Winners of the fourth and fifth Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards were announced at the Children's Science Fiction Convention in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on May 17. An annual report was also released, showing the continued strong growth of children's sci-fi literature in China.

(From left to right) Writers Chen Qiufan, Chao Xia and Bao Shu, who are winners of the fourth or fifth Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards, speak at the awards ceremony as they collect their trophies in Chengdu, Sichuan province, May 17, 2024. [Photo courtesy of EV/SFM]

Due to delays caused by COVID-19, the two editions of the awards were combined, with trophies given to winners at a single ceremony. In the fourth edition, Chen Qiufan's "China of Zero Carbon" won the gold award for best novel or novella in 2022, while Peng Liurong's "Island of Time" was named best short story. Chao Xia was recognized as the most influential writer of 2022, and Hu Xiaoxia received the new star gold award.

In the fifth edition, Bao Shu's "A Strange Journey with Dinosaurs" won the gold award for best novel or novella in 2023, and Li Xiaohu's "I Am Not a Robot" won best short story. Zhao Hua was named the most influential writer of 2023, and He Minghan received the new star gold award.

Dong Renwei, a prominent figure in Chinese sci-fi and a founder of the Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards, noted that after decades of growth, children's sci-fi is flourishing. The number of children's sci-fi writers has grown from a handful to nearly a hundred. At the event, Dong shared his ambition to make the awards the top international accolade for children's sci-fi and to set a global standard.

As chairman, he led the International Children's Science Fiction Association and his colleagues in creating a comprehensive strategy for developing children's sci-fi in China. Their goal is to achieve high-quality development, become pioneers in the global children's sci-fi sector, and help China become a sci-fi powerhouse globally. Dong added that the association would keep discovering creators, seeking good works, building academic theory systems, gathering stories from children, nurturing young writers and fans, and organizing reading and promotional activities.

Organizers announce the opening of the Children's Science Fiction Convention in Chengdu, Sichuan province, May 17, 2024. [Photo courtesy of EV/SFM]

At the event, Professor Cui Xinping from Taiyuan Normal University, deputy director of the World Children's Science Fiction Research Center and a renowned children's sci-fi scholar, released the "2023-2024 China Children's Sci-Fi Report."

The report shows that the children's sci-fi industry in China saw significant growth in both creation and publication volumes during the 2023-2024 period. According to incomplete statistics, the number of newly published children's sci-fi books reached 209 in 2023 alone, nearly double that of 2022. Among these, 43 were translated works, 10 were local non-fiction books, and 156 were original local children's sci-fi books.

"These are undoubtedly exciting statistics! " Cui said.

The variety of publications also increased, with a decline in imported books, indicating less dependency. The creative and publishing environments improved significantly, with book series backed by some children's sci-fi awards emerging as a key creative driver.

Many prominent sci-fi writers joined the cause to lay the groundwork for the genre and market. Dong and "The Three-Body Problem" writer Liu Cixin collaborated on several book series, serving as chief editors and contributing stories. During the Children's Science Fiction Convention, more than 100 book titles in 19 series were displayed by various publishers such as Beijing Children's Publishing House and Changjiang Children's Press. New book publishing contracts were also signed at the event.

Children hold sci-fi books during a performance at the Children's Science Fiction Convention in Chengdu, Sichuan province, May 17, 2024. [Photo courtesy of EV/SFM]

Dong Renwei, Chao Xia, and Lu Yang also announced the establishment of the Children's Science Fiction Reading Promotion Alliance at the event. The initiative aims to promote children's sci-fi reading, strengthen the market, enrich the pool of writers, and stimulate industry growth. With over 100 founding members, the alliance includes writers, industry experts, and 26 related cultural and creative enterprises.

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