Sebastian Fitzek

Sebastian Fitzek, writer

Videoscript Sebastian Fitzek

I can still remember my very first Frankfurter Buchmesse, that was in 2004. I already had my first contract for my debut "Die Therapie" signed and I visited the man who got me this contract at Droemer Knaur: Roman Hocke from the literary agency AVA international. It wasn't at all clear when this book would be published, it only came out two years later. But I already felt like I belonged.

I remember very well those conflicting feelings that began when I entered the hallowed halls of the fair. First, I felt the euphoria, that, yes, now I am also part of this community. But then immediately came this humility-inducing awe – because of course I saw thousands upon thousands of books, all of which would have been worth reading. And then all these great authors who wrote them. Oh, man, I thought to myself, how is your work even going to compete alongside these many, many great works. How is it going to stand out? How is anyone going to take any notice of it?

The truth is, of course ... many think, yeah right. Many overestimate themselves: “I've written a great book, it has to be a bestseller“ ... The truth is, what is the key to success is usually luck, a huge, huge portion of luck.

You have to be lucky to meet the right people in the right place at the right time. I had that luck. Because where do you find the right people in the right place at the right time? Of course: at Frankfurter Buchmesse!

These thousands and thousands of people who also work behind the scenes for it, because writing is not a one-man, one-woman show. I learned that very quickly. And I was just that lucky.

That's why Frankfurter Buchmesse was a catalyst, of course also for my success. I'm incredibly happy to be part of this community, and I'm looking forward to the 75th fair ... to have new encounters again. Making new acquaintances, chance acquaintances – incidentally, these are also the core of why we read in the first place: Stories emerge from chance acquaintances.