We celebrated the Society of Authors’ annual Translation Prizes on Tuesday 10 February, hosted in the British Library’s Knowledge Centre. Nine literary translators and one editor were named winners at the event, and more than £32,000 in prize money was shared between the winners and runners-up.  

The evening was hosted by Fiona Sze-Lorrain and this year saw the inaugural presentation of the John Calder Translation Prize, for translations of full-length literary works from any language. It was won by Alexandra Roesch, for a translation from German of Boy With a Black Rooster by Stefanie vor Schulte. Roesch’s translation of the novel was also runner-up for the Schlegel-Tieck Prize. 

The full list of winners was announced yesterday evening and we shared the shortlisted translators and editors in December.  

All the winning and runner-up books from the 2025 Translation Prizes are available to purchase via Bookshop.org. The shortlisted titles and books by the judges are also available to purchase here. A percentage of all book sales will be donated to the SoA Access Fund.   

Thanks once again to everyone who joined us on the night, in person and online, and made it such a joyful event: 

‘A very important event in the world of translated and literary publishing, beautifully organised, also presented with great charm. Very enjoyable and rewarding.’ 

‘Recognition of translators, great flow and author remarks were inspiring.’ 

‘Focused and interesting. Loved the readings in both original language and translation.’ 

Thanks to event sponsors Hawthornden Foundation and Amazon Literary Partnerships, and to all the sponsors and partners for our Translation Prizes.  

Catch up on the event recording

See the photos

Read the booklet for more information on the winners and runners-up

2025 Translation Prizes booklet

11 February 2026 1.80 MB

Catch up on our John Calder Week event recordings