I am attending the Leipzig Book Fair 2026.
Spring 2026 is going to be something truly special.
On Thursday, March 18, 2026, you can find me at the Leipziger Book Fair, one of Europe’s most important book events, where I will be speaking from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at the Nordic Forum. I will be talking about my novel series The Henrik Bertelsen Saga— about entering the German-language book market and the extensive work involved in preparation, translation, production, distribution, and marketing across borders.
I am really looking forward to sharing both the literary narrative and the more business-oriented experiences with an audience interested in Nordic literature, international publishing, and new voices in the European book market.
Leipziger Book Fair
– A Fair with a Special Role
The Leipziger Book Fair differs in several ways from other international book fairs. While the Frankfurt Book Fair is largely industry-oriented and focused on rights and negotiations, Leipzig is known as the readers’ fair. Here, authors, publishers, booksellers, and the public meet on equal terms. Readings, conversations, and debates are at the centre, and the fair is closely connected with the Leipzig liest literature festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
For an author and publisher like me, Leipzig is therefore an ideal place to tell the story behind a book series that has already found its first readers in Germany — and is now facing its next step.
The Nordic Forum
– A Strong Collaborative Platform Abroad
My presentation will take place at the Nordic Forum, a joint initiative between the Nordic countries. The stand functions as a cultural meeting point where Nordic authors and publishers present literature, values, and storytelling traditions to a German-speaking audience.
The Nordic brand is strong in Germany. There is great interest in Nordic crime fiction, social narratives, and thrillers with political and cultural depth. Presenting The Henrik Bertelsen Saga in this context is both strategic and meaningful.
The Henrik Bertelsen Saga
– International Novels with a Nordic Touch
My book series The Henrik Bertelsen Saga weaves politics, economics, power, and personal choices together in a contemporary and globally recognisable universe. One could call it a Nordic variation on the Forrest Gump format. The series is written with an international audience in mind — both thematically and dramaturgically.
The first volume, Tumult in Mecca, was published in German in December 2025. The novel combines geopolitical tension with character-driven drama and takes the reader into a complex game of power, interests, and consequences. These days, the audiobook is being completed, opening up the story to new “readers” — especially in the German-speaking market, where audiobooks have seen strong growth in recent years.
The second volume, The Dollar Compass, is planned for German release before the summer of 2026. Here, the narrative continues with even more pace and complexity. From the beginning, the series was conceived as a multi-volume work designed to build a stable readership over time.
Positive Reader Reviews as a Foundation
One of the most decisive elements in working with a new market is reader reaction. Tumult in Mekka has already received very positive reviews from German readers, including on Amazon.de. The reviews highlight the level of tension, topicality, and the series’ international perspective.
For me, these reviews are not just personal joy — they are also a strategic foundation for further marketing. In a market as large as Germany’s, where the supply of books is enormous, social proof and reader recommendations play a central role in the visibility of new titles.
The German Book Market
– Large, Competitive and Professional
The German-language book market is one of the world’s largest and most structured. Germany alone has thousands of publishers, a close network of booksellers, and a well-developed distribution infrastructure. At the same time, the market is characterised by high professionalism, established standards, and strong competition.
Digitalisation has markedly changed the market. E-books — and especially audiobooks — continue to gain ground, while online platforms play an increasingly important role in both sales and marketing. For foreign authors, this means that while barriers to entry have become lower in some regards, the demands for quality, consistency, and visibility have grown even higher.
From Manuscript to Market
– Our Approach
At my talk in Leipzig, I will not only discuss the book series itself but also the process behind:
Preparation: From idea development to structuring the series with international readers in mind.
Translation: Professional, targeted translation where linguistic precision and cultural adaptation go hand in hand.
Production: High technical quality in e-book, print, and audiobook — tailored to German standards and reading habits.
Distribution: Strategic choice of platforms and partners for maximum reach.
Marketing: Long-term visibility built through reviews, metadata, reader feedback, and book fairs like Leipzig.
It is work that requires patience, investment, and a clear strategy — but also work that is both instructive and deeply satisfying. Especially because the market is so large.
Why Leipzig Matters for the Future
My participation at Leipziger Book Fair 2026 is not an end — but a milestone on a longer journey. The series has only just begun its life in the German-language market, and the meeting with readers, industry professionals, and potential partners in Leipzig is an important landmark.
I look forward to sharing experiences, receiving feedback, and continuing the dialogue about how Nordic stories can find new readers across Europe. In the end, for me, it’s all about building bridges — between languages, markets, and people — through literature.
I hope to see you in Leipzig.
