Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Christoph Fromm and I have been writing screenplays for television and film for 34 years now. Among other things I have written the cinema films “Treffer”, “Die Katze” and “Spieler” for Dominik Graf and aside from that the television series “Die Wölfe” for my brother.
Eleven years ago I have founded the Primero book-publishing house together with Tina Lizius. I have written the novels “Macht des Geldes”, “Amoklauf im Paradies” and “Stalingad – The lonliest death” which also appeared in English as you can see from the title.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called „Amoklauf im Paradies“. It tells the story of a petit bourgeois – or you could even say enraged citizen – who gets out of control slowly but surely.
I think that this is a highly topical story, because for many of us certainties are breaking off more and more. It is also the story of a daughter who is seeking affirmation with her father that he cannot give her, though. The tone of the book is funny, but as with every good comedy the situation of the characters is rather tragic.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Actually not. I normally work from 9am to 4pm. But sometimes I go out to observe people and write down what I see. So be careful if you see me sitting somewhere – maybe I am writing about you.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
In my youth Kafka, Jack London, Hemingway. Later Dostojewski, Hubert Selby, Beckett, Foster Wallace. And among the thriller authors: Ellroy, Hammett.
What are you working on now?
You won’t believe it, but currently I am working on a book for first readers: “Gottfried, der Turborabe”. Gottfried Primero is a thick little stuffed raven who needs an engine as he is too lazy to fly by his own efforts. Furthermore he is the heraldic animal of our Primero book-publishing house.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We have a homepage (www.primeroverlag.de) where I frequently release Blog entries about my books but also about current topics like politics and economy. Moreover we are very present on Facebook for example but also on Twitter and Pinterest.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read much, observe much and last but not least: write much!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I think it is from Nietzsche: First start with observing the characters and shaping the figures.
What are you reading now?
As part of my research for a television series I am reading the Munich novel “Und keener weint mir nach” written by Siggi Sommer. A great book, especially the first hundred pages!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to write my fourth novel, a satire about the screenplay business in Germany.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
In the past year I was very impressed by „Unendlicher Spaß“, written by Foster Wallace. But also „Murphy“, Beckett’s first novel is a really special book to me.
Author Websites and Profiles
Christoph Fromm Website