Literary award · Germany · since 1973

Roswitha Prize

German literary award. Established 1973 in Germany.

About Roswitha Prize

The Roswitha Prize (German: Roswitha-Preis) is the oldest German language prize for literature that is given solely to women. The Roswitha-Medal has been given almost yearly since 1973 by the city of Bad Gandersheim. In 1998 it received its modern designation along with an endowment of €5,500. It is named for Roswitha of Gandersheim, a 10th-century Benedictine nun who is considered the first female German playwright and author.

From the Wikipedia article “Roswitha Prize”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Recent winners

YearWinnerWinning work
2018Terézia Mora—
2016Nora Bossong—
2013Ulrike Draesner—
2012Elke Erb—
2011Olga Martynova—
2008Cornelia Funke—
2007Felicitas Hoppe—
2005Julia Franck—
2004Angelika Klüssendorf—
1999Birgit Vanderbeke—
1990Herta Müller—
1986Ulla Hahn—
1985Irmtraud Morgner—

From Wikidata; the list may be incomplete for some years.

Eligibility and entering

Check the official rules of the Roswitha Prize for the current eligibility window, accepted formats, residency or language requirements and any entry fee. For most established prizes the publisher submits on the author's behalf, often with a limit on entries per imprint.

If you are self-published, look for an explicit statement that independently published books are accepted, and budget for entry fees and copies for judges.

Sources & data