When the Epigram Books Fiction Prize (EBFP) first opened its doors to Southeast Asian writers in 2019, few could have predicted how swiftly the region would rise to claim its space in English-language fiction. Now, six years later, the 2026 longlist tells a powerful story: half of the eight authors hail from beyond Singapore’s borders, from Brunei, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Thailand, marking a new chapter for regional literature.

“Reading all these stories from Southeast Asia has been a pleasure,” said Edmund Wee, publisher of Epigram Books and chair of the judging panel. “The submissions have been outstanding, and I’m really looking forward to sharing these stories, especially from our neighbours, with everyone and the world.”

Selected from over 50 submissions, this year’s longlist reflects a surge of participation from across Southeast Asia, particularly from the Philippines and Myanmar. The diversity of authors, spanning scholars, doctors, parents, and educators, highlights the vibrancy of voices now shaping the region’s literary landscape.

The 2026 longlisted writers are:

• Jaclyn Lim (Singapore) – A former journalist turned stay-at-home mum, Lim’s fiction plays with the line between the mundane and the surreal. Her words, she says, “find meaning in the overlooked corners of daily life.”
• Kathrina Mohd Daud (Brunei) – Scholar, novelist, and co-founder of the Salted Egg Theatre, Daud is passionate about nurturing Bruneian literature. Her debut, The Fisherman King, was shortlisted for the EBFP in 2020.
• Khine Cho Mar (Myanmar) – A medical doctor and award-winning fiction writer, she has used online platforms to share her stories on displacement, resilience, and memory amidst Myanmar’s changing literary landscape.
• Kwan Ann Tan (Malaysia) – Currently based in London, Tan’s writing blends literary depth with interactive storytelling. Her first interactive novella, The Waiter, will be published by The Emma Press in late 2025.
• Ning De-Eknamkul (Thailand) – Inspired by her father’s improvised tales during Bangkok traffic jams, Ning’s writing now spans continents. Educated at UC Berkeley and Stanford, she blends education and creativity to engage young minds.
• Ratna Damayanti binte Mohamed Taha (Singapore) – Winner of the Golden Point Award for Malay short fiction, Ratna’s stories centre communities often unseen in Singapore’s English fiction landscape.
• Sandy Young (Singapore) – A writer and editor whose work explores the intersections of language and identity, Young holds an MA in English Literature from the University of British Columbia.
• Sebastian Sim (Singapore) – A seasoned novelist and former EBFP winner, Sim’s eclectic past—from bartender to prison officer—has long informed his distinctive storytelling voice.

First launched in 2015, the Epigram Books Fiction Prize remains Singapore’s richest literary award, offering SGD$25,000 and a publishing contract to the winner. The remaining shortlisted writers each receive SGD$5,000 and publication.

Since its inception, the prize has produced 58 novels and helped launch the careers of writers who have gone on to win or be shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize. The inclusion of regional authors has not only expanded its reach but also underscored Epigram’s mission: to spotlight the English-language stories that define and connect Southeast Asia.

The shortlist will be announced in early November 2025, ahead of the awards dinner on 22 January 2026. The judging panel this year includes an impressive lineup: filmmaker Anthony Chen, publisher Andrea Flores-Pasion, Professor Rajeev Patke of the National University of Singapore, and Emily Yiu, CEO of Popular Singapore.