Maja Lunde (b. 1975) is an acclaimed and multi-award winning author. She made her literary debut with The History of Bees in 2015 which became a huge international phenomenon and has since cemented her status as one of Norway’s most successful authors ever, both at home and abroad. Beloved by critics and readers alike for her novels, non-fiction work, and children’s- and YA-books, Lunde’s titles have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold over 4 million copies worldwide. The History of Bees notably spent 3 years on Der Spiegel’s bestseller list.

Alongside her literary career, Lunde has extensive experience as a screenwriter for both television and film. She has written for a range of Norwegian television productions, including the awarded children’s series Barnas supershow (2010), the drama series Hjem (2013) and the comedy series Side om Side (2013).

Her feature film credits include Hjemsøkt (2017), Battle (2018), Flukten over grensen (2020), Kvitebjørn (2024) and Netflix’s Snøsøsteren (2024). Several of these films are based on Lunde’s own books, including Battle, Flukten over grensen, Snøsøsteren and Kvitebjørn.

Lunde’s screenwriting work has received critical acclaim and earned several awards. Flukten over grensen won the Amanda Award for Best Children’s Film and was also nominated for Best Screenplay, while Kvitebjørn went on to win the same award.

Maja Lunde (author)               Maja Lunde (screenwriter)

Martin Widmark, author of the bestselling LasseMaja and Nelly Rapp children’s books series, has been Sweden’s most borrowed name in libraries for almost two decades. Apart from his authorship, the former teacher has also made multiple initiatives to boost children’s reading, many of which have been implemented nationally.

Now his work has been awarded the Joint Industry Award by The Association of Swedish Graphic Industry and Media Companies.

The jury’s motivation:

“Few people have like Martin shown the power that the printed book holds for the language and reading joy of children. He has been the country’s most borrowed author in libraries for many years, initiated the project ‘A reading class,’ and driven through nationwide investments into preschool libraries. Through the LasseMaja Foundation and advocacy, Martin continues to work for the reading comprehension of young people as a prerequisite for knowledge and democracy.”

Apple TV just unleashed the official trailer for Nocturne, the riveting new drama based on the internationally bestselling crime novels by Lars Kepler.

Nocturne will make its global debut on Friday, October 30, 2026 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through December 25, 2026 on Apple TV.
The ensemble cast starring alongside Liev Schreiber (Joona Linna), Zazie Beetz (Saga Bauer) and Stephen Graham (Jurek Walter) includes Bill Camp, Rory Culkin, Chrissy Metz, Poorna Jagannathan and Gary Carr.

Click ‘Read More’ below for the exclusive in-depth feature in Esquire Magazine with first look images and glimpses into the world and making of Nocturne.

Thomas Enger & Johana Gustawsson’s SON is shortlisted for Le Prix Cognac 2026. SON is the critically acclaimed first installment in the Kari Voss series, and it is one of seven titles shortlisted in the category “Best International Crime Fiction.”

Since 2006, Le Prix Cognac has been awarded yearly to an international crime novel. The winner will be announced on October 16.

Icelandic author Lilja Sigurðardóttir (b. 1972) is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and one of Iceland’s most successful crime writers. She is the author of the internationally bestselling Reykjavík Noir trilogy, the Áróra series and the standalone thrillers Betrayal and Alfa. Her books have been translated into nearly 20 languages and appeared on bestseller lists worldwide. Her work has received numerous awards and nominations, including the Icelandic Crime Fiction Award, the Glass Key Award and the CWA International Dagger.

Jonas Gardell’s musical Don’t Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves, based on the novel of the same title, has premiered to rave reviews in Sweden:

“Don’t Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves the musical is an emotional steamroller. It’s sex, love, friendship, laughter and endless sorrow, and an ode to those who walked the road before us, to the young souls that were taken by the frost. /…/ [It is] everything I had hoped it would be.”
-QX, Sweden

“Gardell’s classic shines as a musical. /…/ It’s a good-looking, funny, and moving tour de force, from start to finish. One can’t deny the feeling that Don’t Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves has been waiting for to be scaled up for the musical stage. Neither Gardell’s lyrics nor Fredrik Kempe’s compositions take any unnecessary detours – here the emotions materialize straight away.”
-Expressen, Sweden

“Don’t Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves [is] a musical with a fast beat and without a single dead second. Gardell’s lyrics are often catchy, at times truly exquisite, and are well matched by Fredrik Kempe’s grand compositions. /…/ A reminder is planted, both in the joyous rush of the first act and the tragedy of the second, of the fight: that none of our rights have been given for free, and that they can equally quickly be revoked. A call to remember.”
-Dagens Nyheter, Sweden

“Tissues are needed for Gardell’s musical. /…/ It’s been a long time since I last heard an audience sniffle so much.”
-Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden

“Gardell’s novel, now published in its entirety of almost 800 pages, cross-cuts in the same way. Masterful literary storytelling and powerful poetry project images into the mind of the reader. What can a musical version add? Closeness. We’re there, in the room, with Rasmus and Benjamin. Songs add power to emotions and carry the story forward.”
-Aftonbladet, Sweden

“A musical that is dark yet incredibly joyful and beautiful. Without a doubt, a new Swedish musical classic has been born.”
-Broadway World, Sweden

Jonas Gardell’s unforgettable epic, Don’t Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves, has been reincarnated as a musical, to premiere today. Celebrated song-writer and composer Fredrik Kempe has joined Gardell in reimagining the bestselling novel for the stage, and starring are some of Sweden’s most beloved musical stars: Ola Salo, Valdemar Wahlbeck, and Martin Stokke Mathiesen.