Books from Iceland 2020

Literature Center

books from Iceland 2020 Icelandic

04–13 14–21 22–27 28–31 32–35 36–37 38–39

Fiction Children & YA Rights sold Crime fiction Non-fiction Icelandic nominations for the Nordic Council Literature Prize 2020 Icelandic Literature Prizes

Content

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Icelandic literature is travelling further and wider than ever before and has currently been translated into around fifty languages. Interest in and popularity of Icelandic literary works is still growing, and the importance of good translators mounts accordingly. It is necessary to meet this demand and to promote Icelandic authors and culture on a global scale.

The Importance of Good Translators

Icelandic Literature Travels Worldwide

Good translators are vital in that sense and their ambitious and selfless work deserves to be acknowledged.

Appreciation of them is expressed through an International Translators‘ Seminar hosted in Reykjavík by Icelandic Literature Center in 2017 and 2019, and Orðstír, an honorary award for translators of Icelandic literature, which has been awarded every other year since 2015, by the President of Iceland.

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A Few Words from Translators “Translation seminars are extremely important for working translators, not least as translating can be lonely work at times. I know that it is a cliché that writers, books, and translators are builders of bridges between different cultures, but at a seminar like this one, it doesn’t feel like a cliché – just the simple truth. It’s a fairy tale come true.”

Eric Boury, a French translator “It was Old English that sparked my interest in the Germanic languages.

Later, I developed such a passionate interest in modern Icelandic that it should really be called an obsession.”

Victoria Cribb, an English translator

“But to me this job is pure addiction in which I’m first and foremost a user.

When I came back to Denmark after my long stay in Iceland, I soothed my homesickness by translating, and I’m absolutely forbidden to quit.”

Erik Skyum-Nielsen, a Danish translator “For authors that come from minority language areas, translations are a lifeline, both from a literary point of view but also from a financial one. But my job is to first and foremost bring Icelandic literature to a German readership.”

Tina Flecken, a German translator “Icelandic changed my life. The more I learned and read, the better I understood that this is my country.”

John Swedenmark, a Swedish translator “Translation of Icelandic into Italian were almost unheard of at the time and I wanted to open this world up to my compatriots.”

Silvia Cosimini, an Italian translator

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Sjón

Corn-Gold Hair, Grey Eyes Korngult hár, grá augu

Prose that moves with ease from lyrical memories to the darkest of thoughts

Novel 117 pp Forlagið | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights Licht & Burr Literary Agency Trine Licht tl@licht-burr.dk sold to Denmark (Grif), France (Métailié), Sweden (Rámus)

Gunnar Kampen is a young man living in Reykjavik in the late 1950s. He holds a business degree and is well off in life. He interests himself in the affairs of his fellow men as well as the outside world near and far. Living with a loving mother and two sisters who have doted on him since childhood, he is in turn a caring brother and son. In spring 1958, he founds an anti-Semitic nationalist party in the West End of town, and enthusiastically lends his support to the evergrowing international network of Neo-Nazism.

In prose that moves with ease from lyrical boyhood memories to the darkest of thoughts, Sjón explores the life of his main character in his unique way. At the same time the book asks the question if Gunnar Kampen is such a special case after all.

Born in Reykjavik in 1962, Sjón is a celebrated author and a nominee and winner of numerous literary prizes. As a poet, librettist and lyricist, he has written nine poetry collections, four opera libretti, and song lyrics for various artists.

Sjón won the Nordic Council’s Literary Prize for his novel The Blue Fox and Moonstone – The Boy Who Never Was, was awarded every Icelandic literature prize, among them the 2013 Icelandic Literary Prize.

Sjón’s novels are published in thirty-five languages, making him one of the most translated Icelandic authors of recent times.

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Fiction

previous titles sold to Basque (Pasazaite Liburuak), Brazil (Hedra), Bulgaria (Locus Publishing), China (Yilin Press), Croatia (VBZ), Czech Republic (Argo/Dybbuk), Denmark (C&K Forlag), Estonia (Pegasus), Faroe Islands (Nylendi/ Sprotin), Finland (Like), France/ Switzerland/Luxembourg/ Canada (Payot & Rivage), Galicia (Rinoceronte Editora), Germany/Switzerland/Austria (Fischer Verlag), Greece (Nefeli), Hungary (Gondolat), Italy (Mondadori), Latvia (Mansard), Lebanon/Arab speaking world (Dar-al-Saqi), Lithuania (Apostrofa), Macedonia (Antolog), The Netherlands (De Geus), Norway (Tiden/Orkana), Poland (slowo/obraz terytoria), Portugal (Cavalo de ferro/ Planeta), Romania (Niculescu/ Editura Polirom), Russia (Corpus), Serbia/Montenegro (Balcancult Foundation/ Geopoetica), Slovakia (Slovart), Slovenia (Cankarjeva Zalozba), South America (Siruela), Spain (Nórdica Libros), Sweden (Rámus), Turkey (Dogan Kitap/ Monkl), UK/Australia/New Zealand/South Africa (Sceptre), USA/Philippines/Canada (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) awards & nominations • 2018 The FEDORA prize for the best new European opera • 2016, 2008, 2007, 2003 Nomination for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2016, 2013, 2005 Awarded the Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize • 2013 Shortlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award • 2013 Awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2013, 2005, 2002, 1995 Awarded the DV Cultural Prize • 2012, 2009 Shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize • 2011 Nominated for the Jan Michalski Prize for Literature • 2008 Nominated for The Nordic Council Music Prize • 2005 Awarded the Nordic Council’s Literature Prize • 2001 Nominated for an Oscar, Best Original Song from the film Dancer in the Dark • 2001 Nominated for a Golden Globe Award, best song from the film Dancer in the Dark • 1998 RÚV Writer’s Fund Awards

Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir

Methods of Survival Aðferðir til að lifa af

Deeply moving and memorable

The four narrators of this unique novel are led together by chance and proximity. They all live in or near the same small town. The newly widowed and grieving Borghildur runs a small guesthouse.

The overweight tech guy Árni is hopelessly in love with the woman he is "dating", although she is in love with someone else. Sixteen year old anorexic Hanna is miserably staying in a borrowed summerhouse, along with her mom, as they are temporarily homeless. And eleven year old Aron Snær, whose father is absent and mother suicidal with depression, drags behind him a dark and stigmatizing past despite his young age. As the story unfolds their fate is woven together and the fathomless horror/everyday beauty of humanity is lurking around every corner.

Methods of Survival is deeply moving and memorable. It is written with the lyrical zest and sharp eye for detail that Minervudottir´s readers are familiar with from her much applauded books: Aquaphonics; A Tale From Reykjavik Suburbia and Love, Texas. In this new novel she conjures up a vivid and rich atmosphere, pulsing with life, that lives on in the mind of the reader.

Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir (b.1976) has earned a place among Iceland’s most talented writers. Her work is fresh, original, and exciting, with effective structure and a flawless narrative mode. In her unique way, Guðrún Eva captures human emotion at the breaking point. She has published several novels and short stories that have been translated into several languages.

Guðrún Eva was awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize in 2011 for Everything with a Kiss Awakens (2011). Methods of Survival was nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize.

Fiction

Novel 166 pp Bjartur | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights The Parisian Agency Alexandra Lefebvre alexandra@theparisianagency.com sold to Israel (Lesa Press)

previous titles sold to Denmark (Art People), Finland (Atena), France/Switzerland/ Luxembourg/Canada (Autrement/ Tusitala), Germany/Austria/ Switzerland (Random House/ btb), India/Malayalam (Megha Books), Israel (Lesa Press), Italy (Scritturapura), Macedonia (ArtConnect), UK/Australia/ New Zealand/South-Africa/USA/ Philippines (Portobello), Ukraine (Vydavnytstvo) awards & nominations • 2020 RÚV Writer’s Fund Awards • 2019 Awarded the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize • 2019, 2016, 2008, 2000 Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2016 Nominated for the DV Cultural Prize • 2014, 2006 Awarded the DV Cultural Prize • 2011 Awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize

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Sölvi Björn Sigurðsson

Salt Selta: apókrýfa úr ævi landlæknis

An enigmatic story of extraordinary characters and adventurous events

In autumn 1839 an unknown boy washes up ashore on the south coast of Iceland and it falls to the general surgeon to resuscitate him and seek the child’s origins. What follows is an adventurous journey across sands, rivers, and highlands, up to the far north where the last merchant ship is about to set sail. But it is late in the autumn and the weather already turning trecherous in the mountains. The journey ahead will be more fateful than both the boy and the good doctor can imagine.

Salt is a homage to both Icelandic nature and the shelter we all seek. This is an enigmatic story of extraordinary characters and adventurous events, written with a unique sense of style by one of Iceland’s most interesting authors.

Sölvi Björn Sigurðsson (b. 1978) studied French in Montpellier and Paris, holds a BA degree in Icelandic and Literature from the University of Iceland and an MA degree in Publishing Studies from Stirling University. He has tried his hand at various things but mostly dedicated his time to all sorts of writing, such as translation and editing, in addition to writing novels and poetry.

Sölvi’s first work of fiction was his book of poetry Love and Freedom, published in 2000.

He has translated poetry, plays, novels, and short stories from English and French. Sölvi Björn was awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize in 2019 for Salt.

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Fiction

Novel 273 pp Sögur | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights Copenhagen Literary Agency Monica Gram monica@cphla.dk

previous titles sold to Denmark (Thorgard), SA/ Philippines/UK/ANZ (Open Letter), Macedonia (Ikona) awards & nominations • 2019 Awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2017, 2009 Nominated for the Icelandic Translators’ Award • 2016 RÚV Writer’s Fund Awards • 2013 Awarded the DV Cultural Prize for non-fiction • 2013 Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2009, 2005 Awarded The Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize • 2008 Nominated for the DV Cultural Prize for Literature

Sigrún Pálsdóttir

Runaround Delluferðin

A thrilling and winding story of the human fates

How do you turn old gold into priceless treasure?

At the turn of the 20th century, Sigurlína Brands­ dóttir finds herself in a hopeless situation. She is the motherless daughter of an eccentric father, who expects her to spend her life helping him find and catalogue old Icelandic archaeological artefacts. But Sigurlína has her own ambitions of education and excitement in her life and after a harrowing experience, takes fate into her own hands.

Sigurlína disappears from Reykjavik, along with a historical relic from her father’s collection. Through a series of incredible events, the artefact is unveiled with pomp and pride as an integral part of American history at the Metropolitan Museum of New York. Meanwhile, officials in Iceland launch their own investigation into the theft of the artefact.

Runaround is a tragicomic tale about the preservation of cultural treasure, an intriguing perspective on the coincidences that have determined their place in history, and a thrilling and winding story of the human fates that underpin it all.

Novel 178 pp Forlagið | 2019

Sigrún Pálsdóttir (b.1967) completed a Ph.D. in the History of Ideas at Oxford University in 2001, after which she was a research fellow and lecturer at the University of Iceland. Since 2007, Sigrún has worked free-lance as a writer and editor.

Her previous titles include the historical biography Thora. A Bishop’s Daughter (2010) and Uncertain Seas (2013). History. A Mess (2016) is her first novel. Her books have been nominated for several prizes and Uncertain Seas was selected the best biography in 2013 by booksellers in Iceland.

previous titles sold to US (Open Letter)

Fiction

English sample translation available foreign rights The Forlagið Rights Agency vala@forlagid.is | thora@forlagid.is www.forlagid.is

awards & nominations • 2017, 2011, 2010 Nomination for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize • 2013 Nomination for the DV Cultural Prize • 2013 Awarded the Icelandic Booksellers’ Literary Prize • 2013 & 2010 Nomination for the Hagþenkir Non-fiction Prize • 2010 Nomination for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2010 Nomination for the Icelandic Booksellers’ Literary Prize

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Bragi Ólafsson

Sterling to Krona Staða pundsins

In 1976 the price of a vinyl record in Iceland cost just under three thousand ISK – a lot more than in England for instance. This same year, Madda, a 35 year old widow, and Sigurvin her teenage son who has a relatively new found enthusiasm for music – travel to England to visit an old friend of the deceased husband of Madda and father to Sigurvin; a man living on a farm south of London with people who are similar to him – rebellious artists and anarchists.

This makes for a story of a mother and son that could not commence until the man of the house was no longer in their path. A half-story – as they all are.

Novel 272 pp Bjartur | 2019

Bragi Ólafsson (f. 1962) is one of the most prominent writers in Iceland, having published eight novels, eight books of poetry, five short story collections, and three plays for the stage since his debut in 1986. He also played bass in The Sugarcubes.

Bragi’s novels have been well received internationally, especially The Pets (2012) and The Ambassador (2006), which have been published widely. Sterling to Krona was nominated for the 2019 Icelandic Literary Prize.

previous titles sold to Argentina (Bajo la luna), Denmark (Lindhardt & Ringhof/ Athene), Egypt (Animar), France (Actes Sud), Germany (Fischer Verlag/Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag/Henschel Verlag), Italy Edizioni (La Linea), US (Open Letter)

foreign rights Bjartur Páll Valsson pall@bjartur.is www.bjartur.is

Autobiography but not my own

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Fiction

awards & nominations • 2019, 2010, 2006, 2001, 1999 Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2010 Nominated for Gríman; best playwright • 2008 Nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize • 2005 Awarded the DV Cultural Prize

Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir

Pighead Svínshöfuð

An unpredictable, mature plot

Why does an elderly man from Breiðafjörður get the nickname Pighead?

A Chinese mother and son come to Iceland in the mid 90s and create a family. The new family has old sorrows, the pain running like a thread through the generations.

The story unfolds from the beginning of World War II, with stops on a small island in Breiðafjörður, the south of China, and in a suburb of Kópavogur.

Pighead is a novel about loneliness, emptiness, tangled relationships, embarrassing bodies, misguided desperate measures, and an existence that feels like an open wound. The focus is on three different people who are or feel like outsiders in many ways. Towards the end, their connection becomes clear.

Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir (b. 1985) grew up by the lake Úlfljótsvatn, but currently lives in Reykjavik.

She is one half of the artist duo Wunderkind Collective. Bergþóra holds degrees in Psychology and Creative Writing from the University of Iceland and is at present working on a MA degree in applied culture and communication.

Bergþóra has received two nominations for the Icelandic Literary Prize and for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize. Bergþóra has published poetry books and a prose collection.

Pighead is her first novel.

Fiction

Novel 240 pp Benedikt | 2019 English & German sample translations available foreign rights Benedikt Publishing Guðrún Vilmundardóttir gv@benedikt.is www.benedikt.is sold to Israel (Lesa Press)

awards & nominations • 2019, 2017 Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2019 Awarded the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize • 2019 Awarded the Icelandic Booksellers' Literary Prize • 2017 Nominated for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize

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Dóri DNA

Cuck Kokkáll

A vibrant and dynamic contemporary story

Örn, who is handsome and works at an ad agency, invites his girlfriend, Hrafnhildur, to Chicago for a weekend to celebrate his unexpected improved debt level. There, they meet the dark and suave Tyrone, and nothing will ever be the same again.

Bringing into the mix Örn’s childhood mates, the developmentally disabled Andrea and the bullheaded Hallur, creates a highly volatile cocktail that is bound to explode.

Cuck is a vibrant and dynamic contemporary story, hardboiled at times but always humorous, and Halldór Laxness Halldórsson, aka Dóri DNA, candidly describes communications between the sexes, racial tensions, hereditary grief, and the force of sincere friendship. Cuck is a book that is both heartfelt and hardcore.

Halldór Laxness Halldórsson (b.1985) is a known stand-up artist and actor, performing under the pseudonym Dóri DNA. He has previously published two books of poetry but Cuck is his first novel. It received great reviews and was one of the bestsellers of 2019.

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Fiction

Novel 336 pp Bjartur | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights Bjartur Páll Valsson pall@bjartur.is www.bjartur.is

Þóra Hjörleifsdóttir

Magma Kvika

Lilja is young and so deeply in love that she is prepared to sacrifice everything to please the man she loves. But once she stops setting boundaries for him, she loses touch with reality. Can love lead to one’s actual disintegration?

A powerful, realistic depiction of a relationship based on psychological abuse, coloured by the pornification of contemporary society, and its terrible consequences for a young woman.

Novel 134 pp Forlagið | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights The Forlagið Rights Agency vala@forlagid.is | thora@forlagid.is www.forlagid.is sold to UK (Picador), US (Grove Atlantic)

A powerful, realistic depiction of a relationship based on psychological abuse

Þóra Hjörleifsdóttir (b.1986) has a master’s degree in creative writing. Magma is her first novel. When Magma was first published in Iceland it shot straight to the top of the bestseller’s list and received great reviews.

The novel has sparked discussion and debate among people of all genders and has been described as a must-read. Þóra Hjörleifsdóttir is a member of the poetry collective Imposter Poets and has published books of poetry with the collective.

Fiction

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Pedro Gunnlaugur Garcia

Languageless Málleysingjarnir

An active imagination and a strong sensibility for the unique

Romania 1989: Mihail is eleven years old, a reserved Romanian boy who lives in harsh conditions in Bucharest when the president and his wife are executed in the revolution.

The country is in a state of chaos, which greatly impacts his family and entire environment.

Iceland 2000: The teens Bergþóra and Finnur are siblings who are very close even though they are very different people – she is clumsy and socially awkward while he is on the fast-track onto the “greedy bosom of growing porn addiction.”

Their home is in turmoil – their parents on the brink of divorce but looking for ways to make things work.

This extensive novel tells the story of young people in complex and sometimes hostile world, while also describing a time of tumult with vibrancy created by an active imagination and a strong sensibility for the unique in people and their stories.

Pedro Gunnlaugur Garcia (b. 1983) is a young writer in Reykjavik. Languageless is his first novel and was granted a Grassroots Grant from the Icelandic Literature Center in 2017 and the accompanying review offered some very high praise.

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Fiction

Novel 436 pp Bjartur | 2019 foreign rights Bjartur Páll Valsson pall@bjartur.is www.bjartur.is

awards • 2017 The Icelandic Literature Center’s Grassroot Grants

Did you know …

Icelandic books have been translated into around fifty languages The number of published titles of fiction in Icelandic increased by 21% in 2019 Reader’s Report Grants are new grants for publishers and agents We have a new & accessible website where you can find translators from Icelandic

Fiction

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Rán Flygenring

Vigdís. The World’s First Female President Vigdís. Bókin um fyrsta konuforsetann

An aspiring writer knocks on Vigdís Finnbogadóttir’s door and invites herself to tea because she intends to write a book about the first woman to be democratically elected president of a country. In her visit the girl learns a thing or two about the trailblazer Vigdís and the presidential office. She also sees a real sword from Finland, learns a bit of French, and finds out that once there were sheep in Reykjavik.

A book on a remarkable woman who dreamed of becoming a sea captain but ended up as the president of Iceland.

Children | Illustrated 40 PP Angústúra | 2019 English translation available foreign rights Angústúra María Rán Guðjónsdóttir maria.ran@angustura.is www.angustura.is sold to South Korea (Yellow Brick Books)

A beautiful and entertaining story about a remarkable woman

previous titles sold to Italy (Quinto Quarto)

Rán Flygenring (b. 1987) works as an illustrator and idea generator. She has worked on various projects, produced illustrations for books and papers, drawn on walls, designed stamps, and visually rendered everything from weddings to conventions. Vigdís. The World’s First Female President is the first book that she both writes and illustrates.

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Children & YA

awards & nominations • 2019, 2017 The Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize for best YA Book • 2018, 2017 The Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize • 2018, 2017 Nomination for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2018, 2017, 2015 FÍT Awards, the Association of Icelandic Graphic Designers • 2014 The Jahres-Luchs Prize • 2014 Nomination for Serafina illustrator prize • 2014 Nominated for the Alma prize • 2013 The German Youth Literature Prize

Lani Yamamoto

Egill Egill spámaður

A wonderful book, both story and illustrations

Egill doesn’t like to talk because whatever he says always comes out wrong. He prefers the predictable and is happiest following the tides and sun with his almanac. But, when the new girl in class disrupts his routine Saturday trip to the shore, Egill’s day fills with unexpected surprises — the biggest of all being that the more that goes wrong, the more everything feels right.

While the story in the text is seemingly straightforward, a bigger, untold story unfolds in the illustrations. Touching on themes of various perspectives on truth, Egill encourages the sharpeyed reader to look at the whole picture, literally, in order to fully understand what is happening.

Lani Yamamoto (b. 1965) is originally from the US but has lived in Iceland for over 20 years. She has written and illustrated six children’s books, which have been published in 14 languages. She has also worked in documentary film and organised creative-learning environments with children, artists, educators, and scientists.

Lani studied psychology at Bryn Mawr College and filmmaking at the London Film School and holds master’s degrees in both Creative Writing and the Study of Religions from the University of Oxford.

Children & YA

Children | Illustrated 56 PP Angústúra | 2019 English translation available foreign rights Angústúra María Rán Guðjónsdóttir maria.ran@angustura.is www.angustura.is

previous titles sold to Catalonia (Babulinka books), China (King-in Culture), Denmark (Turbine Forlaget/Hr. Ferdinand), France/Germany (Helvetiq), Italy (Terre di mezzo/ Ape Junior), Japan (Kodansha), Korea (Bear Books), Norway (Hr. Ferdinand), Portugal (Difusão Cultural do Livro), Slovenia (Knizana Dielna), Spain (Nórdica libros/Art Blume), UK (Victoria & Albert Museum/Frances Lincoln Publishers) US (Abrams Books/ Sleeping Bear Press) awards & nominations • 2019 Nomination for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2017 Benediktson Fellow at Banff Center for Arts and Creativity, Leighton Artists’ Colony • 2014 Awarded the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize • 2014 Nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize • 2013 Dimmalimm Awards for best illustrated Book • 2013 Nominated for Scelte di Classe Award, Italy

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Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir

Forever a Friend Langelstur að eilífu

One day Eyja’s life is turned upside down. Her mum and dad bring her happy news – that don’t make her happy at all. At the same time the health of her friend and classmate Rögnvaldur, who happens to be 97 years old, takes a turn for the worse. Eyja feels like everything is changing, too fast!

But Eyja gets a fantastic idea! After a bit of negotiating she manages to convince Rögnvaldur, and the two friends undertake fun, dangerous, and exciting adventures! Eyja learns that sorrow and joy sometimes come hand in hand, and that great changes don’t have to be all bad.

Children | Illustrated 109 pp Bókabeitan | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights Bókabeitan Birgitta Elín Hassell birgitta@bokabeitan.is www.bokabeitan.is

Funny and warm story about life and death

previous titles sold to China (Himmer-Winco)

Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir (b. 1984) is a writer and illustrator, specialising in children’s books. She graduated from the University of Iceland in 2009 and the Reykjavík School of Visual Arts in 2012.

Bergrún also studied children’s books illustration at the Cambridge School of Arts in the summer of 2012.

Bergrún Íris has illustrated over 50 children’s books and written ten books of her own. Her books have been extremely well received, both among critics and young readers.

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Children & YA

awards & nominations • 2020 Awarded the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize • 2020 Nominated for the West Nordic Council’s Literature Prize • 2019 Awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2019 Awarded the Guðrún Helgadóttir Literary Award • 2019, 2018, 2015 Nominated for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize • 2017 Nominated for the Reykjavík Children’s Book Award • 2015 Nominated for illustrations for the Reykjavík Children’s Book Award • 2015 Nominated for the Nordic Council’s Children and Young People’s Literary Prize • 2016 Awarded for IBBY Spring Winds Awards: contribution to children’s culture in Iceland

Arndís Þórarinsdóttir

The Underpants Spies Nærbuxnanjósnararnir

Life in Boxerville revolves around underwear. The underpants factory has loomed over the neighbourhood since the dawn of the loincloth, which is why the world seems to turn upside down when it closes.

Gutti and Olina aren’t exactly friends.

Still, they set out together on that fateful day – Gutti to discover what’s happened to his grandmother, and Olina because she can’t resist anything dangerous or forbidden.

The Underpants Spies is the independent sequel to The Underpants Factory.

Children | Illustrated 90 pp Forlagið | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights The Forlagið Rights Agency vala@forlagid.is | thora@forlagid.is www.forlagid.is

Packed with humor for young and old alike

Arndís Þórarinsdóttir (b.1982) is an Icelandic writer and translator. She has an undergraduate degree in comparative literature from the University of Iceland and a postgraduate degree in Writing for Performance from Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Arndís has written five books for children and published short stories and articles in various Icelandic magazines.

Children & YA

awards & nominations • 2019 Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2013 Nominated for the Nordic Children’s Book Prize

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Gunnar Helgason

The Dream Snatcher Draumaþjófurinn

In Harbour-land everything is as it should be, and the rats know their role in life: Collectors collect food, Spies spy, Battle rats keep enemies at bay, and Eaters eat and enjoy themselves. At the top of the pack is Captain Tusk who controls them all.

But one day her daughter, Giant-Ears Mainchild Gorgeous Rat-Fairy stages a revolt and the story takes an unexpected turn, following our hero into the City where danger lurks behind every corner and exotic rats run wild. The Dream Snatcher himself is sent to rescue her – or die trying!

Children 200 pp Forlagið | 2019

Gunnar Helgason (b.1965) is a popular actor and well known for all kinds of entertaining material for children that has enjoyed great popularity for some years. In the past few years, Gunnar has published several extremely popular children’s books, including the five-book series The Great Football Saga and the four-part series about Stella and her family, My Bonkers Mum! that won him the Icelandic Literary Prize. The Children’s Choice Book Prize has been bestowed upon him six times.

previous titles sold to Denmark (Turbine), Korea (Woorischool), Macedonia (Antolog)

foreign rights The Forlagið Rights Agency vala@forlagid.is | thora@forlagid.is www.forlagid.is

An exciting literary world in which it is easy to get lost

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Children & YA

awards & nominations • 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013 The Children’s Choice Book Prize • 2017 IBBY Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities Selection • 2016 Nominated for the West Nordic Council’s Literature Prize • 2015 Awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2015 The Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize • 2013 IBBY Award

Hildur Knútsdóttir

The Witch Nornin

An exciting story where mysteries prevail and tensions are high

Alma Khan doesn’t know why she, a nineteenyear-old employee in a greenhouse in Hellisheiði heath, has been offered a job in the private greenhouse of the world-famous botanist Dr. Olga Ducaróva. She suspects it might have something to do with her grandmother Kria, who knows Ducaróva from their infamous expedition to Mars.

When Alma meets the mysterious Indra, her life is turned irrevocably upside down.

The year is 2096 and nature is unpredictable. The old low-lying city centre has been fenced off and rotting houses lean along the shoreline. One of the houses is owned by Alma’s grandmother, and no one understands why it is so important to her.

Hildur Knútsdóttir (b.1984) has garnered widespread attention and awards with her books Winter Dark (2015) and Winter Frost (2016), which have been translated into several languages and are being turned into a television series. The Witch is the sequel to The Lion (2018), which won the Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize and was nominated for the Icelandic Literature Prize.

Hildur has written many popular books for young adults and garnered much critical praise.

Children & YA

YA | Cli-fi | Sci-fi thriller 330 pp Forlagið | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights The Forlagið Rights Agency vala@forlagid.is | thora@forlagid.is www.forlagid.is

previous titles sold to France (Thierry Magnier), Czech Republic (Práh), Macedonia (Publisher), TV Rights sold to RVK Studios awards & nominations • 2019 Awarded Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize • 2019, 2018, 2015 Nomination for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2019, 2018, 2016 The Icelandic Bookseller’s Prize for best YA Book • 2019 Nominated as the Best YA Book of the Year, by Kniha Roku, Czech Republic • 2018 IBBY Honour List • 2017, 2016 Nominated for the Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize • 2016 Awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2016 Awarded the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize

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Ragnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir

Kingdom of the Islands Villueyjar

For centuries, no one has lived in the far north of the Kingdom of the Islands. No houses disrupt the barren landscape of green, mossy hills and red marshland. Except of course for the boarding school.

Fourteen-year-old Arilda has never wondered why her school is in such an isolated place. Born in a kingdom built on secrets, into a family bent on silence, she strays too far into the marshes and discovers something that was meant to be hidden. Touched by a curse no one will admit being real, Arilda must search for answers on her own while her childhood world crumbles around her.

Fantasy fiction | YA 349 pp Bókabeitan | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights Bókabeitan Birgitta Elín Hassell birgitta@bokabeitan.is www.bokabeitan.is

A dark, eventful, and very exciting book

Ragnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir (b. 1988) has a degree in history and an interest in anything macabre, unusual and archaic. Her two novels successfully integrate European fantasy tradition into Icelandic storytelling. They are at the same time original and easily accessible to a larger audience.

Kingdom of the Islands was nominated for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize, while her debut novel The City of Bronze (2015) won the Reykjavík Children’s Book Award and was nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize.

20

Children & YA

awards & nominations • 2019 & 2016 Nominated for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize • 2016 Nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize • 2015 Awarded the Reykjavik Children’s Book Award

Did you know …

The number of published titles of children & YA books in Icelandic increased by 47% in 2019 Icelanders read 2.3 books on average in 2019 Readers with two or more children in the home read more than those that have no children Translation grants from Icelandic are also available for children & YA books

Children & YA

21

fiction

Bourdon

Batzer & co

Albania Botime Pegi

Dybbuk

C&K

Halldóra Thoroddsen Tvöfalt gler

Sjón CoDex 1962

Dituria

Kalich

Forlaget Multivers

Halldór Laxness Kristnihald undir jökli

Gyrðir Elíasson Suðurglugginn

Livia Stoia Literary Agency

Knihy Dobrovsky

Grif

Metafora

Jensen & Dalgaard

Jón Kalman Stefánsson Sumarljós og svo kemur nóttin Armenia Guitank

Lilja Sigurðardóttir Gildran Brazil Companhia Das Letras, Editora Schwarcz

Jón Kalman Stefánsson Himnaríki og helvíti Harmur englanna Bulgaria Colibri Publishers

Halldóra Thoroddsen Tvöfalt gler Canada (English) Macmillan

Oddný Eir Ævarsdóttir Jarðnæði

Sjón CoDex 1962

Ragnar Jónasson Drungi Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Brúðan Gatið Þögn Moba

Arnaldur Indriðason Petsamo Skuggasund Radioservis

Croatia Hena

Halldóra Thoroddsen Tvöfalt gler Sandorf

Canada (French) La Peuplade

Znanje

Ragnar Jónasson Andköf Argo

Hallgrímur Helgason Konan við 1000°C

22

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Aflausn Sogið DNA Denmark Amanda Books

Valur Gunnarsson Örninn og fálkinn Batzer & co

Sjón Korngult hár, grá augu Halldóra Thoroddsen Tvöfalt gler Lindhart & Ringhof

Hallgrímur Helgason Sextíu kíló af sólskini Torgard

Fríða Ísberg Kláði Gyrðir Elíasson Sorgarmarsinn Gula húsið

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Ör

Czech Republic Albatros Media

Jakobína Sigurðardóttir Í sama klefa

Torgard

Steinar Bragi Hálendið

Ragnar Jónasson Hvítidauði

Gyrðir Elíasson Suðurglugginn

Jón Kalman Stefánsson Snarkið í stjörnunum

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Ungfrú Ísland

Faroe Islands Sprotin

Einar Kárason Stormfuglar Sprotin

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Sogið DNA Finland Blue Moon

Arnaldur Indriðason Grafarþögn Myrkrið veit Otava

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Brúðan Gatið Þögn

Rights sold

Germany Amazon Crossing

Tammi Publishers

Ragnar Jónasson Hulda trilogy

Stefán Máni Svartigaldur

France Gaïa

Einar Már Guðmundsson Riddarar hringstigans Gallimard

Hallgrímur Helgason Sextíu kíló af sólskini Grasset

Jón Kalman Stefánsson Sumarljós og svo kemur nóttin La Martinière

Bastei-Lübbe

Arnaldur Indriðason Stúlkan hjá brúnni DuMont

Lilja Sigurðardóttir Gildran Netið Búrið Elif Verlag

Ragnar Helgi Ólafsson Handbók um minni og gleymsku

Ragnar Jónasson Dark Iceland vol 1-6 Drungi

Fischer

La Martinière

Insel Verlag

Les Éditions Bleu et Jaune

Klett Cotta

Sjón CoDex 1962

Eva Björg Ægisdóttir Stelpur sem ljúga

Halldóra Thoroddsen Tvöfalt gler Métailié

Arnaldur Indriðason Tregasteinn Métailie

Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl Hans Blær Métailié

Sjón Korngult hár, grá augu Georgia Klio

Hallgrímur Helgason Sextíu kíló af sólskini Steidl

Halldór Laxness Short stories Stroux Edition

Mikael Torfason Syndafallið Bréf til mömmu Greece Metaixmio

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Sogið DNA Hungary Animus

Ófeigur Sigurðsson Skáldsaga um Jón Palitra

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Ungfrú Ísland

Arnaldur Indriðason Mýrin

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Brúðan Gatið

2019

Central Publishing Group

Ragnar Jónasson Dimma Corvina

Bergsveinn Birgisson Lifandilífslækur Cser Kft.

Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir Hið heilaga orð Gondolat

Andri Snær Magnason LoveStar Jelenkor Kiadó Kft

Jón Kalman Stefánsson Saga Ástu Metropolis Media Group Kft.

Kristín Marja Baldursdóttir Mávahlátur

Polar Egyesület

Gyrðir Elíasson Milli trjánna POLAR Egyesület

Guðbergur Bergsson Tómas Jónsson Typotex Publishing

Jón Kalman Stefánsson Eitthvað á stærð við alheiminn

Israel Lesa Press

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Ungfrú Ísland Lesa Press

Bergsveinn Birgisson Svar við bréfi Helgu Lifandilífslækur Lesa Press

Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir Svínshöfuð

23

Lesa Press

Björn Halldórsson Smáglæpir Lesa Press

Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir Aðferðir til að lifa af Ástin Texas Lesa Press

Guðmundur Andri Thorsson Valeyrarvalsinn Lesa Press

Halldór Laxness Sjálfstætt fólk Lesa Press

Oddný Eir Ævarsdóttir Jarðnæði Lesa Press

Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson Innflytjandinn The Deborah Harris Agency

Ragnar Jónasson Dimma Italy Iperborea

Bergsveinn Birgisson Lifandilífslækur Iperborea

Gunnar Gunnarsson Svartfugl Iperborea

Halldóra Thorodden Tvöfalt gler Iperborea

Jón Kalman Stefánsson Snarkið í stjörnunum La Repubblica

Arnaldur Indriðason Mýrin

24

Marsilio Editore SPA

Ragnar Jónasson Náttblinda Andköf Ugo Guanda

Arnaldur Indriðason Synir duftsins Dauðarósir Stúlkan hjá brúnni Japan Hayakawa Publishing

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Rosa candida Latvia Zvaigzne ABC

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Brúðan Gatið Lebanon Arab Scientific Publishers

Arnaldur Indriðason Synir duftsins Reykjavíkur­nætur Lithuania Alma Littera

Hallgrímur Helgason Sextíu kíló af sólskini

Uitgeverij Ambo Anthos

Jón Kalman Stefánsson Snarkið í stjörnunum Uitgeverij Volt

Arnaldur Indriðason Tregasteinn Norway Cappelen Damm

Arnaldur Indriðason Myrkrið veit Stúlkan hjá brúnni Pax

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Ungfrú Ísland Pelikanen

Bergsveinn Birgisson Handbók um hugarfar kúa Poland Wydawnictwo Amber

Ragnar Jónasson Mistur Drungi

Wydawnictwo Kobiece

Lilja Sigurðardóttir Svik

Macedonia Antolog

Wydawnictwo Literackie

Antolog

Portugal 2020 editora

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Ör Halldóra Thoroddsen Tvöfalt gler ArtConnect

Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir Hið heilaga orð

Ragnar Jónasson Drungi Romania Crime Scene Press

Einar Kárason Stormfuglar Art Connect

Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl Illska The Netherlands A. W. Bruna Uitgevers

Ragnar Jónasson Snjóblinda Myrknætti

Lilja Sigurðardóttir Gildran Netið Editura Cartea Româneasca Educational

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Undantekningin Ungfrú Ísland Ör

Rights sold

Editura Darclée

Halldóra Thoroddsen Tvöfalt gler Livia Stoia Literary Agency

Jón Kalman Stefánsson Fiskarnir hafa enga fætur Livia Stoia Literary Agency

Ragnar Jónasson Náttblinda Russia Polyandria No Age

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Ungfrú Ísland Ör Polyandria No Age

Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir Eyland Serbia Presing

Andri Snær Magnason LoveStar Spain Hoja de Lata

Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl Hans Blær Papel K Editorial

Gyrðir Elíasson Sandárbókin Sweden Flo förlag

Kristín Eiríksdóttir Elín, ýmislegt Modernista

Ragnar Jónasson Snjóblinda Myrknætti Rámus

Sjón Korngult hár, grá augu CoDex 1962

Weyler förlag

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Ungfrú Ísland Kitab-i Arzan in Sweden (Persian)

Halldór Laxness Sjálfstætt fólk Turkey Kalem Agency

Jón Kalman Stefánsson Sumarljós og svo kemur nóttin Siren Yayinlari

Hallgrímur Helgason 101 Reykjavík UK Corylus

Arnaldur Indriðason Myrkrið veit Orenda Books

Ukraine Vydavnytstvo

Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir Ástin Texas Vydavnytstvo

Sjón Mánasteinn

Hugleikur Dagsson You Are Nothing

Kristín Marja Baldursdóttir Karitas, án titils Grove/Black Cat

Þóra Hjörleifsdóttir Kvika Macmillan

Ragnar Jónasson Hvítidauði

nonfiction Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið

Eva Björg Ægisdóttir Stelpur sem ljúga Þóra Hjörleifsdóttir Kvika

US Amazon

Bulgaria Janet 45

Lilja Sigurðardóttir Helköld sól Blóðrauður snjór

Picador

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið

Arnaldur Indriðason Myrkrið veit

Harvill

Czech Republic Argo

Arnaldur Indriðason Dauðarósir Napóleons­skjölin

St. Martin’s Press

Sólveig Pálsdóttir Refurinn Fjötrar

Orenda Books

United Arab Emirates Thaqafa

Canada Biblioasis (English)

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Éditions XYZ (French)

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Eye of Newt Media (English)

Arngrímur Sigurðsson Museum of Hidden Beings Croatia Planetopija

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið

2019

Volvox Globator

Denmark Forlaget Klim

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Forlaget Klim

Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Heiða - fjalldala­bóndinn Egypt Al Arabi

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Estonia Postimees Kirjastus

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Finland Atena

Hugleikur Dagsson Er þetta frétt?

Aula & CO

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið LIKE

Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Heiða - fjalldalabóndinn Werner Söderström

Prjónafélagið Leikskólaföt 1 & 2 France Editions Leduc.s

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Editions Warum

Hugleikur Dagsson Is this some kind of joke?

25

Seuil

Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Heiða - fjalldalabóndinn Germany Suhrkamp

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Hungary Gondolat Kiado

Spain Captain Swing

Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Heiða - fjalldalabóndinn

Andri Snær Magnason Tímakistan

Salamandra

Denmark ABC Forlag

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Sweden Norstedts

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið

Italy Iperborea

Turkey Domingo

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið

South Korea Bookhouse

UK Profile/Serpent´s Tail

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið

The Netherlands BBCN Uitgeverij

Ukraine Machaon

Hugleikur Dagsson You Are Nothing My Pussy is Hungry I Hate Dolphins

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið

De Geus

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Draumalandið

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Norway Aschehoug

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Poland Karakter

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Russia Eksmo

Andri Snær Magnason Um tímann og vatnið Serbia CLIO

US Open Letter

children & ya Columbia Panamericana Editorial

Guðrún Helgadóttir & Brian Pilkington Ástarsaga úr fjöllunum Croatia Znanje d.o.o

Andri Snær Magnason Sagan af bláa hnettinum

Steinunn Sigurðardóttir Heiða - fjalldalabóndinn

26

Czech Republic Argo

Rights sold

Snæbjörn Arngrímsson Rannsóknin á leyndardómum Eyðihússins Carlsen

Andri Snær Magnason Sagan af bláa hnettinum Egypt Mahrousa

Andri Snær Magnason Tímakistan France Albin Michel

Vilborg Dagbjartsdóttir & Sigríður Björnsdóttir Alli Nalli og tunglið Hungary Gondolat

Andri Snær Magnason Tímakistan Israel Aryeh Nir

Andri Snær Magnason Sagan af bláa hnettinum South Korea Yellow Brick Books

Rán Flygenring Vigdís Lithuania Flintas

Huginn Þór Grétarsson Kanínan sem fékk aldrei nóg Terra Publica

Andri Snær Magnason Tímakistan Macedonia Antolog Books

Andri Snær Magnason Tímakistan

Vandkunsten

Prozart media

Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir Flugan sem stöðvaði stríðið Moldova

Huginn Þór Grétarsson Kanínan sem fékk aldrei nóg Norway Skald

Áslaug Jónsdóttir, Kalle Güettler & Rakel Helmsdal Skrímsli í heimsókn Skrímsli í vanda Romaina PRUT International Publishing House

Huginn Þór Grétarsson Kanínan sem fékk aldrei nóg Spain (Galician) Editora Alvarellos

Sweden ABC Forlag

Snæbjörn Arngrímsson Rannsóknin á leyndardómum Eyðihússins Pionier Press

Sigrún Eldjárn Sigurfljóð í grænum hvelli

Gerður Kristný Drápa Germany Elif Verlag

Fríða Ísberg Leður­jakkaveður Elif Verlag

Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir smáa letrið Norway Norsjøforlaget

Gerður Kristný Sálumessa Norsjøforlaget

Gyrðir Elíasson Síðasta vegabréfið

Elísabet Jökulsdóttir Ástin ein taugahrúga.

Enginn dans við Ufsaklett Sweden Bokförlaget Faethon

Kristín Ómarsdóttir kóngulær í sýningar­ gluggum UK Arc Publications

Gerður Kristný Sálumessa

Andri Snær Magnason Tímakistan

poetry

Finland Enostone

Poland e-sagi.pl Miroslaw Godek

Áslaug Jónsdóttir Ég vil fisk!

US Restless Books

Gerður Kristný Sálumessa

Ukraine FOP Zavadskyi Iurii Romanovych

Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl Óratorrek

Denmark Torgard

Gyrðir Elíasson 3 poetry books

2019

27

Ragnar Jónasson

Crime fiction 380 pp Veröld | 2019

White Death Hvítidauði

English sample translation available foreign rights Copenhagen Literary Agency Monica Gram monica@cphla.dk sold to USA & Canada (Macmillan)

1983: An old hospital in Akureyri, northern Iceland, previously used as a tuberculosis sanatorium. An old nurse is found brutally murdered. Less than a week after the first murder, the chief physician is found dead. The case is unsolved.

2012: Helgi Reykdal, a young criminologist (and collector of detective stories) is writing a thesis on the subject of the murders in Akureyri. His intention is to finally solve the thirty-year-old mystery and his investigation leads to yet another death ...

The reader is engaged from start to finish

Ragnar Jónasson (b. 1976) was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he works as a writer and a lawyer.

From the age of 17, Ragnar has translated 14 Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic.

Ragnar is a member of the UK Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) and he is also the co-founder of the Reykjavik International crime writing festival Iceland Noir. Ragnar’s books are published in 33 countries, in 24 languages.

28

Crime fiction

previous titles sold to Argentina/Chile/Mexico (Planeta), Armenia (Guitank Publishing), Australia, Catalan (Columna), Croatia (Znanje), Czech Republic (Albatros/ Dobrovsky), Ethiopia (Hohe Publishing), Finland (Tammi), France/Belgium (La Martinière/ Points), Germany/Switzerland/ Austria (Fischer Verlag), Holland (AW Bruna), Hungary (Central Media Publishing), Israel (Aryeh Nir Publishers), Italy (Marsilio Editori), Japan (Shogakukan Inc.), Korea (Bookplaza), Macedonia (Art Connect), Morocco, Norway (Gloria), Poland (Wydawnictwo Amber), Portugal (20|20 Editora/Topseller), Romania (Crime Scene Press), Spain (Seix Barral), Slovenia (Didakta), Sweden (Modernista), Turkey (Andante), UK/Australia/Ireland/ South-Africa (Orenda Books), TV rights (On the Corner/UK), USA/ Canada (Macmillan) awards & nominations • 2019 Shortlisted for Novel of the Year (Årets Bok) in Sweden • 2019 Shortlisted for the Amazon Publishing Award for Best Mystery in the UK • 2010-2017 Nominated for The Drop of Blood, Iceland • 2016 The Mörda Award (Captivating Crime in Translation) UK • 2016 Winner of the Dead Good Reader Award: The Sunday Express • 2016 Best New Crime And Thrillers: The Daily Express

Eva Björg Ægisdóttir

Girls who Lie Stelpur sem ljúga

A single mother disappears from her home but leaves a note on the kitchen table. At first, she is thought to have committed suicide but when a badly damaged corpse turns up in the Grábrók lava field seven months later, the policewoman Elma and her colleagues realise they have a complex murder to solve. Fifteen years before a new mother lies in the maternity ward and can’t abide the baby lying next to her.

Girls who Lie is a gripping and riveting thriller about how a broken childhood and trauma can lead to terrible events later in life.

Thriller 366 pp Veröld | 2019

Eva Björg Ægisdóttir (b. 1988) was born and raised in Akranes, a small town about half an hour’s drive from Reykjavik which is the scene for her novel. After finishing a bachelor’s degree in sociology, she moved from Akranes to Trondheim, Norway, where she got her master’s degree in globalisation. After moving back to Iceland in 2015, she decided to finally start writing her first novel.

Eva Björg was awarded the crime literary award Blackbird for her first novel, The Creak on the Stairs (2018), which got very good reviews.

previous titles sold to France (La Martinière), Greece (Diaplasi Editions), Netherlands (De Fontein), UK (Orenda Books)

English sample translation available foreign rights DHH Literary Agency David H. Headley david.headley@ dhhliteraryagency.com sold to France (La Martinière), UK (Orenda Books)

A gripping and riveting thriller

Crime fiction

awards • 2018 Winner of the Blackbird Crime Award

29

Eiríkur P. Jörundsson

Angels of Vengeance Hefndarenglar

The reporter Sölvi is sent to the village where he grew up, Súðavík in The West Fjords, to report on a murder in the village. While he looks into various matters that are connected to the murder victim, he is instructed to assist a young and diligent journalist who is working on a story on abuse of young women in the Reykjavik underworld.

Both cases take an unexpected turn and shed a light on terrible events in the past, such as the avalanches in Súðavík that killed 14 people.

Crime fiction 432 pp Veröld | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights Veröld Bjarni Þorsteinsson bjarni@bjartur.is www.bjartur-verold.is

An exciting debut novel with unexpected turns

Eiríkur P. Jörundsson was born on Christmas Eve 1962 in Súðavík, the village where the Angels of Vengeance is set. He worked as a printer for a while but went on to study at the University of Iceland and graduated with an MA in History.

Eiríkur has been a director of several museums in addition to working as a journalist.

He has also written a book on the history of Súðavík. Angels of Vengeance is his first novel.

30

Crime fiction

awards • 2019 Winner of the Blackbird Crime Award

Íris Ösp Ingjaldsdóttir

Disruption Röskun

There is no place like home.

Hera is excited to move into the basement flat she recently bought in the old town of Reykjavik. Shortly after the move she senses an unpleasant presence in the flat and starts experiencing strange incidents. Should she trust her instincts or is this all just a figment of her imagination? Hera seeks answers in the story of Stella, the former occupant of the flat, and discovers that Stella and her family met a terrible end.

Disruption is a psychological thriller addressing the supernatural, but the great question is how much we can rely on our own senses. What is real and what is not?

Thriller 283 pp Salka | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights Salka Publishing salka@salka.is www.salka.is

A psychological thriller addressing the supernatural

Disruption is the first book by Íris Ösp Ingjaldsdóttir (b. 1975) who is a noteworthy new writer on the Icelandic crime fiction scene. The book was very well received, and negotiations are underway for a television series based on the book. Íris is working on a new book that is scheduled for publication in 2021. Íris is a lawyer by profession.

Crime fiction

31

Andri Snær Magnason

On Time and Water Um tímann og vatnið

A deeply personal, yet also global, exploration of the environmental crisis

On Time and Water is a rich and compelling work of narrative non-fiction and a desperate plea to the world. It is a deeply personal, yet also global, exploration of the environmental crisis.

Andri Snær, master storyteller and environmental activist, illustrates the global environmental crisis by delving into mythology and scientific research, telling stories of his grandparents honeymooning on a glacier alongside the great technological advances of the last century.

On Time and Water takes the reader on a magnificent journey, expertly pulling the threads together and slowly revealing a whole tapestry of strange, poetic and sometimes amazing connections. The resulting narrative is at once a travel story, a world history, and a reminder to live in harmony with future generations.

Andri Snær Magnason (b.1973) is one of Iceland’s most celebrated writers. He has won the Icelandic Literary Prize for fiction, children’s fiction and non-fiction. In addition, Andri Snær has written poetry, plays, short stories, and essays.

In 2009, Andri Snær co-directed the documentary Dreamland, which was based on his book Dreamland: A Self-Help Manual for a Frightened Nation. In 2010, Andri Snær was awarded the Kairos Prize, presented by the Alfred Toepfer Foundation to outstanding individuals in the field of European culture and intercultural understanding. He lives in Reykjavik with his wife and four children.

32

Non-fiction

Narrative non-fiction 320 pp Forlagið | 2019 English translation available foreign rights The Forlagið Rights Agency vala@forlagid.is | thora@forlagid.is www.forlagid.is sold to Bulgaria (Janet45), Canada (French) (Éditions XYZ), Canada (English) (Biblioasis), Croatia (Planetopija), Czech Republic (Argo), Denmark (Klim), Egypt (Al Arabi), Estonia (Postimees Kirjastus), Finland (Aula Kustannus), France (Éditions Leduc.s), Germany (Suhrkamp), Hungary (Gondolat Kiado), Italy (Iperborea), Korea (Bookhouse), Norway (Aschehoug), Poland (Karakter), Russia (Eksmo), Spain (PRH/Salamandra), Sweden (Norstedts), The Netherlands (De Geus), Turkey (Domingo), UK (Profile/Serpent’s Tail), Ukraine (Machaon), US (Open Letter)

awards & nominations • 2020 Nominated for Hagþenkir Non-fiction Prize • 2016 Nominated for Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire • 2014, 2002 Awarded the West Nordic Literature Prize • 2014 Nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize • 2014 UKLA (UK Literacy Association) Book award • 2014 Awarded Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize • 2013, 2006, 1999 Awarded the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2013, 2006, 2002 The Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize • 2013 Green Earth Book Honor Award, USA • 2013 Nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award • 2003 Awarded DV Cultural Prize for Literature • 2002 Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2000 The Janusz Korczak Honorary Awards

Pétur Gunnarsson

HKL: A Love Story HKL: Ástarsaga

As a young boy, Pétur Gunnarsson met Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness, following the writer’s life and work from then on. In HKL: A Love Story, Pétur paints a fascinating portrait of an ambitious writer at the start of his career. Drawing on a wide variety of sources, including personal letters, journals, periodicals, and Laxness’ works themselves, Pétur describes the author’s loves and life struggles.

HKL: A Love Story is a captivating and original biography of Iceland’s best-known writer.

Memoir 235 pp Forlagið | 2019

Pétur Gunnarsson (b.1947) is among the most widely acclaimed authors of his generation, writer of popular novels, poetry, and essays. He has a master’s degree in philosophy from the Université d’Aix – Marseille and is a prolific translator.

With his writings and television programmes, Pétur has long been a prominent figure in Iceland. He received much deserved praise for his books on author Þórbergur Þórðarson and is also known for his magnificent translation of Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary.

previous titles sold to Germany (Weidle), Hungary (Polar Könyvek)

foreign rights The Forlagið Rights Agency vala@forlagid.is | thora@forlagid.is www.forlagid.is

Among the most widely acclaimed authors of his generation

Non-fiction

awards & nominations • 2011 The Order of the Falcon • 2009 The Hagþenkir Non-fiction Prize • 2007, 2002, 2000, 1990 Nomination for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 1998 RÚV Writer’s Fund Awards • 1996 DV Cultural Prize in literature • 1987 Nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize

33

Huldar Breiðfjörð

Surviving the Sagas Sólarhringl

Written in a direct and grounded, yet contemplative way

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“Sometimes it was as if Reykjavik wasn’t really a place but rather weather…”

The book explores the relationship between an Icelander and his home. What is the best way to get snow off your car? Is it safe to move the summer plants outside? Is life perhaps better in the Canaries? Everyday life, the Sagas, shady farmsteads, unreliable seasons, and the buzzing on the blue island. All this is intertwined with the author’s daily life and memories, so the approach is both general and deeply personal.

Huldar Breiðfjörð writes in a direct and grounded, yet contemplative way, carrying the reader with him on a quest for experiences and some sort of answer to the question what it means to be Icelandic.

Non-fiction 271 pp Bjartur | 2019

Huldar Breiðfjörð (b. 1972) has published books like Good Icelanders (1998) and The Wall in China (2004). Good Icelanders was nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize and was a best-seller.

Huldar has also written plays, television series and movie scripts, such as Paris of the North (2014) and Under the Tree (2017).

previous titles sold to Germany (Aufbau Verlag)

Non-fiction

English sample translation available foreign rights Bjartur Páll Valsson pall@bjartur.is www.bjartur.is

awards & nominations • 2018 Awarded Eddan, the TV Awards, for best script • 2015 Nominated for Eddan, the TV Awards, for best script • 1998 Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize

Unnur Birna Karlsdóttir

The Wilderness Herd Öræfahjörðin

They graze the highlands of East-Iceland; majestic, nimble, and will disappear before anyone can approach them. In some, they invoke awe and veneration, while in others they stir the hunting instinct. The reindeer in Iceland have aroused disparate emotions in Icelanders since they were first introduced to the island as a means of subsistence during a difficult time in Icelandic history.

This book covers the history of reindeer in Iceland, which stretches from the late eighteenth century to the present day. It tells stories of existential struggle, sensational hunting trips, and the mixed results of reindeer farming in Iceland.

Non-fiction 283 pp Sögufélag | 2019 English sample translation available foreign rights Sögufélag Brynhildur Ingvarsdóttir brynhildur@sogufelag.is www.sogufelag.is

Stories of existential struggle, sensational hunting trips, and reindeer farming

Unnur Birna Karlsdóttir (b. 1964) holds a doctorate in History from the University of Iceland and is the director of the University of Iceland’s Research Centre in East Iceland. She has written a broad array of articles and books on the relationship between man and nature in Iceland — The Wilderness Herd. History of Reindeer in Iceland is her most extensive work in that field.

Non-fiction

awards & nominations • 2019 Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2019, 2011 Nominated for the Hagþenkir Non-fiction Prize • 2019 Nominated for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize • 2011 Nominated for the DV Cultural Prize • 2011 The Jón Sigurðsson Award

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Bergsveinn Birgisson

Vitality Brook Lifandilífslækur

The most original storyteller and stylist in Iceland

It’s late in the 18th century and the Icelandic people are struggling after the biggest volcanic eruptions on earth in a thousand years. An envoy is dispatched from Denmark to Iceland in the middle of this desolate period to evaluate the situation, which could lead to all Icelanders being relocated to Denmark. He goes to Strandir, one of the most secluded areas in the isolated north-west of the country, inspired by the spirit of the Enlightenment, but as his stay in Iceland drags on, his worldview is shaken to the core.

Bergsveinn Birgisson is renowned as the most original storyteller and stylist in Iceland and he demonstrates his skill in this historic novel where the boundaries between reality and imagination are blurred. He pulls the readers back to the 18th century by using the language of the time and surprises them with a powerful twist towards the end.

Bergsveinn Birgisson (b.1971) holds a doctorate in Norse Philology and has an extensive background in folklore, oral histories, and lyrical poetry. A true researcher at heart, he has spent his life studying language and how it represents the truth of the human condition. Bergsveinn currently resides in Bergen, Norway, where he continues to write classical tales. His works have been widely recognized through prestigious awards and nominations.

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Novel 230 pp Bjartur | 2018 English translation available foreign rights Immaterial Agents Trude Kolaas trude@immaterial.no sold to Germany (Residenz Verlag), Hungary (Corvina), Italy (Iperborea), Israel (Lesa Press), Norway (Vigmostad & Bjørke)

previous titles sold to Brazil (Globo), Columbia/ Argentina (Poklonka), Czech Republic (Albatros Media), Denmark (C&K Forlag/ Gyldendal), Egypt (Al Arabi Publishing), Estonia (Varrak), Finland (Bazar), France (Zulma/ Actes Sud), Germany (Steidl/ Residenz Verlag), Hungary (Lira), Italy (Iperborea/Bompiani), Israel (Lesa Press), Netherlands (Ad. Donker), Norway (Pelikanen), Spain (Alfaguara), Sweden (Bazar), Turkey (Palto), US/UK (Amazon Crossing) awards & nominations • 2020, 2012 Nominated for the Nordic Council’s Literature Prize • 2018, 2016, 2010, 2003 Nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize • 2016 Awarded Prix Amphi • 2016 Nominated for the DV Cultural Prize • 2015 Longlisted for Dublin Literary Award • 2014 Awarded Prix des lecteurs Nantais 2014 Prix du Cercle de l’Union Interalliée • 2013 Nominated for Brage award, Norway • 2010 Awarded the Icelandic Booksellers’ Award

Icelandic nominations for the

Fríða Ísberg

Itch Kláði

This short-story collection contains fourteen stories, each featuring a central character who, in one way or another, feels the itch of expectations and demands brought on by modern society. Each character is preoccupied with their particular irritation and the stories become an analysis of the boundaries people set for their loved ones; what can we tolerate, and what can’t we?

Though each story stands as an independent work, the stories’ power is magnified when read in context with the others. These stories are at once bold, ironic, and full of insight.

Novel 197 pp Partus | 2018 English and Swedish sample translations available Danish translation available foreign rights Forlagið Rights Agency thora@forlagid.is | vala@forlagid.is www.forlagid.is sold to Denmark (Torgard), Ukraine (Vydavnytstvo)

Bold, ironic, and full of insight

Fríða Ísberg (b.1992) is one of the most exciting young authors in Iceland today. Her work has appeared in various publications abroad as well as at home, and she occasionally writes reviews for the British publication The Times Literary Supplement. Fríða is also a member of the poetry collective Imposter Poets and has published books of poetry with the collective.

Itch is Fríða’s first collection of short stories.

previous titles sold to Germany (Elif Verlag) awards & nominations • 2020 Nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize • 2019, 2018 Nominated for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize • 2018 The Icelandic Booksellers’ Prize (2nd place)

Nordic Council Literature Prize 2020

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The Icelandic Literary Prize

The Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize

The Icelandic Booksellers' Literary Prize

Selta: apókrýfa úr ævi landlæknis

Pighead Svínshöfuð

Pighead Svínshöfuð

Children’s and YA Books Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir

Children’s and YA Books Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir

Non-fiction Andri Snær Magnason

Bókabeitan

Bókabeitan

Forlagið | MM

Fiction Sölvi Björn Sigurðsson Salt Sögur

Forever a Friend Langelstur að eilífu

Non-fiction Jón Viðar Jónsson

From Amateurs to Professionals - the Stars of the Reykjavík Stage 1925–1965 Stjörnur og stórveldi á leiksviðum Reykjavíkur 1925–1965 Skrudda

Fiction Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir

Fiction Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir

Benedikt

Benedikt

Who took the teacher?

Kennarinn sem hvarf

On Time and Water Um tímann og vatnið

Non-fiction Sigríður Kristín Þorgrímsdóttir

Young Adult Books Hildur Knútsdóttir

Forlagið | MM

Forlagið | JPV

Jakobína: Writer and Woman Jakobína: Saga skálds og konu

The Witch Nornin

Children’s Books Rán Flygenring

Vigdís. The World’s First Female President Vigdís. Bókin um fyrsta konuforsetann Angústúra

Biography Sigríður Kristín Þorgrímsdóttir

Jakobína: Writer and Woman Jakobína: Saga skálds og konu Forlagið | MM

Poetry Brynja Hjálmsdóttir

Zygote Okfruman Una

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Icelandic Literature Prizes

Hag­þenkir Non-fiction Prize

Non-fiction Björk Ingimundardóttir

Benefices, Parishes and Deaneries of Iceland Vol. I-II Prestaköll, sóknir og prófastsdæmi á Íslandi I–II

The National Archives of Iceland

Icelandic Literature Prizes

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Icelandic Literature Center

promotes Icelandic literature abroad

The role of the Icelandic Literature Center is to raise awareness and support the publication of Icelandic literature, both in Iceland and abroad, and to enable its distribution through translation and travel grants.

We support the translation of fiction, children’s and young adult books, non-fiction, poetry, drama and graphic novels.

The Icelandic Literature Center is a government-funded institution, founded in 2013.

Grants Translation grants for foreign publishers to publish a work translated from Icelandic Nordic translation grants for publishers within the Nordic countries to translate from Icelandic into Nordic languages Sample translation grants for publishers, agents, translators & authors to translate samples from Icelandic Reader’s report grants for publishers & agents to seek professional opinion on Icelandic books Travel grants for authors for Icelandic authors, foreign publishers or organizations arranging events to support Icelandic authors travelling to promote their works abroad Translators' residential grants for translators of Icelandic literature Application deadlines translation, sample translation, reader’s report & Nordic translation grants | February 15 & September 15 travel grants | January 15, May 15 & September 15 translators’ residential grants | October 1

Icelandic Literature Center Hverfisgata 54 101 Reykjavík Iceland

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Icelandic Literature Center promotes Icelandic literature distributes approx. 650,000 € in grants annually awards grants for 300 projects every year participates in international book fairs organises seminars for translators of Icelandic literature promotes Icelandic authors worldwide organises exchange programs for publishers and agents organises campaigns and efforts in order to promote reading, increase the number of translated titles and support the export of Icelandic literature

+354 552 85 00 islit@islit.is www.islit.is

islit.is icelitcenter @IceLitCenter