Ida Jessen

Ida Jessen, Danish author. Born 1964 in Sønderjylland. She holds an M.A. in History of Literature and Communication from Århus University 1990. Ida Jessen made her literary debut in 1989 with the collection of short stories Under sten (Under Stones) and has since then written a number of novels and short stories for both children and adults. Since 1995 she has lived on Sealand. Jessen has translated a number of novels also for young adults from Norwegian and English to Danish, amongst others novels by Lars Saabye Christensen and Karin Fossum.Ida Jessen has been awarded a long list of prizes and awards for her work: The Danish Art Foundation (several times), The Danish Arts Council (several times), Gyldendal’s Book Grant, The Egholt Prize, The Albert Dam Grant, The Holger Drachmann Grant, The Jytte Borberg Prize and BG Bank’s Literature Prize to name but a few. In April 2009 Ida Jessen was awarded the prestigeous Søren Gyldendal-Prize. Since 1958, on Søren Gyldendal’s birthday the 12th of April, the Prize has been awarded an author with a strong and distinctive work of creation. In the justification is said: Through gentle descriptions of atmosphere and conflicts and with a firm grip on the Danish language Ida Jessen shows great insight in modern individuals.

Along with the honour Ida Jessen receives 200.000 Dkr.In January 2010 Ida Jessen was awarded The Golden Laurels 2009 for her latest novel, Børnene (the Children). This is the biggest and most significant prize awarded by the Danish booksellers which also has an important impact on the Danish market. Ida Jessen was nominated for the Prize of the Nordic Council 2010 for Børnene.Ida Jessen's novels have been sold to a long list of publishers world-wide.