Liu Zijie Wins Top Taiwan Literary Prize for Short Story Collection

The 2026 Taiwan Literature Golden Classic Award was officially unveiled in Taipei. "Regeneration," a collection of short stories, distinguished itself from 276 submissions to win the annual grand prize, accompanied by a prize of 1 million New Taiwan dollars. As one of the most authoritative awards in the Taiwanese literary community, the Golden Classic Award aims to recognize and promote works that exhibit innovative spirit and social value. Liu Tzu-chieh’s victory represents not only personal glory but also symbolizes a further breakthrough for Taiwanese literature on its path toward diversification and internationalization.

Since her debut in 2008 with her first short story, "Morning Light," Liu has used delicate prose to capture the subtle tensions between urban and rural settings, weaving personal experiences with universal emotions. Her works frequently center on a female perspective, exploring the interplay of identity, memory, and time. "Regeneration" continues this style, focusing on the often-overlooked process of "regeneration" in modern society—a process that involves not only physical repair but also the reshaping of emotions and the soul. Through a multi-layered narrative structure, the collection connects characters from different eras and backgrounds, presenting a social tapestry woven with threads of hope and loss. Critics note that by using "regeneration" as a central theme, Liu skillfully combines personal experience with historical context, creating literary works that possess both individual emotional depth and universal resonance.

The selection process for this year’s Golden Classic Award was rigorous. Submissions underwent three rounds of review, with final scoring conducted by a jury composed of renowned writers, editors, and scholars from both inside and outside Taiwan. The evaluation criteria covered multiple indicators, including innovativeness, literary value, social impact, and readability. Liu’s "Regeneration" received high marks across these categories, performing particularly well in "literary innovation" and "social impact," ultimately securing the annual grand prize with a decisive lead in scoring. The jury’s comments repeatedly highlighted that Liu’s language is both concise and tense, capable of conveying deep emotional and intellectual content within a short span.

For Liu, the award is not merely financial recognition but a strong endorsement of her creative direction and style. Among past recipients of the Golden Classic Award, female authors have constituted a relatively small proportion. Liu’s victory will further break gender stereotypes in the literary field, providing a role model and inspiration for more female writers. From a commercial perspective, winning the Golden Classic Award will significantly increase the market exposure of the work, encouraging publishers to invest more in her subsequent projects and further expanding her influence in both domestic and international markets. On a societal level, Liu’s work, centered on "regeneration," resonates with current social concerns regarding environmental, psychological, and cultural reconstruction, offering readers an opportunity for reflection and empathy.

The literary world has responded enthusiastically to the award. At the ceremony, the organizers of the Golden Classic Award stated that Liu’s "Regeneration" not only set a new peak in literary achievement but also sparked widespread discussion on the issue of "regeneration" at the societal level. Several jury members, in interviews with the media, described Liu’s writing as "a key that unlocks deep thinking about the reshaping of the self and society." Additionally, publishers and reader communities have expressed that Liu’s works will become a significant force driving the diverse development of Taiwanese literature. This award also re-emphasizes that the status of Taiwanese literature on the global stage is steadily rising, continuing to contribute a unique perspective to world literature with innovation and humanistic care at its core.

Liu Tzu-chieh’s victory has injected new momentum into her writing career and new energy into the diversity and internationalization of Taiwanese literature. While presenting the regeneration of individuals and society, "Regeneration" also reflects how Taiwan seeks a balance between tradition and innovation in the face of globalization challenges. In the future, as her works expand into international literature festivals and the translation market, Liu Tzu-chieh is expected to become one of the important representatives of Taiwanese literature on the world stage. (Source: Central News Agency)