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Science fiction writer Liu Cixin says his Hugo Award for Best Novel – the first by a Chinese – is unlikely to supercharge the country’s science fiction market, despite the buzz surrounding his win.
The Three-Body Problem, the first of a trilogy by Liu, was a surprise winner of the award on Sunday, having missed out in the original round of nominations a few months ago.
Mainland media saw the victory as a boost for national pride, with one outlet commenting that Liu had “single-handedly brought Chinese science fiction” onto the world stage.
Translated by Chinese-American science fiction writer Ken Liu, The Three-Body Problem is the first translated novel to win since the launch of the Hugo Awards in 1953.
But the author is keeping a cool head.
Read more: Out of this world: Chinese sci-fi author Liu Cixin is Asia's first writer to win Hugo award for best novel
“Of course I’m happy to win the award, but I never wrote a novel with an aim to win. I wrote for my fans,” he said.
“My win … is only an individual case. It may create a stir and attract some fans in the short term, but a single book would not change much,” he said.
The Three-Body Problem was first published as a serial in a Chinese sci-fi magazine in 2006. It was published as a book in January 2008.
The second in the series, The Dark Forest, was published in May that year and the finale, Death’s End, came out in late 2010.

Liu’s wild imagination and grandiose narration on the clash of civilisations between the earth and an alien star system has enthralled millions of Chinese readers over the past several years, and caught the attention of publishers.
“[Publishers] have attempted many times to [harness] the genre, to publish more sci-fi stories, but none has succeeded,” he said, “The Chinese science fiction market is still in its infancy.”
Kong Ergou, the CEO of YooZoo Pictures, said a movie adaptation of the novel could enjoy “unlimited resources” following Liu’s win.
I never wrote a novel with an aim to win. I wrote for my fans
Liu Cixin
He said at least 200 million yuan (HK$242 million) had already been spent on the movie, which is in post-production. He was considering hiring the best special effects team to ensure the film lived up to the novel, and promised additional investment without an “upper limit” if needed, the news portal sina.com reported on Monday.
The film stars actress Zhang Jingchu and actor Feng Shaofeng. Shooting finished about a month ago and it is expected to be released in 2016.
Liu, working as producer, said that while no other Chinese science fiction film had enjoyed such huge investment, it was still too early to say whether it would be a success.
The author, 52, started writing sci-fi in his college years. Until last year, he had been working as a full-time engineer at a state-owned power plant.
“The company no longer exists… so I spend all my time on sci-fi,” said Liu.
He’s planning future novels, but is not writing anything at present.


Asian writer is first to win Hugo Award for best novel ... but will it open new chapter for Chinese sci-fi?

Author Liu Cixin, who has won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. File Photo

The cover of Liu Cixin's book The Three-Body Problem. File Photo

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Country’s first winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel says his victory is unlikely to supercharge the market


Asian writer is first to win Hugo Award for best novel ... but will it open new chapter for Chinese sci-fi?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Country’s first winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel says his victory is unlikely to supercharge the market

.css-jfmysa{display:inline;word-break:break-word;}.css-1ankfgb{cursor:pointer;display:inline;word-break:break-word;}Read more: Out of this world: Chinese sci-fi author Liu Cixin is Asia's first writer to win Hugo award for best novel

Country’s first winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel says his victory is unlikely to supercharge the market

Read more: Out of this world: Chinese sci-fi author Liu Cixin is Asia's first writer to win Hugo award for best novel