On the morning of Jan.13th, the launch and seminar for the "New Coordinates Book Series," themed "Writing as a Portrait of the Era," were held at the YIFU Conference Center in Renmin University of China (RUC). The event was jointly organized by the Journal of Literature and Art, the School of Liberal Arts of RUC, and Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House.
“The ‘New Coordinates‘ series is the most important literary anthology since the new century” Qiu Huadong, Vice President of Chinese Writers Association, commented. Qiu highlighted the historical significance of the series and summarized five impressions the series left on him: the first is "Clear Direction", with the series focusing on writers from the post-70s and post-80s era, establishing a sense of direction for literature in this era. The second is “Strong Squad”, with a distinguished and representative squad of writers. The third is "Distinctive Formats", with a unique selection method providing a comprehensive perspective for readers. The Fourth is “Vibrant Image", portraying writers with lifeful and vivid images. The fifth is "Prospect", showcasing a forward-looking perspective on the future generation of Chinese contemporary writers.
Xu Hai, the Editor-in-Chief of Phoenix Media, appreciated the achievements in literary publishing, especially by Phoenix Literature and Art, and emphasized the importance of the "New Coordinates" series in presenting the literary styles of writers from the 70s and 80s. He looked forward to the completion of the series, expecting it to contribute to a systematic understanding and direction for the future development of literature.
Zhang Zaijian, the President of Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House, provided insights into the planning, publishing, and dissemination of the series, considering it a significant publishing project responding to the trends of the times.
Yang Qingxiang, the Chief Editor of the series, summarized the series with three keywords: "Aesthetically Pleasing," ensuring both selected works and accompanying commentary are enjoyable; "Balance," catering to both general and professional readers; and "Contemporary," highlighting the mutual growth and historicalization of contemporary writers and critics.
Representing the authors, Qiao Ye, a recently awarded post-70s writer of the Mao Dun Literature Prize, creatively intertwined the titles of the books into a story, emphasizing the "New Coordinates" as a portal to another world of literature.
Chen Ruogu, the representative editor of the series, shared the challenges and emotions involved in the selection process, emphasizing the responsibility of their generation to write literary classics from a new perspective.
The unveiling ceremony took place on the lanuch, with Qiu Huadong, Xu Hai, Lao Ma, and Yan Lianke unveiling 14 published books. These books were subsequently donated to the library of Renmin University of China, expressing the hope for the birth of more young writers.
Following the ceremony, a seminar was held where participating writers and critics discussed topics such as the classicization of post-70s and post-80s writers, the possibilities of contemporary Chinese literature in the 21st century, and individual writing experiences.
