Hong Kong Writers Circle

Past Winners: 2025

January 2026

This month, member Marcin Nowak, who recently relocated to Hong Kong from London, won the 55-word story contest by discovering our interesting hygiene standard.

“I miss cockroaches

You know the weirdest thing about living on Mars? You can leave half eaten food lying on the table, noodles, fruit, whatever. Nothing will come for it. No flies, no cockroaches, no rats. In Sai Ying Pun I removed food waste with almost religious zeal. Takeaway container – immediately out. It is too fucking sterile here.”

February 2026

As the Chinese New Year approaches, we shared a lot about what we only see in the Chinese New Year. Our Coming of Age anthology editor, Jay Oatway, shared what he only saw during the Chinese New Year.

“All Heaters Now On Sale

Mrs. White could finally throw open the windows and doors to ‘let the house breathe.’ She didn’t miss frigid UK winters, but tired of HK aircon in February. The cool air refreshed the indoors, breezing in a new year — until the next day, when she shut it all again and brought out the electric radiator.”

March 2026

In this month of madness, member Stewart McKay wrote not only the month of March was a madness, but also the marching itself.

“I Don’t Know What I’ve Been Told

They marched. Then they marched some more. Rows of raised then lowered then raised then lowered feet. Rows of clockwork legs. Right left! Marched until they were parched. Left right! Through field and glen, then field again. Right left! They marched because he told them to. Left right! He told them to because he could.”

April 2026

This month, member Sam Powney graciously shared his secret to success with every member in the reading group. All of us were impressed, and we would take his secret seriously.

“Biz Tips

Work hard, play hard. Impress people with your competence and passion. Find a mentor. Win over the regional managers. When your mentor is away, seize direct control. Force the young successor to offer you total command. Have yourself named emperor. Marry off your daughter to the great northern khan. Dabble in religion, eunuchs, and mercury.”