Verfasserinnen

Verfasserinnen is the feminine plural noun for women who write or compose texts; in German, it denotes female authorship and distinguishes it from the masculine form Verfasser. The form is made by adding the feminine ending -innen to the masculine base Verfasser and is commonly used in scholarly, bibliographic, and legal contexts to indicate that the contributors are women.

In contemporary German, gender-inclusive language also offers alternatives such as Verfassende (gender-neutral) or Autorinnen to highlight women authors, with the choice depending on style guides and regional practice. The term remains a clear marker of gender in attribution, particularly in historical or formal texts.

Historically, women authors often published under male pen names or remained anonymous. The explicit use of Verfasserinnen in modern writing serves to acknowledge female authorship and to address biases in attribution. In library catalogs and bibliographies, the designation helps users locate works by women and reflects broader efforts toward inclusive indexing and recognition.

Notable Verfasserinnen in German-language literature include Hildegard von Bingen (medieval writer and mystic), Annette von Droste-Hülshoff (19th-century poet and novelist), and Ingeborg Bachmann (20th-century writer and essayist). The term is descriptive and neutral, serving as a factual label rather than a value judgment, and it is employed when the gender of the author is relevant to the discussion.