Himuro Saeko Youth Literary Award
ひむろさえこせいしゅんぶんがくしょう
A public newcomer literary award for youth-themed novels, established to honor the achievements of Hokkaido-born novelist Saeko Himuro.
- Established
- 2017
- Organizer
- Himuro Saeko Youth Literary Award Executive Committee
- Category
- General Fiction and Popular Fiction
- Selection Method
- Open call
- Target
- Newcomer
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Application Deadline
- around April
- Announcement Period
- around August
- Status
- Active
Description
Established in 2017 to honor the achievements of novelist Saeko Himuro from Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido. Organized by a local volunteer executive committee and sponsored by Iwamizawa City. Partnered with Evirista to accept submissions via their novel posting site. Entries consist of youth novels between 20,000 and 60,000 characters. Grand Prize and Runner-up Prize are selected, with winning entries considered for publication as an additional prize.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Grand Prize: 200,000 yen prize money, Runner-up Prize: 100,000 yen prize money, book publication consideration as additional prize.
- Cash Prize
- 200,000 JPY
- Runner-up Prize 100,000 yen
- Book publication consideration
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Screening | Evirista Operations Team | — | Notification to successful applicants on Evirista |
| Final Screening | Selection Committee | — | Announced on Evirista |
Related Awards
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%96%87%E5%AD%A6%E8%B3%9E%E3%81%AE%E4%B8%80%E8%A6%A7
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BA%BA%E5%90%8D%E3%82%92%E5%86%A0%E3%81%97%E3%81%9F%E8%B3%9E%E3%81%AE%E4%B8%80%E8%A6%A7
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A5%B3%E6%80%A7%E3%81%AB%E9%96%A2%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E8%B3%9E%E3%81%AE%E4%B8%80%E8%A6%A7
Official Resources
https://i-akariya.org/himuro-bungaku/Past Winners
Kimi no Yukue ni Ai o Te o won the grand prize of the second Himuro Saeko Youth Literary Award. Beginning with high school student Chigusa discovering her new stepbrother Haruhiko wearing a bra, it explores varied forms of liking and the distance within a new family. It was later revised, retitled, and published with a sequel as Brothers Braja.
A young adult novel about confusion and understanding around what one loves, set within a remarried family.
Aru Hageta Hi ni was the runner-up grand prize work of the second Himuro Saeko Youth Literary Award. Published online as a young adult story in which Kiyomi resolves to keep a small secret, it was discussed by judges with attention to the room for deeper treatment of character background and conflict. No book publication was confirmed.
An online young adult story that begins with Kiyomi's decision to keep a small secret.
Kore Canon received the special award at the second Himuro Saeko Youth Literary Award. It is introduced as a young adult story in which the protagonist's age changes depending on the reader, marked by the one-time brightness of adolescence and a figure that shifts with perspective. No book publication was confirmed.
An online young adult story in which the protagonist's age changes depending on the reader.
After bullying keeps sixth-grader Honoka from going to school, she reaches an old library where she meets a strange librarian, a mysterious boy, and many books, gradually finding her world beginning to move again. The prize-winning Hebi Otoko was substantially revised and published as Nijiiro Toshokan no Hebi Otoko.
In the library she reaches while searching for a place to belong, a girl's world begins to regain its colors.
A youth novel about the secret behind a popular online artist. Beginning with the suspicion that the artist's work is plagiarized, it explores the desire for recognition, creativity, and the pain of wanting a mother's approval.
In the shadow of dazzling talent, a heart strains to be seen by someone.
A youth novel in which high school student Kimidori faces love, friendship, family, and sexual awakening while confronting discomfort in her own body and mind. The premise of swapped hands brings the boundary between self and others into focus.
The question of whose hands these are unsettles the girl's body and heart.