A huge congratulations to Ursula, and to our shortlisted authors.

ONE WOMAN WALKS EUROPE is Ursula’s 5,500 mile trek across Europe – a raw and inspiring journey of wild camping, resilience, and self-discovery. Battling fear and isolation she finds strength in solitude, connection in nature, and a deeper understanding of home and belonging.

Ursula will be awarded tonight at the @buchmesse.de along side the winner of the German prize, Der Ilse Schwepcke Preis, Millay Hyatt.

Arabella Friesen said: ‘A long look over her shoulder at her younger self in the early post-Soviet years: Groskop’s voice is wonderfully wry and funny, her memoir of her student days in Russia and Ukraine fresh and zestful...’

Read more about the 2025 shortlist in our bio.

Helena Attlee said: ‘Funny, compelling and clever, this beautifully written book found its way onto the shortlist for capturing the atmosphere and practical realities of everyday life in the ex-Soviet Union just after the fall of the Berlin Wall...’

Stephanie Yeboah said: ‘...The author takes readers on a journey not just across landscapes but into the heart of perseverance and self-discovery, with warmth and honesty shining through every page.’

Read more about the 2025 shortlist through the link in our bio.

Arabella Friesen said: ‘Martin’s five and a half thousand mile walk across Europe is a feat by any measure: for sheer guts, determination, courage both physical and mental, dauntlessness and good humour. She is a marvel … The world seems wider after reading this book.’

Stephanie Yeboah said: ‘This is a beautifully written memoir that captures the magic of place and the power of transformation…’

Read more about the 2025 shortlist through the link in our bio.

Helena Attlee said: ‘The beautifully told story of a long, slow relationship with Greece and its culture. We shortlisted it for its vivid evocation of travelling as a young woman abroad, with all the excitement and technicolour observations of everyday life in Greece…’

The winner will be announced on 17 October and awarded at @buchmesse.de. If you’re at the fair, please join us in celebrating the winners at the Reading Island for Independent Publishers in Hall 3.1 (C105).

Our jurors said:

‘…Taken together, the books had much to teach us about courage, resilience and determination. They captured the many and varied creative responses of women to the world. … It was a struggle to draw up a shortlist from this rich mix.’

📖 ANIMA by Kapka Kassabova @vintagebooks.bsky.social
📖 ONE UKRAINIAN SUMMER by Viv Groskop @ithakapress.bsky.social
📖 DUST AND POMEGRANATES by Victoria Whitworth @headofzeus.bsky.social
📖 ONE WOMANS WALKS EUROPE by @onewomanwalks.bsky.social @honnopress.bsky.social