German Publishing Prize selection process changed after bookstore controversy

Following controversy surrounding the German Bookstore Prize, Germany's Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimer, has revised the selection procedure for the German Publishing Prize. The ministry announced that Weimer himself will now make the final selection of award recipients based on recommendations from a jury.

Experts from the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (German Publishers and Booksellers Association) and the Kurt Wolff Foundation will advise on the process. A ministry statement described the enhanced procedure as serving "transparent and careful evaluation of potential issues in the selection process and strengthens the responsible exchange of the participating partners."

The awards ceremony is scheduled for October 9 at the Frankfurt Book Fair. In the spring, Weimer controversially removed three bookstores selected by a jury for the Bookstore Prize, citing "constitutional protection-relevant findings." The specific reasons for these accusations were not publicly disclosed, and the decision drew criticism, as did the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's review of the nominees.

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The further developed procedure serves a transparent and careful evaluation of potential issues in the selection process and strengthens the responsible exchange of the participating partners.

The German Publishing Prize honors small, independent publishing houses with distinctive programs. Three outstanding publishers will receive a "seal of quality" award of 50,000 euros each. Up to 79 other publishers can receive prizes of 18,000 euros each. Additionally, a sustainability prize and an innovation prize, each worth 24,000 euros, are available. In total, millions of euros are allocated for prize money.

The tender specifies that publishers are ineligible if their program includes books that are "endangering to young people, glorify violence, are unconstitutional (especially antisemitic, racist, or otherwise group-based misanthropic), or contain criminal content." According to a spokesperson for Weimer, it would be "in an absolute exceptional case" conceivable to have nominees vetted by the domestic intelligence agency, as was done previously. However, the goal with the new advisory body is to resolve potential disputes or doubts during the selection process itself.

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It would be conceivable in an absolute exceptional case to have nominees vetted by the Verfassungsschutz.