* China is launching an American Idol-style literary competition, called The Next – A Search for the New Face of Chinese Literature. A judging panel of authors and critics will select the shortlist of 36 works from open submissions, and “Chinese netizens will be invited to comment on and vote for the works under consideration, until a final winner is chosen from four finalists in April 2009.” The winner gets a publishing contract, an advance worth about $14,600, “payment of outstanding college fees, with a guarantee of national media exposure and major marketing,” and other prizes. Established by Changjiang Art […]