Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) launched the SHKP Reading Club on the mainland on May 31 this year, as part of its long-term efforts to further reading and holistic development, with a stellar lineup of cultural activities to encourage more people to enjoy reading. SHKP also announced a major Reading Club event: the fifth Young Writers’ Debut Competition with Joint Publishing (HK). This competition will be open to Taiwan and Macau, in addition to Hong Kong and the mainland. It will have a distinguished judging panel of ten from across Greater China including mainland theatre director and playwright Tian Qinxin, Taiwanese actor, scriptwriter and director Sylvia Chang and Hong Kong writer Liu Wai-tong.

Present for the announcement at Shanghai ICC’s IAPM mall were Deputy General Manager of Sun Hung Kai Development (China) Rick Man, SHKP Director of Corporate Communications Chris Liu, Joint Publishing Deputy Editor-in-Chief Anne Lee and judges Tian Qinxin, Liu Wai-tong and illustrator Page Tsou. Both the SHKP Reading Club and the Young Writers’ Debut Competition have some high-profile backing within cultural circles, with Deputy Chair of Shanghai Writers’ Association Sun Ganlu and noted authors Tao Lixia, Lu Nei and Wang Ruoxu already signed up as VIP members. They attended the announcement and later spoke about reading and writing in the Discovering Creativity in Reading seminar, encouraging aspiring young authors to realize their dreams.

SHKP Reading Club – new cultural platform to promote holistic development and happy reading

SHKP makes a concerted effort to promote reading and holistic development. It began the SHKP Reading Club to consolidate its reading-related initiatives and use different cultural and creative resources to enhance communication with members and the public. SHKP Director of Corporate Communications Chris Liu said: “We have been encouraging people to enjoy reading and gain new knowledge with a wide range of initiatives to connect with book lovers since 2005. These have included free monthly magazines, open seminars with celebrated writers and scholars and taking 6,000-plus children to Hong Kong Book Fairs. We hope the new SHKP Reading Club will get more people into the habit of reading for leisure.”

SHKP Reading Club is a dynamic group that demonstrates SHKP’s emphasis and involvement in promoting a reading culture. Deputy General Manager of Sun Hung Kai Development (China) Rick Man said: “We put our Building Homes with Heart philosophy into practice by promoting quality living in different cities. Reading is an essential part of a good life, so we are bringing the SHKP Reading Club to the mainland today. We are fortunate to have the heartfelt support of so many prominent guests in the cultural sphere. We will continue connecting with book lovers in different ways to spread the joy of reading.”

SHKP Reading Club will feature an impressive lineup of free member activities and resources, including regular seminars with celebrity speakers and activities with cultural organizations to create a delightful reading experience for members. All book lovers are welcome to join and pursue happiness and explore new horizons through reading.

Greater China creative professionals help aspiring young writers realize dreams

The first SHKP-Joint Publishing Young Writers’ Debut Competition on the mainland was in 2012; promoting reading and writing on a much larger scale and helping young people realize their dreams of being published for the first time. The competitions are in their tenth year and the fifth instalment this year covers to Taiwan and Macau. There are also more veteran Chinese-language writers to help aspiring young authors develop. The theme of this competition is ‘discovery’ and entrants can express their thoughts about different topics in words or multi-media work.

Joint Publishing Deputy Editor-in-Chief Anne Lee said: “The competitions have helped 33 young people make their writing debuts, and the works have been well received. Some of the authors have already published second books. I am pleased that the fifth competition will be open to Taiwan and Macau to offer a platform for more aspiring young authors to fulfil their dreams. This kind of cultural exchange will bring a breath of fresh air to Chinese literature.”

There are no restrictions on the genre. The entries can include words, music, graphics or multi-media work; allowing more room for creativity with endless possibilities. The deadline for initial entries is 18 October 2014. Twenty five entrants selected by the judging panel will be announced in late November and judges will offer individual coaching to help them finish their books by mid-March 2015. Ten winners will be offered SHKP-sponsored contracts with Joint Publishing and will collect royalties from sales of their books in traditional and simplified Chinese versions in the Greater China region.

About the SHKP Reading Club

SHKP set up the SHKP Reading Club in late 2013 to consolidate its reading-related initiatives. All book lovers are welcome to join the Club. SHKP Reading Club is endorsed by celebrities from all walks of life. The Club publishes two free regular magazines on reading, ReadIt and Read Monthly, organizes seminars with leading speakers from different cultural realms, reading and writing camps, guided cultural tours to inspire more people to enjoy reading and make it a habit.

About Young Writers’ Debut Competition

The Young Writers’ Debut Competition has helped many young writers make their debuts since it started in 2006, include debuts at the Hong Kong Book Fair and distributing to major bookstores. SHKP and Joint Publishing are cooperating again in 2014 to assist aspiring young authors to realize their dreams of publishing their books. Meanwhile, in order to promote cultural exchange, this year’s competition has been expanded to Taiwan and Macau. The organizers have invited creative professionals and experienced veteran from the cultural sector to offer coaching to young writers to develop their writing dreams and to foster the creation of Chinese creative stars. Visit the official website
(www.shkpreadingclub.com/YoungWriters5) 
for details.