Launch of The Ilse Schwepcke Prize at the Frankfurt Book Fair
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Ilse Schwepcke Prize, an exciting new annual award dedicated to celebrating outstanding travel writing by women.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Ilse Schwepcke Prize, an exciting new annual award dedicated to celebrating outstanding travel writing by women. This prestigious prize, unveiled at the Frankfurt Book Fair on October 17, honours the best travel book of the year written in English by a woman, awarding £5,000 to the winning author. The first recipient will be announced at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, selected by a distinguished panel of judges including acclaimed travel writer Helena Attlee, John Sandoe Books bookseller Arabella Friesen, and travel writer and blogger Stephanie Yeboah.
The prize was founded by Barbara Schwepcke, along with her uncle Karl-Burkhard Haus, in memory of Barbara’s mother, Ilse Schwepcke. A devoted supporter of travel writing, feminist, and founding editor of the Armchair Traveller series at Haus Publishing, Ilse’s legacy is deeply embedded in a passion for exploring the world through words. Barbara Schwepcke explains, “My mother was passionate about great travel writing and great writing by women. These prizes in her name will celebrate the adventurousness and literary skill of women at a time when women’s rights are under attack in many places around the world.”
Complementing the English-language prize, the Ilse Schwepcke Prize will also include a German counterpart, Der Ilse-Schwepcke-Preis, to be awarded for the best travel book written by a woman in German. Both prizes reflect Ilse Schwepcke’s spirit and commitment to amplifying women’s voices in travel literature, making this initiative the most generous prize dedicated to female travel writers globally.
At a time when women’s stories, perspectives, and rights are more important than ever, the Ilse Schwepcke Prize serves as a platform for women to share their journeys, insights, and experiences with a wide audience. We look forward to recognizing the remarkable talent of women who capture the world through their eyes, fostering a stronger appreciation of women’s contributions to travel literature and their right to adventure across borders.