fwd works with a carefully curated longlist featuring the best new books by emerging European authors, published after 2023. The books are selected by a network of leading literary critics, translators, publishers and other literary professionals from participating countries.
1. Longlist
The longlist is a catalogue of European books with strong international publishing potential, available for translation and publication in other countries.
2. Book presentations
Books from the longlist will be presented by fwd translators during public presentations in participating countries. Publishers will have the opportunity to discover some of Europe’s most promising new literary voices and their work.
3. Applications
From September 2026 to March 2027, publishers will be able to apply for an fwd Kickstarting Grant after acquiring translation rights to one or more books from the longlist presented to them by the platform’s translators. The grant supports the initial stages of translation and preparation for publication.
4. Shortlist
Books whose translation rights are acquired by publishers in several participating countries will automatically be included in the shortlist. It will be published in June 2027. The shortlist will bring together books with the strongest international publishing potential across Europe.
5. Promotion
Publishers of shortlisted books will be able to apply for an fwd Promotion Grant, which supports the international promotion and visibility of translated editions.
The support includes marketing campaigns, author participation in readings and interviews at literary festivals, book tours to fwd partner bookstores, promotional materials, and communication with readers across Europe.
6. Presentation
The shortlist and international editions of the selected books will be presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2028.