The prize recognises works published in any of Singapore’s four official languages: Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. It also aims to promote a more nuanced and informed understanding of Singapore’s history, by encouraging a broader reading public to engage with the subject.

This year, the prize received a record number of submissions – up 30 per cent from last year. The top three books in each language category – the winners and runners-up – will receive cash prizes and a trophy. A special award, titled Readers’ Favourite, will also be given to a book that has been highly voted by the general public on its online ballot.

Two titles from Epigram Books clinched the top spot in English fiction: journalist Akshita Nanda’s debut novel Nimita’s Place, about women navigating expectations and cultures in India and Singapore, and speculative short story collection Lion City. Wong Koi Tet won the Chinese creative non-fiction prize with his recollection of lost housing estate Dakota Crescent, where he grew up.

Among the non-fiction categories, 91-year-old National University of Singapore professor Emeritus Peter Ellinger was crowned best English debut for his memoir Down Memory Lane: The Ellinger Story (2023). Judges described it as “a monumental undertaking that straddles many genres and themes”.

In the Malay fiction category, Wesley Leon Aroozoo’s haunting memoir The Punkhawala and the Prostitute won. The judges called it “a masterful work of literary art”.

This year, for the first time ever, a special commendation was given to two works that were deemed outstanding in their quality by the panel of judges. Reviving Qixi: Singapore’s Forgotten Seven Sisters Festival by Lynn Wong and Lee Kok Leong won the first runner-up; and Theatres of Memory: Industrial Heritage of 20th Century Singapore by Loh Kah Seng, Alex Tan and Kok Leong was a close second runner-up.

In addition to the main prize, the winner of each language category will be awarded a US$3,000 cash award and a trophy. The finalists will be invited to join Earthshot Week, a gathering of thought leaders and influencers in Singapore from 6 to 10 November. They will get the chance to share their innovative and impactful environmental solutions with global partners committed to accelerating their solutions.

The judging panel comprises prominent Singaporean writers and academics. Clarissa Oon, Esplanade communications and content head for English literature; KTM Iqbal, Cultural Medallion recipient, for Malay poetry; and Dr Sa’eda Buang, former chair of the History department at NUS, are the judges for the prize’s two non-fiction categories.

This is the third edition of the Singapore Prize, which was launched in 2021 to mark Singapore’s 50th anniversary. The inaugural prize honoured the country’s rich historical and cultural legacy, as well as its future-facing vision. The prize reflects the Government’s commitment to encourage and support Singaporeans in writing, publishing and media. It is supported by the Government of Singapore through the Ministry of Communications and Information, and the National Library Board in Malaysia.