[Edaily Reporter Lee So-Hyun ] Kakao(035720)is revamping its flagship contest for the content publishing platform Brunch. The plan is to move away from the existing model, in which publishers selected the Daesang entries and handled publication, and instead have Brunch directly oversee the judging and selection of winners to enhance the value of the winning works.

Kakao announced on the 24th that Brunch is holding the “14th Brunch Contest.”

Starting with this contest, the name will change from the previous “Brunch Book Publishing Project” to the “Brunch Contest.” The goal is to move away from the existing structure focused on securing publication deals and evolve the contest into one where the award itself holds clear value. Brunch plans to continuously build a catalog of award-winning works in line with its own strategic direction.

The biggest change is in the selection process for Daesang winners. Previously, partner publishers participating in the judging process selected and published the Daesang winners; however, starting this year, the contest will transition to an independent judging system by external experts organized by Brunch. The judging will proceed in stages through preliminary and final rounds, and the final judging panel will be revealed along with the judges’ comments when the final winners are announced in early February of next year.

The scope of the “Brunch Daesang” selection will also change. Moving away from the previous practice of selecting 10 Daesang winners annually, this year a total of four works will be carefully selected: one Daesang winner in each of the novel, essay/poetry, and general categories, plus one New Writer Award winner. Brunch plans to focus its publishing and promotional resources on the selected works.

The process for securing publication will also be revamped. Previously, winners were matched one-on-one with partner publishers who participated in the judging process to sign publishing contracts. Starting this year, Brunch will introduce not only the winning works but also the finalists in each category to multiple partner publishers.

Through this process, authors will receive publication offers from multiple publishers and will be able to compare and select the publisher that best understands their work. Brunch plans to support award-winning works through post-publication marketing to foster an environment where publishers actively make offers.

The 14th Brunch Contest officially opened on Brunch this morning and will accept submissions for eight weeks, through October 18. The final winners will be announced in early February of next year.

Lee Seung-hyun, Head of Social Impact at Kakao, stated, “With this reorganization, the ‘Brunch Daesang’ winner will mark the beginning of Brunch’s own list of award-winning works, and authors will be able to connect with the publisher that best understands their work,” adding, “Brunch will serve as the bridge facilitating those connections.”