The Stevns Translation Prize is an annual award for literary translation, established in 2018 with the generous endowment of Martha Stevns. Initially known as the Peirene Stevns Prize, it is administered by Peirene Press (UK) and Two Lines Press (USA). The prize is specifically designed to support emerging translators; it is open to anyone over 18 years of age who has not yet published a full work of fiction in translation.
Unlike many other translation awards, the Stevns Prize is unique because each year a different source language and book is selected. Entrants are invited to translate an extract from the chosen work. The winner receives a commission to translate the entire book for publication, a mentorship from an experienced literary translator, and a translation retreat in the French Pyrenees. The prize is named after Martha Stevns, who created the endowment with the aim of helping to break down linguistic barriers.
Martha Stevns Martha Stevns worked as an editor at the Swiss art magazine Du, and ran her own contemporary art gallery in the UK. She moved to the UK in 1985. She is a member of the Society of Analytical Psychology and in private practice in Cambridge.Karnak Books https://www.karnacbooks.com/Author.asp?AID=19465 Retrieved 2 Feb 2025 Her late husband Neils Stevns founded The Australian/Vogel Literary Award with Unwin Australia. He created the endowment for the Australian award with the goal of encouraging young Australian writers to enter the competition with an unpublished manuscript.
About the prize Each year a different language and book is selected. Entrants are invited to translate an extract from the chosen work. The winner receives a commission to translate the entire book for publication, receives mentorship from an experienced translator, and spends up to six weeks at a translation retreat in the French Cévennes.
Winners
Year Winner Language Author Book Mentor 2019 J. Ockenden Italian Claudio Morandini Neve, Cane, Piede Jenny Higgins 2020Peirene Press Stevns Translation Prize https://www.peirenepress.com/translationprize/peirene-stevns/ Retrieved 2025-01-31https://www.bookbrunch.co.uk/page/free-article/pereine-stevns-translation-prize-2021/Trip Fiction https://www.tripfiction.com/books/nordic-fauna/ Retrieved 1 Feb 2025 John Litell Swedish Andrea Lundgren Nordic Fauna Sarah Death 2021Peirene Stevns Prize https://www.peirenepress.com/translationprize/peirene-stevns/ Retrieved 30 Jan 2025 Claire Wadie Spanish Manuel Astur San, el libro de los milagros Sophie Hughes 2022Peirene Stevns Prize https://www.peirenepress.com/translationprize/peirene-stevns/ Retrieved 30 Jan 2025 James Young Portuguese (Brazil) Victor Heringer O amor dos homens avulsos Sophie Lewis 2023Peirene Stevns Prize https://www.peirenepress.com/translationprize/peirene-stevns/ Retrieved 30 Jan 2025 Marielle Sutherland German (Swiss) Yael Inokai Ein simpler Eingriff Jamie Bulloch 2024Anne Thompson Melo wins Peirene Stevns Translation Prize 2024, Nederlands letterenfonds, 10 April 2024. https://www.letterenfonds.nl/en/whats-happening/anne-thompson-melo-wins-peirene-stevns-translation-prize-2024 Retrieved 30 Jan 2025 Anne Thompson Melo Dutch Eva Meijer Zee Nu Michele Hutchison 2025Porter Anderson, "A UK-US Translation Prize Opens the 2025 Offer: The Stevns", Publishing Perspectives, 30 Jan 2025. Retrieved 30 Jan 2025 Dina Leifer French Anne Pauly Avant que j’oublie Adriana Hunter 2026Peirene Press-Congratulations to the winner of the Stevns Translation Prize 2026: Ally Le, "https://www.stevnstranslationprize.com/2026-prize, 4 Mar 2026. Retrieved 4 Mar 2026Ally Le Vietnamese Maik Cây Bảo Tàng Lông [Museum of Hair] Nguyễn An Lý References