At Manés Wordworks, every milestone achieved by our authors is a celebration of creativity, passion and the power of storytelling. This year, we are delighted to share exciting news from the POPULAR – Berita Harian Anugerah Pilihan Pembaca (APP) 2026 and the POPULAR – The Star Readers' Choice Awards (RCA) 2026.
A special congratulations goes to Effalee, author of Qaid: The Unknown, for earning a coveted Top 3 Popular placement in the POPULAR – Berita Harian Anugerah Pilihan Pembaca 2026. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the author's dedication and the overwhelming support from readers who have embraced the story.
We are equally proud of our talented authors whose books were shortlisted in this year's awards. Janji Izekiel was recognised in the Anugerah Pilihan Pembaca 2026, while Get Them Back!, Drasin Kingdom, Once Upon a Time in London and Eau D'Amour were shortlisted for the Reader's Choice Award 2026. Having multiple Manés Wordworks titles recognised across both Malay and English categories is a meaningful achievement that reflects the diversity and strength of our publishing catalogue.
Held in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary of BookFest @ Malaysia, the 16th edition of the POPULAR – The Star Readers' Choice Awards and POPULAR – Berita Harian Anugerah Pilihan Pembaca continues to honour aspiring and established Malaysian writers who enrich the nation's literary landscape. Since their introduction in 2008, these awards have celebrated outstanding local works while encouraging creativity and fostering a stronger reading culture. Organised by POPULAR in collaboration with The Star and Berita Harian, the awards remain among the country's most respected literary recognitions.
These achievements would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our authors, the trust of our readers, and the passion of everyone who believes in the stories we publish. At Manés Wordworks, we remain committed to discovering exceptional voices, producing quality publications, and championing Malaysian literature on a wider stage. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to continuing our journey of bringing impactful stories to readers and contributing to the growth of the local publishing industry for years to come.
