Best Crime Novel

Congratulations, Ragnar! THE HIDDEN ICELAND trilogy has just been awarded this year’s Palle Rosenkrantz Prize for Best Translated Crime Novel by The Danish Crime Academ. The jury applauds the series as "a virtuoso work". Meanwhile the new, German edition of Jónasson’s SNOWBLIND has landed straight on Spiegel’s bestseller list for mass-market paperbacks! Rights to Jónasson’s works are sold to more than 30 territories.

EU Prize nomination

Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s latest novel YOUR ABSENCE IS DARKNESS has been published in Dutch by Ambo Anthos! And the first review is in: “[A] fascinating and profound book that captivates with its complex questions about love, life, and death, and is composed in a poetic and comical way. Stefánsson remains unsurpassed in writing about death and oblivion.” - Trouw Meanwhile his acclaimed novel THE CRACKLE OF THE STARS has been longlisted for the 2022 European Literature Prize. Congratulations, Jon!

New edition

Beautiful new edition of Geir Gulliksen’s poetry collection VOKSNE DIKT, published by Ellerströms förlag in Sweden, with a foreword by Alexandra Borg. Geir Gulliksen's international breakthrough came with “Story of a Marriage”, nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize and the Norwegian Critics' Prize. The 2021 essay collection “If I Were a Man” about gender and love is his latest publication. His works are published in 17 territories.

Swedish sale

Solvej Balle’s ON CALCULATION OF VOLUME (Pelagraf) has been acquired by Wahlström & Widstrand/ Bonnier in Sweden! Rights are also sold to Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Serbia and Macedonia. Congratulations, Solvej! Recently nominated for the 2022 Nordic Council Award: “Solvej Balle delivers a timely masterpiece in the genre of speculative fiction”! Also nominated for the Montana Literature Prize and Weekendavisen’s Literature Prize.

UK & US rights

WHAT KINGDOM by Fine Gråbøl, awarded the Debut Prize in Denmark, has been acquired for joint publication by Archipelago Books in the US and Lolli Editions in the UK! ”A raw and intimate portrayal of mental illness, What Kingdom tells the story of a young adults’ psychiatric ward, a temporary accommodation between the outside world and the threat of hospitalisation... We cannot wait to introduce Fine Gråbøl's tender and insurgent novel to English-speaking readers." Tom Conaghan, Lolli Editions

Happy publication!

SCHNEEBLIND, the first volume in Ragnar Jónasson's DARK ICELAND series, publishes today in Germany with a first print run of 20.000 copies! And German readers can look forward to the rest of the series, which will be published over the course of this next year concluding with the 6th and final volume in 2023. The series has been sold to more than 30 territories and over 3 million copies worldwide.

Bergman to Sweden

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DAY by Emeli Bergman has been acquired by Albert Bonniers Förlag in Sweden! German rights have been pre-empted by Ecco Verlag. Written with quiet nerve and brilliant precision, The Other Side of the Day is a poetic and critical working-class novel by debut author Emeli Bergman, and is currently nominated for the Montana Literature Prize and Politiken’s Literature Prize. Photo by Lærke Posselt

LOOK to Germany

The brilliant and genre-defying LOOK by Luka Holmegaard has been acquired by Weissbooks Verlag in Germany! LOOK, nominated for Politikens Literature Prize last year, is a hybrid work - part essay, part diary, part manifesto. An analysis of clothes, about reading and being read, and stepping out of the gender binary. “Holmegaard [is] making us aware of the presence of clothing everywhere, turning it into a prism for urgent existential, ethical, aesthetic and political questions.” ♥♥♥♥♥ Politiken

"Hauntingly lyrical"

Brilliant write-up of THE BORDER: A JOURNEY AROUND RUSSIA by Erika Fatland in The Wall Street Journal: "[T]he book is a hauntingly lyrical meditation to the contingencies of history, the sheer arbitrariness of dividing lines and border posts, of namesakes forgotten and remembered, of successful and unsuccessful wars." THE BORDER was shortlisted for The Standford Dolman Travel Book of the Year and Fatland’s book HIGH is nominated to PREMIO TERZANO 2022. Fatland is published in 26 countries.

Sold at auction

Thomas Korsgaard’s award winning trilogy about Tue has been sold at auction to Bonnier Forlag in Norway! The first volume will be published in Sweden by Weyler förlag this April while Korsgaard’s short story collection THIEVERIES is forthcoming in Bulgaria, Serbia and Macedonia. All three volumes remain on the Danish bestseller lists, having captivated readers, and critics alike: “Absolutely one of Denmark’s most remarkable and convincing literary talents.” - ★★★★★ Berlingske

Nordic Nominations

ADAM IN PARADISE by Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild and ON CALCULATION OF VOLUME I, II, III by Solvej Balle are nominated for the 2022 Nordic Council Literature Prize! ”ON CALCULATION OF VOLUME is Solvej Balle’s major comeback." "ADAM IN PARADISE combines clear thinking with the sensually saturated." Rights for ADAM IN PARADISE are sold to Germany and Hungary. ON CALCULATION OF VOLUME is sold to Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Macedonia and Serbia. Congratulations to all the nominees!

Jónasson out in Italy

THE DARKNESS, 1st volume in Ragnar Jónasson’s award winning HIDDEN ICELAND series is published tomorrow in Italy by Marsilio! Italian readers will also be able get their hands on WINTERKILL, the 6th and final volume of Jónasson’s best-selling DARK ICELAND series, which has now been published in its entirety in paperback. “Deeply compelling” – La Repubblica “Jónasson has breathed new life into Nordic noir” – Sunday Express Rights are sold to 36 territories.

No. 1 Best-seller

More than a week from publication, THE MIST by Ragnar Jónasson is still the number one best selling crime novel in France! DIX ÂMES, PAS PLUS, Jónassons most recent novel published in french, also holds a spot on the list. “The Mist is an incredibly accomplished thriller, containing most things which any thriller fan would seek - above all the excitement which is so rare in thrillers nowadays.” MMMM DV, Iceland Rights to THE MIST are sold to eleven territories.

"Deeply moving"

RESIN by Ane Riel is now sold to 31 countries! And CLOCKWORK, which is sold to Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, has been published in Dutch by Prometheus towonderful reviews: "Clockwork is a remarkable story about the transience of a human life, time, friendship, relationships, willpower and love." 4.5/5 stars, Vrouwenthrillers.nl "Riel masters the literary wheel like a Swiss watchmaker…CLOCKWORK is a deeply moving novel about an unlikely friendship." 4/5 stars, Knack

Thorup out in Spain

RECOLLECTION OF LOVE by Kirsten Thorup has been published in Spain by Errata Naturae! Spanish readers can also look forward to the publication of Thorup’s brilliant WWII novel UNTIL MADNESS, UNTIL DEATH, which is forthcoming from Sexto Piso. Awarded the 2017 Nordic Council Literature Prize, “Recollection of Love is a very dark and wise novel. It trawls great depths ... reaching parts only literature ever truly grasps.” RECOLLECTION OF LOVE is sold to Spain, Norway and Serbia.

The Golden Laurels

YOU PROBABLY HAD TO BE THERE by Thomas Korsgaard, the concluding volume of his autobiographical trilogy, has won this year’s prestigious Golden Laurels! The first volume will be published in Sweden by Weyler förlag this Spring and film/TV rights are optioned by Nordisk Film! “Korsgaard lends a voice to those who are seldom heard in literature. Children and young adults growing up in dysfunctional families, who don’t fit in. It’s funny in a subtle way, and it's meaningful," writes the jury.

Critic's Choice

Emeli Bergman's debut novel UNDER THE DAY has been nominated for the Critic’s Choice Award! What’s more, German rights have just been pre-empted by Ecco Verlag, a literary imprint under Harper Collins Germany. UNDER THE DAY, published by Gutkind in Denmark, is also nominated to Politiken’s Literary Award as well as the Montana Literary Prize. “An exquisite, melancholic and critical working-class novel ... Brilliant precisely because it defies the expectations of the reader.” ♥♥♥♥♥ Politiken

Dublin nomination

OCTOBER CHILD by Linda Boström Knausgård has been longlisted for the prestigious Dublin Literary Award! OCTOBER CHILD is published in the UK/US by World Editions and translated by Saskia Vogel. Rights are sold to Brazil, Spain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Romania and Turkey. A deeply personal and raw testimony of how writing can preserve and heal.

Montana nominees

Congratulations to Josefine Klougart, Solvej Balle, Emeli Bergman and Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild who are among the eight nominees for the Montana Literature Prize 2021! Rights for Klougart's ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS have been sold to Sweden, Germany, Holland and Bulgaria. Solvej Balle's ON CALCULATION OF VOLUME has been sold to Germany, Norway, The Netherlands and Serbia. ADAM IN PARADISE has been sold to Germany and Hungary, while Germany have made an offer on Emeli Bergman.

WA Prize Winner!

Congratulations to Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild who has just been awarded Weekend-avisen’s Literature Prize for ADAM IN PARADISE (L&R)! Critically acclaimed and currently in its 5th print run, the ingenious historical novel is nominated for the Montana Literature Prize as well as Politiken’s Literature Prize! Rights are sold to Germany and Hungary. Linea Maja Ernst writes: “Enchanted. Brilliant and precise, yet so dreamily abundant." (Weekendavisen) Photo credit: Sofie Amalie Klougart

#1 Bestseller

Éditions de La Martinière’s edition of Ragnar Jónasson’s THE GIRL WHO DIED is currently the nr. 1 best-selling crime novel in France! After her father's sudden, tragic suicide, Una spends her nights drinking alone in Reykjavik, stricken with thoughts that she might one day follow in his footsteps. "An unusual novel with fantastic overtones." (Le Point) "A moving and surprising thriller, at the end of the end of the world." (Les Echos) "A safe bet!" (France Bleu)

Film rights sold

Film rights to Lotte Kaa Andersen’s brilliant novel about Inge Lehman, who discovered Earth’s inner core, have been acquired by SF Studios. INGE is the first novel about the the world’s first female seismologist Inge Lehmann who put forward the revolutionary theory that the Earth has a solid inner core. “Inge Lehmann’s story is interesting in so many ways. A film will grant her the attention and praise she so deserves. I can’t wait!” says the author, Lotte Kaa Andersen.

"Time bomb novel"

First review is in for the Dutch edition of Ane Riel's CLOCKWORK! “An old woman, a clock and a cheerful little boy next door: Danish author Ane Riel needs nothing more to write a time bomb of a novel… An oppressive setting, a mysterious past, crucial cliffhangers, and subtle plot twists: Riel masters the literary wheel like a Swiss watchmaker… Above all, CLOCKWORK is a deeply moving novel about an unlikely friendship that transcends generations and time.” Knack, 4/5 stars (Prometheus).

Film rights sold

Sigriður Hagalín Björnsdóttir’s thrilling and prophetic “The Fires: Love and Other Disasters” is to appear on the big screen as film rights have been acquired by Netop Film. Rights to the bestselling novel are sold to France, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Israel, Poland, Russia and the USA. ”An exceptionally well-written and addictive story." Fréttablaðið Photo credit: Sigurjón Ragnar.

Happy publication!

Jenny Lund Madsen's page-turning THIRTY DAYS OF DARKNESS has been published by Ambo Anthos in the Netherlands. A Nordic noir with a twist featuring the anti-heroine Hannah, a disgruntled literary auteur turned unwilling crime writer. Awarded the Harald Mogensen Prize for Best Danish Crime Novel and shortlisted for the Nordic Glass Key Award. Rights are sold to France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, Bulgaria, Russia and the UK. And the TV series is currently in development.

New territories

The first two volumes of Solvej Balle’s speculative septology ON CALCULATION OF VOLUME have been acquired by Forlaget Press in Norway, Uitgeverij Oevers in the Netherlands, Matthes und Seitz in Germany and Presing in Serbia! Volumes I and II were nominated for the Montana Literature Prize 2020 and volume III, which was published earlier in 2021, is currently nominated for Weekendavisen’s Literary Prize. © Photo: Sarah Hartvigsen Juncker/Information

France Inter Award

Le Prix du livre étranger 2022 France Inter / Le Point has been awarded to Jón Kalman Stefánsson for his latest novel YOUR ABSENCE IS DARKNESS (Ton absence n’est que ténèbres), which is currently nr. 5 on the bestseller list in France! And the critics agree: ”An extraordinary puzzle of a novel” (La Grande Librairie), “A magnificent and vibrant novel, admirably translated” (France Inter).

Three nominations

We are happy to announce that Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild’s ADAM IN PARADISE, Emeli Bergman’s THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DAY and Josefine Klougart’s ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS are nominated for the 2021 Politiken Literary Prize! Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild’s writing is ”charged with eroticism, longing, ingenuity and sympathy." Bergman’s novel is ”a poetic yet powerful statement of solidarity for the people with whom we leave our children." And "No one writes with such precise a poetic language as (Klougart)".

#5 BESTSELLER

YOUR ABSENCE IS DARKNESS by Jón Kalman Stefánsson has just been published in France by Grasset to great acclaim and has landed straight on the French bestseller list at 5th place. Upon publication of the French translation, critics wrote: “Incontestably this winter’s most beautiful title… Once again, Jón Kalman Stefánsson proves his exceptional talent” (Livres Hebdo).

Højrup in Swedish

TO THE BEACH is brilliantly reviewed in Dagens Nyheter!"The strength and beauty of Højrup's language lies in his ability to capture nuances, to depict all living things...so that I am there, intensely present... A wonderful novel. It feels the anxiety of the world, lets in the darkness & curses it, but without extinguishing the light that shines over a small plot of land where some people try to live as best they can and rejoice in tenderness and friendship, playing children and trees in bloom.”

MARTHA Prize

Congratulations to Thomas Korsgaard whose latest novel YOU PROBABLY HAD TO BE THERE (Man skulle nok have været der; L&R) has recently been nominated for Bog & Idé's MARTHA Prize, which is decided by readers.

Double listing

Berlingske lists both Ragnar Jónasson’s THE DARKNESS and THE MIST on their list of the Best Crime Fiction of 2021! Both books received excellent reviews in Denmark, Berlingske awarded THE MIST five stars and called it a “surprising and sophisticated” tale while applauding THE DARKNESS for “sweeping the reader off their feet.”

Best Book Design

THREAD RIPPER has won this year’s Best Book Design! The jury writes: “Amalie Smith’s THREAD RIPPER is, as is always the case with Amalie Smith, a tactile experience where the book’s form is a clear part of its content. She is credited for both the concept and the content, and one feels as much.” Congratulations to Amalie Smith and graphic designer Line Gry!

No. 1 Bestseller

THE MAKING OF A QUEEN (Undervejs) by bestselling historian and journalist Tom Buk-Swienty has been topping the bestseller charts in Denmark since its publication! THE MAKING OF A QUEEN is a moving memoir about Queen Margrethe II’s formative years, before she became queen based on 37 hours of interviews with Her Majesty. “Rarely have we ever felt so close to Her Majesty.” (Berlingske) “A thorough and fascinating memoir… (Weekendavisen)

Spiegel Bestseller

WHITE DEATH by Ragnar Jónasson is approaching its 6th week on the German bestseller list and is currently on a 5th place! The German translation entitled FROST was published by btb/ Penguin Random House earlier this year. Congratulations, Ragnar!

"An aesthetic gem"

THE LIONESS by Tom Buk-Swienty has received excellent reviews in Germany: "Buk-Swienty is a highly unique biographer" (Bücher & Bilder) “Buk-Swienty not only portrays world history as beautifully as it should be, but we also get to look into the lives of these characters… A very beautiful book.” (Deutschlandfunk Kultur) “The book is the culmination of ten years of research… An authentic representation, which avoids the tropes of romanticization.” (Die Presse)

Best Crime Novel

Ragnar Jónasson's OUTSIDE has come in at 3rd place for Best Novel of the Year Award 2021! Selected by Icelandic Booksellers as the only crime novel on the list. This intensely gripping mystery has been sold to France, Sweden, United Kingdom and US.

About life and death

Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s new collection of poems “The devils go to sleep and awaken as gods” has received an excellent review in Frettablaðið: “There are few living poets who can write with the same sincerity about the emotional life of mankind without falling into clichés or irony. But somehow, he always succeeds. What makes the book such an accomplishment is the poet’s sensitivity to the importance of the everyday."

6 Territories

Sexto Piso has just acquired Kirsten Thorup’s brilliant WWII novel UNTIL MADNESS, UNTIL DEATH! Spain joins Sweden, Norway, Hungary, Serbia, and Latvia in its acquisition of this novel, which spent the better part of last year on the bestseller list and enthralled Danish readers and critics alike: “A seductive, disturbing and damn excellent novel about human imagination and defence mechanisms, about fear and escape, about war and love" (Berlingske).

DR Nomination

Josefine Klougart’s “dizzyingly beautiful” (POV Int.) novel ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS continues to garner incredible reviews and has also been nominated for the DR Best Novel Award! What’s more, rights are now sold to the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden.

The Sunday Times

Congratulations to Ragnar Jónasson whose intensely gripping THE GIRL WHO DIED has been selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 16 Best Crime Books of 2021! “An intriguing stand-alone novel that evokes an isolated Icelandic fishing community in the 1980s…This spooky novel draws in Icelandic sagas to create an atmosphere of growing menace.”

Spiegel Bestseller

The German version of Ragnar Jónasson's crime novel titled FROST (White Death) has landed straight on the Spiegel bestseller list at nr. 3! Following the phenomenal success of the Hulda trilogy, btb Verlag have now published FROST which follows the young criminologist Helgi Reykdal. FROST was a nr. 1 bestselling novel in Iceland upon publication and rights are also sold to UK/US, Denmark, and Sweden.

Best Debut Prize

Fine Gråbøl’s novel WHAT KINGDOM, a haunting and beautiful portrayal of life within the psychiatric system and a searing critique of institutionalization, has been awarded the prestigious Best Debut Prize for 2021: “Gråbøl can both maintain the big picture and cut right into the flesh of her material. The novel is both poetic and matter of fact. Heartbreaking and critical. Complex, in other words – just as life is.” Congratulations, Fine and Gads forlag!

"Magnificent"

ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS by Josefine Klougarts is reaping excellent reviews: 5 hearts in Politiken, "No one writes with such precise poetic language as Klougart" while Information writes, "A special combination of innovative symbolism and intense sensitivity to nature has made her one of the greatest writers of her generation…'All This Could Be Yours' is simply great literature" and Weekendavisen applauds the powerful impact of this "magnificent" novel.

Majestic storytelling

THE MAKING OF A QUEEN by bestselling historian and journalist Tom Buk-Swienty has just published to rave reviews! Based on 14 in-depth conversations, it delves into the first chapters of Her Majesty Magrethe II’s life. “Rarely have we ever felt so close to Her Majesty” (5 stars, Berlingske); "He captures the Queen’s language, her rhythm, tone, humor, and eminent qualities as a storyteller. Not at all an easy stylistic task. His mastery is abundantly clear” (5 hearts, Politiken).

The Mist is here!

THE MIST by Ragnar Jónasson, volume 3 in The Hidden Iceland series, is receiving rave reviews in Denmark: “Doesn’t get much better than this… A sophisticated and disquieting piece of craftmanship…More crime writers like Ragnar Jónasson, please!“ (Five stars, Berlingske); “A truly remarkable crime novel.“ (Five stars, Jyllands-Posten). And Vogue (Scandinavia) has crowned THE GIRL WHO DIED as the nr. 1 Best Nordic Noir of 2021: “One creepy thriller that’ll have you leaving ALL the lights on.”

Strunge Prize

Congratulations to Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild who has just been awarded the Michael Strunge Prize, for best second novel, for ALL THE BIRDS IN THE SKY, which enamored critics and readers alike last year, and is forthcoming in France and Hungary! Photo by Sofie Amalie Klougart.

Volume III!

Vol. III of Solvej Balle’s extraordinary septology ON CALCULATION OF VOLUME has just been published in Denmark! And we’re not alone in thinking that the 3rd volume is just as brilliant as the two previous ones: “Deeply reflective and highly sensory mode of writing” (Information); “An ambitious septology… Balle’s completely distinctive phenomenological poetry vibrates even more intensely” (Weekendavisen). Rights to vol. I and II are sold to Matthes und Seitz in Germany.

"Deeply fascinating"

THE DAPHNE SYNDROME by Siri Ranva Hjelm Jacobsen continues to ensorcel critics! “Deeply fascinating... A kaleidoscopic reading experience” (five hearts, Politiken); “A poetic, pulsating hybrid novel blending greek mythology with gothic elements and climate fiction…(She) not only shifts how one interprets the myth, but also nudges at the reader’s own willingness to change” (Information); “An excitingly strange novel filled with sensual imagery, lush metaphors and experiments in form” (Femina).

Early Poems

Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s ‘Early Poems: 1988-1994’, filled with passion, dis-enchantment, love and irony, has just been published in Italy and is delighting readers and critics alike: “It is as if the words hide a need, a question. (…) In these poems, the poet is searching, engaging in a phase of literary apprenticeship, which comes to fruition in the prose of his novels: the theme, the figures, the obsession with the poetic word continue to grow."(La lettura/ Corriere della Serra)

PW: "Excellent"

Starred review in Publishes Weekly for Kjell Eriksson's 9th Ann Lindell book, THE DEATHWATCH BEETLE! "Eriksson effectively portrays Sweden in the throes of change, being eroded from the inside out like the destructive insect of the title, while exploring social class, family, and, above all else, how men treat women. The plot slowly and steadily builds to a genuinely shocking denouement. Fans of literary fiction will be equally rewarded."

"Superb storyteller"

‘Summer Light, and Then Comes the Night’ by Jón Kalman Stefánsson, has just been published in the US! “[A]n immersive and funny portrait of a community whose members squabble and celebrate in equal measure. Readers will be hooked by the mishmash of neighbor-hood gossip” (Publishers Weekly); “Stefánsson is a superb storyteller with a metaphysical bent” (Booklist); “Stefánsson’s observational writing soars when he lingers over life’s mundane wonders.” (BookPage).

Publication Day

It’s been three months since Daniel Fischer’s wife died in a tragic accident. He wakes one morning and the world is completely off. Has he finally gone mad with grief? When Daniel receives a text message notifying him that his wife’s phone has been activated in Paris, he plunges headfirst into this strange new world in search of her. Is his wife still alive and how far will hope take him? A MINOR DISTURBANCE by Morten Brask is out now!

Series adaptation!

This just in: Warner Bros. International Television Production Germany has acquired the exclusive international rights to Ragnar Jónasson’s “Dark Iceland” series and will co-produce with Herbert L. Kloiber’s Night Train Media! Jónasson, whose books have sold more than 2,5 million copies and have been published in 33 countries, is "honoured and thrilled" and says it "a dream come true to see Ari Thór brought to life on the screen." We can't wait to watch it.Follow the link to read the exclusive.

The Sunday Times

Congratulations to Ragnar Jónasson whose intensely gripping mystery THE GIRL WHO DIED is nr. 10 on The Sunday Times bestseller list! Jónasson is the first Icelandic author to make it to the top of this list. In it, a young woman seeking a new start in a secluded village where a small community is desperate to protect its secrets. The Sunday Express gives it 5 stars: "With his trademark elegant prose and atmospheric sense of place, he weaves a slow-burning, haunting tale with a chilling ending."

Bestseller in Norway

YOUR ABSENCE IS DARKNESS has just been published in Norway and is already charming critics: “Without further delay, let me just say: I really like it. Certain parts especially are brilliantly written in a language that hits you right in the solar plexus, but also a little above and below that too. The book is so quotable that this poor critic has to restrain himself and refrain from copying and pasting large sections of the novel.” (NRK)

"Furiously brilliant"

THE CRACKLE OF THE STARS by Jón Kalman Stefánsson has recently been published in Danish to glowing reviews, e.g. “Kalman is furiously brilliant when he writes about the things he understands intimately: the wordlessness of men and their powerlessness, the stubbornness of women, the abandonment of children left in the hands of immature adults and the universe as a compassionate setting for it all… It’s a wonderful novel that deserves to be read by Kalman’s considerable Danish audience” (Info.)

"Incredibly touching"

YOU PROBABLY HAD TO BE THERE by Thomas Korsgaard, the third and final installment in his trilogy about Tue, has just been published and waltzed straight to the top of the bestseller lists, receiving glowing reviews along the way. “An incredibly touching novel… This critic caved in and sobbed at the end.” (5/6 Berlingske); “A consistent and sympathetic coming-of-age story.” (Weekendavisen). Korsgaard’s novels have sold over 100.000 copies in Denmark. (Photo credit: Lis Kasper)

Bestseller in DK

Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild's ADAM IN PARADISE is in the top 10 of the bestseller list! The novel is already in its 2nd print run and continues to delight critics: “Succeeds wonderfully at writing with the same abounding opulence that intoxicates any viewer of Zahrtmann’s paintings" (5 hearts, Politiken) and "Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild has particularly captured the picturesque descriptions and Zahrtmann's sorrowful, longing tone incredibly well, and her writing is incredibly convincing"(5 hearts, Søndag)

“Monumental”

MONEY TO BURN by Asta Olivia Nordenhof dazzles Swedish critics: “Nordenhof’s language is as sharp as a whip.” (Dagens Nyheter); “That one can expect six more novels about the Scandinavian Star seems a wonderful promise.” (Göteborgs-Posten); “I simply devoured MONEY TO BURN… I have complete faith in her as an author” (Sydsvenskan); “MONEY TO BURN is only 212 pages long but it feels monumental” (Aftonbladet).

"Unputdownable"

ISLAND, 2nd book in Jónasson’s HIDDEN ICELAND series, is delighting Danish critics: “Intense and original, one can hardly wait for the final volume… The style is tight, the language devoid of any of its genre’s typical superficialities, and the plot is realistic and well-crafted… Hulda Hermansdóttir is a wonderfully unique heroine” (Berlingske) and “THE DARKNESS and THE ISLAND are unputdownable, both while reading them and afterwards… This is Nordic noir at its very best" (POV).

Sexy masterpiece

ADAM IN PARADISE by Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild (L&R), an exuberantly colourful and deeply gripping historical novel inspired by the painter and larger than life man-about-town Kristian Zahrtmann (1843–1917), is enthralling critics: “An intense reading experience, which elegantly and passionately leads the reader back to another time” (5 stars, Jyllands-Posten); “A joyous masterpiece” (Info.); “The sexiest novel I've read in a long time ... My god, Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild can write" (Weekendavisen).

The Girl Who Died

Happy publication day! THE GIRL WHO DIED has been published in the US and Canada, and it will come as no surprise that critics are loving Ragnar Jónasson’s first standalone mystery: “A mist-shrouded blend of horror and psychological thriller, works in every way." (Booklist); ”An atmospheric, authentically shivery ghost story with criminal trimmings" (Kirkus); “Far superior to most similarly themed thrillers” (Publishers Weekly); “A Slow-burning, haunting tale of suspense” (Crime by the Book).

Pre-pub sales

CLOCKWORK by Ane Riel has been sold to Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands pre-publication! Ane Riel's highly anticipated novel will be published in Denmark by Lindhardt og Ringhof this June and brings to mind Riel's international breakthrough RESIN - sold to 27 territories, most recently Taiwan - for its deeply felt characters, boundless compassion, quirky humour and a growing sense of mystery that takes the reader by surprise.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Jenny Lund Madsen who has just been awarded the Harald Mogensen Prize for Best Danish Crime Novel of 2020! The jury applauds THIRTY DAYS OF DARKNESS as an “exciting, original and elegantly well-written crime novel... a rustic melodramatic thriller and a touching yet different kind of love story” and what’s more, TV rights have been sold to Nordisk Film! Translation rights are sold to France, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria. TV rights are optioned by Nordisk Films.

Norway: "Masterful"

A critically acclaimed bestseller in Denmark and nominated for Weekendavisen’s Literature Prize, UNTIL MADNESS, UNTIL DEATH by Kirsten Thorup is receiving phenomenal reviews in Norway: “Rarely have I read a novel about war that has made such an impression” (Dagbladet); “The Queen of contemporary Nordic literature writes masterfully about the war” (Vårt Land); “I don’t hesitate in calling this novel the greatest literary event of the corona era. Yes, in fact, it’s extraordinary" (Klassekampen).

WSJ: Top 10

Spotted in The Wall Street Journal: Ragnar Jónasson's WINTERKILL, the highly anticipated and stunning final instalment of The Dark Iceland series, is currently nr. 10 on the Bestseller List (Fiction; E-books)! A very rare occurrence for Nordic translated titles. Congratulations!

Nordic nomination

MONEY TO BURN by Asta Olivia Nordenhof is nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize! “The novel is a piece of contemporary history that aims to understand and analyse the mechanisms of desire that created the late-capitalist consumer orgy and the subsequent crisis in which we now find ourselves. The fact that it is possible to portray such rich and fragile personal worlds in such intense, open and tender imagery makes the novel as sparklingly beautiful as it is unforgettable.” Congrats!

Hulda is "formidable"

Jónasson’s DARKNESS is making a big splash in Denmark (Gads)! “Both a solid suspense novel as well as a convincing psychological study of fated loneliness. A very well-told and disciplined narrative, which allows the crime novel’s conflicts to assume an existential dimension very similar to those of the Icelandic sagas.” (5 stars, Jyllands-Posten); “A formidable and excellently orchestrated detective story with a wealth of surprising elements and an atmospheric setting.” (Litteratursiden).

Critics' Choice

Solvej Balle and Asta Olivia Nordenhof have both been nominated for the Critics’ Choice Award! Both authors have embarked on septologies earning them each a nomination; Balle for volumes I and II of On Calculation of Volume (Pelagraf) and Nordenhof for Money to Burn, part I in her Scandinavian Star 7-part series (Basilisk). Congratulations to all the nominees!

Shortlisted in UK

Erika Fatland's THE BORDER has been shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year, the UK's most important travel book award! In THE BORDER, which is sold to 18 territories, Erika Fatland travels along the seemingly endless Russian border - from North Korea in the Far East through Russia's bordering states in Asia and the Caucasus, crossing the Caspian Ocean and the Black Sea along the way. A book about Russia and Russian history without its author ever entering Russia itself.

Rave reviews in DK

Already a major success in Sweden, Norwegian Geir Gulliksen’s BE GOOD AGAIN has been published in Denmark (Gutkind) to rave reviews: “Masters both language, rhythm and form with surgical precision... Formidably written” (five stars, Jyllands-Posten); “Painful, funny and gripping” (five hearts, Politiken); “Excellent” (five stars, Berlingske); “Gulliksen has written the warmest, funniest novel about the gender role struggle, which rips and tears apart modern man” (Weekendavisen).

"Sublime" Bestseller

Co-authors Jesper Bugge Kold (WINTER MEN, THE WALL BETWEEN; Amazon Crossing) and Mich Vraa (the bestselling West Indian Trilogy published in Norway and Germany) have teamed up to deliver a historical page-turner about the famous hospital ship, Jutlandia, and its controversial humanitarian intervention during the Korean War. “THE GIRL ON THE BIG, WHITE SHIP provides all the thrills and entertainment a reader could possibly want... Sublime craftsmanship” (Berlingske). An instant bestseller!

PW: "Spellbinding"

US reviews of Helene Tursten’s SNOWDRIFT are in! “Tursten’s descriptions of the cold are bone-cracking…Embla’s customary coolness gives way to nightmares, anxiety and more” (NYT); “Commands attention from the start, even as it lays the groundwork for a series of startling revelations” (WSJ); “Spellbinding…Includes a spectacular chase sequence, a bombshell twist that turns the cases around, and an explosive firestorm. This stunning page-turner is unarguably the best in the series” (PW, starred).

"Greatest novelist"

TRITONUS by Kjell Westö is nominated for the Swedish Radio Novel Prize! The bestselling novel, published simultaneously in Scandinavia this fall, has also just been published in France to great acclaim: "One of the greatest novelists of our times" (Livres Hebdo); "Will touch and invigorate you" (Le Figaro). TRITONUS recounts the downfall of a world-famous Finnish conductor who is forced to flee to the countryside after being traumatised by a terrorist attack and caught up in a #metoo scandal.

"Wonderfully written"

LOOK by Ida Luka Holmegaard (Rosinante) has been nominated for Politiken’s Literature Prize 2020! Lilian Munk Rösing’s nomination reads: “LOOK is an essay on clothing. Clothes as a matter of pleasure, aesthetics, dignity, but also of (gender) identity and ethics... Holmegaard allows clothing to be a prism for pressing existential, aesthetic and ethical questions. It is wonderfully written and stimulates both the mind and the senses.”

Politiken Nomination

MONEY TO BURN by Asta Olivia Nordenhof (Basilisk) has been nominated for Politiken’s Literature Prize 2020: “The prose in Asta Olivia Nordenhof’s first novel is clearly shaped by her background in poetry. MONEY TO BURN is a familiar but also harsh story about the married couple [Kurt and Maggie]… and the fatal investment in the Vognmands Route.” The award-winning MONEY TO BURN is sold to seven territories and will be published this Friday in Norwegian by Forlaget Oktober.

Montana Nomination

Vol. 1 and 2 in Solvej Balle's speculative fiction septology, ON CALCULATION OF VOLUME, have been nominated for the Montana Literature Prize 2020: "[A] brilliantly beautiful existential tale about antique bookseller Tara, who finds herself waking up to the same day every day... Characterised by Balle's signature intensity, meticulousness, and her phenomenological flair... The author, whose remarkable comeback was one of the happiest occurences in literature in 2020, has never written better."

DEATH is nominated

And Halfdan Pisket's graphic novel DEATH has also been nominated for the Montana Literature Prize 2020: "With DEATH, Halfdan Pisket [is both psychologically precise and epically ambitious]...The concrete details and the emotional clarity feel drawn from personal experience yet also form part of a broader depiction of masculine and human crisis. [DEATH is] audacious but Pisket does not hesitate. There is no doubting his sincerity. Or the relevance of his story and experience."

8 territories so far

Stefánsson's YOUR ABSENCE IS DARKNESS, a multi-generational family saga spanning from the C.19th to 2020, has been sold to Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, and Norway with 2 more deals on the way! In it, an amnesiac narrator chronicles the lives of a colourful cast from which a portrait of a family emerges: a mother forced to leave her child behind, a dead German poet, a Kierkegaardian fisherman, a depressed rock star, a high school student, dead puppies, and a priest-turned-bus driver.

Swedish acclaim

Geir Gulliksen’s BE GOOD AGAIN, a novel about vulnerability, sexuality, and the ideals we don’t live up to, has recently been published in Sweden by Wahlström & Widstrand to fantastic reviews: “Very deeply human and touching” (Expressen), “It will take me a long time to shake off this novel about life’s shortcomings” (Sveriges Radio), “Uncomfortable, in the best possible way” (Landskrona Posten), “Highly fascinating”(Göteborgs-Posten).

"A 5 star must-read"

The Icelandic bestseller THE FIRES: LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS by Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir continues to bedazzle critics: Morgunblaðið gives it 5/5 stars and calls it "a thriller, a love story and a tragedy... Absolutely fantastic... A must-read"; Fréttablaðið deems it "exceptional and addictive" while critics on Kiljan applauded it as "nail-bitingly exciting" and "a huge success." Rights are so far sold to Germany, France, Poland, Russia, Hungary with more deals on the way!

Ragnar 2020

Ragnar Jónasson's HIDDEN ICELAND series, featuring the beloved female detective Hulda Hermansdóttir, is back in the top 20 on Spiegel's bestseller list! DUNKEL (vol. 1) has been in the top 10 on the German bestseller list for a grand total of 30 weeks. 400,000 copies of the series has been sold in Germany since May 2020 while Jónasson's books have sold over 2 million copies worldwide, rights are sold to 33 territories, with 20 new international publications this year alone. What a year!

Starred PW

Chilling, claustrophobic and disturbing, WINTERKILL marks the startling conclusion to the million-copy bestselling Dark Iceland series and cements Ragnar Jónasson as one of the most exciting authors in crime fiction. PW writes: "The discovery of a young woman’s body on the main street of the remote town of Siglufjörður propels Jónasson’s outstanding final Dark Iceland mystery featuring police inspector Ari Thór Arason... Series fans will be sorry to see the last of Ari Thór"!

Excellent Erika

HIGH by Erika Fatland continues to wow Danish critics, most recently garnering 5 hearts in Politiken: “All respect to Erika Fatland - she can travel, she can write. HIGH is an excellent book.” HIGH is also nominated for the Brage Prize as well as the Norwegian Booksellers’ Award. Rights have so far been sold to Denmark, Faroe Islands, Italy, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Spain, Hindi, Bengali, and UK/ US.

Weekendavisen

Both Kirsten Thorup and Amalie Smith have been nominated for WA’s Literary Prize! UNTIL MADNESS, UNTIL DEATH is deemed a "nail-biting masterpiece… Never has [her] gnarly prose behaved in such a way: supremely epic and so acutely punk. One reads as though possessed!" Smith's hybrid is applauded as "precise and poetic, where every single word seems to have been considered without a single sentence ever appearing contrived, where the weight of history and existence feels like gentle intoxication."

Crime debut sold

THIRTY DAYS OF DARKNESS, an atmospheric page-turner set in a secretive village in Iceland, by Jenny Lund Madsen (whose TV credits include Rita and Follow the Money) has been sold to the Netherlands, France (at auction), Bulgaria and Sweden. In which a snobby, highly literary author is publicly challenged by a popular rival to write a crime novel in 30 days. Her editor sends her to a quiet village in Iceland, where shortly after her arrival, the body of a fisherman’s son is pulled from the water.

Pick of the Week

One of PW's "Books of the Week": Eriksson’s exceptional 8th ensemble police procedural spotlights Ann Lindell, who has quit the Violent Crimes Unit in Uppsala, Sweden, and started a new career as a cheese maker in the village of Rasbo. Then an unknown man calls Lindell’s former office and insists on speaking with her. He says she’s “the only one who listens,” adding, “someone may die"...This artful blend of mystery and psychology is sure to please Scandinavian noir fans.

The Fires: Out now!

THE FIRES: LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS by Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir has just been published in Iceland! Earthquakes shake the Reykjanes peninsula, home to 2/3 of the Icelandic nation and countless tourists, awaking the volcanoes after an 800-year slumber. No one knows them better than leading volcanologist Anna Arnardóttir, who is tasked with the most important job of her career as disaster looms while her seemingly perfect marriage is threatened by a new love. A thriller with heart and nerve!

New Stefánsson!

Jón Kalman Stefánsson is back! YOUR ABSENCE IS DARKNESS is a multi-generational family saga that spans from the C.19th to 2020. Stefánsson seamlessly spins together past and present as an amnesiac narrator chronicles the lives of a colorful cast of characters from which a portrait of a family gradually emerges: a mother forced to leave her child behind, a long dead German poet, a Kierkegaardian fisherman, a depressed rock star, a high school student, dead puppies, and a priest-turned-bus driver.

THE TIMES

When the English translation of the Icelandic author Ragnar Jonasson's The Mist came out in April it was called "nothing less than a landmark in modern crime fiction" by The Times's crime fiction reviewer Mark Sanderson, while The Sunday Times's Joan Smith proclaimed Jonasson "up there with the best" in the genre. Out now in paperback, THE MIST concludes Jonasson's reverse-chronological Hidden Iceland trilogy taking readers back to the early years of its detective Hulda Hermannsdottir's career.

Congratulations!

HIGH by Erika Fatland has been nominated for The Norwegian Booksellers' Prize! Alongside Karl Ove Knausgård, Maja Lunde, Lars Mytting, Siri Pettersen and others. It's the first work of nonfiction to earn a nomination since 2009. And not only that - HIGH is also nominated for the prestigious Brage Prize, an annual literature prize awarded by the Norwegian Book Prize foundation. 21.000 copies of HIGH have been printed so far. Congratulations to Erika, her publisher Kagge and the other nominees!

"Formidable novel"

Ida Jessen's potato western THE CAPTAIN AND ANN BARBARA is enthralling critics: “A formidable novel…The plot is refined and the intrigues tower high” (5 hearts, Politiken); “Syntactically varied and elegant” (Information); “Jessen allows her well-told and surprising story to progress slowly, planting seeds for the ultimate showdown…[Jessen] has stepped 250 years back in time but there is also something completely current about it… Abuse of power has always been a scourge” (5 stars, K. Dagblad).

DEATH by Pisket

“A worthy follow up to his landmark trilogy… Written with lyrical nerve… A sure-handed and tough diagnosis of the circumstances that many heading towards middle age will be able to reflect themselves in, especially men - and not only those with an immigrant background… Draws inspiration from artists such as Jacques Tardi, Killoffer and José Muñoz as well as from Dea Trier Mørch and David Hockney... It’s audacious but Pisket does not flinch or hesitate.” (Information)

"A masterpiece"

HIGH by Erika Fatland continues to wow critics! Aftenposten writes, "Erika Fatland has written a masterpiece... Along the way, Fatland has developed her own distinct approach to travel writing. She now writes better than Robert D. Kaplan, a veteran of the genre... Erika Fatland is one of the best travel writers Norway has ever produced. I think everyone who reads this book will find it both enchanting and very thought-provoking." We couldn't agree more!

PW starred review

Helene Tursten’s spellbinding third crime novel featuring Det. Insp. Embla Nyström will soon be published by Soho Press (US) and has just received a starred review in Publishers Weekly: “Aided by various police officials, including Irene Huss, Embla seeks to uncover the truth about what happened to Lollo. The action includes a spectacular chase sequence, a bombshell twist that turns the cases around, and an explosive firestorm. This stunning page-turner is unarguably the best in the series.”

"Most daring novel"

Written with wry humour and fantasy, Erik Fosnes Hansen's burlesque thriller THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN COTTBUS AND BERLIN is enthralling critics in Norway: “This year’s most daring novel… In a text so playful, I can’t remember having ever read anything like it, Hansen brings us into a world that could just as easily be a medieval farce or a futuristic fable. Or contemporary satire” (6/6 Adressavisen); “A wonderfully cheeky novel, a cornucopia of imagination, ingenuity, and humor” (5/6 VG).

Congratulations!

Bestseller in Norway

Erika Fatland's recently published and critically acclaimed travelogue HIGH is currently number 5 on the Norwegian nonfiction bestseller list, congratulations!

"A spectacular tale"

Erika Fatland’s dizzying new travelogue HIGH (Kagge) is currently wowing critics in Norway: “Fatland has risen to new literary and literal heights” (6 stars) Dagbladet; ”This is exactly what makes great travel literature” (5 stars) Aftenblad; ”Fatland has revived the stuffy, traditional travel literature genre in this country” (5 stars) VG; “A spectacular tale” Dagsavisen; “Fatland’s extensive knowledge subtly forms an elegant backdrop for her encounters with the locals” Morgenbladet.

NEBEL is #1!

TLS: "unique voice"

THE MIST, the conclusion to Ragnar Jónasson’s form-bending crime trilogy (trans. Victoria Cribb; published by Michael Joseph (UK)) has received a glowing review in the Times Literary Supplement! “Jónasson’s is a unique voice in this genre… The beauty of this trilogy is that each book enraptures us almost to the point of forgetting the future we already know – but then we remember. The Mist, entirely satisfying in its own right, gains depth and pathos from our knowledge of Hulda’s life to come.”

German bestsellers!

As of next week all three books from the HIDDEN ICELAND SERIES by Ragnar Jónasson will top Spiegel’s bestseller list! It’s a rare feat for any author to have three books on the German bestseller list, but it’s definitely a first for an Icelandic author! Congratulations to the author and his German publisher btb Verlag!

CBS Studios

CBS Studios has struck a global first-look deal with Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures International and has set its first project – an adaptation of Ragnar Jónasson’s best-selling Nordic noir THE DARKNESS, first book in The Hidden Iceland series. Rising writer Andrea Janakas, who wrote Amanda Seyfried-fronted short film Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves, is attached to write the eight-part series, which is set in Reykjavik, Iceland, among the isolated fjords. Follow the link to Deadline's exclusive.

Starred PW

Kjell Eriksson’s THE NIGHT OF THE FIRE has received a starred review in Publishers Weekly! “Eriksson’s exceptional 8th ensemble police procedural to be published in the U.S. spotlights Ann Lindell, who has quit the Violent Crimes Unit [...], and started a new career as a cheese maker… Eriksson adeptly teases whether there’s a connection between the call and the fire, even as violence claims more lives. This artful blend of mystery and psychology is sure to please Scandinavian noir fans.”

2020 NBA Longlist

Linda Boström Knausgård's THE HELIOS DISASTER, translated from the Swedish by Rachel Willson-Broyles and published by World Editions, has been longlisted for the 2020 National Book Awards for Translated Literature! THE HELIOS DISATER, which adapts the myth of Athena in a modern Swedish setting, has been awarded the Mare Kandre Prize, nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award, and has been published in 7 countries. Congratulations!

"An immense talent"

A full-page spread in today’s Le Monde celebrates Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s SUMMER LIGHT, THEN COMES THE NIGHT, his internationally bestselling novel from 2005 just published by Grasset in France: “The Icelander writes as he breathes, imbuing his prose with lyrical sensitivity. His latest novel confirms his place at the top.” While La Libre in Belgium writes, “Jón Kalman Stefánsson is a writer of immense talent. This novel is further proof of this.”

"Indignant...and fun"

Peder Frederik Jensen's DET DANMARK DU KENDER, a devastating portrait of a welfare society crippled by rising inequality and broken promises, is garnering critical acclaim: “Uncomfortably entertaining... Indignant social criticism… As fun as good gossip can be”(Info); “Exceptionally clever and linguistically nuanced” (5 stars, Fyens); “Thought-provoking social realism” (WA); “A great, strong and humorous novel by an author who has a good eye and a good ear for what's going on” (Politiken).

"A formidable book"

Amalie Smith’s THREAD RIPPER is taking Danish critics by storm: “A formidable book that ties the art of weaving and the history of the computer together with fragments generated by an artificial intelligence along with diaristic and essayistic passages. Everything is beautifully intertwined.” (6/6 Politiken); "Absolutely simple, absolutely ambitious… [ An] ingenious hybrid novel” (Weekend-avisen); “Unravels and makes connections between technology and mythology… An effortless pleasure" (Info.)

Publication day!

Congratulations to Kjell Westö whose novel TRITONUS has just been simultaneously published in Finland-Swedish, Finnish and Swedish today! Critics are already showering TRITONUS with praise, e.g. "To those of you despairing about the survival of the novel form, there's no need. Read Kjell Westö" (DN) and "Westö once again demonstrates his wonderful ability...The new, more experimental course he has embarked on shows an author who refuses to settle down. It is gratifying for us readers" (SD).

Spiegel Bestsellers

Ragnar Jónasson's books continue to wow critics and remain in the top 5 of the bestseller list in Germany! DUNKEL (btb/ Random House), the first book in international bestselling Hulda Trilogy, is still nr. 3 on the Spiegel bestseller list with INSEL, the second book in the Hulda Trilogy, in 5th place.

Excellent reviews

Birgithe Kosović’s WHAT YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW has just been published in Denmark by Politikens Forlag to glowing reviews! 6/6 stars from Berlingske. 4/6 hearts from Politiken, and Information finds it "Enigmatic and thrilling"!

Erik Fosnes Hansen

Two travelling goldmakers meet on the highway, each on their way to perform for crowds in different cities. Instead they end up in the small city Jüterbog, home of the Jitterbug, and are soon entangled in a deadly plot to assassinate the ruler of that city. Written with wry humour and fantasy, Erik Fosnes Hansen's eagerly awaited burlesque thriller THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN COTTBUS AND BERLIN will be published in Norway this October. German rights have already been acquired by Kiepenheuer & Witsch.

All about Ásta

THE STORY OF ASTA by Jón Kalman Stefánsson has been awarded the FOLIO prix des libraires in France! A jury of 300 booksellers voted for one winner this month out of ten titles selected by journalists. Congratulations, Jón Kalman.

Sir Stefánsson!

Jón Kalman Stefánsson has received the Knights Cross and been anointed to Knight of the Order of the Falcon for his contribution to Icelandic literature. The Order of the Falcon is Iceland’s only order of chivalry and is awarded each year for exceptional service to the state, sciences or culture. Congratulations!

Pre-pub rights sales

Geir Gulliksen, acclaimed Norwegian author of international hit THE STORY OF A MARRIAGE, is back with a new novel this fall: BLI SNILL IGJEN. Henning is done with women. He has had girlfriends since the age of 14, cohabitated since 19, and also been married more than once. Now, aged fifty-something, he’s alone and has an adult daughter he no longer knows, but wants to save. A novel about vulnerability, sexuality, and the ideals we don’t live up to. DK rights to Gutkind and SE rights to W&W.

New Fatland: HØYT

Readers can look forward to a new book by Erika Fatland, whose HIGH UP: A Journey through the Himalayas will be published by Kagge in Norway this fall. Danish and Faroese rights have been sold pre-publication. HIGH UP delves into the 5 countries covered by the Himalayas, where Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism mix with ancient shaman religions and traditions. Fatland meets the people of these remote valleys, home to numerous languages and cultures, but also heightened tension over territory.

Fatland at forefront

Erika Fatland's SOVIETISTAN is now sold to 23 territories and has received fantastic reviews, including a recent recommendation in the New York Times: "For an introduction to a deeply misunderstood part of the world, try SOVIETISTAN... Much to the reader’s benefit, Russian is 1 of 8 languages that Fatland speaks. This gives [her] a level of access most outsiders would never have." SOVIETISTAN is followed by THE BORDER: A Journey Around Russia, which is nominated for Il Premio Terzani in Italy!

Spiegel Bestseller

DUNKEL (btb/ Random House), the first instalment in Ragnar Jónasson's international bestselling Hulda Trilogy, has recently been published in Germany and is currently nr. 2 on the Spiegel bestseller list! German fans won't have long to wait for the rest of the series - book two INSEL will be published on July 13th 2020 and book three NEBEL on 21st September 2020.

Bestseller wows UK

THE MIST is taking critics by storm: "This is Icelandic noir of the highest order, with Jónasson’s atmospheric sense of place, and his heroine’s unerring humanity shining from every page" (Daily Mail). Further US rights have been acquired by St. Martin’s Press in a 3-book deal, including the sequel to the Hulda trilogy, WHITE DEATH. The latter has also been acquired by Michael Joseph in the UK while the long-awaited vol. 6 in the Ari Thór series, WINTERKILL, has been acquired by Orenda Books.

German & US rights

THE NIGHT OF THE FIRE by Kjell Eriksson (Den skrattande hazaren, Ordfront), which was nominated for last year’s Best Swedish Crime Novel, has been acquired by Aufbau in Germany as well as Minotaur/ St. Martin's Press in the US, who will publish this fall. THE NIGHT OF THE FIRE is the first of three new comeback titles in the award-winning Ann Lindell mystery series, which is sold to 17 territories.

BTBA Longlist

WELCOME TO AMERICA by Linda Boström Knausgård, translated from the Swedish by Martin Aitken and published in the UK/US by World Editions, is longlisted for the Best Translated Book Awards. In its 13th year of honoring literature in translation, the Best Translated Book Awards named its 2020 longlists for fiction and poetry. The 35 books on this year’s longlist represent 20 different countries and feature authors writing in 18 languages, i.a. Olga Tokarczuk, Virginie Despentes, Khaled Khalifa.

Stefánsson's poetry

Congratulations to Jón Kalman Stefánsson whose poetry collection THESE WERE THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE, BUT I DON'T REMEMBER THEM has recently been published by Benedikt in Iceland. The collection includes three books of poetry published between 1988 and 1994 along with previously unpublished poems. Jón Kalman Stefánsson is an internationally bestselling author whose work is sold to 28 territories. Italian rights to the poetry collection have been acquired by Iperborea.

PW: "Exceptional"

THE MIST, the next nail-biting instalment in the critically acclaimed Hidden Iceland series by million copy bestselling Ragnar Jónasson, has received a starred review in Publishers Weekly pre-publication! PW writes, "Exceptional...Jónasson ratchets up the nail-biting tension gradually...Fans of dark crime fiction that doesn’t pull punches will be amply rewarded." THE MIST is set to be published in the UK by Michael Joseph in end-April and in the US by Minotaur in June.

"Intoxicating to read"

Master prosaist Kirsten Thorup's latest novel UNTO MADNESS, UNTO DEATH has been published by Gyldendal to great critical acclaim: "A seductive, disturbing and damn excellent novel about human imagination and defence mechanisms, about fear and escape, about war and love." (6 stars, Berlingske); "Intoxicating to read" (5 hearts, Politiken); "An important novel and an insanely well-written one at that." (6 stars, Børsen); “To step into Thorup’s novel is to be sucked into it." (5 stars, K. Dagblad).

Like the Plague

Bestselling author Hanne-Vibeke Holst has been flooded with media requests from Denmark, Sweden and Norway because of her 2017 thriller, LIKE THE PLAGUE, about a deadly pandemic flu and its political, financial and human costs. Based on extensive research and centred in and around WHO headquarters, the novel follows outbreak coordinator Karoline Branner and reads like a script for the current crisis, except for one thing: the literary version of the flu is deadlier and targets young people.

It's just a virus

Prof. Anders Fomsgaard was a key source for Hanne-Vibeke Holst’s bestselling thriller and in the fall of 2019 he published an account of his life spent fighting viruses. IT’S JUST A VIRUS extensively covers many known viruses while also being a deeply personal reflection on the nature of the virus and a life dedicated to inter- and national scientific efforts to combat both the everyday flu and deadlier versions, such as HIV, Ebola, and SARS. He is writing a new chapter for a revised edition.

5 stars: "Beautiful"

ALL THE BIRDS IN THE SKY by Rakel Haslund-Gjerrild (L&R) has just been published and is wowing critics! Kristeligt Dagblad gives the debut novel 5 stars and calls it one of this spring’s most beautiful novels: “Incredibly well-written and absolutely beautiful… [It] is not your typical post-apocalyptic tale. It is a poetic semantic study, a ruthless story about what makes us human and a fantastic version of the classic ‘coming of age’ novel” while Information calls it “really good literature.”

"Drastic and riveting"

Maren Uthaug’s WHERE THERE ARE BIRDS has just been published in Norway by Samlaget to great reviews: “A unique literary talent…This is dark and juicy stuff. A real page-turner with relatable characters that we care about.” (6/6 Adresseavisen); “A drastic and riveting novel…The characters are constantly making unwise choices that one can both sympathise with yet moan over. In short: it's a pleasure to get to know [this] novelist.” (NRK); “[Its] suspense lasts until the final pages.” (Dagsavisen).

Sommerdahl on TV

Two Danish authors of crime novels have had their bestselling series adapted into TV shows in the past 20 years and both have been represented by Copenhagen Literary Agency. DICTE, based on Elsebeth Egholm’s novels, ran for 4 highly successful seasons here and abroad (& also on Netflix) and has been remade in France as BEN, and March 1st saw the premiere of SOMMERDAHL based on Anna Grue’s 7 bestselling detective novels featuring Dan Sommerdahl. SOMMERDAHL will also air in Germany from April.

Top 3 & 4 in Norway

Linda Boström Knausgård’s OCTOBER CHILD has been published in Norway by Oktober and is currently top 3 on the Norwegian bestseller list! She is in good company with Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s TRILOGY ABOUT THE BOY, the paperback of which has been re-published by Press and holds the top 4 spot for the second week running. OCTOBER CHILD has also received glowing reviews, most recently 6/6 in VG: “OCTOBER CHILD is such bright and beautiful prose that it feels as though it flows through the reader.”

4 sales pre-pub

TRITONUS by Kjell Westö has now sold to four territories ahead of its publication! It tells the story of world-famous Finnish conductor Thomas Brander as he searches for peace and a place to call home in the Finnish Archipelago. A tale about music, friendship, insomnia and fear of the dark, TRITONUS will be simultaneously published in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Estonia in August 2020. (Photo: © Niklas Sandström)

Norway: 3-book deal

Asta Olivia Nordenhof’s critically acclaimed novel MONEY TO BURN (Penge på lommen, Basilisk) is currently topping the Danish bestseller list and Norwegian rights have just been acquired by Forlaget Oktober in a three-book deal. Written with tenderness, defiance and humor, Nordenhof's MONEY TO BURN rails against the unscrupulous profiteers of capitalism and paints a dream of prosperity and a portrait of love ruined.

N. 1 on Amazon UK

THE ISLAND, book two in Ragnar Jónasson's Hidden Iceland Series ft. Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir, is the number one bestselling e-book on Amazon UK. The same spot SNOWBLIND, book one in his Dark Iceland Series, made it to five years ago! Ragnar Jónasson's award-winning books have sold over a million copies worldwide and been translated into 21 languages.

MONEY TO BURN

Asta Olivia Nordenhof’s highly anticipated novel MONEY TO BURN (Penge på lommen, Basilisk) is already in its 2nd print run and is the talk of the town! The story of Kurt, Maggie, capitalism and the arson of the Scandinavian Star has Danish critics dazzled: “Sets the bar exceedingly high… One of 2020s most ambitious projects" (5/6 Jyllands-Posten), “Nordenhof writes fiendishly well” (5/6, Politiken), “An exceedingly good book...both tender and precise” (Information). (© Martin Lehmann)

Glowing DK reviews

Linda Boström Knausgård’s OCTOBER CHILD has come out to glowing reviews in Denmark: “Intense and unreserved” with a “directness and a remarkable absence of vanity” (5/6, Berlingske), “There is something tremendously warlike, or almost violent, in her language, and there are also these unbelievable beautiful turns of phrase” (Information), “At once sober and precise and, at the same time, existentially beautiful” (5/6, Kristeligt Dagblad). (© Jasmin Storch, 2019)

"Devilishly good"

Currently in its second print run, Adda Djørup’s BULGAKOV’S CAT (Rosinante) grapples with existential questions about language, reality, art and motherhood. In the novel, an author attempts to abandon fiction but is seduced by a beguiling talking cat, Behemoth. Politiken (5 hearts) calls the novel “fantastically inventive, a fable as humorous as it is serious… Djørup’s prose rings with desperate laughter, satire, tenderness, the grotesque and the critical. And she writes devilishly well.”

Nomination

We are happy to share the news that Linda Boström Knausgård's autobiographical novel OCTOBER CHILD (Modernista) is nominated for the prestigious Swedish National Radio’s Novel Prize 2020! Told with quiet intensity and poetic precision, OCTOBER CHILD is at once a searing critique of psychiatric care and an increasingly desperate attempt to hold on to memories that are slipping away. The winner will be announced in April. Rights sold to Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway and UK/US.

Bestseller of 2019

WHITE DEATH by Ragnar Jónasson (published in Iceland by Bjartur Veröld) was the second bestselling novel of 2019 in Iceland! A sequel to Jónasson’s popular Hidden Iceland Series ft. Detective Hulda Hermannsdottir and critically-acclaimed: “Jónasson is now amongst the best [crime novelists]. WHITE DEATH is likely his best book yet… The reader is engaged from start to finish… reminiscent of Hitchcock” (Morgunblaðið). Rights so far sold to Macmillan (USA/Canada).

Year-long Bestseller

“Sometimes, in small places, life becomes bigger.” Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s SUMMER LIGHT, AND THEN COMES THE NIGHT –his bestselling novel across several territories– has been on the Norwegian bestseller list for the past year! Published by Press, the novel has enchanted readers and critics alike: “The most beautiful novel I’ve read. Buy this book. Read it slow. Enjoy every word.” (6/6, Adresseavisen), "Sweet, humorous, beautiful and sad" (6/6, Dagbladet), "Fantastic" (6/6, Fædrelandsvenn).

To Croatia & Serbia

Nine titles by the internationally renowned family therapist and author Jesper Juul has been sold to Harfa d.o.o. Titles such as his acclaimed and beloved HERE I AM!—a profound exploration of the relationship between parent and child—as well as THE ART OF SAYING NO—a thought-provoking argument on the importance of boundaries. Juul’s work has been sold to 27 territories.

Lyngsø to Norway

Niels Lyngsø's novella-length essay TEN DAYS OF SILENCE (Gyldendal), which chronicles his silent sojourn in the Swedish woods, has been acquired by Spartacus in Norway. Marrying scientific research into meditation, philosophical considerations and first-hand experience, TEN DAYS OF SILENCE is also set to be published by Longanesi in Italy in 2020. (Photo credit: Isak Hoffmeyer, 2015)

An exceptional film

Directed by Daniel Borgman, the film adaption of Ane Riel's novel RESIN (Harpiks) has delighted Danish film critics, who have showered the Zentropa-Adomeit coproduction with stars and praise: "RESIN gets stuck...on your fingers, on your brain, in your soul" (Filmselskabet DR), "Exceptionally well-acted and compelling...visually extraordinary" (6 stars, Nosferatu), "...scenes that are impossible to forget" (Soundvenue). (Photo credit: Zentropa Productions)

Højrup to Sweden

The critically-acclaimed TO THE BEACH (Gyldendal) by Danish author Peter Højrup has been acquired by Flo förlag in Sweden. The 2017 novel earned Højrup a nomination for the Montana Prize and rave reviews: “Højrup is showing himself to be one of Denmark’s greatest contemporary authors.” (5 stars, Jyllands-Posten), “An existential drama, a migrant crisis think piece, and a row of eminently drawn portraits” (6 stars, Børsen), “Prose like this changes one’s outlook on the world” (Information).

"Original & fearless"

"Six Feet Under" meets Nordic family saga in Maren Uthaug's morbidly entertaining third novel, A HAPPY ENDING (Lindhardt og Ringhof) - already in its 4th print run! In their 5-starred review, Berlingske calls Uthaug "one of Denmark's most original and fearless writers" and that A HAPPY ENDING is "a wonderfully realized novel about the fascinating topic of death’s cultural history and the disturbing topic of necrophilia...So well written that you won’t want to put it down."

Le Berger de l’Avent

Gunnarsson’s modern classic THE GOOD SHEPHERD tells the moving tale of Benedikt, an Icelandic shepherd, who for the past 20 years has spent the week of Advent rescuing lost sheep in the stormy wastes of the high mountains, accompanied by his trusty dog Leo and Gnarly the bellwether ram. Rights are sold to 8 territories, including France where it has just been published by Zulma and received its first review: “In less than 100 pages, Gunnarsson brings you to the ends of the earth.” (L’Express)

Congratulations!

THE LAUGHING HAZARA by Kjell Eriksson (Ordfront) has been nominated for The Best Swedish Crime Novel Award by the Swedish Crime Writers' Academy! Eriksson is nominated longside Tove Alsterdal, Christoffer Carlsson, Camilla Grebe and Erik Axl Sund. THE LAUGHING HAZARA, most recently acquired by Minotaur/ St. Martin's Press in the US, is first of three new comeback titles in the award-winning Ann Lindell mystery series, which is sold to 17 territories. The winner will be announced on 24th Nov.

"Frightfully beautiful"

Rights to BEAST are so far sold to Germany (btb), Italy (Ugo Guanda), Norway (Aschehoug), Sweden (Modernista), and The Netherlands (Prometheus). Critics have applauded Ane Riel’s third novel: “Odd and captivating…Builds slowly and bites deeply” (Weekendavisen), “Riel can write exquisitely poetic prose… BEAST, like so many others in this world, is … frightfully beautiful” (Berlingske), “A blast… Riel has once again written a fantastic, inventive novel with exceptional prose” (Litteratursiden).

Four new deals

Ane Riel's highly anticipated third novel will be published by Lindhardt og Ringhof in Denmark in 2 days! In the meantime, BEAST has already been acquired by Modernista in Sweden, Aschehoug in Norway, Prometheus in the Netherlands and btb Verlag in Germany. Set in the Balkans in the middle of the 20th century, BEAST tells the mystical tale of the unusual friendship between Mirko, the boy next door, and Leon, too strong for his own good. An epic novel about love, destiny, and the beast within.

Blixen to France

Tom Buk-Swienty's bestselling biography THE LIONESS: KAREN BLIXEN IN AFRICA (Gyldendal), which is already in its 4th print run in Denmark, has been acquired by Gaïa in France, joining Penguin Verlag in Germany and Ediciones del Viento in Spain. Film and TV rights have been optioned by Nordisk Film with May el-Toukhy attached to direct. El-Toukhy’s international breakthrough came earlier this year with Sundance, Rotterdam and Gothenburg title Queen Of Hearts (Dronningen). Follow link for details.

Seven territories

Linda Boström Knausgård's latest critically acclaimed novel OCTOBER CHILD has been acquired by World Editions (UK/US), L & R (Denmark), Grasset (France), Schöffling (Germany), Forlaget Oktober (Norway), Like Kustannus (Finland) and Naklada Ljevak (Croatia). Told with quiet intensity and poetic precision, the autobiographical OCTOBER CHILD is at once a searing critique of psychiatric care and an increasingly desperate attempt to hold on to memories that are slipping away. (Photo: © Jasmin Storc)

Dalland to Norway

Danish journalist Rasmus Hage Dalland’s fascinating first-person account GENERATION IDENTIY: A JOURNEY THROUGH EUROPE’S NEW RADICAL RIGHT (Atlas) has recently been acquired by Solum Bokvennen in Norway. Dalland’s investigation has been praised in the Danish press, e.g. Berlingske writes: “Rarely has a book been so well-timed... a highly readable book that does not fall into the trappings of either a one-sided demonization of his subject or an uncritical, unbiased account."

Erik Fosnes Hansen

A LOBSTER LIFE, published in Germany by KiWi, has sold 20.000 copies in its first month! Süddeutsche Zeitung writes, "Norway, 'the land of dreams, wealth, happiness and beautiful landscapes' as the FBF calls this year’s Guest of Honour, has a somewhat gloomy glamour in this novel, something rotten, but also edifying. And as with all great hotels that struggle to keep up appearances: Behind the shiny revolving door and newly decorated lobby are hidden angles where people lose their innocence."

Tursten to btb Verlag

Maud is an irascible 88-year-old Swedish woman with no family, no friends, and… no qualms about a little murder. AN ELDERLY LADY IS UP TO NO GOOD, a funny, irreverent story collection by Helene Tursten, was published by Soho Press in the US to fantastic reviews: "Deliciously noir" (NYT), "Witty" (WSJ), "Pushes elderly empowerment to grimly funny heights" (The Boston Globe). German rights have now been acquired by btb/ Random House. Film/ TV rights have been acquired by a US media company.

Eriksson to Minotaur

Ann Lindell is back! Minotaur/ St. Martin's Press has acquired THE LAUGHING HAZARA (Ordfront) by Kjell Eriksson in a two-book deal, the first of three new titles in the award-winning Ann Lindell mystery series, which is sold to 17 territories. The new comeback trilogy will take aim at the new Sweden with its neglected villages, where people are left in social isolation and financial ruin. THE LAUGHING HAZARA is set to be published by Minotaur in Fall 2020.

"Mesmerising"

SOVIETISTAN by Erika Fatland, which takes the reader on a journey that is unknown to even the most seasoned globetrotter, has recently been published in the UK by Maclehose Press. The Financial Times calls it "[a] mesmerising trip across central Asia... All credit to Erika Fatland, who may have titled her central Asian travelogue Sovietistan, but who treats each with care and attention. Part diary, part sociopolitical analysis... A fascinating travelogue." Rights sold to 20 territories.

BÆST to Modernista

Ane Riel's highly anticipated third novel BEAST, which will be published by Lindhardt og Ringhof in Denmark this October, has just been acquired by Modernista in Sweden. Her previous novel RESIN is sold to 21 territories and the film has recently premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. Set in the Balkans in the middle of the 20th century, BEAST is a thrilling, mystical tale of the unusual friendship between Mirko, the boy next door, and Leon, who is too strong for his own good.

"Eerie and gripping"

Linda Böstrom Knausgård’s OCTOBER CHILD (Modernista), her most autobiographical work to date, has recently been published to great critical acclaim: “[Her] prose moves seamlessly and evocatively between worlds. She writes –and it is– ‘as in a dream.’ Eerie and gripping. And I think an awful lot about it" (Aftonbladet), “Self-assured and lyrical, but also unexpectedly acute and polemical” (P1), "Has its own particular power” (SD). Rights sold to Denmark, Germany, Norway and the UK/ US.

"A masterpiece"

Tom Buk-Swienty’s highly anticipated biography on Karen Blixen’s years in Africa, THE LIONESS, is taking Danish critics by storm: “Incomparable…A masterpiece” (Berlingske 6/6 stars); “An extraordinary reading experience…Excellent literary journalism” (Jyllands-P. 5/6 stars); “A gripping biography [with an] impressive grasp of extensive source material...Difficult to put down” (Nordjyske 6/6 stars); “Rousing… the reader is in the hands of an excellent storyteller” (KD 5/6 stars) © M. Holtum

Blixen to Penguin

Acclaimed historian and bestselling author Tom Buk-Swienty has recreated the life of Baroness Karen Blixen in this riveting and long-awaited biography, which has been optioned for film and TV by Nordisk Film and just now been pre-empted by Penguin Verlag/ Random House in Germany. THE LIONESS, which spans from the outbreak of WWI in 1914 to the aftermath of the Stock Market Crash of 1929, expertly tells the story of Blixen's years in Africa. To be published by Gyldendal on August 26th.

Sveistrup to Netflix

Søren Sveistrup’s thriller, THE CHESTNUT MAN, has been picked up by Netflix as their second Danish original series. Shooting will begin in 2020 with SAM Productions in Copenhagen producing. Søren Sveistrup’s literary and film rights are handled by CLA, while translation rights of THE CHESTNUT MAN are handled by Danish publisher Politikens. The novel will be published in 28 languages. (Photo: Les Kaner/ Politikens forlag)

RESIN in Toronto!

Daniel Borgman's drama-tisation of Ane Riel's critically acclaimed novel RESIN will world-premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September, where it will be featured in the Contemporary World Cinema section. The multiple award-winning RESIN is sold to 21 territories so far and Riel's highly anticipated next novel BEAST will be published by L&R in Denmark in October. (Photo: Luis Alberto Rodriguez)

A Lobster Life

The highly anticipated German edition of ET HUMMERLIV –which follows the teenager Sedd as he navigates through life in his grandparents' mountain hotel in the '80s– by Erik Fosnes Hansen will be published on the 22nd of August by Kiepenheur & Witsch, to be followed by a reading tour. A LOBSTER LIFE will be published in English by Norvik Press this fall. Another feather in his cap: Fosnes will receive the Willy Brandt Prize at a ceremony at the Frankfurter Buchmesse in October!

Fatland International

Erika Fatland’s THE BORDER, which "immerses [you] in the colorful contemporary worlds along the border of mighty Russia" (FAZ), has been published in German by Suhrkamp to positive reviews! Her international debut SOVIETISTAN, which journeys through the 5 former Soviet Republics, is scheduled for fall in the UK (MacLehose) and spring 2020 in the US (Pegasus). Fatland has been booked as a speaker at the prestigious Frankfurter Buchmesse Opening Ceremony alongside Karl Ove Knausgård this October.

Dutch success!

HARS (Resin) by Ane Riel is proving to be this year's summer read in the Netherlands! Published by Prometheus, HARS is in its 4th print run and receiving amazing press: "One of the most astonishing novels of the year... Grabs you so tightly that you won’t soon forget it" (5 stars, De Standaard), "Unputdownable...highly original and exceptionally well-written" (5 stars, NRC Handelsblad), "The story of obsession, dark setting and unexpected humor are reminiscent of Stephen King" (4 stars, Knack).

Our condolences

It is with profound sadness that we inform of the passing of author and family therapist Jesper Juul. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Since 2012, Jesper Juul suffered from a painful neurological disease, but in spite of it he continued to work, with rights sold to 27 territories. Jesper’s impact on parents and therapists the world over cannot be overstated. We will do our best to keep Jesper’s work and spirit alive. He will be missed, not only as an author but as a friend.

Best Mystery 2019

THE ISLAND, second instalment in The Hidden Iceland Series, by Ragnar Jónasson has been shortlisted as one of the Best Mysteries of 2019 as part of the Amazon Publishing & Capital Crime Readers’ Awards. Jónasson’s THE ISLAND is shortlisted alongside IN A HOUSE OF LIES by Ian Rankin, CRUEL ACTS by Jane Casey, METROPOLIS by Philip Kerr and THE SENTENCE IS A DEATH by Anthony Horowitz. The winner of the awards will be announced on Saturday 26th September.

Kirkus: "Unflinching"

First US review! THE FIRST STONE by Danish journalist and bestselling author Carsten Jensen is a brutal and epic novel about a platoon of soldiers descending into the insanity of the war in Afghanistan. Kirkus writes, "Jensen is unflinching in describing th[e] mayhem as it figures in the real world of his novel…A grim examination of the effects of war on those who would give anything not to be waging it." Follow the link to read the full review. To be published by AmazonCrossing in September.

European Shortlist

Geir Gulliksen's STORY OF A MARRIAGE (Ambo Anthos in NL) has been shortlisted for the European Literature Prize 2019, which honors the best contemporary European novel that appeared in Dutch translation in the previous year. Gulliksen is shortlisted alongside Ali Smith (Winter), Arno Geiger (Beneath Drachenwand Mountain), Éric Vuillard (The Order of the Day) and Marek Šindelka (Material Fatigue). The winner will be announced at the Crossing Border Festival on the 3rd November 2019.

Kirkus: "Crystalline"

WELCOME TO AMERICA by Linda Boström Knausgård (translated by Martin Aitken) has received its first US review and it is glowing! Kirkus writes, "Boström Knausgård’s writing is crystalline and careful… Here, restraint and ambiguity prevail… it’s a taut portrait of how difficult it can be to reconcile ideals about faith and family with their messier realities. An intense, recursive book that evokes the chill despair of a Bergman film." To be published by World Editions in the UK/ US this September.

Stellar DK reviews

Just published by Turbine, LAST AID by Cathrine Knudsen (Pelikanen in Norway) is receiving glowing reviews in the Danish papers: Kristeligt Dagblad gives the novel five stars and calls Knudsen's writing both ‘concrete and poetically sensual.’ LAST AID is a ‘toned-down and philosophical novel… [It is] creepily frightening and incredibly beautifully written’ while Weekendavisen calls it a ‘downplayed, cryptic, wonderfully disquieting novel...which leads the reader into an existential vacuum.'

Rave reviews in US

THE ISLAND, vol. 2 in The Hidden Iceland Series, by Ragnar Jónasson (Minotaur Books) is earning rave reviews: The NY Journal of Books calls it a “brilliantly woven tale [that] will give all you crave” while PW calls it “masterly...[and] mind-bending.” Kirkus writes that Jónasson “could give lessons on how to sustain a chilly atmosphere” and Booklist applauds his “confidential, intimate prose [that] evokes both Iceland’s harsh, beautiful solitude and the deep connections Icelanders forge.”

US applause for Ivo

Early US reviews are in for Ivo de Figueiredo’s A STRANGER AT MY TABLE (DoppelHouse, May 2019), a postcolonial story of a family caught in the half-life of empires, which Publishers Weekly calls a “touching, contemplative chronicle of loss and self-discovery… This deeply realized personal narrative of a beloved mother and a distant father, finally understood from the perspective of adulthood, is a moving reading experience” while Mint calls Figueiredo “an impressively sophisticated writer.”

Hæderprisen 2019

Maja Lee Langvad has received a prestigious honorary award from the society of Danish literary authors for her body of work, which includes the poetry collection FIND HOLGER DANSKE (2004) that addresses issues of adoption, nationalism and racism and the critically-acclaimed SHE IS ANGRY: A testimony of transnational adoption (2014), a.o. The jury of her peers applauded her works as “standing out in the literary landscape by virtue of their originality, coolness, intelligence and their courage."

Ping 2019 Nominee

Graphic novelist Rikke Villadsen and her writing partner Bjørn Rasmussen have been nominated for this year’s Ping Award, Denmark’s most prestigious award for graphic novels and cartoons. Villadsen and Rasmussen are nominated in the category of Best Danish Work of 2019 for 3 GIRLS (Basilisk), which chronicles the dark, disturbing and beautiful tales of three young girls. The winners of the 2019 Ping Award will be announced on 15th June. Congratulations to Rikke Villadsen and Bjørn Rasmussen!

Petrona Shortlist

Ane Riel’s RESIN and Ragnar Jónasson’s THE DARKNESS have been shortlisted for the 2019 Petrona Award for the Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year. About THE DARKNESS the judges write, “[it] explores parental estrangement and the costs of emotional withdrawal… The ending is bold and thought-provoking” and RESIN: “an ambitious literary crime novel… [with] nuance and depth… RESIN is an innovative novel…” The winner will be announced on May 11th.

Modern Love

Danish reviews of Geir Gulliksen’s latest novel LOOK AT US NOW have arrived! “I can’t decide whether I think Hans is a dirty old man or a man who is living life to the fullest. This ambivalence makes the novel even better.” (5 stars, Femina); “Geir Guilliksen [includes] insightful depictions of desire and sadness and those moments where ones perception of the other shifts so dramatically that the consequences are incomprehensible” (Information).

Swedish Bestseller

Ragnar Jónasson’s DIMMA has been n. 1 on the Swedish paperback bestseller list for the second week running! DIMMA is the first installment of Jónasson’s The Hulda Trilogy, which has sold to 17 territories so far. Ragnar Jónasson’s latest standalone novel THE GIRL WHO DIED has recently been sold to Albatros Media (CZ) and acquired by Michael Joseph/Penguin (UK).

Out now!

Elsebeth Egholm celebrates her 20th anniversary as an author with FREE FALL (Politikens Forlag), her second crime novel about Rina, the doctor with a double life. The first five-star review from Henrik Tjalve remarks, "As always with Elsebeth Egholm, one is unrelentingly drawn into the action. She has a very special knack for penetrating the many diverse settings, which she depicts." (Dagbladenes Bureau)

Hulda to Stampede

Stampede, the indie media company founded by former Warner Bros Pictures President Greg Silverman, has acquired bestselling author Ragnar Jónasson’s Icelandic thriller THE DARKNESS and will adapt it as a local-language series. THE DARKNESS  which was published last year in the UK/ US, is Jónasson’s first in a trilogy focusing on Reykjavík detective Hulda  Hermanns-dóttir. Jónasson has sold over 450,000 copies worldwide.

Congratulations!

The 2018 Politikens Literature Prize goes to Birgithe Kosovic for her terrific duology about the controversial Eric Scavenius, the Danish prime minister and Nazi collaborator, "whom she tranforms into a person who is just as preoccupied with love -and sex- as he is with war...Kosovic really shows what the biographical novel can do...Rarely has a female author been able to describe so lustful a male gaze...[The novels are] nothing short of excellent..." writes Politiken. (© Emma Sejersen)

Longlist 2019

Geir Gulliksen's STORY OF A MARRIAGE, which is sold to 14 territories and was nominated for the Nordic Council Prize, and Jón Kalman Stefánsson's internationally bestselling novel SUMMER LIGHT, who is sold in 27 territories, have both been nominated for the 2019 European Literature Prize. The longlist is selected by independent bookshops as the best contemporary European novels that appeared in Dutch in the past year.

The Bald Detective

The adaptation of Anna Grue’s popular crime series about PI Dan Sommerdahl, a.k.a. The Bald Detective, will start shooting in May. Produced by ndF (DE) and Sequoia Global Alliance (DK) for Danish broadcaster TV 2 and German ZDF, the first season of four 90-minute episodes is set to premiere in Denmark in early 2020. The TV-series is pre-sold to Scandinavia, France, Italy and Benelux. Grue is currently writing the 8th book in the series, with expected publication later this year. (© Klein & Co.)

N. 1 Bestseller

NÁTT by Ragnar Jónasson (La Martinière) is currently n. 1 on the French paperback bestseller list. NÁTT (Myrknætti) is the third volume in Jónasson’s celebrated Dark Iceland Series featuring Ari Thór, which is sold to 17 territories so far – most recently to A. W. Bruna in The Netherlands and Editorial Planeta in Spain. Hailed for combining the darkness of Nordic Noir with classic mystery writing in the tradition of Agatha Christie, Ragnar Jónasson has sold over 300,000 copies in France alone.

THE HOLY WORD

Sigríður Hagalin Björnsdóttir’s highly anticipated THE HOLY WORD (Benedikt), about the power of the written word in an online world, has been acquired by Gaia in France and Literackie in Poland. The fast-paced high-concept thriller has delighted critics in Iceland, who are hailing it as a gripping blend between The Da Vince Code and Sophie’s World; calling it “subtle, imaginative and profound” (4 stars, Fréttablaðið), “difficult to put down and exquisitely written” (4 stars, Morgunblaðið).

Italian pre-empt

Niels Lyngsø's novella-length essay TEN DAYS OF SILENCE (Gyldendal), which chronicles his silent sojourn in the Swedish woods, has just been pre-empted by Longanesi (Mauri Spagnol) in Italy! Marrying scientific research into meditation, philosophical considerations and first-hand experience, TEN DAYS OF SILENCE will be published alongside Longanesi's physicists Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson, as well as longstanding classics like Bertrand Russell, Denis Guedj, and Jostein Gaarder.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Halfdan Pisket whose autobiographical DANSKER trilogy about his Turkish father’s life has been awarded for Best Series at the prestigious Festival d’Angoulême, one of the world's largest comics festivals. Congratulations also to his French publisher, Presque lune éditions, and his translator Jean-Baptiste Coursaud. The DANSKER trilogy is also published in Swedish by Kartago, Dutch by SubQ/ Volt and is forthcoming in Spanish, by the Mexican publisher La Cifra Editorial.

Bewitches Critics

Swedish critics are loving Josefine Klougart’s NEW FOREST (Albert Bonniers förlag): “Precisely, intensely and very beautifully, this immense novel wraps you in its images, its language” (Aftonbladet), “Particularly beautiful and almost bewitching rhythm… images linger in the reader’s mind because they are both vivid and true” (Svenska Dagbladet), “The last pages of the novel…are some of the most beautiful I have read in Nordic prose” (Expressen), “Amazing” (Sydsvenskan). Photo: Mads Teglers.

Jessen: Starred PW!

Ida Jessen's A CHANGE IN TIME (Archipelago; 26th March) is off to a fantastic start in the US with a starred review in Publishers Weekly: “…a powerful and intimate portrait of a woman who, after two decades of marriage to a stoic and affectionless man, finally builds a life and identity on her own terms after her husband dies… Jessen is a talented and empathetic writer, and has imbued a quiet story about a woman finding herself after her husband’s death with poignancy and stunning humanity."

"Lyngsø is excellent"

In his TEN DAYS OF SILENCE (Gyldendal), Niels Lyngsø –sceptical and decidedly unspiritual– embarks on a silent Vipassana retreat in a Swedish forest to learn the art of ancient Buddhist meditation. Critics are welcoming the book as “interesting and fascinating. Not a self-help book but a very personal this-is-how-I-did-it book…Open, honest…has complete mastery over his language, [which] elevates the story” (Politiken), “Everyone should read this” (Information), “Excellent” (Kristeligt dagblad).

Major Film Deal

Nordisk Film has acquired the rights to bestselling historian Tom Buk-Swienty’s two upcoming books: THE LIONESS, a portrait of modern woman and beloved author Karen Blixen and her life as a coffee farmer in Kenya (1914-31). To be followed by THE GREAT DANE, a biopic of legendary Danish scientist Niels Bohr, one of the fathers of the nuclear bomb. Set to be published by Gyldendal in Denmark in 2019 and 2022, respectively. For more info, please follow the link to Nordisk Film's press release.

RESIN: Best of 2018

The Guardian has selected Ane Riel’s thrilling RESIN (Doubleday) among their best novels of 2018: “A thoroughly unsettling tale of possessive love,” writes Laura Wilson. RESIN has also been selected by The Daily Express’ Jon Coates as one of the 20 best books of 2018: “I devoured the beautifully written, ethereal novel.” RESIN is sold to 17 territories so far, with the film adaptation set to premiere in 2020.

Awards for Fastrup

Karen Fastrup’s critically-acclaimed HUNGER HEART (Hungerhjerte), an autofictional page-turner that depicts the time before, during and after a psychotic break parallel with the author’s upbringing, has not only been nominated for the Danish Broadcasting Corporation’s Literary Award, but it has also been awarded by the Danish Art Foundation for being a work of especially high artistic quality. The jury calls it "at once bare, moving and often so funny that it is in itself healing."

LAST AID to Turbine

Cathrine Knudsen's technosceptic LAST AID (Pelikanen, 2018) has been acquired by Turbine in Denmark. Norwegian critics heaped praise on the novel: "Knudsen's work is always relentlessly defiant, but LAST AID is her most striking and confrontational novel to date" (Morgenbladet), "Knudsen is a rarity in Norwegian literature" (Aftenposten), "Knausgård's publishing house has published a book that surpasses his own" (Stavanger), "Genuinely uncomfortable and incredibly interesting" (Klassekampen).

"Best and nuanced"

“All doctors should read Marstrand-Jørgensen’s book about anxiety and depression,” so reads the headline of Politiken’s five-heart review of A RIVER MUST MOVE (En flod skal være i bevægelse, Gyldendal). Through conversations with experts and her own experiences with anxiety, depression, psychiatry, and therapy since her diagnosis in 1983 at the age of twelve, the “wonderfully concrete” book “is one of the best and nuanced works of nonfiction about anxiety and depression.”

IBBY Honour List

Lene Kaaberbøl’s WILDFIRE, first book in her bestselling Wildwitch series, has been selected for the 2018 IBBY Honour List in the translation section (UK: Pushkin). Over the next 2 years the selected books will be shown in traveling exhibitions and book fairs worldwide. The Wildwitch series, which is sold to 19 territories and recently had its film premiere, tells the story of Clara, a normal 12-year-old girl, whose life is changed forever when she is scratched by an unusually large black cat.

New on Netflix

Netflix has announced YOUNG WALLANDER, a new original series based on Henning Mankell’s bestselling novels. Set in contemporary Sweden, Mankell’s iconic detective investigate his gripping first case. The story focuses on the formative experiences - professional and personal - faced by Kurt as a recently graduated police officer in his early twenties. The English-language drama series is told over 6 serialised episodes and features both British and Swedish cast. Production starts in 2019.

Sélection officielle

DANSKER has been officially selected by the prestigious comics Festival d’Angoulême: “Last part of the trilogy devoted to the story of the Danish artist’s father, who fled Turkey by deserting the army before emigrating to Denmark. A dark and uncompromising story, cut to the quick in black ink, enhanced by the symbolic drawings of a son, who by substituting himself for the paternal ‘I’ offers an understanding of the violence of a chaotic life.” Rights sold: NL, FR, SE, ES.

"Gut-wrenching"

Nicolai Houm's raw and gripping emotional mystery, THE GRADUAL DISAPPEARANCE OF JANE ASHLAND (Pushkin Press/ Tin House Press), continues to enthrall critics in the US. Publishers Weekly calls it an "austerely wrenching and darkly comic novel...a psychological study of the reverberations of trauma, its impact deepens even as its suspense lessens, resulting in a winning novel” while Kirkus calls it "gut-wrenching...This resonant book is both provocative and gripping." (Photo credit: Paal Audestad)

Swedish bestseller

Hanne-Vibeke Holst’s political thriller LIKE THE PLAGUE has been published in Sweden (Bonniers) to critical acclaim, snagging a spot on the bestseller list upon publication: "Like an alarming Stephen King novel… Holst has an unfailing ability to make social issues into exciting entertainment" (Dagens Nyheter), “A holiday-friendly thriller that makes readers think about what’s going on in the world" (Svenska Dagbladet), "With dramatic nerve, Holst keeps the tension alive throughout" (Östersund).

Greenlandic Crime

In the remote Arctic community of Inussuk, seven graves are dug at the end of each summer, before the ground freezes. As winter approaches, the question is, will they be enough? SEVEN GRAVES, ONE WINTER, first volume in Christoffer Petersen's riveting Greenland Crime Series, has been acquired by Quetzal in Portugal, RBA Libros in Spain and pre-empted by Knihy Dobrovsky in the Czech Republic. Meet the author at Iceland Noir, the upcoming crime festival in Reykjavík (16-18 Nov.)!

International Dagger

AFTER THE FIRE has been awarded the International Dagger by the UK Crime Writers' Assoc. for best translated crime novel of the year. The jury writes: “In Mankell’s last book the burning down of an island family home upends the life of an elderly recluse, leading to the examination and unexpected development of several relationships. It is a book full of humane reflections upon aging, and loss, and the fine grumpiness that made so many of Mankell’s characters recognizable. We’ll miss him."

"Disturbingly Good"

Madame Nielsen is “in transcendent form” with her latest offering, THE MONSTER, a New York horror story (5 stars, Berlingske). Information hails her as “one of Danish literature’s greatest literary stylists” and describes the novel as “Raskolnikov meets Kafka meets Warhol… A critical meditation on civilisation and the times we live in… Disturbingly good” while Weekendavisen calls it “exquisitely enigmatic and breathtaking.” Sold to Kiepenheuer & Witsch (DE) and Pelikanen (NO), pre-publication.

“A Force of Nature”

The French edition of SAGA ÁSTU by Jón Kalman Stefánsson is being lauded by both critics and readers alike! Only one month after publication, SAGA ÁSTU has sold over 20.000 copies. “Devilishly mastered, marvelously translated, Stéfansson’s sixth novel translated into French is drunk with love, happiness, grace and darkness. All the things that suspend time. You must taste this elixir.” (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Lire)

Sold to 18 territories!

Ragnar Jónasson recently sold to Spain at auction! Spanish and Catalan readers can now look forward to reading Jónasson’s chilling DARK ICELAND SERIES and to meeting one of the most exciting female detectives in modern crime, Hulda Hermannsdottir from THE HULDA TRILOGY. Rights sold to Planeta and Grup62. Jónasson has so far been sold to 18 territories.

“Utterly Unique”

Geir Gulliksen’s latest novel LOOK AT US NOW has just been published in Sweden shortly after its publication in Norway, receiving excellent reviews: “Geir Gulliksen’s new novel is a fantastic and painfully intimate story about modern relationships... ” (Borås Tidning). “Gulliksen writes with a combination of sensitivity, objectivity and a tender humor that manages to position itself in an area of modern Scandinavian prose that I would like to call the ‘new-erotic’... ” (Expressen).

"Virtuosic magic act"

First US review is in! A month before its US publication (Tin House Press), The Atlantic has reviewed Nicolai Houm's THE GRADUAL DISAPPEARANCE OF JANE ASHLAND: "His legerdemain is remarkable. He builds suspense even as he splinters his plot into nonlinear fragments. He conjures up the emotional arc of a female life—from childhood loneliness through intense love to midlife derailment—in just 226 undersized pages. Most unexpected of all, he deepens a tale of grief with a caustic comic tone."

Resin: Rolling!

We are pleased to share that filming has kicked off on Funen! The international bestseller RESIN by Ane Riel is being adapted to film by Zentropa and Adomeit Film, with Daniel Borgman directing. The star-studded cast of the psychological thriller, set for cinematic release at the start of 2020, will feature Sofie Gråbøl as the mother, Peter Plaugborg as the father, Amanda Collin, Ghita Nørby, and the young up-and-comer Vivelill Søgaard Holm as the main character, Liv. (Photo: Marie Pasenau)

"Exciting & Fearless"

Karen Fastrup’s autofictional novel, HUNGERHJERTE, is taking the press by storm! “Difficult to escape…A page-turner of a memoir” (Information), “The finest takeaway from the novel: the psyche is fragile, but language can soothe, clarify, restore and repair” (5 hearts, Politiken),“A fundamentally exciting text that fearlessly and earnestly immerses itself in taboos” (Weekendavisen),“Brutally honest… Fastrup has always been a good writer, but with this book, she is even better” (Litteratursiden).

New Gulliksen!

Geir Gulliksen, author of the critically-acclaimed STORY OF A MARRIAGE, is back with LOOK AT US NOW, which has been welcomed with great reviews: “Wonderfully well-crafted…Does not shy away from the fragile aspects of relationships and self-understanding” (five stars, Dagbladet), “Clever and thought-provoking” (NRK), “Very, very funny" (Dagens Næringsliv), "Writes, as always, with great musicality, drive, empathy and inquisitiveness” (VG). Rights sold pre-pub to Denmark and Sweden. Congrats!

"Exceptional"

Ida Jessen’s TELEPHONE, a standalone continuation of her critically-acclaimed Hvium trilogy, tells the story of a retired priest who volunteers at a counselling helpline. The novel is delighting critics: “A compelling and moving read” (Kristeligt D.), “A condensed and unsentimental look into welfare society’s underbelly… Worth reading, a linguistic success” (WA), “Exceptional dialogue” (Politiken), “As always, Jessen demonstrates her unrivalled insight into complex human psychology” (Nordjyske).

Hope, Love, Faith

FAITH, the final volume of Mich Vraa's critically-acclaimed trilogy set in the Danish West Indies, has received glowing reviews: "Vraa’s trilogy is a central work in the understanding of our dark past. It should to be published in other languages” (5 hearts, Politiken), "Yet another insanely well-written novel" (6 hearts, Femina), "A masterpiece” (Litteratursiden), “A beautifully composed literary puzzle" (Information). German rights for HOPE and PETER'S PASSION are sold to Hoffmann & Campe.

RESIN in the UK

Excellent reviews are rolling in for Ane Riel’s award-winning novel RESIN, published by Doubleday (UK): “It reminded me of Stephen King at his best: creepy as hell, but with compassion for every character, however misguided” (five stars in The Daily Telegraph), “Deliciously macabre” ('Thriller of the Month,' The Observer), “Addictive, brutal and honest (…) an emotional rollercoaster” (The Skinny). RESIN is sold to 14 territories so far, most recently to Italy, Israel, Croatia and China.

"Best Catch!"

Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s latest standalone novel THE STORY OF ÁSTA, to be published tomorrow in Danish by Batzer & Co., has been wonderfully reviewed in Weekendavisen. The paper praises the novel's sharp humor and social commentary, calling it “one of the best catches of the North Atlantic. Read Jón Kalman Stefánsson and be enchanted by the language and by the at times playful, at times serious love story." The novel was an instant bestseller in Iceland and has been sold to 8 territories so far.

The New Yorker

STORY OF A MARRIAGE by Geir Gulliksen (Hogarth) is being warmly received by US critics. Most recently, in The New Yorker: "In this philosophical domestic drama, a narrator named Jon attempts to recount the dissolution of his marriage from the imagined perspective of his eventual ex-wife, Timmy… the novel is painfully persuasive in its view of relationships—how arbitrarily we slip into and out of them, and how we rely on love, or the illusion of it, to existential boredom and despair."

Mankell's Debut

Henning Mankell’s debut THE STONE BLASTER (Bersprängeren;1973), in which an old man reflects on his life and the need for social solidarity, has recently been published in German by Zsolnay and is currently on the SPIEGEL bestseller list. The press writes, “One of the great writers of our time… Like Simenon, like Roth, like Irving… Opening his books is always a bit like coming home" (Die Zeit), “Touchingly relevant today” (NDR), "A masterpiece of refined simplicity" (Kölnische Rundschau).

DR's Novel of 2018!

Congratulations to Maren Uthaug whose dark Nordic family drama WHERE THERE ARE BIRDS (Lindhardt og Ringhof) has just been awarded The Danish Broadcasting Corporation’s Novel of the Year Award! Set in the 1920s in and around an isolated lighthouse and a nearby fishing village, the critically-acclaimed WHERE THERE ARE BIRDS is a magnificent tale of lust, loneliness, lies and the many truths hidden behind the darkest of secrets. German rights are sold to btb/ Random House. (Photo: © Kajsa Gullberg)

Congratulations

It is with great pleasure that we share the news that Tom Buk-Swienty’s gripping historical masterpiece SLAUGHTER -BENCH DYBBOL (Slagtebænk Dybbøl) is among the 10 best books of nonfiction published in Scandinavia since 2000. The 10 overall winners have been chosen by a jury from a longlist of 30 nominated titles, which in turn were selected in collaboration between Denmark’s Weekendavisen, Norway’s Morgenbladet, Sweden’s Aftonbladet, Broen.xyz and the Norwegian Literature Festival. Congrats!

UK reviews are in

Geir Gulliksen’s Story of a Marriage has recently been published in the UK (Chatto & Windus) to great reviews: “Agonising emotional truth. [Gulliksen] deserves recognition far beyond Scandinavia as the author of this intimately compelling novel” (The Observer), “Short, emotionally taut novel… an engagingly complex study of a relationship hitting the skids” (Kirkus, pre-pub.), “Gulliksen distills love’s dissolution in this precisely evoked, intimate, yet expansive tale.” (Booklist, pre-pub.).

The New Yorker

The New Yorker recommends Morten Strøksnes' award-winning Shark Drunk (HAVBOKA), recently published in paperback in the US by Vintage Books, calling it an "intellectual page-turner... [that shows] how historical and scientific writing can be woven into a narrative while leaving the particular pleasures of both modes intact." We couldn't agree more. Shark Drunk is sold to 26 countries so far. Follow the link to read the rest of The New Yorker's review.

Nominé pour 2 prix

Finnish-Swedish Kjell Westö’s YELLOW SULPHUR SKY (Den svavelgula himlen), an epic love story about a wealthy Helsinki family and the man who uncovers their secrets, is currently up for two literary prizes in France: The European Literature Festival’s Prix des lecteurs (Readers' Choice Awards) as well as the Prix Jean Monet, which is juried by fellow writers, critics and journalists. YELLOW SULPHUR SKY is published by Éditions Autrement in France and sold to 9 territories, with excellent reviews.

Then there were 3

The readers have spoken: A shortlist of the nominees for The Danish Broadcasting Corp.’s Novel of the Year has been announced. Of the 6 titles, 3 have been chosen for the next round of deliberation and we're pleased to say that 2 of our authors are still in the running: ROT by Kamilla Hega Holst as well as WHERE THERE ARE BIRDS by Maren Uthaug. Though different, the novels share a darkness in their respective family dramas, each in their own way dealing with isolation, desire, despair and shame.

The Europa Prize

Congratulations to Carsten Jensen who has just been awarded The Europa Prize by EUF! Awarded for the first time this year, the Europa Prize honors individuals committed to a strong and democratic Europe and therefore applauds Jensen’s “border-crossing humanism and and his literary confrontation with the disastrous consequences of nationalism and militarism.” Adding, “With its commitment to tolerance and dialogue, Carsten Jensen’s work is more topical than ever.” Congrats! (Photo: Isak Hoffmeyer)

The Exception

The film adaptation of Christian Jungersen’s bestselling international hit UNDTAGELSEN, a psychological thriller in which four women are stalked - possibly by a war criminal or someone closer to home, will kick off production this August with cinematic release scheduled for Fall 2019. The film’s four female characters will be played by Sidse Babett Knudsen (Borgen, Westworld), Danica Curcic, Amanda Collin and Lene Maria Christensen with Jesper W. Nielsen directing. (Photo: Steen Evald)

6-week Bestseller

Marit Eikemo's A FREE AND NONBINDING VALUATION, a darkly entertaining relationship drama about the dream of a perfect house/ life, is for the fourth week running at the top of the Norwegian bestseller list! Excellent reviews are still coming in: Hardanger folkeblad writes, "Eikemo has written herself into the top tier of Norwegian contemporary writers" and Dagavisen calls it "a particularly good novel about choices, what determines them, and the price of closing." (Photo: © Agnete Brun)

UK reviews are in!

Bloggers and critics agree, THE GRADUAL DISAPPEARANCE OF JANE ASHLAND by Nicolai Houm is a moving, compelling and beautifully written emotional mystery by an exciting literary talent: “Wait for it to crystallise, and this unpredictable narrative — both quirky and bleak — dishes up a dark chronicle of grief that gets under your skin" (Daily Mail); "Powerful, symmetrical, and well-controlled" (Irish Times); "Meditative...witty...compelling" (Nudge Books). Published by Pushkin Press in the UK.

1st review: 6 out of 6

The first Norwegian review of HOPE by Mich Vraa is in! Stavanger Aftenblad calls HÅPET "a powerful historical novel with overwhelming, gruesome, graphically detailed and important stories and facts from our shared Danish-Norwegian colonial history... (HOPE is) a well-rounded piece of fiction that, with its harmonious and accomplished composition, satisfies most of the demands of an entertaining novel... An epic and stylistic reading experience." HÅPET is published by Bazar in Norway.

She’s done it again!

Marit Eikemo’s highly anticipated novel A FREE AND NONBINDING VALUATION (Samlaget) has received excellent reviews: NRK calls it "A literary achievement…Eikemo is a master observer of how we live today." "Worthy of a play…The ending leaves a question of Ibsenian proportions: How disillusioned are we actually willing to live?” (Bergens Tidende) and 5 on VG’s dice, “She's done it again! A cracking good page-turner with linguistic force and energy… Eikemo is a contemporary storyteller of rank." (VG)

Relentlessly defiant

Cathrine Knudsen’s striking novel LAST AID (Pelikanen) delves into our changing humanity in the age of technology. Reviews so far applaud the author’s vision and originality: “Knudsen’s work is always relentlessly defiant, but LAST AID is her most striking and confrontational novel to date” (Morgenbladet), “The novel is both genuinely uncomfortable and incredibly interesting” (Klassekampen), “A rarity in Norwegian literature" (Aftenposten), “The way she ends the book is brilliant" (Vårt land).

Tremendous reviews

INNER BATTLE II, the second installment of Birgithe Kosovic's fascinating biographical novel about one of Denmark’s most controversial politicians, Erik Scavenius, has been published to great critical acclaim: “It is rare for political dilemmas to be presented with such nuance and excitement” (6 stars, Dagbladenes B.); “Kosovic deftly handles a huge amount of interesting and highly dramatic material” (5 stars, Politiken); “Tremendous” (Berlingske); "Fascinating and nurturing" (Weekendavisen).

Warm UK Welcome

Ragnar Jónasson’s new series is off to an excellent start in the UK (Michael Joseph)! The Sunday Times has selected it as their Crime Book of the Month: "Superb...chilling... tells Hulda’s story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction.” The Guardian says it's “expertly plotted, with an ending that’s a true shocker.” Rights sold: CZ (Dobrovsky), FR (La Martinière), JP (Shogakukan), SE (Modernista), US (St. Martin’s).

Critics' Choice 2018

Ida Jessen is this year’s winner of The Critics’ Choice Award (Kritikerprisen) for her novel THE ANAGRAMS OF DOCTOR BAGGE (Doktor Bagges anagrammer). The jury is comprised of Danish literary critics, who applauded Jessen’s “wonderful portrait of an enigmatic doctor, who wishes to do right and good, but accidentally causes the death of five siblings. This tragedy is his greatest secret, but not his only secret.” Congrats, Ida!

Madame on Tour

Madame Nielsen’s THE ENDLESS SUMMER has been published in the US (Open Letter) and Germany (KiWi). Die Zeit calls it “a literary work of art, which unfolds like a dream before the eyes of the reader” while The New York Times writes, “this book achieves something worthwhile, uncommon and lovely… Its combination of nostalgia, reverie and tragedy reminds us why we tempt fate to luxuriate in life’s fleeting, unexpected moments.” Brava! (Photo: © Sofie Amalie Klougart.)

Nordic Nonfiction

Three major Scandinavian newspapers are working together to highlight the best of Nordic non-fiction published in Denmark, Norway and Sweden since 2000. The jury has just announced a longlist of 30 nominated titles, which includes three of our very own: THE BORDER (Grensen) by Erika Fatland, SHARK DRUNK (Havboka) by Morten Strøksnes, and SLAUGHTERBENCH DYBBOL (Slagtebænk Dybbøl) by Tom Buk-Swienty. The overall winner will be announced on 1st June.

Golden Trifecta

Ane Riel has just been awarded the Golden Bullet in Norway for Best Crime Novel in Translation! Her novel HARPIKS (Resin) is in the exceptionally impressive position of having won Scandinavia’s three most important crime novel awards – The Harald Mogensen in Denmark, the Award for Best Crime Novel in Translation presented by the Swedish Crime Writers’ Academy, and now Norway’s Golden Bullet – as well as the Glass Key for Best Nordic Thriller, of course. Congratulations, Ane!

Politikens 2017

Congratulations to Anne Lise Marstrand-Jørgensen who has been awarded Politikens prestigious 2017 Literature Prize for her mythical origin story of sorrow and Europe entitled TEARS OF GOD (Sorgens grundstof). With its blend of magical realism and historical fact, the novel follows a young Jewish business man, an Armenian antique dealer and a Caribbean slave descendant in their travels throughout European history from the congress of Vienna in 1814 to the great wars of the 20th century.

Nordisk Nomination

Congratulations to our Faroese author and poet Jóanes Nielsen on his nomination for The 2018 Nordic Council Literature Prize! Nielsen is once again nominated for the prize, this time for his tenth poetry collection entitled GOD’S HEAD (Gudahøvd). In other news, German rights for CANDY HEART (Bommhjarta), sequel to the epic North Atlantic chronicle THE BRAHMADELLS, have just been sold to btb/ Random House. Congratulations! (Photo: © Birgir Kruse)

Congratulations!

The Society of Swedish Literature in Finland’s prestigious Tollanders Award goes to Kjell Westö for his latest critically-acclaimed novel Yellow Sulphur Sky. The jury writes, “A sad, beautiful story about generation gaps, class differences and social change explored from the perspective of the bourgeois anti-hero. About the author's moral responsibility – how collective lies persist in spite of all efforts to the contrary – and the difficulty of overcoming one’s gendered and ethniced horizon.”

Wanderlust Award

2018’s Wanderlust Adventure Travel Book of the Year goes to SHARK DRUNK (Havboka) by Morten Strøksnes for his outstanding contribution to the genre. The Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards exist to celebrate this most exciting of genres and seek to celebrate the best travel writing, and writers, in the world. Congratulations to Morten and his translator Tiina Nunnally!

Liberty at Berlinale

DR’s upcoming TV adaptation of Jacob Ejersbo’s LIBERTY has been selected by the 68th Berlinale International Film Festival, where it will receive its world premiere next month. LIBERTY is based on the late Ejersbo’s last novel, which unfolds in the late ’80s in Tanzania where two Scandinavian families are stationed. The characters are brought to the small screen by, i.a., Connie Nielsen, Sofie Gråbøl and Carsten Bjørnlund, with Mikael Marcimain as director. Photo credit: Aske Alexander Foss / DR

2018 Nominee

Anne Lise Marstrand-Jørgensen’s GOD’S TEARS has been nominated for this year’s Politiken’s Literature Prize. GOD’S TEARS is an epic tale of woe and wickedness that blends historical facts with magical realism to get to the heart of human misery. Marstrand-Jørgensen is one of seven writers to be nominated, all chosen for their deep originality, strong emotions and important existentialism. The winner of the prize will be determined by a poll of readers by the end of February.

Best Crime of 2017

Congratulations to Elsebeth Egholm, who has just been awarded the Harald Mogensen Prize for Best Danish Crime of the Year! The literary award for crime fiction is annually selected by The Danish Crime Academy and its winner is put forth as the Danish candidate for the Glass Key Award, the prestigious literary award given annually to a Scandinavian crime novel author.

Bookseller Award

The Icelandic Booksellers' Award for “Best Novel of the Year” goes to Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s Saga Ástu in first place and Ragnar Jónasson’s Mistúr in third place. The winners are picked by the staff of the country's bookstores. Jónasson’s conclusion of The Hulda Trilogy marks the third consecutive year that Hulda is recognised as one of the best books of the year across all genres. Saga Ástu is currently the n. 1 bestseller (across all genres) in Iceland (Dec. 2017).

Félicitations

Carsten Jensen’s THE FIRST STONE has been published in France to great critical acclaim. The literary magazine Transfuge has named “La première pierre” (trans. by Nils Ahl for Phébus) as “the best translated Scandinavian novel of the year” while Le Point includes it in their list of “25 best books of the year,” where it's in good company with, amongst others, Nobel prize winners Orhan Pamuk and Patrick Modiano.

World Lit Today

We are very pleased to share that Josefine Klougart’s OF DARKNESS (trans. Martin Aitken for Deep Vellum) and Jóanes Nielsen’s THE BRAHMADELLS (trans. Kerri A. Pierce for Open Letter) have been selected by World Literature Today in their list of “The Most Notable Translations of 2017” – a year where “literary translation has continued to thrive and move in exciting directions.” Hear, hear!

Nominee

Congratulations to Kamilla Hega Holst whose latest novel RUD (Rot) has been nominated for the Danish Broadcasting Corporation’s “Novel of the Year - 2018” Award (DR Romanpris). The winner will be announced in June 2018. RUD was published earlier this year to rave reviews: ”Essentially and philosophically exciting” (Politiken), ”a very special ability to deal with the uncomfortable” (Kristeligt Dagblad).

Winner

We are very proud to announce that this year’s winner of the Best Swedish Crime Novel Award is Ane Riel and her novel HARPIKS (Resin) published by Modernista in Sweden with the title ”Kåda”, translated by Helena Ridelberg. The jury’s motivation: ”An absurd and surprisingly comical tragedy.” Foreign rights to HARPIKS have been sold in ten territories.

Icelandic Literary Award

We are delighted to announce that Jón Kalman Stefánsson has been nominated for the Icelandic Literary Award 2017 for his new novel SAGA ÁSTU (The Story of Asta) within the fiction category. One award is given for fiction or poetry and the other is given to an academic publication or a work of non-fiction. Five books are nominated in each category. The winner within each category will be announced in January 2018.

Nomination

Monica Kristensen’s polar drama documentary AMUNDSEN’S LAST VOYAGE has been nominated for this year’s Brage Prize, one of Norway’s most important literary awards. The jury writes, “Kristensen has written a razor sharp portrait of a faded icon’s last days (…) with an impressive wealth of knowledge and an elegant use of language (…) The result is masterful nonfiction with a thrilling dramaturgy and contagious curiosity about the riddle surrounding the demise of one of our great polar explorers.”

Hulda in France

MIST (Mistúr) by Ragnar Jónasson, final book in The Hulda Trilogy, has just received its first Icelandic review: “The best book I've read by Ragnar. Incredibly exciting and reminds the reader how rare it is these days that thrillers, even renowned thrillers, are really thrilling. (…) incredibly accomplished” (DV, ****). In other news, La Martinière (FR) have secured the final two books in The Dark Iceland Series along with HULDA’S LAST CASE with a six figure offer.

Houm to Tin House

In collaboration with UK publisher Pushkin Press, Norwegian author Nicolai Houm’s moving and compelling emotional mystery THE GRADUAL DISAPPEARANCE OF JANE ASHLAND will be published by indie press Tin House in the US. The e-book and audiobook with be produced and distributed by Bookchoice (UK & Comm territories). The UK edition is set to be published by Pushkin Press in April 2018.

5th print run

Maren Uthaug’s dark Nordic family drama WHERE THERE ARE BIRDS (Hvor der er fugle, L&R) is currently in its fifth print run with 5,000 copies sold in Denmark! Further congratulations are also in order: Maren Uthaug’s latest novel has been nominated for the Danish Broadcasting Corporation’s “Novel of the Year - 2018” Award (DR Romanpris), the winner of which will be announced in June 2018.

Dublin Lit Award

We are delighted to share the news that Josefine Klougart’s One of Us is Sleeping (translated by Martin Aitken) and Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s Fish Have No Feet (translated by Philip Roughton) have both been longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award 2018. Congratulations to you both!

PW starred review

Wonderful starred review in this week’s Publishers Weekly of Lene Kaaberbøl’s A LADY IN SHADOWS: A Madeleine Karno Mystery (published in the US by Atria), the exhilarating sequel to DOCTOR DEATH published in 2015: “Karno discovers disturbing facts about the murder that bring up female rights issues as relevant then as they are today. Kaaberbøl has created a genuinely tough, empathetic female heroine in an era when women were meant to be seen and not heard.”

First review in!

Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s Saga Ástu is “…exceptionally well-written, the text flows beautifully, and the reader is charmed. The characters are well-constructed; a compelling portrait of complex characters, who win the hearts of all who encounter them. It is easy to forget yourself in Ásta’s world – a real, difficult, happy and fragile world.” (RÚV) Rights have been sold (pre-pub) to SE: Weyler Förlag, IT: Iperborea, DE: Piper, FR: Grasset, DK: Batzer, NL: Ambo Anthos with UK and NO deals pending.

Bestseller

Erika Fatland’s new book GRENSEN (The Border) is now on its 4th print run with 15,000 books printed in total so far! The reviews are unanimous: ”a pleasure to read” (Aftenposten), ”admirably ambitious” (Klassekampen), “gripping and engaging” (VG). The highly anticipated title has been sold pre-publication to MacLehose (world English), Suhrkamp, Informations Forlag and Gaïa Éditions. Fatland has amongst other accolades won Wesselprisen 2016 and the Norwegian Prize for Nonfiction 2015.

Mankell's debut

Foreign rights in Henning Mankell’s debut novel BERGSPRÄNGAREN (The Rock Blaster) from 1973 have recently been sold to a number of publishers: Dutch: De Geus, French: Éditions du Seuil, Spanish: Tusquets Editores and German: Zsolnay.

Three-book deal

Swedish publisher Modernista has secured rights for Ragnar Jónasson’s new crime trilogy told in reverse chronology featuring Icelandic detective Hulda. UK publisher Michael Joseph has also signed up for the trilogy with DIMMA (The Darkness) as their lead title in Spring 2018. Finally, St. Martin’s Press in the US have signed a two-book deal. International rights for Jónasson’s two crime series have been sold to a total 16 countries.

Going viral

SOM PESTEN (Like the Plague) by Danish bestselling author Hanne-Vibeke Holst has sold to Norway (Gyldendal Norsk, Cathrine Bakke Bolin) and Sweden (Albert Bonnier Förlag, Daniel Sandström). “Pedal to the metal and both hands on the steering wheel” said Information about the multi-plotted story of a violent, international virus attack and the people who fight it, suffer from it, make money of it or politicize it. “Energetic and undeniably entertaining novel of disaster” said Jylland-Posten.

Tears of God

SORGENS GRUNDSTOF (Tears of God), the new novel by Anne Lise Marstrand-Jørgensen, is an ambitious, passionate and imaginative tale about European history. It has received six out of six stars in Berlingske Tidende and five out of six hearts in Politiken on publication day: “A heart warming, intelligent and dark novel, original in its form” (Politiken). A tale of sorrow and longing, mass migration and political struggle. And about war, compassion and love that never ceases to be.

“An excellent book”

Author Tom Buk-Swienty returns to the bestseller lists with his biography of a German soldier during WW2. DET ENSOMME HJERTE (A Lonely Heart in The Third Reich) is based on more than 5.000 pages of memoirs and hundreds of drawings and paintings by Hans Horn, a Danish doctor who died in 1989. He was born in Germany in 1921 and experienced the war from beginning to end. “An excellent book about Hans Horn as a survivor in the purgatory of the Third Reich.” (Five stars, Jyllands-Posten)

Zólaco Book Fair

Jón Kalman Stefánsson, Kjell Westö and Madame Nielsen are all attending Mexico City's Zócalo International Book Fair 2017 in connection with the festival of Nordic literature that takes place from 12th – 14th October. All authors have works published in Spanish, Madame Nielsen’s DEN ENDELØSE SOMMER (El verano infitino) is published by Minuscula, Salamandra publishes Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s HJARTA MANSINNS (El corazón del homre) and Kjell Westö’s HÄGRING 38 (Espejismo 38) is by Nórdica Libros.

”Hammannesque”

Few authors see their names turned into words. Kirsten Hammann is one of them. “Hammannesque” means vulnerable and hard-hitting at the same time, and her new book OFTE STILLEDE SPØRGSMÅL (FAQ) is exactly that. A self-portrait in the form of a diary with reflections on the role of an author, who does not like to explain her work. ***** Hammann exposes herself in her new, smart book.” (Børsen). Kirsten Hammann is the author, most recently, of SE PÅ MIG (Look at Me) and ALENE HJEMME (Home Alone).

Arabic rights

Arabic rights to Joakim Garff’s biography SAK on Søren Aabye Kierkegaard have been sold to Dar AlMada in Bagdad making this the eleventh foreign rights deal for this long standing bestseller. SAK has been published ny Princeton University Press in the US, with rights also sold to China, Japan, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden.

Oscar nominee

Peter Schønau Fog’s film ”You Dissapear” based on Danish author Christian Jungersen’s bestselling novel, DU FORSVINDER (You Dissapear), has been selected as Denmark’s official entry to the Foreign Language Film category at the 2018 Oscars. The film was chosen from a shortlist of three: Henrik Ruben Genz’ ”Word of God” and Fenar Ahmad’s ”Darkland”. DU FORSVINDER (You Dissapear), was originally published in Danish in 2012 and has since then been sold to 10 international territories.

Wildwitch on stage

Lene Kaaberbøl’s prizewinning VILDHEKS (Wildwitch) series will premiere tonight in a stunning stage adaptation at the Østre Gasværk theatre in Copenhagen. In addition, the International Board on Books for Youth have selected Wildwitch Wildfire translated by Charlotte Barslund to be included in the IBBY Honour Books catalogue in the translation category. The selected titles will be displayed at the Bologna book fair 2018. The English edition is published by Pushkin Press in the UK.

Novel of the Year

JANE ASHLANDS GRADVISE FORSVINNING (The Gradual Disappearance of Jane Ashland) by Nicolai Houm has won the Norwegian Book Blog Award as Best Novel of the Year 2016, ahead of bestseller Vigdis Hjort. The award is one of the few democratically chosen tokens of distinction whereby the best book of the year is selected by the Norwegian book bloggers. JANE ASHLANDS GRADVISE FORSVINNING will be published in English by Pushkin Press April 2018.

Russian rights

Russian rights in Malene Friis Andersen and Marie Kingston’s book STOP STRESS: A Manager’s Guide to Boosting Performance the Scandinavian Way have been sold to Exmo. This is the second sale of the highly praised handbook which was voted Best Management Book of 2016. Japanese rights were recently sold to Forest Publishing Co. Ltd.

Babel

Halfdan Pisket featured in the latest showing of Babel (27th August 2017), the prestigious Swedish television programme on domestic and international literature broadcast on Svt1, in connection with the Swedish publication of the Dane-trilogy. The trilogy is published by Kartago in Sweden; additional foreign sales include the following territories: Mexico, France and the Netherlands.

Copenhagen Sex Disease

Well-written, thought-provoking, essential and entertaining social satire with a sci-fi twist. The reviews are in for Adolphsen’s RYNKEKNEPPESYGEN (Mite Induced Wrinkle Disease): 6 stars (Berlingske), “This sort of thing requires talent and a sure hand, which Adolphsen has in abundance” (Information), "An unmistakably vivacious work of literature” (Weekendavisen), "The book is well-written and intelligent” (Politiken), “This is how well novels still can be written” (Dagbladenes Bureau).

Amalie Skram Award

Norwegian author Marit Eikemo has been awarded the highly esteemed Amalie Skram Award for her work. The jury’s motivation: “Like Skram, Eikemo concerns herself with what governs the choices people make, why we act as we do, why we do not choose to act differently. Like Skram, she seeks to understand, not judge – for those who truly understand, cannot judge. Eikemo writes with great empathy and humility.” A FREE AND NONBINDING VALUATION is expected to be published early next year.

HAVBOKA on stage

Pål Sverre Hagen, best known for the international film success Kon-Tiki, will perform a monologue at the prestigious Riksteatret in Oslo, based on Ole Andreas Tandberg’s theatre adaptation. This is the second theatre adaption of the bestseller, which was performed earlier this year at Hålogaland Theatre in Norway in Anders T. Andersen’s adaptation. Photo: Nordisk Film

High praise

Yellow Sulphur Sky an epic love story about a wealthy Helsinki family and the man who uncovers their secrets, has received rave reviews: “Magnificent novel: New and staggeringly intense. One reads it with a mixture of enjoyment and sadness.” (Dagens Nyheter) “You want to get to the end as much as you want the book never to end.” (Helsingin Sanomat). Rights sold to 8 territories: DK: Batzer, FI: Otava, FR: Autrement, DE: btb, NL: De Geus, NO: Pax, SE: Bonniers, Estonia: Eesti Raamat.

Fabulous review

"Magnificently written, masterly composed and eminently entertaining". The former professor of Nordic literature at Copenhagen University, Hans Hertel, has written a glowing review of PETERS KÆRLIGHED (Freedom), the second novel in Mich Vraa's trilogy about the Danish slave trade of the 1800's. Last year's HAABET (Hope) sold to Hoffmann & Campe in Germany (pre-empt) and Bazar in Norway (auction).

Czech rights

Elsebeth (’Dicte’) Egholm is in excellent form in her first in a new series. I ALWAYS FIND YOU is a bone-chilling story about a woman on the run – and not for the first time. It was published to great reviews on 28th July. “Once again Elsebeth Egholm proves that she is one of Denmark’s greatest, brightest and most original crime writers,” wrote crime connoisseur Bo Tao Michaëlis. I ALWAYS FIND YOU is #1 on major bestseller lists. Czech rights sold to Dubrovsky.

First deal

German rights in Anne-Sophie Lunding-Sørensen’s successful novel, HAPPY ENDING, about misfits, tough luck, loneliness and fragile hope have been sold to Dtv Verlagsgesellschaft. Film rights have been sold to SAM Productions. HAPPY ENDING captured readers and reviewers alike: ”Funny, entertaining and extremely well-written” (Jyllands-Posten) and “An entertaining romantic and tragic comedy, that I ate up in one sitting” (Weekendavisen).

Polish sale

Polish rights for Niklas Orrenius’ successful work of non-fiction SKOTTEN I KÖPENHAMN (Copenhagen Shootings) have been sold to Poznanskie, making this the second foreign rights deal. Danish rights were previously sold to Gyldendal. The author has been awarded the Order of the Teaspoon for “his efforts to map out and bring to light intolerance, xenophobia and political extremism”. The Swedish press praised the work: “Impressive and thought-provoking” (DN), “truly original” (Sydsvenskan).

Two territories

Two new territories have been added to the already extensive list of rights sold for international bestseller SHARK DRUNK by Morten Strøksnes. Catalan rights have been sold to Angle Editorial and Japanese rights to Kagaku Dojin Publishing Company bringing the total number of territories sold to 24.

Amharic

Ragnar Jónasson international bestseller, SNOWBLIND, has just been sold to Ethiopian publisher, Hohe Publishing, adding Amharic to the list of territories sold. In addition, Slovenian rights, also SNOWBLIND, have been sold to Didakta. THE DARK ISLAND series has been to a total of 14 territories.

New author

Two deals for new Icelandic author, Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir, and her debut novel, a dystopian sci-fi thriller, EYLAND (Island), have been concluded. Norwegian rights have been sold to Cappelen Damm while Wydawnictwo Literackie have just secured the Polish rights. Island plays out like a social experiment gone wrong – think Cormac McCarthy’s The Road meets Children of Men. A timely, but surreal exploration of nationalism, the environment, and displacement.

New sales

Another new territory has been added to the list of Klougart’s backlist: Brazilian rights for STIGNINGER OG FALD (Rise and Fall) have been sold to Editora Moinhos. Icelandic and Dutch rights for STIGNINGER OG FALD and EN AF OS SOVER (One of Us is Sleeping) have recently been sold to Sagarana Editora Forlag and Uitgeverij Oevers respectively. Finally, a German two-book deal was concluded with Matthes & Seitz for NEW FOREST and EN AF OS SOVER. The total number of territories sold is now at 13.

PW Picks

Morten Strøknes’ international bestseller SHARK DRUNK is featured as Publishers’ Weekly Pick of the Week, June 26, 2017: ”Strøksnes and Aasjord pass long days with nary a strike while they weather storms and view stunning scenery in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, vividly rendered by Strøksnes’s prose in Nunnally’s vigorous translation. (…) Strøksnes’s erudition, salty humor, and unfussy prose yield a fresh, engrossing natural history.” Published by Knopf in the US.

Finland

Finnish rights in Monica Kristensen’s dramatic documentary about the last days of Roald Amundsen, AMUNDSENS SISTE REISE (Amundsen’s Last Voyage), have been sold to LIKE Publishing. In addition, Russian rights have been sold to Paulsen, German rights to btb, Italian rights to Iperborea. The work has been highly praised by critics alike: “ It [is] a pleasure to read a text that is so clearly written with knowledge and passion, drive and commitment, and a build-up that reads like crime fiction.” VG

Dual sales

Two two-book deals for Ida Jessen’s dual-narrative novels DOKTOR BAGGES ANAGRAMMER (Doctor Bagge’s Anagrams) and EN NY TID (A Change of Time) have been secured with Historiska Media in Sweden and Typotex in Hungaria respectively. EN NY TID has already been sold to the US (Archipelago), Italy (Scritturapura) and Czech Republic (Paseka).

Blixen Awards

Authors Iben Mondrup and Halfdan Pisket were among the winners at the 3rd annual Blixen Awards in Copenhagen. Iben Mondrup took home The Blixen Literary Award for best novel KARENSMINDE (Karen’s Place) and Halfdan Pisket was awarded the Blixen Prize for best graphic novel DANSKER (Dane from the trilogy of the same name).

Spain

Spanish world rights to Erika Fatland’s SOVJETISTAN have been sold to Tusquets Editores. This comes hot on the heels of the two book deal for English world rights for SOVJETISTAN (Sovjetistan) and GRENSEN (The Border) which were sold to Maclehose Press. The latter has also been sold to Suhrkamp Verlag and is scheduled for original publication in Norway October 2017. SOVJETISTAN has now been sold to a total of 14 countries.

American sale

The award winning and bestselling author and member of the Norwegian Academy, Ivo de Figueiredo’s latest book, A STRANGER AT MY TABLE, will be published in the US by DoppleHouse Press. Subtitled A FAMILY SAGA the book is a search for roots, belonging, and cultural identity, that takes the Norwegian-Indian author on a journey that spans a lifetime of memories, four continents and nearly two centuries. “An engaging and extremely well-written book.” (VG).

New sales

Spanish rights sold to Alfaguara bringing the total number of territories sold to 14. Italian rights to Rizzoli Libri, Chinese complex to Locus, Chinese simplified to United Sky, Korean, French and Japanese rights to Sallim Publishing, Gaïa Editions and X-Knowledge respectively, while US rights to Penguin US, German rights to btb/Random House and Swedish rights to Albert Bonniers. Dutch rights to Lebowski, UK rights to MacLehose Press, Danish rights to People’s Press, Polish rights to Literackie

Dark Nordic noir

Just published: HVOR DER ER FUGLE (Where There are Birds) is the second novel by author and cartoonist Maren Uthaug. A story about a pregnant priest’s daughter and a young man on the run: “A dark Nordic noir and gothic thriller” (Weekendavisen). “The shifts in perspective give a disheartening impression of people, who deceive and betray each other. But they can also give comfort: even the least lovable person is loved by someone." (Politiken)

Third printing

Daniel Dencik’s SPORT’S HEART is a “fantastic and sensuous book about the sport of cycling" (Jyllands-Posten) and “a brilliant blend of journalistic observation, personal knowledge and insight” (Politiken). “Cycling is something as unusual as a team sport for loners. It is for eccentrics and misfits. Each race creates one winner and hundreds of losers […] Cycling is an unhappy unrequited love, race after race, season after season. It is a club for hopeless romantics.” (from SPORT’S HEART)

More mistakes!

New sales: Czech, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish rights now sold in THE BOOK OF MISTAKES by Sanne Bjerg. An entertaining and intelligent novel about mistakes. How we make them, avoid them, forget them and are sometimes haunted by them throughout our lives. “Sanne Bjerg has written a masterpiece (…) Once you start, you can’t stop” (Information). “A highly recommended and enriching reading experience” (Litteratursiden).

The Gyldendal Prize

Author Kirsten Hammann has received this year’s Søren Gyldendal Prize for her authorship. The prize is named after the founder of Gyldendal Publishers (Søren Gyldendal 1742-1802) and is given alternately to a writer of fiction and non-fiction. Kirsten Hammann celebrates her 25th anniversary as an author this year. Her most recent novel is HOME ALONE (2015). A new book – on writing – tentatively titled FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS will be published in the fall of 2017.

China

Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s HEAVEN AND HELL will be published by Xiron Books shortly. The publishing house has become so fond of the author that they pre-publication of HEAVEN AND HELL decided to acquire rights in the succeeding volumes THE SORROW OF ANGELS and THE HEART OF MAN whereby the full trilogy About the Boy will also be complete in Chinese simplified over time. Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s work has been sold to 26 territories all together.

Israel

We are pleased to announce that Hebrew rights in Kjell Westö’s HÄGRING 38 (The Wednesday Club) for which the author was awarded the Nordic Council’s Literature Prize in 2014 have been sold to Achuzat Bayit Publishers in Israel. This brings the total number of territories sold to 17.

Cartoon Award

Author and cartoonist Maren Uthaug has won the Norwegian Rocky Anniversary Award for her comic strip THINGS I DID, published over the past 4 years in the Danish daily Politiken. The award was created to further the presence of women cartoonists in Scandinavian newspapers and magazines. Maren Uthaug is also the author of two novels, THE GIRL WHO WAS SIMPLY THERE (recently published in France and Germany) and the forthcoming WHERE THERE ARE BIRDS (May 5th, 2017).

Starred PW

“An epic fishing trip reels in fascinating sea lore in this briny eco-adventure … vividly rendered by Strøksnes’s prose in Nunnally’s vigorous translation … Strøksnes’s erudition, salty humor, and unfussy prose yield a fresh, engrossing natural history.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Coming from Knopf in the US and in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, China, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK.

Wildwitch forever

The feature film based on Lene Kaaberbøl’s magnificent children’s fantasy series, Wildwitch 1-6, begins shooting in Hungary in early May. The film about young Clara’s transformation from innocent pre-teen to a dangerous life as a young wildwitch is produced by Good Company/Yellow Bird and will be ready for a spring 2018 release. A musical adaptation of Wildwitch will open at great stage of Østre Gasværk Theater in Copenhagen in the fall. Wild witch 1-6 is published in 14 territories.

Arc and Spark

First time author Lise Bock has been greeted by rave reviews for her work of non-fiction, The Arc and the Spark, about the pioneers of wireless communication. “A powerhouse of popular science … the author popularizes her material with equal parts passion and precision … juggles world history, scientific theories and experiments easily.” (Weekendavisen). About the understanding of electromagnetism and electricity and the invention and use of radiotechnology from 1820 to 1920. Illustrated.

Man Booker

We are proud to announce that Jón Kalman Stefánsson has been longlisted for the Man Booker International Prize 2017 for his novel FISKARNIR HAFA ENGA FÆTUR (Fish Have No Feet) (Maclehose), translated by Philip Roughton. The prize celebrates the finest works of translation from around the world and Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s work is one amongst 12 other contenders on the list.

Venus - the book

The candid and revealing documentary on female sexuality, Venus – Let’s Talk About Sex which will officially premiere 8th March 2017, has received rave reviews: “This is the film everybody should watch, if you wish to know more about female sexuality” (WA), “Curious, honest and simple” (NS, five stars), “Damn, what a group of brave women!” (Politiken). The documentary will be followed by a book of the complete, original testimonies, VENUS, to be published in Denmark by Gyldendal in May 2017.

Six stars

Icelandic, literary heavy-weight Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s novel EITTHVAD Á STÆRD VID ALHEIMINN (About the Size of the Universe) has just been published in Denmark by Batzer & Co. to stunning reviews. According to Weekenavisen, Kalman Stefánsson surpasses all Nordic publications this year and “the author deserves a prize around the size of the universe” while Jyllands-Posten acknowledges the book as a six starred masterpiece, while Litteratursiden urges readers to “Read the novel slowly. Twice”.

Rave reviews

C&K Forlag in Denmark have just published international bestseller Geir Gulliksen’s HISTORIE OM ET EKTESKAP (Story of a Marriage) and the reviews unanimously praise the work: Jyllands-Posten describes the book as a “beautiful and harrowing story of a marriage”. Berlingske: “a great literary experience” and “a brilliant novel that reaches beyond any marriage. And touches all marriages.” Kristeligt Dagblad gives the novel 5 stars and challenges all readers to pick up this wonderful book.

Bestseller

New novel in the critically acclaimed crime series from the north of Norway, FORLISET (Shipwreck) by Frode Granhus, has gone straight to number 10 on the Norwegian bestseller list after last week’s release. FORLISET (Shipwreck) is the 5th book in the series starring Detective Rino Carlsen. Granhus’ novels have been shortlisted for the Book Seller Prize, the Riverton Prize and the Brage Prize with international sales to a number of foreign publishers, most recently to Paulsen in Russia.

New talent

Simen Ekern is one of four participants chosen for NORLA’s development programme for new literary talents “New Voices”, a part of the project of Norway as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2019. The programme has been established in collaboration with Talent Norge and the Norwegian Publishers Association. Simen Ekern is an outstanding nonfiction writer and journalist who has written about the rise of the Front National in France, and its influence beyond the borders of France.

Italian deal

We are proud to announce that Italian rights in Linda Boström Knausgård’s new novel VÄLKOMMEN TILL AMERIKA (Welcome to America) have now been sold to La Nave di Teseo editore in addition to Icelandic rights which were recently sold to Benedikt Bókaútgáfa. Other sales include Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.

Ejersbo to DR

The Danish Radio Broadcasting Corporation (DR) has announced plans to make a five-part series based on Jakob Ejersbo's LIBERTY (Liberty), part of the posthumous 'Africa-trilogy'. DR, producer of 'The Killing', 'Borgen' and other international successes, has been Emmy-nominated 22 times with four wins. DR received 'The International Emmy Directorate Award' for its outstanding contribution to international television in 2016. 'Liberty' will air in Denmark in the spring of 2018.

Russian sale

Russian rights in MALSTRØMMEN (The Maelstrom) by the internationally acclaimed Norwegian crime author, Frode Granhus, have been sold to Paulsen. Granhus focusses on the intense and unpredictable nature of Lofoten in Norway by creating a backdrop for ice cold and powerful plots, that continuously take both the reader and the police by surprise. There are five books in the series which has been nominated for the Norwegian Booksellers’ Prize, the Riverton Prize and the Brage Prize.

Dazzling dual-narrative

The Danish reviews of Ida Jessen’s DOKTOR BAGGES ANAGRAMMER (Doctor Bagge’s Anagrams), the second part of a dual-narrative novel paired with A Change in Time (2015), unanimously praise the work: ”A new peak in Ida Jessen's authorship” (Politiken); ”One rejoices at how clearly and precisely the book is written” (Information); ”Once again, Ida Jessen has succeeded in creating a small masterpiece” (Weekendavisen); ”Doctor Bagge’s Anagrams is a new triumph in [her] authorship” (Kristeligt Dagblad).

Magnificent debut

Erik Eikehaug's debut novel “James Franco spits when he talks” was just launched in Norway and has received excellent reviews: VG describes the book as a: «Magnificent debut» while Klassekampen says: «It is young and bittersweet in a riveting way and a touching portrayal.» Dagens Næringsliv calls the book «A delightful old-fashioned novel, in all its big-mouthed generosity». We follow young Kenneth and his personal struggles, on to his studies in creative writing in New York City 20 years later.

Sweden

Carsten Jensen’s novel DEN FØRSTE STEN (The First Stone) has just been published in Sweden by Albert Bonniers Förlag in a beautiful edition. The book has been widely reviewed with praise from Göteborgs-Posten: ”Jensen’s novel should be mandatory reading”, Ystads Allahanda: ”The First Stone’s genre-breaking account of war is magnificent reading”, ”An infuriatingly brilliant author” (Smålands-Tidningen) and Dagens Nyheter: ”Jensen demonstrates his magnitude as a narrator”.

Mexico

Graphic novel author and artist, Halfdan Pisket, and his acclaimed Cockroach-trilogy: DESERTØR (Deserter), KAKELAK (Cockroach), DANSKER (Dane) has been sold to La Cifra Editoral in Mexico, making this the fourth foreign sale of the series. In addition, Halfdan Pisket has recently attended the Angoulême International Comics Festival to promote the French edition of DESERTER.

Swedish sale

Swedish rights in Josefine Klougart’s newly published novel NEW FOREST have now been sold to Albert Bonniers Förlag making this the second foreign rights deal for this unanimously praised work. Kristeligt Dagblad describes the book as “a remarkable, sensuous and tangible study” while Information’s rave review concludes that the work “is not only Josefine Klougart’s best novel, it is one of THE best novels.” Turkish rights have already been sold to Bence Kitap.

Estonian deal

The stunningly reviewed novel, HARPIKS (Resin) by newcomer Ane Riel, winner of the Glass Key 2016 – the most important award for crime/suspense novels in Scandinavia, given by the Scandinavian Crime Society - is now sold to 8 territories, most recently to Eesti Raamat in Estonia. The following have secured the rights: Germany/btb, Norway/Aschehoug (at auction), Finland/Aula & Co. Japan/ Hayakawa, Slovakia/Premedia, Sweden/Modernista, Czech Republic/Knihy Dobrovsky

New sale

ANZ and UK rights in John Ajvide Lindqvist’s latest novel RÖRELSEN (I’ll Always Find You), which was nominated for the August Prize 2015, have been sold to Text Publishing in Australia, making this the fifth foreign rights sale for this masterpiece. Other sales include Norway, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. RÖRELSEN is a magical autobiography between fact and fiction. It includes a number of keys to John Ajvide Lindqvist’s books and is unlike anything he has ever written.

Russian rights

Monica Kristensen’s Arctic crime series set in Svalbard, consisting so far of five volumes, has just been sold to Paulsen in Russia. The successful series has been sold to a number of territories, such as Germany, Denmark, Italy, France, Holland, Australia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden and Albania.

Nomination

Steffen Heiberg’s book NYE HORISONTER, EUROPAS KULTURHISTORIE I RENÆSSANCEN (New Horizons, the Cultural History of Europe during the Renaissance) is nominated for Historical Publication of the Year 2017. Heibergs book has been nominated among five others and the winner will be announced in March 2017.

Wow!

Iben Mondrup, whose most recent novel KARENSMINDE has been published to great critical acclaim, is on the prestigious shortlist for Pen America’s Literary Awards for Translations 2017 with the novel JUSTINE. Other finalists include the Man Booker International Prize Winner Han Kang. JUSTINE was published in November by Open Letter Books in the US.

New sale

Icelandic rights in Geir Gulliksen’s HISTORIE OM ET EKTESKAP (Story of a Marriage) have been sold to the newly established publishing house, Benedikt Bókaútgáfa, by Gudrun Vilmundardottir (previously Bjartur), making this the 11th territory sold of Gulliksen’s international success. The full list of foreign rights sold counts both both UK and US rights to the Hogarth imprint, but also Catalan, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Polish and Swedish deals have been concluded.

Prize nominations

We are delighted to announce that two of CLA’s authors are nominated for Politiken’s Literature Prize 2016 as voted for by the readers. Mich Vraa is nominated for his novel HAABET (Hope), a story of Denmark’s overlooked colonial past in the West Indies, while Peder Frederik Jensen has been selected for his novel VOLD (Violence), a thought-provoking tour-de-force and coming-of-age narrative that centres around violence. The winner will be announced in February.

German sale

German publisher, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, has acquired German rights in Madam Nielsen’s DEN ENDELØSE SOMMER (The Endless Summer). Other foreign rights sales include: France to Notabilia, Norway to Pelikanen, Spain to Eiditorial Minúscula, Sweden to Kabusa and World English rights to Open Letter Books. Icelandic author Sjón was "captivated by the book” while other reviews have highlighted Madame Nielsen as ”a formidable writer of prose” (Information) and ”a fantastic author” (Berlingske)

WLT

World Literature Today’s 75 most notable translations of 2016 have been selected, and we are proud to announce that three of CLA’s authors are on the esteemed list: Iben Mondrup: JUSTINE, Josefine Klougart: ONE OF US IS SLEEPING both published by Open Letter Books and Gabriela Adamesteanu’s THE ENCOUNTER by Dalkey Archive Press.

Alm sold to DK

We’re proud to announce that Birgit Alm’s novel ENDELIG SKAL VI LE (Finally We Will Laugh) has been sold to Tiderne Skifter in Denmark. The Norwegian press praised the novel as ”original, critical, hard-hitting, strong and tender” (Hamar Arbeiderblad), while Dagbladet described it as ”a first novel with guts and power.” Alm’s novel focuses on a Norwegian taboo: Elinor Nor, an unemployed, financially challenged, single mother who strives to maintain her dignity amongst well-off Oslo families.

Best Fiction 2016

We are delighted to announce that Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s FISKANIR HAFA ENGA FÆETUR (Fish Have No Feet) translated by Philip Roughton is among a selection of nine “Best Fiction in Translation 2016” in Financial Times. The list includes other great names such as Per Olov Enquist, Khaled Khalifa and Amoz Oz.

Great Swedish Journalist Prize

Niklas Orrenius is this year’s winner of the Great Swedish Journalist Prize 2016 (Stora Journalistpriset) within the category Voice of the Year. The jury’s motivation for granting Orrenius the prize: “For his tireless reporting and accomplished style combined with his ability to investigate and record some of the most complex questions of our time.”

20 deals

Morten Strøksnes’ international bestseller HAVBOKA (Shark Drunk) has now been sold to Gummerus in Finland, making this the 20th impressive deal for this wonderful book. This autumn, the book has been published in Holland, Sweden and Germany to great critical acclaim and the Danish, French and US editions will be published during Spring 2017.

Nominated

Mich Vraa’s HAABET is nominated for Danish Radio’s Best Novel Prize 2017 granted by readers of Danish Radio’s library and online reading groups. The winner will be announced in May 2017. So far foreign rights for this splendid novel have been sold to Norway/Bazar at auction and Germany/Hoffmann & Campe (pre-empt). ’’There is both spindrift and adventure, back for the buck in melodrama, thorough research and violent indignation-provoking power’’ – Berlingske

World English rights

World English Rights in Nicolai Houm’s novel JANE ASHLANDS GRADVISE FORSVINNING (The Gradual Disappearance of Jane Ashland) have been sold to Pushkin Press UK. Houm displays great psychological insight and paints a unique portrait of sadness that is impossible not to be moved by. “Houm combines both surgically precise observations with the pace and attention to detail as the best tv-series. The similarities with Don De Lillo and Jonathan Franzen cannot be denied.” (Dagens Næringsliv)

Danish sale

Kyrre Andreassen's novel is now sold to Gyldendal DK making this the first foreign sale. In addition, Kyrre Andreassen is shortlisted for the NRK P2 Listeners Prize and was nominated for this year's Brage Prize, the most significant literature prize awarded in Norway.

Dublin Literary Award

Congratulations to Linda Boström Knausgård who is longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award (previously the IMPAC Prize) for her novel HELIOSKATASTROFEN (The Helios Disaster) published by World Editions. Books are nominated for the Award by invited public libraries in cities throughout the world. Other nominees include Salman Rushdie, Kazuo Ishiguro, Michel Houellebecq and John Banville. The shortlist will be publicised on the 11st April 2017 with the final winner announced on the 21st June 2017.

Språkprisen 2016

Congratulations to Ivo de Figueiredo, winner of the Norwegian prize “Språkprisen” (The Language Prize) for ORD/KJØTT: NORSK SCENEDRAMATIKK 1890-2000 (Words/Flesh: Norwegian Stage Drama 1890 – 2000) and EN FREMMED VED MITT BORD (A Stranger at My Table). Kjartan Vevle, member of the jury, says: “Ivo de Figueiredo’s language is sensual, visual and ornate, his writing makes for great reading, whether it is about Norwegian stage drama or about the drama of the multiple ways of being Norwegian.”

Japan and Portugal

Japanese rights in NIGHTBLIND and BLACKOUT by Ragnar Jónasson as part of a two-book deal have been sold to Shogakukan Inc. The Japanese publisher has already secured rights for SNOWBLIND which is scheduled for publication in Japan next year. In addition, Portuguese rights in SNOWBLIND and NIGHTBLIND have been sold to 20|20 Editora/Topseller in Portugal, making this the publisher’s first Ragnar Jónasson acquisition.

Book of the Year

Congratulations to Kyrre Andreassen, Ivo de Figueiredo, Jens Stoltenberg and Helene Uri who are all nominated for the Norweigian bookseller Ark’s book prize Årets Bok (Book of the Year) 2016 whereby members of Ark can vote for their favourite title.

More sales

Earlier this year, Carsten Jensen received The Prize of the Readers 2016 for DEN FØRSTE STEN (The First Stone). The novel has also attracted serious attention abroad with foreign rights selling to a number of territories, the two most recent being: World English (Melville House) and Poland (Foksal). Other publishers include: Sweden (Albert Bonniers Förlag), Norway (Forlaget Press), Germany (Knaus Verlag), the Netherlands (De Bezige Bij), Turkey (Dedalus Kitap) and France (Phébus Libella).

German star

Judith Hermann’s most recent collection of short stories LETTIPARK has just been released in Denmark by Batzer & Co. to fantastic acclaim: "Judith Hermann’s greatness almost defies gravity” Berlingske (six out of six stars), “When each sentence becomes a gift of love” Politiken (six out of six stars), “Judith Hermann is one of Germany greatest artistes” Information.

Splendid reviews

Rising star Iben Mondrup’s new novel, KARENSMINDE (Karen’s Place), has received great first reviews: “Rarely is a family’s internal dynamic described so well” (Politiken). “The best depictions of adult children’s’ relationship with their parents that I’ve read in a long time” (Information). Iben Mondrup had a major breakthrough here in Denmark with GODHAVN (2014) which was sold to the Netherlands/Querido and France/Denoël.

Danish sale

Danish rights in Helene Uri’s novel HÅLKE (Slippery Slope), about an aging couple that are trapped indoors because of heavy snow and ice, have been sold to Forlaget Klim. In addition, Uri is nominated for this year’s Norwegian Bokhandlerpris (Bookseller Prize). The novel was published in Norway to great critical acclaim: "A risky and great novel" (Morgenbladet), "Frighteningly recognizable" (Dagbladet) and "Uri writes convincingly about power and powerlessness” (VG)

Frankfurt 2016

Frankfurt Book Fair is upon us and our agents are hard at work spreading the good word about our talented authors, as seen here with our senior agent Monica Gram.

Love and War

Based on never-before-seen diaries, letters and new research into one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century, bestselling Tom Buk-Swienty’s latest book has just been published. ”A dramatically gripping, moving and enlightening book about Karen Blixen’s pact with brother and warrior, Thomas Dinesen. Buk-Swienty has previously - and again in today's book - proven that he can uncover new material and bring it to life” writes Politiken.

Rave Reviews!

Ivo de Figueiredo’s stunning family saga, A Stranger at My Table, has been beautifully received by Norwegian critics. VG calls the book “engaging and extremely well-written” while Morgenbladet compares the author to Daniel Mendelsohn. Dagbladet applauds de Figueiredo’s use of “techniques that are reminiscent of W. G. Sebald’s” while Adressa compliments the author’s elegant depictions “of his family as an integrated part of the colonial world history and the various nuances of racial division.”

My Story

Stoltenberg’s autobiography My Story has been wonderfully received by the media. ”Highly readable,” writes VG. ”Some of the strongest passages in the book are about Stoltenberg and his meetings with other people. The politicians who thrive the best, are probably those who love people, and Stoltenberg does. He shows it through fine observations and quotes,” writes Aftenposten. “The well- written book emphasizes his role as a pioneer and a level-headed leader,” writes Dagbladet.

Nominated - again

Danish author Niels Lyngsø has received fabulous reviews for his new novel HIMLEN UNDER JORDEN (The Sky Below). The novel has been nominated for the Danish Radio Best Novel Award 2017 as was Lyngsø’s previous novel MIN UKENDTE BROR (My Unknown Brother) in 2015. Comparing Lyngsø to Jan Kjærstad and Peter Høeg, Information’s reviewer says: “The impression of something genuine and aesthetically powerful from last year’s beautiful and intelligent My Unknown Brother is confirmed with The Sky Below.”

New Deals

Erik Fosnes Hansen’s first novel in 10 years, ET HUMMERLIV (A Lobster Life), is off to a flying start with rights sold to Gallimard in France and Gyldendal in Denmark. German rights were sold pre publication to KiWi. The novel centres around Sedd who grows up with this Norwegian grandfather and Austrian grandmother in a Norwegian mountain hotel in the early 1980s. The novel is filled with humour, exquisite prose and an elegant portrayal of characters that are positioned around a tragic secret.

German bestseller

Norwegian non-fiction author Morten Strøksnes’ international hit HAVBOKA (Shark Drunk) has gone straight to number 13 on this week's Spiegel bestseller list. Strøksnes has received brilliant praise and DVA (Penguin Random House) has now gone into their third print run.

Two-book deal

Michael Joseph has signed up the new crime series from Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, whose Dark Iceland series was published by Orenda. MJ acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to The Hulda Series as part of a two-book deal agreed with David Headley Literary Agency. MJ publishing director Maxine Hitchcock said: “Hulda is a fantastic creation, a memorable, complex and emotionally engaging character, and one we are sure readers in the UK and beyond will want to follow for many books to come.”

She does it again!

Birgithe Kosović, whose previous novel DET DOBBELTE LAND (A Country in Two) was awarded the majority of Danish literary prizes, does it again! Kosović’s new book, DEN INDERSTE FARE (Inner Battle) about Erik Scavenius, the Danish foreign minister during the German occupation from 1940-1943, has received first-rate reviews: “Extremely exciting novel” (Politiken); ”Excellent” (Weekendavisen); “Fascinating portrait of a complex man” (Berlingske); “Insanely well-written” (Bogblogger)

Bestseller

The German edition of Henning Mankell’s novel SVENSKA GUMMISTÖVLAR (Die schwedischen Gummistiefel, Zsolnay Verlag) has gone straight to number 5 on Spiegel’s bestseller list since publication in August.

On film

Erik Fosnes Hansen’s international bestseller LØVEKVINNEN (The Lion Woman) has now been turned into a feature film which will premiere in Norway on the 26th August. The film has been sold to 40 countries and is one of the biggest and most costly Norwegian films in recent history with a budget of 80 million Norwegian kronor and big names such as Rolf Lassgård, Kjersti Tveterås and Connie Nielsen. LØVEKVINNEN is an epic story about loneliness, growing up the creation of a strong personality.

Dead Good Reader Award 2016

NATTBLINDA (Nightblind) has been awarded The Dead Good Reader Award for "captivating crime in translation", announced at the Harrowgate Crime Writing Festival. Nightblind has been praised widely in the UK by amongst others the Guardian: "this is an atmospheric portrayal of a claustrophobic place where everyone is connected”, the Times, the Daily Express voting Nightblind as one of the Best new Crimes of 2016, and the Sunday Express that called it one of the Best Books of 2016.

Great summer read

I LIGE LINJE (Like Father, Like Son), vol. 7 in Anna Grue’s hugely successful cozy crime series featuring the charming private eye Dan Sommerdahl has just been published to great critical acclaim: “well written and entertaining, but with dark undertones”, **** Ekstra Bladet, "Anna knows her audience and the craft.”, **** Politiken, "Anna Grue writes with wonderful eloquence and flow, a real pleasure”, Bognørden. Rights sold in seven territories, film rights optioned by ndf.

New short stories

Ajvide Lindqvist’s latest short story collection, VÅRAN HUD, VÅRAT BLOD, VÅRA BEN (Our Skin, Our Blood, Our Bones) (Ordfront, 2016) has received sensational reviews. Text Publishing has just published HIMMELSTRAND (I am Behind You), a prequel to RÖRELSEN which was nominated for the August Prize 2015. Internationally, Lindqvist is compared to Stephen King, and Stephen King himself when asked, ”Do you enjoy fiction in translation?”, answered: ”And of course the wonderful John Ajvide Lindqvist."

Dutch and Italian admiration

The Dutch and Italian editions of EITTHVAÐ Á STÆRÐ VIÐ ALHEIMINN (About the Size of the Universe) have been published to great critical acclaim with positive Italian acknowledgements from la Stampa: “Stefánsson writes like few other contemporary authors, with great confidence and dazzling ingenuity” as well as Dutch praise from Eemlander/Leidsch Dagblad/Noordhollands Dagblad: "With the use of poetic language he makes every sentence shimmer, and by doing so he evokes wonderful images."

Best novel - twice

Ida Jessen is the proud winner of several prestigious prizes for her novel EN NY TID (A Change of Time): Danish Radio’s Best Novel Prize 2016 granted by readers of Danish Radio’s library and online reading groups, and the Danish Blixen Literary Award 2016 in the main category Best Fiction. These noteworthy tokens of recognition add to the already multiple prize winning novel which has been sold to USA/Archipelago and Italy/Scritturapura.

Recent film deals

The spring of 2016 has seen a number of new film deals, a few of which can be mentioned here: Ane Riel’s novel HARPIKS (Resin) was optioned by Zentropa, Lene Kaaberbøl’s gothic crime novels, The Madeleine Karno-Trilogy, was optioned by SAM Productions and (pictured above) Hanne-Vibeke Holst’s magnificent novel about her father, KNUD, DEN STORE (Knud, the Great) was optioned by Regner Grasten Film. Also, Twentieth Century Fox renewed the expired option deal for The Last Good Man A.J. Kazinski.

A hit in France

The French translation of Ragnar Jónasson’s SNJÓBLINDA (Snowblind), published by La Martiniere, has been flying off the shelves since publication. La Martiniere already reprinted twice two weeks after the release. The French reviews are stunning: “Exhilarating ‘locked room’ mystery. A delight," ELLE. ”Ragnar Jónasson takes a good place just behind Indridason and Sigurdardottir," L’Express. “In Iceland we were expecting the successor to Indridason. We probably found him,” France Inter

Ten New Voices

Erika Fatland’s international non-fiction success SOVJETISTAN has now been sold to a total of ten countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia and Sweden. In addition, the author has been chosen as one of Ten New Voices From Europe, a programme that enables the selected authors special promotion by an international jury.The authors’ work will be promoted through a series of events, with a final publication of an anthology of their writings.

Publishers Weekly

One of Us Is Sleeping has been beautifully reviewed in the US by Publishers Weekly: ”Mystifying, certainly, but Klougart’s graceful and precise language propels the novel through a succession of images that justify the vagueness of that feeling, what is eventually described as something akin to “separating an egg, passing the yolk from hand to hand, the fragile yolk that might break at any moment.” This is a beguiling conjuring of consciousness.” Open Letter Books will publish on July 12, 2016.

Graphic novels

DANE, the final volume of Pisket’s graphic novel trilogy, has been published to great critical acclaim: "An outstanding perfomance. A milestone in the cartoon genre” (Politiken). “A modern masterpiece of Danish cartoon art.” (Berlingske). “One of the most ambitious and alluring Danish cartoons in years” (Information). Foreign rights have been sold to Presque lune in France and Uitgeverij Q/Sub Q in Holland.

The Otto Gelsted Award

The prestigious Otto Gelsted Award is awarded to Peder Frederik Jensen for his precise observations and reflections of often imperfect lives, both on Vesterbro and in West Africa. Jensen’s most recent novel Vold (Violence) has been endorsed by Carsten Jensen: "Its story is no less than global in its scope, alternating between close encounters with local culture in West Africa and political violence among extremist left-wing groups in Copenhagen."

Sold to Norway

Madame Nielsen's grand tour of Europe: from ancient Hellas all the way up to Denmark. She walked alone until her route fell into step with the 'tide of refugees'. "Invasionen is not a book with actual suggestions of solutions. It is a novel and a travelogue, a lament, and a satirical song." (Morgenbladet, Norway) and "a novel with numerous documentary and literary qualities" (Politiken, Denmark). Sold to Pelikanen, Norway.

Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize

The English translator of Jón Kalman Stefánsson’s HJARTA MANNSINS (The Heart of Man) (MacLehose Press) Philip Roughton has been announced as the joint winner (together with Paul Vincent and John Irons for 100 Dutch-Language Poems (Holland Park Press) of the Oxford-Weidenfeld Prize at St Anne’s College, Oxford. The short list included eight books from an outstanding entry of nearly 110 titles in translations from 15 different languages.

PANAMA PAPERS

Finnish rights in the highly topical account (Kiepenheuer & Witsch) by Obermayer & Obermaier, the two journalists behind the actual international exposure, have now been sold to Into Kustannus. Swedish rights were sold prior to the London Book Fair to Svante Weyler Förlag, while Danish rights were secured by Politikens Forlag at auction at the book fair. Norwegian rights are under negotiation.

New novel by Morten Brask

Morten Brask, winner of several international literary prizes, most recently the Bottari Lattes Grinzane Prize 2015, has published a new novel, THE VICTIMS, a gripping, intense and harrowingly relevant novel about what happens when a woman gets raped and how she is percieved by her surroundings.   “Morten Brask […] has done his research well and rendered it all in his own intense and at once soberly observant and warm tone.” – Politiken “Clearly recommendable” – Jyllandsposten

Seethaler on Booker Shortlist

Robert Seethaler EIN GANZES LEBEN (Hanser Verlag)  (A WHOLE LIFE – published by Pan Macmillan), the tender story of a lifetime of a man in the Austrian Alps, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Man Booker International Prize 2016. The winner will be announced in May. Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish rights have all been sold.

26 territories

Congratulations to our author Jón Kalman Stefánsson whose Work has now been sold to 26 territories all together. Most recently we concluded deals with Jelenkor Publishers in Hungary, for The Trilogy about the Boy (HEAVEN AND HELL, THE SORROW OF ANGELS and THE HEART OF MAN), as well as with Kastaniotis in Greece and Antolog in Macedonia (both HEAVEN AND HELL).

EU Prize for Danish Rail

Danish author Peder Frederik Jensen has been nominated for the 2016 European Union Prize for Literature, for his well received book BANEDANMARK (Danish Rail), a collection of essential and precise short stories. The award recognizes the best new and emerging authors in Europe. The winner will be announced on April 12 and will receive 5000 euros, as well as support for translation funding.

Best Foreign Novel

Jón Kalman Stefánsson´s novel FISKARNIR HAFA ENGA FÆTUR (Fish Have No Feet) is awarded Best Foreign Novel by the French magazine Lire. The novel recently also received the respectable Millepages Award, and has now sold well above 20.000 copies since September. "The Icelandic writer dazzles with a marvelous ode to life that has been marked by the shadow of death." -LIRE

New DK bestseller

The popular author of the Bald Detective crime series, Anna Grue, has finished her much-awaited and hugely entertaining new novel, ITALIENSVEJ (Italy Road). Published by Politikens Forlag, Denmark, in June 2015. Rights sold so far: NO/Cappelen Damm and DE/Berlin Verlag.

STUCK – a play

Author Ida Jessen has written her first play, STUCK, a story about the troubled marriage between Danish poets Viggo and Ingeborg Stuckenberg before she travelled to New Zealand with her lover and shot herself in 1904. STUCK opens on January 20th at Theater Nordkraft in Aalborg. Pictured above are Therese Damsgaard as Ingeborg Stuckenberg and Nanna Buhl Andresen as her sister Agnes Schwarz. Photo: Tom Ingvardsen

Italian award

Congratulations to Morten Brask for receiving yet another Italian award for WILLIAM SIDIS’ PERFEKTE LIV (The Perfect Life of William Sidis) (published by Iperborea in Italy); the prestigious Bottari Lattes Grinzane Prize. The book has previously received the Italian Edoardo Kihlgren Award for European Fiction in 2014.

ON DARKNESS

Josefine Klougarts novel OM MØRKE (On Darkness) was recently released in Sweden, where the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive: “She has an unusual ability to create phrases, images and a language that you long to stay in and remember forever."-DN “Josefine Klougart writes dazzlingly beautiful. (...) Klougarts literature is ambitious and demanding, but truly rewarding.” -GP "I believe that the author could even achieve the impossible, to describe light.” -Sydsvenskan

DR Novel Award

We are pleased to announce that four of our authors are nominated for the Danish Broadcaster´s DR Award for the Best Novel 2016: Ane Riel, Carsten Jensen, Ida Jessen and Jacob Skyggebjerg. All together there are six Danish novels competing for the highly respected award. The selection process starts in December and the winner will be announced in June.

Henning Mankell has passed away

Henning Mankell is dead. He was 67 years old. Henning Mankell was one of the great Swedish authors of our time, loved by readers in Sweden and all over the world. His work includes around forty novels and numerous plays. His books have sold more than forty million copies and are translated into more than forty languages. Solidarity with those in need run through his entire work and manifested itself in action until the very end.

Six stars to DK debut

Niels Lyngsø, a well renowned Danish poet and translator, has received outstanding reviews for his debut novel MIN UKENDTE BROR (My Unknown Brother). Weekendavisen’s reviewer writes: “My Unknown Brother is, when at its best, a splendid enlightenment project, a Rubik’s cube in novel form, a psychological mystery and an existential exploration.”

Nordic Council Literature Prize

Jon Fosse wins the prestigious prize with his trilogy ANDVAKE (Sleepless), OLAVS DRAUMAR (Olav's dreams), and KVELDSVÆVD (Weariness). From the jury’s motivation: “This year’s prize-winner is epitomised by a rare combination of innovative style and the ability to connect with readers across time and space. Conveyed in a highly poetic form of prose... this love story spans all times and no time”. Scandinavian rights sold: NO/Samlaget, SE/Bonniers, DK/Batzer and IS/Dimma.

Marit Eikemo

We now represent Norwegian author Marit Eikemo. Marit is a writer and publishing editor, her fourth title ALT INKLUDERT (All Inclusive) is a beautifully written and insightful novel with humor and empathy. The novel is receiving great reviews and Aftenposten has shortlisted it as one of this year's major Norwegian titles.

A powerful debut in DK

Ole Tornbjerg’s novel – DRENGEN FRA GODHAVN (The Boy from Godhavn) – is loosely based on interviews with survivors from the boys’ orphanage Godhavn, has been well received in the Danish press. Godhavn, well known for its gruesome abuse of its residents, comes vividly to life in Godhavn. As a Weekendavisen reviewer puts it: “If you read this without crying […] you are presumably emotionally blunted.”

New Mankell novel

Henning Mankell is one of the best selling Swedish authors internationally. His books have sold more than 40 million copies world-wide and have been translated into 42 languages. In June Leopard Förlag published his latest novel in Sweden SVENSKA GUMMISTÖVLAR (Swedish Wellies).

Success in the UK

Tom Buk-Swienty has received great reviews in the UK for his non-fiction account of the war between Denmark and Prussia. 1864 is published by Profile Books and its third print run will be out in June 2015.

New DK crime novel

Elsebeth Egholm's DØDVÆGT (Dead Weight), is the ninth book about reporter Dicte Svendsen. It will be published by Politikens Forlag, Denmark, in August 2015.

New major novel

Ralf Rothmann's TO DIE IN SPRING (Im Frühling sterben), sold to more than 10 territories before the official launch in Germany. Rosinante in Denmark was the first among these sales. Other Nordic sales include Wahlström & Widstrand in Sweden and Atena in Finland.

Sold to France

Iben Mondrup’s 2014 novel, GODHAVN received the prestigious "Novel of the Year” award from the Danish Broadcasting Company in June. Sold to Querido in Holland and now to Denoël in France.

CLA's new office

Housewarming in Copenhagen Literary Agency's new office in the centre of Copenhagen; Frederiksholms Kanal 2.

Published in US

First novel in Lene Kaaberbøl's new historical series about 20-year old Madeleine Karno trying to follow in her father's foot steps as a forensic pathologist. Published in the USA in february 2015 by Atria Books.