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Almost twelve years ago, I had the good fortune to gain attention with my debut novel, \u201eThe Therapy.\u201c That my psychological thriller about the tragic figure of Viktor Larenz didn't just sit on booksellers' shelves or even get returned to the publisher as unsaleable is still a small miracle, as the initial print run was barely measurable.<\/p>\n
The crime festival \u201eMord am Hellweg\u201c has played an important role in this now international success from the very beginning, inviting me, an unknown beginner at the time, to present my work on the big stage. After more than twelve years, it is now high time that I give back some of the good fortune that came my way back then.<\/p>\n
Together with the \u201eMord am Hellweg\u201c festival, we have launched a new thriller and crime award: the Viktor Crime Award!<\/p>\n
Wanted: The bestselling author of tomorrow!<\/p>\n
Here is an excerpt from the press release:<\/p>\n
Unna.<\/strong>\u00a0Viktor Larenz was the literary figure in the thriller \u201eDie Therapie\u201c with whom bestselling author Sebastian Fitzek achieved his breakthrough. The name dictates the focus of the new award: Starting this fall, as part of the \u201eMord am Hellweg\u201c crime festival, the Viktor Crime Award will honor authors whose work is on the verge of a major breakthrough or has just achieved it.<\/em><\/p>\n The award is endowed with 6,666 Euros. The award's originator, sponsor, and patron is thriller author Sebastian Fitzek. The prize is not an award for a debut (though that is not excluded), but a prize for a new voice in thriller and crime literature who is on the cusp of greater recognition, is just crossing it, or who, in the jury's judgment, has the potential for greater international success.<\/em><\/p>\n