How do artists and authors experience the Corona crisis?
In an interview, bestselling author Nicola Förg from Prem tells how Corona can shatter an author's life - with all the success.
Ms. Förg, how is an author who is marketing her book in the middle of a lockdown, which will then be published in early March - hopefully after a lockdown?
My professional year has a clear cycle.
I'll hand in the manuscript in early summer and it will go to the editing department.
Modify until there is a delivery version.
In the fall, the publisher will work with me to design covers, blurbs and press releases.
At the end of the year everything is actually ready and then there is the publication date at the beginning of March.
Of course it makes you happy, it is the turning point in the year, because then an emotionally important time comes.
Which would be?
A variety of readings.
This time is very important for most writers because you are talking about the work.
There is feedback from the readers, closeness to the fans.
You also get suggestions, criticism and wishes from the readers.
What do the fans want?
Especially those readers who accompany a series for a long time, who know every book, are also and above all interested in the private lives of the characters.
For example, people wish that Irmi was finally lucky in love, wondering whether the explosive Kathi would get seriously connected.
You would like the Weinzirl to be on the "criminal stage" again and I will fulfill that wish in the current book!
All of these conversations are human and nothing can replace this personal contact.
I've been writing another book a long time ago.
And without readings it feels as if “Bad Houses” were going under, as if it were fizzling out.
Amazon refuses delivery: a sad high point
You are now experiencing this situation a second time - your last crime novel "Whispering Forests" also appeared in lockdown.
The first time I was extremely frustrated.
Even if the book subsequently sold well, the entire industry was paralyzed by shock.
The bookstores were closed and a sad high point for all publishers and authors was when Amazon refused to deliver books in the first lockdown because there were "more important wars".
In reality a form of abuse of power to put pressure on fixed book prices.
One year is now ...
We got away with a black eye.
People actually read more because of the lockdown.
And again resorted to a printed book.
Because of the feel, because books can also comfort and distract.
That's nice, but it's grueling that this is the second time a book is born into a lockdown.
Such a situation is extremely frustrating for all people who work artistically and creatively.
But now, as an author, you are more or less an artist who does not live on stage appearances.
To a certain extent, readings also generate fees that are of course missing.
And beyond the purely tangible, the loss of humanity hurts.
Instead of around 25 readings, I had four, yelled at a plexiglass wall.
After the reading, the fans only picked up a quick autograph, it was hard to understand behind the masks for whom the book was to be signed.
After a reading, everyone actually meets to chat, drink another glass of wine, and enjoy being together.
Human existence dies without culture!
That sounds drastic ...
Yes!
Culture is relevant to the system because it appeals to the heart and mind.
Because it entertains, stirs up, animates discussions.
And much more than that!
Many of us will walk out of all the lockdowns with some psychological damage.
Also interesting:
Bernbeuren has long been a top address for biologists.
A laboratory in the village is now part of the crème de la crème of historical vegetation and agricultural research.
The Weilheim-Schongau district showed some foresight when it began planning an IT concept for schools in its sponsorship back in 2017.
Although this is expensive, it has now paid off in pandemic times.
The police, fire brigade and ambulance service in the Weilheim-Schongau district are ready around the clock.
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