Women's Prize for Fiction 2025: Complete list of winners

The 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction has crowned The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden as its winner, marking another year of celebrating exceptional literary achievement by women writers. Van der Wouden’s novel joins a prestigious legacy of Women’s Prize winners—a recognition that carries real weight in the publishing world and often serves as a springboard for international readership. The Dutch author’s win highlights the prize’s continued commitment to championing diverse voices and stories that might otherwise be overshadowed in a crowded literary marketplace.

Van der Wouden’s victory with The Safekeep speaks to the novel’s compelling narrative and the judges’ recognition of her distinctive voice. The Women’s Prize for Fiction, established in 1996, remains one of the most prestigious awards exclusively for female authors, and each year’s selection sparks important conversations about what contemporary fiction is achieving. This year’s choice underscores the breadth of stories being told and published globally—from intimate character studies to expansive explorations of memory, identity, and human connection.

Below, you’ll find full details about the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction award and its winner.

Fiction

• The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden