
《聆听陌地声》
Ling Ting Mo Di Sheng (Melody From Foreign Lands)
《如果还有萤火虫》
Ru Guo Hai You Ying Huo Chong (If There Are Still Fireflies)
《诗有别趣》
Shi You Bie Qu (Delights of Poetry)
Poetry
Winner
A Field Guide to Supermarkets in Singapore
Bitter Punch
Giving Ground
Phedra
Professions
Puisi
Winner
Tukang Tunjuk Telunjuk (Finger-Pointing Expert)
Murad Mati: Pak Long Kisahkan (Murad is Dead)
Sumur Kebenaran (The Well of Truth)
கவிதை
Commendation
லீ குவான் இயூ பிள்ளைத்தமிழ் [Lee Kuan Yew Pillaith Thamizh (Lee Kuan Yew Imaginary Childhood)]
Commendation
இராவணனின் சீதை [Ravananin Seethai (Ravana’s Seethai)]
非虚构写作
Co-Winner
《第二张脸》
Di Er Zhang Lian (The Second Face)
Co-Winner
《蔷薇边缘》
Qiang Wei Bian Yuan (Roses at the Edge)
《从南大到北大》
Cong Nan Da Dao Bei Da (From Nanyang University to Peking University)
《大眼鸡·越洋人》
Da Yan Ji. Yue Yang Ren (Breaking the Waves)
《狮城重案录之警匪喋血》
Shi Cheng Zhong An Lu Zhi Jing Fei Die Xue (Singapore Crime Scene 1)
《星洲星光》
Xing Zhou Xing Guang (Island of Stars)
Creative Nonfiction
Winner
“Others” is Not a Race
17A Keong Saik Road
The Magic Circle
Pulp: A Short Biography Of The Banished Book
The Unfinished Revolution: Sun Yat-Sen and the Struggle for Modern China
Unquiet Kingdom: Thailand In Transition
Bukan Fiksyen Kreatif
Commendation
Rona Wicara (Colour of Expression)
Makmal Penulis (Author Labs)
இலக்கியப் புதினம் அல்லாதவை
Commendation
கோ. சாரங்கபாணியும் தமிழ் முரசும்:: இன்றைய பார்வை [G. Sāraṅkāpāṇiyum tamiḻ murasu : Eendraya Paarvai (G Sarangapany and the Tamil Murasu: A Current Appraisal)]
ஆட்டோகிராஃப் [Āṭṭōkirāp (Autograph)]
எழுத்தும் எண்ணமும் [Eluttum Eṉnamum (Words and Thoughts)]
小说
Co-Winner
《救灾前线》
Jiu Zai Qian Xian (Rescue Frontline)
Co-Winner
《烟事袅袅》
Yan Shi Niao Niao (Smoker Memories)
《框起人间事》
Kuang Qi Ren Jian Shi (Life Between Frames)
《恋恋浮城》
Lian Lian Fu Cheng (The Floating Republic)
《书稿》
Shu Gao (Manuscript – Collection of Short Stories by Li Qing Song)
Fiction
Winner
State of Emergency
Death of a Perm Sec
The Gatekeeper
Regrettable Things that Happened Yesterday
Sugarbread
Fiksyen
Commendation
Bilal Mencari Nur (Muezzin In Search of Light)
Commendation
Kesumat Sang Avatar (Avatar’s Wrath)
Merit
Bunga Tanjong (A Dancing Club: Bunga Tanjong)
Souvenir Dari Angkasa Lepas (Souvenir From Space)
Tika Aksara Menari (When The Alphabets Dance)
புதினம்
Merit
5.12 pm
Merit
ஒரு துளி சந்தோஷம் [Oru Thuli Santhosham (A Drop of Happiness)]
நீர்த் திவலைகள் [Neerth Thivalaikal (Water Droplets)]
Previous Press Releases
2016 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
诗歌
Merit
《逐想像而居》
Live Where the Imagination
Merit
《航海纪事》
The Sea Diary
《都市录》
A City’s Story
Poetry
Co-Winner
I Didn’t Know Mani Was a Conceptualist
Co-Winner
The Lover’s Inventory
After the Fall: Dirges Among Ruins
Deeds of Light
One Thousand and One Nights
We Were Always Eating Expired Things
Puisi
Winner
Tafsiran Tiga Alam
Kastil Aisya
Kota Singa
கவிதை
Merit
4 Flowered Garland for Singapore
Merit
Kaatraai Kadanthaai
Adolescent Love
Alai Pidunkiya Sorkal
The Face of the Soul
Kaivilakku Kadavul
非虚构写作
Winner
《我所知道的李光耀》
LKY Whom I Knew
《父亲与我》
Father and I
《成长在李光耀时代》
Growing Up in the Era of Lee Kuan Yew
《广东妈姐》
Guangdong Majie
《以诗和春光佐茶》
Tea Time in Spring With Poetry
Creative Nonfiction
Co-Winner
The Sound of Sch: A Mental Breakdown, A Life Journey
Co-Winner
When the Party Ends
In Time, Out of Place
Let the People Have Him
Who is Magic Babe Ning?
Bukan Fiksyen Kreatif
Merit
Rentak Rebana
Commendation
Sekolahku Tinggal Kenangan
இலக்கியப் புதினம் அல்லாதவை
CK Makadoom Saiboo and Singai Nesan
Commendation
Kamban Kaattum Kanaikal
Commendation
Nanavu Desam SG50
Commendation
Singapore Tamil Munnodigal
小说
Merit
《戏服》
Opera Costume
Commendation
《放逐与追逐》
Exile or Pursuit
Commendation
《双口鼎一村－那些年那些事》
Shuang Kou Ding Yi Cun
Fiction
Winner
The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye
It Never Rains on National Day
Moth: Stories
Nine Cuts
The Widower
Fiksyen
Winner
Air Mata di Arafah
Bayang-Bayang Yang Hilang
Dari Perang Datang Sampai Kamoe San Masuk Melayu
Terbelah Bintang Subaru
புதினம்
Winner
Maariligal
Melbaculaso
Paramapadham
Previous Press Releases
2014 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
诗歌
Winner
《你和我的故事》
《阅读蚯蚓的秘密》
《原始笔记》
《夜未央》
《心闲牵风》
Poetry
Co-Winner
The Viewing Party
Co-Winner
Sonnets from the Singlish
The Beating & Other Stories
Cordelia
Circle Line
Tender Delirium
The Pillow Book
Puisi
Winner
Pasar Diri
Genta Cinta
Aisberg Kesimpulan
Suara Dalam
nota (buat wangsa dan buanaku)
கவிதை
Commendation
Malaigalin Parathal
Kaanaamal Pona Kavithaikal
Thagam
Thoorikai Sirpangal
Urakkach Cholvaen
非虚构写作
Merit
《父亲平藩的一生》
Merit
《心也飞翔》
《医生读史笔记》
《释放快乐》
Creative Nonfiction
Co-Winner
Kampong Spirit Gotong Royong: Life In Potong Pasir 1955 to 1965
Co-Winner
The Leader, The Teacher & You
A Visual Celebration of Giant Pandas
The Mango Tree
Kampong Boy
Bukan Fiksyen Kreatif
Merit
Alam Kepenyairan Singapura: Pengamatam dan Penciptaan
இலக்கியப் புதினம் அல்லாதவை
Winner
Singapore Tamil Kavithai Varalaaru
Oru Nakarathin Kathai
Sattamum Sambavangalum
Ayal Pasi
小说
Winner
《林高微型小说》
《丁香》
《金色的袋鼠》
《双城之恋》
Fiction
Winner
Ministry of Moral Panic
The Inlet
Love, or Something Like Love
As the Heart Bones Break
Fiksyen
Winner
Kumpulan Cerpen Armageddon
Suzan
Tenggelamnya Kapal Prince of Wales
Selamat Malam Caesar
Cahaya
Seking
புதினம்
Winner
Moontraavatu Kai
Muga Puthagamum Sila Agappakkangalum
Naan
Vergal
Maaya
Oru Kodi Dollargal
Previous Press Releases
2012 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
中文
Winner
《画室》
《剑桥诗学 》
《你的名字》
《追随河流的方向》
《舞魂》
English
Winner
The Mental Life of Cities
This Mortal World
The Beating & Other Stories
They hear salt crystallising
Melayu
Merit
Jago Yang Terlupa Dilupakan
Commendation
Dongeng Utopia: Kisah Cek Yah
Commendation
Kerana Setitik Madu
Commendation
Secangkir Ceritera
தமிழ்
Winner
Kavithai Kuzhanthaikal
En Vaanam Naan Megam
Vizhikkullethaan Vellayum Karuppum
Antha Naan Illai Naan
Previous Press Releases
2010 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
中文
Co-Winner
《半存在》
Co-Winner
《m40》
《爱城故事》
《黄孟文微型小说自选集》
《爱的礼物》
English
Winner
City Of Small Blessings
Means To An End
The Proper Care Of Foxes
Melayu
Winner
Sampai Di Singgahsana Cinta
Dalam Kehangatan Dakapan Senja
Di Perhentian Ini… Hijrahkanlah Diri
Kelarai
Satu Macam Penyakit
தமிழ்
Winner
Sangamam
Migration
Naanum Naanum
Ayapulam
Previous Press Releases
2008 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
中文
Co-Winner
《希尼尔小说选》
Co-Winner
《我与我自己的二三事》
《谢裕民小说选》
《左手的快乐》
《张曦娜小说选》
《天微明时我是诗人》
English
Winner
last boy
Five Right Angles
Lions in Winter: Stories
Rainbows in Braille
The Lies that Build a Marriage
Melayu
Winner
Bila Rama – Rama Patah Sayapnya
Anugerah Bulan Buat Bonda
Langau Menyerang Masjid Dan Cerita-Ceritanya
Cetusan Kalbu Seorang Penyair
Perahu Melayu Di Lautan Khulzum
Sekeras Waja, Selembut Sutera
தமிழ்
Winner
Naan Kolai Seyum Penkal
Pin Seat (Back Seat)
Aayul Thandanai
Ouyir Ourugum Sabtham
Previous Press Releases
2006 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
中文
Winner
《重构南洋图像》
《梦见诗》
《希尼尔微型小说》
English
Co-Winner
Unmarked Treasure
Co-Winner
Frottage
Morning at Memory’s Border
Melayu
Winner
Nostalgia Yang Hilang
Kisah Di Bukit Cermin
Puisi Luka dan Puisi Duka
Warna sebuah Penghijrahan
Cahaya di Negeri ini
தமிழ்
Winner
Vanavargal Mannil Irukkirarkal
Paampuk Kaattil oru Taazai
Pullanguzhal
Vadamalar
Previous Press Releases
2000 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
The Dymocks Singapore Literature Prize 2000
Winner
A River of Roses
1998 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
Fiction
Merit
Soul Search & Other Stories (published as The Seed from the Tree)
Merit
The Man in the Cupboard
Commendation
Corridor and Other Stories
Commendation
Heartland
2004 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
中文
Winner
《骚动》
《轻信莫疑》
《其实·底下的城市》
English
Winner
Mammon Inc
Broken by the Rain
A Bit of Earth
A History of Amnesia
The Gunpowder Trail & Other Stories
Melayu
Winner
Bagiku Sepilah Sudah
Anugerah Buat Syamsiah
Kiswah
Ombak Terbang Tinggi
Suasana Senja
Tuhan Masih Sayang
தமிழ்
Winner
Thoondil Meen
Agrinai Uyarthinai
Kaakitha Vaasam
Thaembavai
Thee Velli
Uyirril Kalantha Urrave
1997 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
Poetry
Merit
Driving into Rain
1996 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
Fiction
Winner
Tangerine
Commentation
Gone Case
Commentation
Going Home & Other Stories
1995 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
Poetry
Winner
From the Belly of the Carp
Merit
Days of No Name
Commentation
Void Deck and Other Empty Places
1994 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
Fiction
Merit
Crossing Distance
Merit
Eston
Commentation
Wives, Lovers and Other Women
Commentation
Feel
Commentation
Glass Cathedral
1993 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
Poetry
Merit
Places Where I've Been
Commendation
The Sea Is Never Full
Drama
Merit
Still Building
Commendation
Curious
1992 Winners & Shortlists
Shortlists are listed in no order of merit.
Fiction
Winner
Fistful of Colours
Commendation
Beyond the Village Gate
