On October 23, in Beijing, the latest installment of the “October Youth Literature Master Creation Sharing Session” took place at the October Literature Institute, featuring notable figures in children’s literature. Hosted by the October branch of the Beijing Publishing Group, the event saw contributions from children’s author Zhou Jing and editorial member of “October Youth Literature,” Zhang Weiwei.
The focus of this session centered around the special issue titled “Spirit of the Dragon” from the magazine’s upcoming October 2024 edition. This issue highlights a selection of outstanding works chosen from hundreds of submissions, aiming to capture the essence of the dragon spirit through compelling stories and rich imagery, fostering pride and identification with the Chinese totem and national spirit among young readers.
Zhou Jing kicked off the event by discussing her lead fairy tale, “The Little Dragon of Peach Blossom,” which showcases her unique vision of an Eastern aesthetic. She introduced attendees to the enchanting world of “Duck Egg Lake,” a magical realm inspired by Chinese folklore and traditions, designed to be a spiritual haven for children. Zhou expressed her hope that readers could form an emotional connection with Chinese myths and legends through this fantastical universe.
During the magazine content overview segment, Deputy Editor Leng Linwei, along with editors Tong Zi and Shi Fan, shared insights into the themes of the issue, the submission and editing processes, and provided an analysis of key pieces like “The Journey of the Dragon” and “Quest for the Dragon.” They aimed to deepen young readers’ appreciation of literary beauty while inspiring their own writing through thoughtful discussion of the works’ emotional depth and literary techniques.
Zhang Weiwei, in her segment, offered guidance on reading and writing methods tailored for children. She emphasized the importance of exploring a wider world through reading, gaining real-life experiences through observation, and then expressing these insights in their own words.
The “October Youth Literature Master Creation Sharing Session” series is anchored in the philosophy “Reading has Power, Writing has Method,” inviting children’s authors for creative insights and writing instruction, while seeking to bridge the gap between writers and readers.
