China Literature: Best Online Literature Platform East Asia 2018
Chinese readers have embraced the digital book, though not in quite the same way as booklovers elsewhere have. Instead of a solitary individual experience, readers in China look for a community. As they progress through a book, often delivered in instalments, Chinese readers will want to engage with each other, and with writers too; swapping ideas, examining plot lines, expressing feelings, and suggesting improvements – all in real-time.
That requires a hefty dose of technology. China Literature, a subsidiary of gaming and social media giant Tencent, offers readers the holistic experience they crave on a high-tech platform that is without equal. China Literature has an online catalogue of almost 10 million works distributed via the company’s two principal apps – QQ Reading and Qidian. These apps are not merely e-readers with a few added bells and whistles. Users of QQ Reading can, for example, send micropayments to authors.
By carefully analysing online reading trends, China Literature is able to finetune its title lists and immediately respond to changes in demand. The company also intends to turn some of its best-selling books into feature-length films, television series, or games. Online publishing is big business in China, registering a 20% average annual growth since 2012. Book platforms such as those deployed by China Literature help new authors find readers and hone their skills by directly engaging with the reading public.
The CFI.co judging panel notes that the vast body of literature offered by China Literature is exceptionally well organised and divided over more than 200 different categories. With a few taps and swipes readers may easily access the full depth of the catalogue and find the exact book they are looking for. The judges are thrilled that the company now plans to offer its services outside China as well. The judging panel is pleased to declare China Literature winner of the 2018 Best Online Literature Platform East Asia Award.
