Swedish literature exports cross 340 million

For the first time in history, the Swedish Publishers’ Association, alongside literary agencies, has compiled comprehensive statistics on Sweden’s literature export.In 2018, literature exports – i.e. translation rights and publishing deals for books by Swedish authors – grossed nearly 340 million Swedish kroner (roughly € 32 million).

Most of the international publishing deals for Swedish books in 2018 pertained to fiction, closely followed by children’s books and the young adult genre, whereas nonfiction represented a smaller share of contracts.

‘It is without a doubt a significant improvement to the industry that we now have statistics regarding the scope and value of Swedish literature internationally,’ says Kristina Ahlinder, CEO of the Swedish Publishers’ Association.

In addition to its economic importance to Swedish authors and publishers, literature export shapes and promotes the image of Sweden abroad.