It can be difficult for writers anywhere in the world to make a living from their writing. In Singapore, the top money prize is the biennial Singapore Literature Prize developed by the National Book Development Council of Singapore. With a total purse of S$120,000, twelve different writers each receive a prize of S$10,000. This prize amount is low in comparison to other art forms, as Epigram Books founder Edmund Wee explains. As an independent publisher that champions the work of local writers, Wee decided to start his own, private contest. The Epigram Books Fiction Prize focuses on full-length fiction novels because the supply of content has been limited in Singapore. Wee wanted to make it worthwhile for novelists to enter, so this annual prize offers S$25,000 to the winner and S$5,000 to three shortlisted finalists.