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Boris Akunin was born in Zestafoni, now Georgia, in 1965 as Grigori Chkhartishvili. He has been publishing historical crime novels under his pseudonym since 1998 and quickly became one of the most widely read authors in Russia. His books have been translated into more than forty languages. As an opponent of the current war and a proponent of democracy, the philologist, critic, essayist, and translator co-founded the »True Russia« association in 2022. He lives in London.

How many ideas for potential works do you have in your head?

Right now? Let me count … A serious novel, a hilarious novel, an interactive audio play, a non-fiction history book. So, four. 

When working on a new project, how do you sift through competing ideas in order to move forward?

 It’s difficult to explain because it’s not rational. Each option is like a magnet, you are like an iron shaving. You move where you are drawn stronger.    

What writing habit do you have that is impossible to shift? (That could be a particular snack, writing hours, location, caffeine consumption etc.)

I use three different locations for three different genres. I write non-fiction in England, serious prose in France and entertainment in Spain. It was a discovery fuelled by experience. Something to do with atmosphere or psychosphere probably.

The international literature festival berlin (ilb) has become an essential part of Berlin’s literary calendar. What do you connect with the city?

Actually I go to Berlin to gather material for a book. (I am researching the early history of  U-Bahn). It coincided with the festival. 

What impact did the Covid-19 pandemic have on your writing and ways of working?

You know, a writer is a creature who benefits from any unusual event. I’ve  never worked as fruitfully as during the lockdown. I discovered new ways of expressing myself, new ways of communication with my readers, I even surprised myself with writing a collection of fairy-tales – because the surrounding reality was so eerie.  

(c) Hartwig Klappert