German Book Prize 2026: Six novels in the final selection

Who will receive the German Book Prize 2026? The winner will be announced on Monday evening in Frankfurt.

These novels are in the final selection:

Shida Bazyar: “The Gaps” (Kiepenheuer & Witsch, September 2026)

Franziska Gänsler: “Orca” (No Buts, August 2026)

Valeria Gordeev: “The cicada escapes from its shiny gold shell” (S. Fischer, August 2026)

Elias Hirschl: “Grinding” (Paul Zsolnay, January 2026)

Peggy Mädler: “Self-regulation of the heart” (Galiani Berlin, February 2026)

Dana Vowinckel: “Anton and Alma” (Suhrkamp, September 2026)

In total, the jury viewed 205 titles that were published between autumn 2025 and the beginning of September 2026. Initially, 20 books were selected for the longlist, which was then shortened to the six-title shortlist.

The award is worth a total of 37,500 euros

The German Book Prize is considered one of the most important awards in the industry and is traditionally awarded on the day before the opening of the Frankfurt Book Fair. The event in Frankfurter Römer starts at 6 p.m.

The book prize is endowed with a total of 37,500 euros: the winner receives 25,000 euros, the other authors on the shortlist each receive 2,500 euros. Last year, Dorothee Elmiger won with her novel “The Dutch Women”.