Submissions open for the 2026 prize
The Ilse Schwepcke Prize is pleased to announce that Fiammetta Rocco, Emeritus Director of the International Booker Prize and former culture editor of The Economist, will Chair the 2026 jury. Fiammetta said: “Travel writing is one of the best ways of stepping into another person’s shoes; to learn about what other people see, how they […]
The Ilse Schwepcke Prize is pleased to announce that Fiammetta Rocco, Emeritus Director of the International Booker Prize and former culture editor of The Economist, will Chair the 2026 jury.
Fiammetta said:
“Travel writing is one of the best ways of stepping into another person’s shoes; to learn about what other people see, how they feel, and how they make sense of the world.
Think of Dervla Murphy, Freya Stark, Martha Gellhorn, and in a newer generation: Cheryl Strayed, Robyn Davidson and Noo Saro-Wiwa.
In 2026, I’ll be chairing The Ilse Schwepcke Prize, the world’s most valuable award for travel writing by women. Come and join us for a tour of the great women travel writers working today.”
Fiammetta will be joined by continuity judge Arabella Friesen of John Sandoe Books, and by writer Jacky Colliss Harvey, whose new book Thoughtlands: Walking in Writer’s Suffolk will be published in April this year.
Submissions for the 2026 Ilse Schwepcke Prize have opened for a second year: since 1 January, publishers have been able to submit books first published between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
In October, two authors will be crowned winners of the prize – one writing in English, and one in German through the sister prize, Der Ilse-Schwepcke-Preis – and will be awarded £5,000 and €6.000 respectively.
The 2025 inaugural prize was won by Ursula Martin for her book, One Woman Walks Europe: From Wales to Ukraine and Back Again (Honno). Shortlisted authors included Viv Groskop (One Ukrainian Summer, Ithaka Press) and Victoria Whitworth (Dust and Pomegranates, Apollo).
On winning last year’s prize, Ursula said:
“To bring a book in from the creative wilderness and have it recognised by women committed to supporting other women is a great honour and wonderful affirmation of all the effort. I hope the Ilse Schwepcke Prize continues to highlight the achievements of many intrepid women in future, both amplifying unheard voices and showing us more of what women are capable of.”
Submissions for the 2026 prize will close on 31 March. A shortlist will be announced in September, and the winner crowned at the Frankfurt Book Fair on 9 October.
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