My debut novel „Die Therapie“ was published in 2006. So now I've been able to pursue my dream job as an author for ten years, and there's only one reason for that: Because you read me! (At least some of you:)
When I included my email address in my very first acknowledgement, I expected at most a hundred responses, which I considered very optimistic given the initial print run of 4,000 copies and a marketing budget of zero euros (better than nothing ;)).
But then something happened that was like a miracle to me: Many of you recommended me to others and thus ensured that the few copies of „The Therapy“ (statistically, there were 0.78 per bookstore) were actually found on the shelves – under „F“ for „Follett“...
Since then, over 40,000 emails have poured in – with content that was at times very personal, sad, funny, exciting, and often touching. Like the message from a daughter who, just last week, thanked me for „Amokspiel“ because the book was helping her understand her mother's suicide. Or the email from a young woman who had to face the terror of her sick child's impending death and could escape into another world for a few hours with my books, forgetting her worries (fortunately, the child is now well again!). Or the expectant mother who was already past her due date and whose midwife said, „Now put down that darn ‚Augensammler.‘ What child wants to be born into a world where eyes are collected?“
Don't get me wrong: I'm not so presumptuous as to think I had a hand in the accomplishments of my readers. The man who overcame his reading difficulties with my books mastered it himself! Just like the student who got an A for a presentation on my works. She wrote to me that she had been on the verge in school back then and almost left without a diploma. But then my thrillers motivated her so much that she is now even studying psychology. Of course, that honors me greatly, but she accomplished it all on her own! I was merely allowed to accompany her for a part of her life.
Which brings us to the topic:
In 2006, I essentially wrote that you would give me the most important thing you have and what one can never get back: your time. To thank you very, very much for that, I've come up with something for my anniversary thriller „The Package“:
I would like to publish ten selected emails from you, from ten different readers, to represent ten years of Fitzek. No flattery, no reviews, no comments about my well-hidden six-pack. Rather, an answer to the question: On which journey of your life was I able to be there?
And among ALL who take the trouble to write to me (please not on Facebook, but to fitzek@sebastianfitzek.deten hand-signed, limited anniversary boxes will be raffled off.
Subject: „My name in the book“indicate. The deadline for submission is 30.04.2016.
I'm very much looking forward to hearing from you – as always! And I'm doing my best to make sure it stays that way in return!
All my love
Your
Sebastian
