Viennese Micro-Publisher Luftschacht Makes German Book Prize Longlist

The Viennese independent publisher Luftschacht, founded in 2001 on a whim and under the influence of alcohol, has achieved a remarkable feat by securing a spot on the longlist for the German Book Prize (Deutscher Buchpreis) 2026. The publisher, based in the Malzgasse district of Vienna, is little known to the public but now stands alongside industry giants such as Suhrkamp, Hanser, Random House, and Ullstein. Luftschacht's nomination is for the novel 'Aus anderem Holz' (Made of Different Wood), which has been selected among the 20 nominees. Notably, the longlist features 13 female authors, a trend that commentators have found remarkable. The German Book Prize is considered the most popular and sales-boosting literary award in Germany, making this nomination a potential sensation for the small publisher. The article, published by the Freitag, explores how a micro-publisher like Luftschacht managed to compete with the major houses. The longlist announcement has generated buzz, and the final winner will be revealed at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2026.