It's no longer science fiction

To boost the creation of original fantasy novels, more than 50 top Chinese writers and critics recently gathered in Beijing for a symposium organized by China Children's Press and Publishing Group.

Director of the group's publishing center, Xu Dexia, says fantasy novels are becoming mainstream children's books, and Chinese writers are becoming increasingly important in a market previously dominated by translated foreign works.

Xu believes it's the right time for original stories to shine because the group and other publishers have gathered young writers who were born and trained in an environment that is open and abundant in information technology, and whose works are tested and proven by the market.

One of the group's most successful productions is Luoling's Magic, centering on a 13-year-old alien girl who's brought up on Earth. The series has sold 1.5 million copies.

During the two-day symposium, the group launched 20 new fantasy novels for the summer vacation reading, including two works by Wang Junxin, an 18-year-old high school student from Fujian province.