Danmei Novelist Priest Named Finalist for the Newman Prize for Chinese Literature
Priest — the writer behind Guardian and Silent Reading — is the first web novelist ever shortlisted for the University of Oklahoma's biennial prize, nominated by a Cambridge University scholar.
Priest, the prolific web novelist behind Guardian (镇魂) and Silent Reading (默读), has been named a finalist for the 2027 Newman Prize for Chinese Literature — the University of Oklahoma's biennial award for outstanding Chinese-language literary achievement. Final results are expected in early 2027.
She was nominated by Heather Inwood, Associate Professor of Modern Chinese Literature and Culture at the University of Cambridge, making her the first web novelist to reach the shortlist in the prize's history.
Priest has published more than 30 works since starting out on Jinjiang Literature City in 2007, writing across danmei, science fiction, crime, and historical fiction. Several — including Guardian and Stars of Chaos (杀破狼) — have already reached international audiences through drama and audio adaptations.
Source: MCLC Resource Center (Ohio State University)
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