Vera Ferra Mikura

Vera Ferra-Mikura (1923–1997) was an Austrian writer, poet, and author of children’s and young adult literature. Born Gertrud Ferra in Vienna, she initially worked in her parents’ bird shop, as a messenger in a department store, and later as a shorthand typist and editor. From 1948 onward, she worked as a freelance writer. After initially publishing for adults, she turned to children’s and young adult literature and wrote fantastical stories. Her novel “Die Sackgasse” (1947) was her only novel for adults. She received numerous awards, including the Austrian State Prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature six times, a place on the Hans Christian Andersen Award Honour List in 1966, and the Golden Medal of Honour of the City of Vienna in 1988.