From wanting to write a book to Waterstones

It all began in 2016. Tony and I were on vacation, and the conversation went like this:

“I want to write a book.”

“Me too.”

The next moment, we started planning and plotting. At first, we considered Roman historical fiction — but soon realised we didn’t actually know what it was like living in Rome. Then we thought about Vikings. We didn’t know what it was like being a Viking either, but we did know Norway. Decision made.

Around the same time, I read my first book about being an author, and it all came down to one simple truth — the best piece of writing advice you’ll ever get:

There’s only one thing you have to do to become an author: write.

Learning by doing

We started plotting and writing Viking in Norwegian. We had no idea what we were doing, but we’d been making stories for years — mostly through pen-and-paper role-playing games. We knew something about storytelling, and very little about writing. But we believed the story itself was more important than how it was written, and I still think that’s true.

During the process, I took a writing class and got some feedback. The verdict? Let’s just say it was lukewarm. At the end of the course, I handed in a larger part of the book — and the teachers were not impressed.

Still, we did a few things right. We decided we wouldn’t stop until we’d finished the full trilogy. And we kept the books short. Over the next few years, we wrote and self-published Viking, Outlaw, and Free. We sent the first book to Norwegian publishers — but never heard back.

We self-published and made a few bucks, which we reinvested in our tiny publishing company. Some readers liked our stories, but overall, it was an underwhelming experience.

The river Amazon

After finishing the trilogy came the silence. Nothing really happened. Eventually, we decided to try our luck beyond Norway. Since we mostly read fantasy, we thought our first English book should be fantasy too. We had a lot of fun writing it — but knew next to nothing about publishing on Amazon. The book got some good reviews but no traction. It sank quietly to the bottom of the river. The river Amazon.

I got frustrated. I thought: our stories aren’t that bad — there must be a way.

So I started learning everything I could about Amazon publishing, algorithms, and visibility. Then we decided to translate Viking into English. Everyone said, “Don’t translate your own book! You’re Norwegian — your English won’t be good enough!”

Well, we didn’t listen. It was the only option — we couldn’t afford a translator.

Once the first book was ready, we immediately started on the next. By then, we’d learned a few tricks. We began building a mailing list — maybe you’ve been with us since then? That mailing list truly changed everything for us.

Something happened

We released the English version of Viking in 2020 and — something happened. People read the book! People liked the book! People wanted the next one! It was maybe our proudest moment… until now.

Since then, we haven’t really looked back. We kept writing — one series became two, two became three. More than 15 books now, and deals with Norwegian, German, and UK publishers.

And then, just a few days ago, came an email from our UK publisher.

Before I tell you what it said, I have to share one more thing. Tony and I love travelling to London — especially Tony. We always visit Waterstones on Piccadilly: that magnificent multi-storey temple of books. We’ve always dreamed of seeing one of our books there one day.

Well, it hasn’t happened yet… but that email…

It was from our publisher: Waterstones has selected Harald Fairhair for a pre-order promotion ahead of the physical book release in their stores.

Wow. Just… wow. Waterstones will be promoting our book. Waterstones!

Quite the journey

From being “unwanted” by Norwegian publishers to being picked up by a UK publishing house that truly knows what they’re doing — and now being promoted by Waterstones.

From wanting to write a book to Waterstones.

Thank you for coming along with us. If you’re new here and want to see where it all started, Viking is the book two friends plotted by a swimming pool — and The Silver Goblet is the free prequel taste of it.