People's Literature magazine and Wenzhou municipal government launched the Lin Jinlan Short Story Prize, the country's first literary prize for short stories on June 1, the birthday of the late "master of short stories" Lin Jinlan (1923-2009).

According to Shi Zhanjun, chief editor of People's Literature magazine, the biennial prize is created to honor writers who dedicate themselves to "the least rewarding literary genre".

The first edition of the prize will be held in September in Lin's hometown-Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. A panel comprising seven writers and literary critics will select two outstanding short story writers, who will receive 50,000 yuan ($7,850) each. Two emerging short story writers will win 30,000 yuan each.