FAQs

So what is meant by 'personal response/interpretation'?

Personal response could be in the form of any creatively written prose or poem, including but not limited to fan-fiction, narratives, monologues, dialogues, short plays, descriptives, alternative endings etc. You can even respond to the short story by writing from another perspective of a character in the short story you have read. The possibilities are endless; however, do bear in mind that your response should be related to the Read! Singapore 2013 short story chosen.

Do email us at insight.competition@gmail.com should you require further clarifications.

Will book reviews considered for the competition?

Responses in the style of book reviews will NOT be considered for the competition. We only accept creatively written prose or poem (as above)

Why do I need to register and submit my work separately?

You need to first register here so that we can capture your residential address and mail the books (by post) to your residential address stated in your registration form. 

Thereafter, you can proceed to read at your own leisure, interpret it in any way you want and submit your interpretation to us at http://goo.gl/GNXDY or goo.gl/mXX7Z  according to the submission rules.

When will I receive the READ! Singapore 2013 books for Insight: Under One Sky?

It will take about 1-2 working days for you to receive a confirmation email. Delivery will take between 3 to 12 days depending if you are registering through your school teacher or individually online.

What are some important dates which I should take note of?

Registration opens on 24th June 2013 and closes on 18th August 2013

Submission opens on 1st july 2013 and closes on 31^st August 2013

HELP! I don't know which category I belong to/how I should submit my interpretation to you!

Please email us at insight.competition@gmail.com. We will assist you as soon as possible. 

Can I submit more than once?

Yes, there is no limit to the number of entries you can submit. However, participants will only be awarded a maximum of 1 prize. 

What is READ! Singapore 2013 about?

NLB launched its first ever nation-wide reading initiative, READ! Singapore 05 on 24 May 2005. This initiative, adapted from the highly successful reading programmes around the world like the “One Book, One City” project in the US, Australia and others, was conceived in alignment with the Government’s strategic outcome of “Community”, READ! Singapore 05 was held over a 10-week period from 24 May to 6 August 2005, to encourage communal reading, flowed by facilitated discussions on the selected story.

To promote a culture of reading fiction in our country, it is aimed at encouraging more Singaporeans to read and share the joy of reading. To promote local creative literature, at least one book by a local author is included in each official language out of the 12 titles selected.

This year’s selected theme, “Under one Sky”, highlights works where characters of various ethnic groups, creeds, classes and backgrounds have to work through their differences, identify common goals, building new ties in the process. It could even apply to fiction where the characters are not human (animals, aliens etc) but who have to work cross-species to achieve a shared outcome. All these works emphasize the common humanity that all of us share; and remind us this can be a source of strength and creative inspiration.

Are there any workshops or meet-the-author sessions?

 

Singapore Innovative Children’s Festival

Singapore Innovative Children’s Festival (SICF), an inaugural event organized by Innovative Diagnostics and supported by Abbot Nutrition, brings in reading related programmes into the public libraries. The SICF, a not- for-profit event will feature storytelling and drama performances, robot making workshops and a parent seminar for children below 12 years, their parents and teachers from 17th – 23rd June 2013. Among the stories that will be covered will be from the selected Read! Singapore titles for young read.

Date: 17-23 June 2013

Time: Various Times

Venue: Various Public Library Venues

Participation/ Registration: All are welcome with some activities tied to loan promotions.

Read@Hong Kah

Hong Kah North CC will be holding Read@Hong Kah, an annual reading carnival. Activities include, but are not restricted to, a book discussion on Ken Liu’s The Paper Menagerie, a book cover design competition for younger readers, a storytelling competition and reading-related game stalls.

Date: 13 July 2013

Time: 2 – 6pm

Venue: Hong Kah North CC

Participation: Open to public- Students, Youths, Adults.

Selected Read! Singapore Author: Rob Cleveland

Rob Cleveland, author of “How Tiger Got His Stripes” is a storyteller-in-residence at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, Georgia. This story recently won Rob his first book award when it received a World Storytelling Honor Award for Young Listeners.
 He will be conducting workshops for volunteers, members of the public on storytelling skills and carrying out storytelling performances for children.

Date      : 18-20 July

Time      : Various Times

Venue  : Various Public Library Venues  and Primary Schools

Participation/Registration: Open to public.

Read! Singapore 2013 Author Visit: Chiu Chao-Yu

Selected Title: Budding Love

Period of Stay: 30 June – 5 July 2013

A scriptwriter for Taiwanese movies and dramas, Ms Chiu Chao-Yu will be conducting writing workshops to share writing techniques and skills. Ms Chiu Chao-Yu has published 22 books and several of her books were the recommended reads by Taiwan Government Information Office and Hong Kong Central Library. We hope to expose our local students to more of such good works.

Author Chiu Chao-Yu will take audiences through the tale of the <<青苹果的滋味>>. She will also be conducting writing workshops to share writing techniques and skills.

Chiu Chao-Yu’s sessions will take place at 3 secondary schools and at Woodlands Regional Library, which is open to the public. Details of the latter are provided below.

Date      : 4 July 2013

Time      : 2.30pm - 4.30pm

Venue  : Woodlands Regional Library, Auditorium

Participation: Open to secondary school students only. Registration is needed via readsingapore@nlb.gov.sg

Where can I get more information about READ! Singapore 2013?              

You can get more information about Read! Singapore either through this website:

http://readsingapore.nlb.gov.sg/

or Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/READSingapore