Merete Pryds Helle (born 1965 in Charlottenlund) is a Danish author who made her debut in 1990 with the short story collection 'Imod en anden ro', written during her studies at the Danish Writers' School. Her breakthrough novel 'Fiske i livets flod' (2000) established her reputation, and the family saga 'Folkets skønhed' (2016) brought her a wide readership, winning both Politiken's Literary Prize and the Golden Laurels. Her output ranges from pioneering digital fiction - including Denmark's first SMS novel - to historical and archaeologically inspired prose, and since January 2024 she has also chaired the Danish Arts Foundation.
Merete Pryds Helle published in March 2025 the book 'The New Women - Love and Queers 1870-1920' together with historian Rikke Andreassen at Politikens Forlag.
'The Great Opening' (2024) was nominated for the DR Novel Prize 2025 as one of six selected novels, with voting among the country's reading clubs until May 2025.
The novel 'The Great Opening' was published on 14 November 2024 by Lindhardt and Ringhof and received positive reviews for its blend of science, archaeology and contemporary realism.
Merete Pryds Helle took office in January 2024 as chairman of the board of the Danish Arts Foundation.
