International Literary Festival Berlin (part 2)

I wanted to blog a little more about the ilb24 as it was such a memorable highlight in my author career.

It can be tough, at times, to keep believing that what you're doing is worthwhile and that your writing is reaching the right audience so being able to take part in something so incredible really does deserve some celebrating. Indulge me for a moment here please!

---

The best way to celebrate my experience at ilb24 is to share with you an email I sent to thank the organisers: ​

Dear Henrike and Lavinia,

I arrived back home late last night and wanted to email you both straight away to say how totally blown away I’ve been by the whole experience of ilb24. I am so grateful to have been included - a huge THANK YOU!

I was completely honoured to have been asked to take part, being a relatively unknown author, with only one published book in Germany, but I have been treated like an International Celebrity! Being met at the airport, staying in a wonderful hotel, being totally looked after - all of this has made me feel very lucky.

The organisation and planning of the festival, which I know from experience is not easy, has been faultless. In addition, I have been thoroughly impressed by the inclusivity, sensitivity and careful thought on diversity and representation which has given the whole event a warm, engaging, and hopeful energy. It feels like we need this in our world now more than ever.

My PA, Gemma has been incredible, supporting me in every way and I am very grateful to her. We also got on very well - lots of giggles! The other authors I met were wonderful too. Nnedi, and I chatted process and literature all the way back from the airport. I met Arndis and Hulda in the canteen and have connected with Arndis since. I was able to attend a fantastic evening meal with two other authors, Kat, and Sara along with Toni, Fe and Moira from ilb.  We talked about the importance of events like these to inspire young readers and facilitate connections and mutual support. Such a warm, positive and inclusive time that made me feel I was with like-minded people, and it didn’t matter what nationality we were. 

All four of my events were highly professionally organised, even though quite different to one another and it was an absolute joy to see how my little book with the big heart has reached so many. Go, Lion, go! 

The other fantastic thing was that I was able to enjoy Berlin. Having no events scheduled for the Saturday was a wonderful opportunity to invite my husband to join me. We saw some of the wonderful sights and even got to meet with a German friend for dinner.

Thank you a thousand times over for including me in such a wonderful festival. I hope I get the opportunity to repeat such a deeply profound and memorable experience and do feel free to pass my details on to any one connected with the festival who would like to reach out.

Huge congratulations to you both for putting together such a wonderful festival. Here’s to another 24 years!

Best Wishes, Camilla ​

I just had a lovely reply of thanks and the photos which need to be credited to both ilb24 and the photographer, Arina Pavliuk.