Lu Xun Literary Prize
るーしゅんぶんがくしょう
A major Chinese literary prize awarded every four years by the China Writers Association, named after the writer Lu Xun. The 2026 revised rules formally opened participation to online literature.
- Established
- 1995
- Organizer
- China Writers Association
- Category
- Research, Translation, and Scholarship
- Selection Method
- Recommendation
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- 4 per year
- Application Deadline
- around April
- Announcement Period
- around August
- Status
- Active
Description
The Lu Xun Literary Prize (鲁迅文学奖) is a major literary award administered by the China Writers Association, established in 1995. Originally awarded every three years, the prize shifted to a four-year cycle from the eighth edition (covering 2018–2021) onward. Named after the writer Lu Xun, it covers seven categories: novella, short story, reportage, poetry, prose and essay, literary criticism, and literary translation, with up to five works recognized in each category. Revised rules issued in February 2026 introduced a 'broad literary vision' principle and formally extended eligibility to online literature, while also establishing a judging panel that includes both expert and public members.
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recommendation/Nomination | — | — | |
| Selection (Selection Committee) | Selection Committee (appointed by China Writers Association) | — | — |
| Final Announcement/Award Ceremony | China Writers Association | — | Award ceremony or official announcement by China Writers Association |
Criteria
- No officially published clear selection criteria confirmed (criticism exists)
Application Tips
Dos
- Read past winning works to understand the trends in each category
- Strictly follow the application and recommendation requirements and submission format of the organizer (China Writers Association)
- Carefully revise the literary quality, originality, and expression of the work
Don''ts
- Do not submit with formal deficiencies ignoring the application rules
- Do not rely on opaque methods such as fraud or bribery
- Do not include false information or exaggerations
Related Awards
- National Outstanding Short Story Award (predecessor)
- National Outstanding Novella Award (predecessor)
- Mao Dun Literature Prize (茅盾文学奖)