Damyang-gun, Damyang Songsun Literary Award Call for Submissions

Waiting for the Protagonists of the 'New Poet Award' to Lead the Future of Korean Poetry

On the 13th, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that it will drastically reform the operation of the Damyang Songsun Literary Award, now in its 11th year, and promote a call for works for the ‘New Poet Award’ to lead the future of Korean poetry.

The direction of this reform of the Damyang Songsun Literary Award, established to honor the literary spirit of Myeonang Songsun, is ‘a literary award that responds to literary achievement’ and ‘selection and concentration.’

Accordingly, instead of expanding the scope to literature in general, the focus will be on ‘poetry,’ and good works will be accepted under the principle of ‘free themes,’ respecting the fact that creative freedom is fundamental.

Also, based on the principle of ‘honoring the prestige of the Songsun Literary Award with high-quality works,’ one poetry collection with outstanding literary value published within the year will be carefully selected to receive the ‘Grand Prize’ (prize money of 20 million KRW), and the award will be divided into a ‘New Poet Award’ category (prize money of 10 million KRW) to support the emergence of talented new writers.

Submissions will be accepted for one month from June 1 to June 30.

Eligibility is for emerging poets before or after their debut who have not yet published their first poetry collection, and submissions should be the equivalent of one poetry collection.

A county official said, “We expect this reform to generate great enthusiasm among aspiring writers and emerging literary figures nationwide,” and added, “We hope many capable new poets who will lead the future of Korean poetry will participate from Damyang-gun.”