PREVIOUS WINNERS

'The prize provides the perfect introduction to the publishing world and all the support a first-time literary translator could ask for. I’m so, so grateful to Martha Stevns for her vision (and, of course, for the unforgettable retreat in the Pyrenees), to the Dutch Foundation for Literature and the ELV for co-funding the prize and to the amazing Michele Hutchison for her indispensable and much-appreciated support and encouragement throughout. After all the demoralising, creativity-sapping changes to the commercial translation field in recent years, working on Eva Meijer’s text helped me fall back in love with translating.'

– Anne Thompson Melo, winner of the 2024 Peirene Stevns Translation Prize

‘Thank you so much to Martha Stevns and Peirene Press for such a wonderful prize. At every stage of the process, I’ve been in my element: immersing myself in the novel, working with my brilliant mentor, Jamie Bulloch, exploring alternatives with Yael Inokai directly, and going through the nitty gritty with Peirene’s editors. I even got to exchange ideas with translators working on the text in different target languages. I felt fully supported, and learned as much about preparing a text for publication as about the creative process of translation.’

– Marielle Sutherland, winner of the 2023 Peirene Stevns Translation Prize

‘Winning the Peirene Stevns Translation Prize has been a truly wonderful experience – from an unforgettable stay at Martha Stevn’s beautiful home in the Pyrenees, to the chance to spend months immersed in the genius of the late Victor Heringer and his remarkable novel, and of course the privilege of learning from a translator as brilliant as Sophie Lewis. The prize is an incredible and unique opportunity for anyone hoping to develop a career as a literary translator.’

– James Young, winner of the 2022 Peirene Stevns Translation Prize

‘Since winning the prize I have been on an amazing journey: from first drafts, to corresponding with Manuel Astur, to crafting the text – all under Sophie Hughes’ expert guidance – to seeing the editor at work. I’m looking forward immensely to the next stage and am so grateful to Peirene Press and Martha Stevns.’

– Claire Wadie, winner of the 2021 Peirene Stevns Translation Prize

'Translating the iconic Swedish landscape of Andrea Lundgren’s Nordic Fauna was a delightful challenge. The experience was made possible by Martha Stevns’s insight and generosity in founding the Peirene Stevns Translation Prize, which provides aspiring translators the opportunity to do meaningful and fascinating work, learn from the best and find a path forward. I’m deeply grateful to her, my mentor Sarah Death and Peirene Press for the close and effective working relationship we enjoyed throughout the process.’

– John Litell, winner of the 2020 Peirene Stevns Translation Prize

‘I worked on a story of bitter Alpine harshness [Snow, Dog, Foot] from the comfort of an idyllic mill in the Pyrenees, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Martha Stevns. In creating the Peirene Stevns Translation Prize, she and Peirene Press have provided an unparalleled opportunity for young translators to see their work in print. I am incredibly grateful to them and I look forward to reading many more translations by future prizewinners!’

– J Ockenden, winner of the 2019 Peirene Stevns Translation Prize