About Lian...

What can I say? Writing about myself isn't really my thing. But perhaps that's typical of writers. We'd rather observe others than be the centre of attention ourselves. At least, that's what I like to believe. Because I really don't enjoy being in the spotlight.

In my other life, I earn the money that I then spend on writing courses, books about writing, and this website. There's not much room for creativity in that world. Or is there? After all, I'm responsible for preparing annual financial statements and consolidated ones. So I already have quite a few publications to my name. Just not the kind I've been dreaming of.

After graduating from university, I somehow ended up working in insolvency. That's where I discovered my interest in forensic accounting – uncovering the secrets hidden in numbers. Unfortunately, I never cracked a spectacular criminal case. After that, I spent many years in auditing, examining my clients' financial statements.

I've loved stories for as long as I can remember. If I could draw well, I'd probably be creating comics instead of writing novels. Unfortunately, I'm no Uderzo. So I'll have to tell my stories without pictures. Just words. And no, I'm not Barks either!

My primary school teacher once told me off. I had too much imagination, she said.

How the hell can anyone have too much imagination?

Fortunately, I've managed to hold on to mine. After all, the animal kingdom has me to thank for the legendary Pool Barracuda, which I discovered while on holiday. And I transformed an ordinary meadow around the corner into the Schlangenbachlauftal – the Snake Creek Running Valley.

Perhaps my teacher had a point after all.

When I'm neither writing nor putting numbers together, my favourite thing to do is go on long walks with my dog, Charlie. I've always believed there's a certain stillness to be found in movement.

Sometimes, though, I need rescuing. Like when I get so caught up in conversation that I completely lose my sense of direction.

When exploring new worlds leaves me with too much adrenaline, I go running. Preferably outdoors, where I can clear my head. Remarkably, quite a few problems seem to solve themselves along the way. Especially when my characters have once again decided to take their moods out on me.

I love adventures, strange new worlds, and stories that stay with me long after they're over. Indiana Jones and Jules Verne are just as much a part of my world as The Walking Dead, Jurassic Park, and the thrillers of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Then there's Andreas Eschbach, Frank Schätzing, and, of course, Michael Crichton and the Marvel Universe. But I also have a soft spot for quieter stories. Above all, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

And then there's the sea. Whales and sharks fascinate me more than anything. So in my next life, I'm going to be a marine biologist. It's decided.

But stories don't always have to be grand. Sometimes, just a few words are enough. For me, Clara Lösel's poem “Schere, Stein, Papier, Gesellschaft” shows just how much power a handful of words can hold.

I'm also rather chaotic, by the way. Most of the time, I'm chasing after my own mess, trying somehow to bring a little order to it. Sometimes more successfully than others. Just a moment ago, I had a brilliant idea. Now it's gone. Still, it's come back before, so there's hope.

These days, though, I've become more relaxed about my chaos. Perhaps that's because I discovered Stoic philosophy a few years ago. I've been exploring it regularly ever since. It reminds me that not everything can be controlled. Not even my own chaos.

So it doesn't surprise me that my chaos finds its way into my stories.

Because nothing is ever quite what it seems. Not even in the real world.

But first, I still have to write those books.

P.S. I did it. I actually managed to write something about myself. Now I can finally get back to observing other people. 

Where You Can Find Me:

Leipzig Book Fair 2027
20–21 March 2027 | Leipzig | Germany
Attending as a visitor.