August Prize 2026 shortlists announced in Sweden

The shortlists for the 2026 August Prize, one of Sweden’s most prominent literary distinctions, have been announced. Organized by the Swedish Publishers’ Association, the prize features eighteen shortlisted books across three categories: Swedish Fiction, Swedish Nonfiction, and Swedish Children’s and Young Adult literature.

Notable nominations include Sámi author Moa Backe Åstot, whose work ‘Det är om dig jag skriver’ marks her second appearance on the shortlist. Her inclusion highlights the presence of Indigenous perspectives within contemporary Nordic literature. Other fiction nominees include Magnus Dahlström for ‘Vinter’, Inger Edelfeldt for ‘Skönheten’, Maxim Grigoriev for ‘Adrian’, Karolina Ramqvist for ‘Nattsäsong’, Ingela Strandberg for ‘Under sjöarna’, and Klas Östergren for ‘Inkokt ruda’.

The children’s and young adult category also features a collaborative picture book involving creators from Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, reflecting the cross-border nature of modern Nordic creative partnerships.