Sebastian Fitzek
Websitesebastianfitzek.de
Years active2000-present
GenreCrime thriller
NationalityGerman
LanguageGerman
Alma materHumboldt University of Berlin (PhD)
OccupationWriter
Birth placeWest Berlin, West Germany
Birth dateOctober 13, 1971 (age 54)
Notable worksTherapy, The Package
Birth nameSebastian David Fitzek
PseudonymMax Rhode

Sebastian David Fitzek (born 13 October 1971 in West Berlin) is a German writer and journalist. His first book, Therapy (dt. Die Therapie), was a bestseller in Germany in 2006, toppling The Da Vinci Code from the first position.[1] Fitzek is currently one of the most successful writers of Germany.[2]

Biography

Sebastian Fitzek was born in West Berlin and grew up with his father, headmaster of the Lilienthal-Gymnasium in Berlin-Lichterfelde, and his mother, a teacher. After attending High school at the Charlottenburger Wald-Gymnasium, Fitzek began studying for a degree in veterinary medicine but withdrew from the degree programme after 3 months. He attended law school until the first state examination, earned his doctorate degree in copyright and then worked as editor-in-chief and program director for different radio stations in Germany.[3]

He wrote his first book titled Professor Udolphs Buch der Namen with Jürgen Udolph, which came out in 2005. Since 2006, Fitzek started to write psycho-thriller novels, which all became a best-seller.

His very first novel was Therapy (dt. Die Therapie). He got his idea for Therapy in 2000 while waiting for a girlfriend in the waiting room of an orthopedist's office. It contains similar themes to the urban legend the Vanishing Hotel Room (also known as The Vanishing Lady), however, inspiration from the story has not been officially confirmed. After 13 cancellations from different editors, he finally released his book in July, 2006 under Droemer Knaur Verlag. Therapy awas turned into a TV series in 2023. In 2007, Therapy was nominated for best crime-debut for the Friedrich-Glauser-Award.

His next novel, Amok game. (dt. Amokspiel.), was released in 2007 and Goldkind Film AG bought the movie rights for it. In 2012, his very first film version of The Child (dt. Das Kind) came out.

On 29 October 2016, he published his book The Package (dt. Das Paket.).

In 2017, he published EightNight. (dt. AchtNacht.) and his first children's book called Pupsi & Stinki together with illustrator Jörn Stollmann. In 2017, EightNight was the bestselling work of fiction in Germany.

In 2018, The Package was the bestselling work of fiction in Germany. The Inmate (dt. Der Insasse) peaked at number 3.

Near the end of February 2018, he created the Viktor Crime Awards, where a new voice for thriller and crime literature would be awarded. The first winner was writer Michaela Kastel with So Dark the Forest (dt. So dunkel der Wald).

In November, 2020 The Package was published in English by Head of Zeus, translated by Jamie Bulloch.

Influences

According to Fitzek himself, he was inspired by Enid Blyton, Michael Ende and Alfred Weidemann during his childhood and later by Stephen King, Michael Crichton and John Grisham. Today, he reads everything written by Harlan Coben.

Personal life

Sebastian Fitzek lives in Berlin. He married his wife in 2010. In August 2019, he announced his separation from his wife via Facebook. Fitzek has 3 children.[4]

Works

Fiction (Psychothriller)

YearOriginal titleEnglish versionISBNEditorGenreWriterRef.
2006Die TherapieTherapy (transl. by Sally-Ann Spencer)ISBN 978-3-426-63309-0Knaur TaschenbuchverlagPsycho-thrillerSebastian Fitzek[5]
2007Amokspiel.Amok (transl. by Jamie Lee Searle)ISBN 978-3-426-63718-0[6]
2008Das Kind.The Child (transl. by John Brownjohn)ISBN 978-3-426-63793-7[7]
Der Seelenbrecher.The Soul Breaker (transl. by John Brownjohn)ISBN 978-3-426-63792-0[8]
2010Splitter.Splinter (transl. by John Brownjohn)ISBN 978-3-426-50372-0[9]
2011Der Augensammler.The Eye Collector (transl. by John Brownjohn)ISBN 978-3-426-50375-1[10]
Nicht einschlafen (Shortstory)Do not fall asleepASIN B0076OCDU8[11]
2012Der Augenjäger.The Eye Hunter (transl. by John Brownjohn)ISBN 978-3-426-50373-7[12]
2013Der Nachtwandler.The Nightwalker (transl. by Jamie Lee Searle)ISBN 978-3-426-50374-4[13]
Noah.NoahISBN 978-3-404-17878-0Bastei Lübbe[14]
2014Passagier 23.Passenger 23 (transl. by Jamie Bulloch)ISBN 978-3-426-51017-9Knaur Taschenbuchverlag[15]
2015Die Blutschule.The blood schoolISBN 978-3-404-17502-4Bastei LübbeMax Rhode (Pseudonym)[16]
Das Joshua-Profil.The Joshua-profileISBN 978-3-404-17948-0Sebastian Fitzek[17]
2016Das Paket.The Package (transl. by Jamie Bulloch)ISBN 978-3-426-51018-6Droemer Knaur Verlag[18]
2017AchtNacht.EightNightISBN 978-3-426-52108-3Knaur Taschenbuchverlag[19]
Flugangst 7a.Seat 7a (transl. by Steve Anderson)ISBN 978-3-426-51019-3Droemer Knaur Verlag[20]
2018Der Insasse.The Inmate (transl. by Jamie Bulloch)ISBN 978-3-426-51944-8[21]
2019Das Geschenk.The Gift (transl. by Jamie Bulloch)ISBN 978-3-426-28154-3[22]
2020Der Heimweg.Walk Me Home (transl. by Jamie Bulloch)ISBN 978-3-426-28155-0[23]
2021Playlist.Playlist (transl. by Jamie Bulloch)ISBN 978-3-426-28156-7
2022MimikMimik (transl. by Jamie Bulloch)ISBN 978-3-426-28157-4
2023Die EinladungISBN 978-3-426-28158-1

Fiction (Collaboration)

YearOriginal titleEnglish versionISBNEditorGenreWriterRef.
2008Tierische Helden.Animal HeroesASIN B0038JPIBQDer Club VerlagNon-fictionCharlotte Link, Sebastian Fitzek, Iny Lorentz, Jeffery Deaver, Amy Tan, Wolf Serno, Elke Heidenreich, Eva Völler (and many more)[24]
2009Tödliche Gaben.Deadly GiftsISBN 978-3499-25783-4Rowohlt Taschenbuch VerlagCrimeSimon Beckett, Linwood Barclay, Sebastian Fitzek, Chris Mooney, Jay Bonansinga, Felicitas Mayall, Leena Lehtolainen, Kate Pepper, Oliver Bottini, Veit Heinichen, Friedrich Ani.[25]
2010Weisser Schnee, rotes Blut: Mörderisch gute Weihnachtsgeschichten.White Snow, red blood: Murderous good Christmas-StoriesISBN 978-3550-08741-7Ullstein Hardcover VerlagFriedrich Ani, Anne Chaplet, Zoran Drvenkar, Sebastian Fitzek, Elisabeth Herrmann, Robert Hültner, Linus Reichlin, Andrea Maria Schenkel, Heinrich Steinfest, Michael Theurillat, Jan Costin Wagner.[26]
P.S. Ich töte dich.P.S. I kill you.ISBN 978-3-426-50857-2Knaur TB VerlagThrillerSebastian Fitzek, Val McDermid, Thomas Thiemeyer, Torkil Damhaug, Petra Busch, Michael Connelly, Markus Heitz, Michael Koryta, Steve Mosby, Judith Merchant, Jens Lapidus, Markus Stromiedel, Jilliane Hoffman.[27]
2012Abgeschnitten.Cut off.ISBN 978-3-426-51091-9Sebastian Fitzek, Michael Tsokos[28]
2016Mord am Hellweg VIII. (Glaube.Liebe.Leichenschau)Murder on Hellweg VIII.ISBN 978-3894-25474-2GRAFIT VerlagCrimeBernhard Aichner, Mechtild Borrmann, Horst Eckert, Jürgen Ehlers, Sebastian Fitzek, Frl. Krise und Frau Freitag, Sascha Gutzeit, Georg Haderer, Kathrin Heinrichs, Carsten Sebastian Henn, Elisabeth Herrmann, Susanne Kliem, Ria Klug, Judith Merchant, Gisa Pauly, Till Raether, Arno Strobel, Su Turhan, Matthias Wittekindt, Rainer Wittkamp, Jörg Steinleitner, Christa Bernuth, Theresa Prammer[29]
2019Auris.AurisISBN 978-3-426-30718-2Droemer TB VerlagThrillerWriter: Vincent Kliesch / Idea: Sebastian Fitzek[30]
2020Auris 2. — "Die Frequenz des Todes"Auris 2. - "The frequency of death"ISBN 978-3-426-30760-1[31]
Identität 1142Identity 1142ISBN 978-3-426-28266-3Droemer HC VerlagCrimeWulf Dorn, Andreas Gruber, Romy Hausmann, Daniel Holbe, Vincent Kliesch, Charlotte Link, Ursula Poznanski, Frank Schätzing, Michael Tsokos, Sebastian Fitzek, Melanie Bottke, Annika Bühnemann, Livia Fröhlich, Saskia Hehl, Robert Hönatsch, Vanessa Krypczyk, Pia Schmidt, Anne Schmitz, Julian Gabriel Schneider, Mordechai SImons, Gabriele Störzinger, Kathy Tailor, Michael Thode[32]

Non-Fiction

YearOriginal titleEnglish translationISBNEditorWriterRef.
2000Die unbekannte NutzungsartThe Unknown Type Of UseISBN 978-3830-50096-4Berliner WissenschaftsverlagSebastian Fitzek[33]
2002Die 10 grössten Radio-GeheimnisseThe 10 Biggest Radio-SecretsISBN 978-3831-11219-7Books On DemandRüdiger Kreklau, Sebastian Fitzek[34]
2005Professor Udolphs Buch der Namen: Woher sie kommen – Was sie bedeutenProfessor Udolph's Book of Names: Where They Come From - What They MeanISBN 978-3-570-00879-9C. Bertelsmann VerlagJürgen Udolph, Sebastian Fitzek[35]
2017Pupsi & StinkiPupsi & StinkiISBN 978-3629-14237-5Pattloch GeschenkbuchWriter: Sebastian Fitzek / Illustrator: Jörn Stollmann[36]
2019Fische, die auf Bäume klettern.Fish climbing treesISBN 978-3426-79052-6Droemer HC VerlagSebastian Fitzek[37]

Audio books

YearOriginal titleEnglish versionSpeakerRef.
2007Die TherapieTherapySimon Jäger[38]
Amokspiel.Amok game[38]
Das Kind.The Child[38]
2008Der Seelenbrecher.The Soul BreakerSimon Jäger, Sebastian Fitzek[38]
2009Splitter.SplinterSimon Jäger[38]
2010Der Augensammler.The Eye Collector[38]
2011Der Augenjäger.The Eye Hunter[38]
2013Der Nachtwandler.The Nightwalker[38]
Noah.Noah[38]
2014Passagier 23.Passenger 23[38]
2015Das Joshua-Profil.The Joshua-Profile[38]
2016Das PaketThe Package[38]
2017AchtNacht.EightNight[38]
Flugangst 7a.Seat 7a[38]
2018Der Insasse.The Inmate[38]
2019Das Geschenk.The Present[38]
2020Der Heimweg.Walk Me Home[38]

Film versions

Film

YearTitleDirectorCastRef.
2012The ChildZsolt BácsEric Roberts, Christian Traeumer, Sunny Mabrey, Ben Becker, Peter Greene, Reiner Schöne, Clemens Schick, Dieter Hallervorden[39]
2018Das Joshua-ProfilJochen Alexander FreydankTorben Liebrecht, Lina Hüesker, Franziska Weisz, Armin Rohde, Inez Bjørg David, Max Hopp, Katy Karrenbauer, David Nathan[40]
Cut OffChristian AlvartMoritz Bleibtreu, Jasna Fritzi Bauer, Lars Eidinger, Fahri Yardım, Barbara Prakopenka[41]
AmokOliver SchmitzFranziska Weisz, Kai Schumann, Eko Fresh, Manuel Mairhofer, Lena Reinhold, Nicki von Tempelhoff, Johann von Bülow, Christian Tramitz[42]
Passagier 23 —Verschwunden auf hoher SeeAlexander DierbachLucas Gregorowicz, Oliver Mommsen, Picco von Groote, Kim Riedle, Annalee Ranft, Liane Forestieri, Judy Winter[43]

Theater shows

YearOriginal titleDirectorCastRef.
2019Der Seelenbrecher.Benjamin BreutelMoritz Stursberg, Moritz Heiermann, Jens Kalkhorst, Miriam Kalkreuth, Stephanie Spichala, Denny Pflanz, Doris Hartmann, Niklas Selz[44]
2016Die Therapie.Wolfgang RumpfThomas Linke, Esther Esche, Silvio Hildebrandt, Martha Tham, Paulina Stöhr[45]
Passagier 23.Thomas WingrichSilvio Hildebrandt, Katrin Martin, Vera Müller, Charlotte Neef, Katharina Zapatka, Helene Jany, Marlene Müller, Pauline Stöhr, Martha Tham, Josephine Nahrstedt, Greta Ipfelkofer, Alexandra Maria Johannknecht, Susanne Meyer, Carmen Zehentmeier, Matti Wien, André Zimmermann, Alejandro Ramon Alonso, Jean Maesér, Maria Jany, Gundula Piepenbring, Kristin Schulze, Jeanniene Gaspar, Nicole Bunge, Peter Dulke, Shero Khalil[46]
2019Das Paket.Marc GruppeUnknown[47]

Board and card games

YearNamePublisherCreatorRef.
2017Safehousemoses VerlagMarco Teubner[48]
2018Black Stories - Sebastian Fitzek EditionBernhard Skopnik[49]
2019Safehouse - Das WürfelspielMarco Teubner[50]
2019Killercruise[51]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2007Friedrich-Glauser-AwardsBest Crime-DebutDie Therapierowspan=1[52]
2010LovelyBooks AwardsTension (Crime & Thriller)Der Augensammler.rowspan=1[53]
2011Der Augenjäger.rowspan=1[53]
2012Abgeschnitten.rowspan=1[53]
2014Crime & ThrillerPassagier 23.rowspan=1[53]
2015Das Joshua-Profil.rowspan=1[53]
2016European Crime Fiction Star AwardBest Crime Fiction WriterHimselfrowspan=1[54]
LovelyBooks AwardsCrime & ThrillerDas Paket.rowspan=1[53]
Best Audio Bookrowspan=1[53]
Best Book Coverrowspan=1[53]
2017European Crime Fiction Star AwardBest Crime Fiction WriterHimselfrowspan=1[55]
LovelyBooks AwardsCrime & ThrillerFlugangst 7a.rowspan=1[53]
Best Audio Bookrowspan=1[53]
2018Crime & ThrillerDer Insasse.rowspan=1[53]
2019Das Geschenk.rowspan=1[53]

References

  1. ^ "Reviews: Fitzek, Sebastian - 'Therapy' (translated by Sally-Ann Spencer)". Euro Crime. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Buchtipp: "Das Geschenk": Sebastian Fitzek – Der Rockstar unter den Romanautoren" (in German). www.handelsblatt.com. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  3. ^ "Schreiben als Therapie". DIE WELT. 2006-08-26. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  4. ^ WELT (2019-08-05). "Sebastian Fitzek trennt sich von seiner Ehefrau". DIE WELT. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  5. ^ "Die Therapie" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  6. ^ "Amokspiel" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  7. ^ "Das Kind" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  8. ^ "Der Seelenbrecher" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  9. ^ "Splitter" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  10. ^ "Der Augensammler" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  11. ^ "Nicht einschlafen von Sebastian Fitzek bei LovelyBooks (Sonstiges)" (in German). LovelyBooks. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  12. ^ "Der Augenjäger" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  13. ^ "Der Nachtwandler" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  14. ^ "Noah" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  15. ^ "Passagier 23" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  16. ^ "Die Blutschule" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  17. ^ "Das Joshua-Profil" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  18. ^ "Das Paket" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  19. ^ "AchtNacht" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  20. ^ "Flugangst 7a" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  21. ^ "Der Insasse" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  22. ^ "Das Geschenk" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  23. ^ "Der Heimweg" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  24. ^ "Tierische Helden" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  25. ^ "Tödliche Gaben" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  26. ^ "Weißer Schnee, rotes Blut" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  27. ^ "P.S. Ich töte dich" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  28. ^ "Abgeschnitten" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  29. ^ "Mord am Hellweg VII" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  30. ^ "Auris" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  31. ^ "Auris 2" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  32. ^ "Identität 1142" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  33. ^ "Die unbekannte Nutzungsart von Sebastian Fitzek bei LovelyBooks (Sachbuch)" (in German). LovelyBooks. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  34. ^ Kreklau, R. & Fitzek, S. Die 10 grössten Radio Geheimnisse
  35. ^ Udolph, Jürgen & Fitzek, Sebastian. Professor Udolphs Buch der Namen: Woher sie kommen - Was sie bedeuten
  36. ^ "Pupsi & Stinki" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  37. ^ "Fische, die auf Bäume klettern" (in German). Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  38. ^ Audible.com | Unlock a listen for every moment
  39. ^ "Das Kind". Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  40. ^ "Das Joshua Profil". Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  41. ^ "Abgeschnitten". Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  42. ^ "Amokspiel". Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  43. ^ "Passagier 23". Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  44. ^ "TalTonTHEATER - Komödie ° Klassiker ° Revue ° Late Night ° Musical ... - Der Seelenbrecher" (in German). www.taltontheater.de. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  45. ^ "Die Therapie – Berliner Kriminal Theater" (in de-DE). Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  46. ^ "Passagier 23 – Berliner Kriminal Theater" (in de-DE). Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  47. ^ "Das Paket / Fitzek, Sebastian / Gruppe, Marc - VVB". www.vvb.de. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  48. ^ "Safehouse". Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  49. ^ "Black Stories - Sebastian Fitzek Edition". Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  50. ^ "Safehouse - Das Würfelspiel". Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  51. ^ "Killercruise". Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  52. ^ "Sebastian Fitzek - SYNDIKAT e.V.". www.das-syndikat.com. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  53. ^ "Vorfreude auf den Leserpreis 2020". LovelyBooks. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  54. ^ "Europäischer Preis für Kriminalliteratur!!!". Sebastian Fitzek. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  55. ^ "Sebastian Fitzek erhält europäischen Krimi-Preis" (in German). HAZ – Hannoversche Allgemeine. Retrieved 2020-10-08.