 Rifbjerg is also known for having been a journalist and critic.Along with Villy Sørensen, he was editor of the publication "Vindrosen", and from 1984 to 1991 he was the literary director of Gyldendal.Among other honors, he was awarded the Swedish Academy Nordic Prize (1999), known as the 'little Nobel'; The Nordic Council's Literature Prize (1970), the Rungstedlund Award (2009) and the grand prize of the Danish Academy (1966).