A ROOM of one’s own was Virginia Woolf’s famous phrase about what women writers needed: a place they could call their own, a space where they could create worlds. Three waves of feminism were needed to finally make a dent in global thought. Now, women writers are everywhere, making names for themselves, producing enduring works of literature.
Among them are the country winners and the grand prize winner of the Chommanard International Women’s Literary Award 2025 for Asian writers. In a recent awarding ceremony held in Bangkok, the prize winner was announced. It was Hong Kong writer Lau Yee Wa for her novel ”Tongueless.” It’s a powerful and thought-provoking work exploring language, identity and institutional control.
The Chommanard Award heaped praises on the novel ”for its profound narrative and universal resonance.” First published in 2019, the novel has gained international recognition and has been translated into multiple languages, including Thai. Upon receiving the award, Lau expressed deep gratitude, noting that “the honor exceeded my expectations and this was made possible by the encouragement of a close friend.”
At the center of Tongueless are two Chinese language teachers forced to abandon Cantonese in favor of Mandarin under institutional policy. As they struggle to retain their positions through mandated qualification exams, their paths diverge. One relinquishes her mother tongue to survive, while the other attempts to conform to authority. Ultimately, both lose not only their careers, but also their sense of identity and voice. It’s not just a story of mother tongues, but also of lost homelands.
Through this deeply human story, Lau examines how systems of power can shape and silence individuals. While rooted in a specific cultural context, the novel speaks to global concerns that revolve around autonomy, dignity and the right to self-expression.
In her acceptance speech, Lau said that she “had not intended to write a political novel, but rather a human one.” Be that as it may, her work reveals a subtle form of systemic control embedded in education and society. Drawing on philosopher Ivan Illich’s concept of “deschooling,” she highlights how institutional frameworks can redefine identity and worth.
While Lau Yee Wa emerged as the grand prize winner, the 2025 award also highlighted an exceptional group of shortlisted authors whose works reflect the richness and diversity of contemporary Asian women’s writing.
The shortlist included Li Zi Shu (Malaysia), an award-winning Chinese-language writer, for ”The Age of Goodbyes”; Thuận (Vietnam/Paris), for ”Chinatown,” which was also recognized as one of the New Yorker magazine’s Best Books of 2023; and Veeraporn Nitiprapha (Thailand), a two-time Southeast Asia Write Award winner, for ”Memories of the Memories of the Black Rose Cat.” I have asked my friend, Anthony Balisi, to buy for me the three novels of Veeraporn, which she kindly signed for me. Her novels have gorgeous covers, and the writing is exquisite. I plan to write reviews of her novels in my future columns.
The other country winners included Isna Marita (Indonesia), author and environmentalist, for her debut novel, ”Mountain More Ancient”; Dr. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai (Vietnam), internationally acclaimed author of 13 books, for ”The Mountains Sing”; Leila S. Chudori (Indonesia), award-winning journalist and novelist, for ”The Sea Speaks His Name”; Yáng Shuāng-zǐ (Taiwan), multidisciplinary writer, for ”Taiwan Travelogue.” Together with Lau Yee Wa, these authors represent a dynamic cross-section of voices shaping contemporary literature across Asia and beyond.
In addition to the Grand Prize and Shortlisted Winners, two Country Award winners were recognized: Jemimah Wei (Singapore) for her debut novel ”The Original Daughter,” a Good Morning America Book Club selection and New York Times Editors’ Pick; and Marga Ortigas (Philippines), an award-winning journalist, for her novel ”The House on Calle Sombra.” Ortigas’ recognition also shines a spotlight on the Philippines’ vibrant literary and journalistic tradition, where storytelling often intersects with history, memory and social realities.
Known internationally for her work as a broadcast journalist, Ortigas brings a deeply observant and humanistic lens to her fiction. ”The House on Calle Sombra” reflects this perspective, weaving personal narratives with broader cultural and historical undercurrents, and offering readers a nuanced portrayal of Filipino identity. Her achievement underscores the growing presence of Filipino voices on the global literary stage, bridging reportage and storytelling in ways that resonate across borders.
I wrote a review of this novel, which you can access online in the opinion section of The Manila Times. Both Country Award recipients, along with the shortlisted authors, participated in a weeklong literary program in Bangkok. The program included activities at the Bangkok International Book Fair, organized by the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand, as well as visits to leading media organizations. These activities included cross-cultural dialogue and regional literary exchange. Marga told me that the week she spent with her new sisters in Bangkok was unforgettable and good for the writing soul.
The Chommanard International Women’s Literary Award builds upon the Thai Chommanard Book Prize, established in 2008, with a mission to support and elevate women writers across Asia and beyond. The 2025 competition received more than 66 submissions, with eight authors shortlisted. The Grand Prize winner received 500,000 baht ($15,000), while the shortlisted books and country awards winners received 40,000 baht each ($1,250).
Winning titles may be considered for translation into Thai, subject to rights agreements. The award is sponsored by Bangkok Bank and organized by Praphansarn Publishing Co. Ltd., reflecting a shared commitment to advancing literature, cultural exchange and women’s voices on the global stage.
The next cycle of the award is now open. The submission period will be from April 16 to June 30, 2026; longlist judging: August-October 2026; shortlist judging: November 2026; grand prize announcement: March 2027; and official announcement: April 2027. The award continues to invite a new generation of women writers to share stories that challenge, inspire and expand global literary conversations.
Danton Remoto’s novels, books of stories and translations are on sale at Fully Booked, National Bookstore and Central Books website; Kinokuniya in Asia; and Amazon around the world.