Incentives for Local Publishers to Assist Singapore Authors with Obtaining Representation by International Publishers

Ms Usha Chandradas asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether any measures have been put in place to incentivise local publishers to assist authors of Singapore literature with obtaining representation from, and being published by, international publishing houses.

Local and international publishers are supported by the National Arts Council (NAC) with the Presentation and Participation (Publishing) grant. This grant supports the publication and translation of Singaporean-authored literary works both in Singapore and overseas. Between 2020 and 2022, NAC supported over 140 publishing grant applications. While most of these grants went to local publishers, approximately 3% of such grants were for works by local authors in international publications, for example, the translation of Delayed Rays of A Star by Singapore Literature Prize winner Amanda Lee Koe and the novel "Impractical Uses of Cake" by Epigram Books Fiction Prize winner Yeoh Jo Ann for the German markets.

Local publishers may also apply to NAC for the Market and Audience Development grant to support their participation at international arts platforms, including exhibiting at trade fairs, as well as to raise the profile of Singaporean writers and publishers in international markets and overseas readers, including international publishing houses. Between 2020 and 2022, NAC supported five such grants, of which all went into marketing Singapore Literature internationally. This includes NAC’s support for writers to participate in international literary events.

Information about NAC’s grant schemes that support the publication and internationalisation of Singapore literature is available on NAC’s website.

In addition, internationalisation is a key pillar of Our SG Arts Plan which was recently launched by NAC on 5 September 2023. In line with these efforts, NAC has commissioned the Singapore Book Publishers Association to present a country stand at the 2023 Frankfurt Book Fair, which will feature Singapore literature and writers, as well as support a delegation of local publishers to participate in the Fair. This will raise the visibility and profile of Singaporean writers among international publishing houses.