The latest book by Belgian author Jeroen Olyslaegers has been on the Belgian bestseller list since its paperback publication in August. Set in WWII Antwerp, it’s about a conflicted man in the police corps: His brother is trying to help the Jews survive, but his mentor wants to see Jews annihilated.
Book title: Wil / (Will)
First published: August 25 by De Bezige Bij
Format: Paperback
Author: Jeroen Olyslaegers lives in Belgium and is the author of the novels We (2009) and Profit (2012). He is the recipient of the Ark Prize for the Free Word (in 2014), and the Edmond Hustinx Prize (for his theatre work).
Acquiring Editor: Katrijn van Hauwermeiren
How It’s Done: Hauwermeiren notes, “One raving review after another compared Wil to the biggest Flemish classics in history. The critical acclaim and enthusiasm from the bookshops in Belgium made the Dutch press take notice.” The book is still in the top ten of the bestseller list of De Standaard Boekhandel, the biggest Belgian Bookshop. Rights deals have been made with Dumont (Germany), Euromedia (Czechia), Stock (France) and Pushkin Press (United Kingdom).
Why They Think It’s Working: Hauwermeiren talks about the book marketing campaign: “A few weeks before the book officially came out, we sent physical copies to all of the media outlets and bookshops. We also organized a reading club for a selection of bookshop owners throughout Belgium.” She also notes the extensive research Olyslaegers did and how it contributed to the book’s authenticity: “As a reader, you can really picture yourself walking through the streets of Antwerp watching history pass by.”
