The Peirene Stevns Translation Prize 2023 is now open. This year the prize is aimed at emerging translators from German to English. Entrants are invited to translate a sample from Ein simpler Eingriff by Swiss writer Yael Inokai (Carl Hanser Verlag, 2022) – a haunting novel following a young nurse working in a psychiatric unit as she loses her faith in the medical establishment. The prize winner receives a £3850 commission to translate Ein simpler Eingriff (to be published by Peirene Press in 2024), a translation retreat in an 18th century mill house in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, and a translation mentorship with acclaimed literary translator Jamie Bulloch.
Established in 2018 with the generous support of Martha Stevns to provide opportunities for emerging translators, the prize is open to any translator over the age of 18 who has not yet published a full length literary translation. For full entry instructions, prize details and eligibility guidelines click here. Please address any queries to submissions@peirenepress.com.
The Prize
The Mentorship: This year’s winner will work with Jamie Bulloch, an acclaimed translator of German literature. Jamie will offer the winner feedback and advice and work with them on all aspects of the translation process.
The Retreat: An 18th century mill house in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. The house comfortably sleeps 5/6 and comes fully equipped, including a large garden with a natural swimming pond. The closest village is a 10 minute walk from the retreat. Stay at the retreat is free and covered by the Peirene Stevns Translation Prize; expenses and travel during the retreat are not covered.
The Book: Ein simpler Eingriff is the third novel by Swiss writer Yael Inokai. It follows Meret, a nurse in a psychiatric clinic. The hospital is her home, and she wears her uniform with pride, until one day a new type of intervention is developed that is intended to free patients, particularly women, from mental illness. The side-effects are painful, but then the healing begins. Meret believes in the new procedure, until she falls in love with a fellow nurse, and begins to doubt her previously held convictions and to lose her faith in the power of medicine.