(b.1946) is the highly acclaimed and award-winning author of 40 books for both adults and children. Her novels have earned great praise both in Iceland and abroad, including The Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize for high quality innovative works by women, which she received for the novel By Herself. The book was also nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize. Steinsdottir has received the highest order of the Republic of Iceland, the Order of the Falcon, for her contribution to Icelandic literature.

“The realistic and human account of a person at the crossroads who must re-evaluate her life in her final years, which become a new beginning.”
DV (On Don’t Be Mad)

AWARDS

2013 – The Knight’s Cross of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon, for contributions to Icelandic literature
2009 – Tower of Babel Honour Diploma (IBBY Estonia): Kodulinna ingel (Engill í vesturbænum in Estonian)
2008 – Sögusteinn, IBBY Iceland’s Children’s Literature Prize: For her writings for children
2007 – The Icelandic Broadcasting Service Writer’s Fund
2007 – Peter Pan’s Silver Star (IBBY Sweden award): Ängeln i trapphuset (Engill í vesturbænum in Swedish)
2007 – Fjöruverðlaunin. Women’s Literature Prize: Á eigin vegum (By Herself)
2004 – The West-Nordic Council’s Children’s Literature Prize: Engill í vestubænum (An Angel in the Neighbourhood)
2003 – The Nordic Children’s Book Prize: Engill í vesturbænum (An Angel in the Neighbourhood)
2003 – IBBY Iceland Award: Engill í vesturbænum (An Angel in the Neighbourhood)
2003 – Reykjavík Educational Prize: Engill í vesturbænum (An Angel in the Neighbourhood)
1999 – Allocation from the Writers’ Library Fund
1992 – IBBY Iceland Award: Fjólubláir dagar (Violet Days)
1998 – Akranes’ Town Artist
1986 – The Icelandic Broadcasting Service Playwright Prize: 19. júní (June 19th) (With Iðunn Steinsdóttir)
1989 – Third Prize in The Reykjavík City Theatre Playwright competition: Randaflugur (Bees) (With Iðunn Steinsdóttir)
1989 – Second Prize in The Reykjavík City Theatre Playwright competition: Mánablóm (Moonflower) (With Iðunn Steinsdóttir)
1987 – The Icelandic Children’s Book Prize: Franskbrauð með sultu (Jam on White)

NOMINATIONS

2008 – The Nordic Council’s Literature Prize: Á eigin vegum (By Herself)
1998 – Janus Korzack of Polland Literature Prize: Vestur í bláinn (Into a New World)