Support for Creative Small Publishers

The publishers “kunstanstifter” from Mannheim, “Merve” from Leipzig, and “Voland & Quist” from Berlin were awarded the 2026 German Publishing Prize at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Each will receive 50,000 euros.

“mairisch Verlag” received the new Innovation Award, while the Sustainability Award went to the publisher “Shift Books.” Both awards come with a prize of 24,000 euros each. An additional 79 publishers were awarded a seal of quality, each accompanied by a prize of 18,000 euros. A total of 1.62 million euros was awarded.

Selection Process Changed

Independent publishers ensure “that our public discourse remains diverse, open, and alert,” said State Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer, according to the press release. “Without their joy in making new discoveries, our culture of discourse would be poorer. And that is precisely what democracy needs: the competition of ideas, the exchange of arguments, and the engagement with new concepts.” 

Following the controversy over the Bookstore Award in the spring—three bookstores initially selected were removed from the list due to “findings relevant to the protection of the constitution”—Weimer had changed the selection process for the Publishing Award: it is now based on recommendations from a jury. In the event of any disputes, the jury—as well as Weimer himself—can turn to a new advisory committee of experts.