I am now back in Denmark after two exciting weeks in Japan. I was in Japan for the launch of the Japanese edition of our graphic novel “Zenobia” – made by me and illustrator Lars Horneman. I attended several events: The Setouchi Art Book Fair, where I read the book in a stately old building with wooden floors and windows looking out into a wonderful park. In Tokyo the publisher Thousands of Books held a launch party, where they invited the people who crowdfunded the book. It was great to meet the supporters, read the book and chat afterwards. Both event were made possible with the help of the publisher but also Miyako Araki, who translated and read the book in Japanese. In Tokyo I also attended The European Literary Festival. It is always interesting to see, if people show up for your reading, when you are far from home – but the place was packed! Many thanks to the Danish Embassy in Tokyo for nominating me for this event – and helping with translation and other practical matters. It was also a great honor to be able to meet many other authors, translators and publishers, not least Mieko Kawakami – I look forward to read more of her work in Danish. A big thanks goes to Minami Hirayama who organized the trip, got me in and out of trains – even the wrong ones – and introduced me to the wonderful world of Japanese food. Thanks to Lena Nicolajsen and Andreas Erstling for great company during the trip!
