Chommanard International Women Literary Award 2025

( For female authors from ASEAN, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan )

- About the Award
 

The Chommanard Women’s Literary Award, sponsored by Bangkok Bank, celebrates exceptional female literary talent from ASEAN-member countries, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The award honors fiction works that demonstrate cultural relevance, social impact, and literary excellence.

Originally established to recognize outstanding Thai female authors, the award has since evolved into a regional platform dedicated to uplifting women's voices across Asia.

A shortlist will be announced for each eligible country, and one Country Winner may be selected per country only if the jury agrees that the work meets the award’s standards.

** Note: Jurors may remain anonymous, but their collective comments on winning works will be shared to ensure transparency in the judging process. **

- Award Details
 

Grand Prize: 500,000 THB (approximately 15,000 USD). Awarded to one outstanding author selected from all submissions.

Country Winner Awards: One author may be selected as a Country Winner from each eligible country's shortlist, only if the jury finds the work meets the award’s standards. Each Country Winner will receive 40,000 THB (approximately 1,200 USD). All decisions by the jury are final and binding.

Translation Opportunity: Winning titles will be considered for Thai-language publication, subject to the following terms:

1. A mutual agreement between the author and the publisher regarding royalties and contract conditions.
2. A five-year rights agreement granting the host first option on Thai publication rights.
3. If a Thai edition already exists or is being negotiated, the Chommanard Committee must be notified in advance.
4. This opportunity requires a formal agreement between the author and the selected publisher.

- Eligibility Criteria
 

Author Requirements

1. Must be a female author holding nationality or permanent residency in an ASEAN-member country, China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan.
2. The author must be alive throughout the judging process.

- Work Requirements
 

1. The submission must be a fiction novel (no word count limits), originally written in any national language and later published in English, either as an original or as a translation, between 2015 and 2025. Work must be submitted in English.
2. The work must be original and not plagiarized, AI-generated, or adapted from pre-existing content. A signed letter of originality is required.
3. The book must be published by an established imprint based in the Asia-Pacific region or English-speaking countries. (An “established imprint” refers to a legally registered publishing company with a track record of publishing works by multiple authors, professional editorial standards, ISBN assignment, and distribution through recognized channels. Self-publishing imprints do not qualify.)
4. All publication rights remain with the author during the judging process.
5. Any translator-related disputes are the sole responsibility of the author.

- Submission Guidelines:
 

*** Submission period: June 1 – July 15, 2025, midnight GMT+7 (Bangkok time) ***
*** Submission method: www.virf.io ***

Required Materials:

• Full manuscript in English (PDF format; watermarking recommended)
• High-resolution cover image (JPG or PDF)
• Book summary or press release
• Signed letter of originality
• Author biography
• Several high-resolution author photos, including at least one in landscape orientation in JPG
• Three printed copies for jury review, media kits, and archival (non-returnable)

Mailing Address for Printed Copies:

Committee of Chommanard International Women Literary Award 2025
222 Bussarakum Terrace, Buddhamontol 2 Road
Saladhammasop Subdistrict, Taweewattana District
Bangkok 10170, Thailand

• The Chommanard Award does not cover shipping costs.
• Submissions with postage due upon delivery will be considered incomplete.

- Timeline & Announcements
 

• Shortlist & Winner Announcement: To be announced via official channels
• Tentative Award Ceremony Date: October 30, 2025 (Bangkok, Thailand) (Subject to final confirmation)

We appreciate your patience as we coordinate across multiple regions to ensure a fair and comprehensive selection process.

- Contact
 

• For updates and full guidelines: www.virf.io
• Inquiries: virf@elitecreative.co.th
• Document: Chommanard International Women Literary Award 2025