Line Nagell Ylvisåker (40)
I am an editor, journalist and non fiction author in the high Arctic. The Svalbard archipelago is full of exciting people, stories, science, business, arts, culture, festivals and geopolitical issues. All of this in the middle of a mighty nature in great change.
I first came to Svalbard in 2004 and worked as a journalist and acting editor in the local newspaper Svalbardposten for 12 years. During this period I won several awards for my writings.
I have written three non fiction books and now work as editor of the world's northernmost newspaper Svalbardposten. I am a trained journalist with a master`s degree from the University of Oslo.
I usually photograph myself, but I also work with other phothographers. Take a look at some of my pictures here.
In addition to writing, I give lectures about climate change and Svalbard, I take assignments as literary talks, interviewer on stage and debate leader.
Book: My world is melting
Description:
English version translated by Kelsey Camacho published in May 2022. Cover: Ragnhild Utne
Norwegian journalist Line Nagell Ylvisåker lives with her family in Longyearbyen, the world’s most northerly town. The settlement is in Svalbard, an archipelago in a region where temperatures are rising faster than anywhere else on the planet.
In 2015, a devastating avalanche struck the town center, claiming the lives of a young girl and a father. The following autumn brought rain and landslides. When winter arrived, a second avalanche smashed into yet more of Longyearbyen’s homes.
The recurring storms and mild weather begin to make Line feel worried. What is happening to her town and to the Arctic? In search of answers, she talks to a meteorologist who was herself buried in the first avalanche. She visits a trapper who has spent 40 inhospitable winters in Svalbard. She follows the sea currents and weather systems; hunts for the fossils of Svalbard's ancient forests; and encounters three polar bears while out hiking with her children.
Along the way, she records the changes Longyearbyen has been through and reflects on the paradoxes of a town built on coal mining and tourism.
An unflinching and fearlessly personal report from the Arctic.
Five languages
My world is melting (Verda mi smeltar) was published in Norwegian in spring 2020, in German February 2021 and Swedish in March 2021. A big thanks to my agents in Northern Stories!
In May 2022 I published the book in English - for the local Svalbard market.
In 2022 the book was sold to a Belarusian publishing house and is now under translation.
Quotes
«...vivid literary nonfiction – filled with poetic, striking and surprising images.» Dagbladet magazine, Norway
«Reads like a startling documentary series.» Stern magazine, Germany
«A story of the climate crisis that is as instructive as it is captivating. Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany
«In Ylvisåker’s book, the personal experience of the environmental changes is an excellent framework for communicating – knowledge…This easy-to-read and engaging book should have great potential to create understanding for the seriousness of the situation to many – in an ideal world.» Klassekampen, Norway
«A documentary page turner.» Altså magazine, Norway
«It is a book that is just right for its time. It addresses the climate issue from an “ordinary person” perspective, but finds answers through investigative journalism - easily understandable. A really good and important book!» Emilio Sener, Modernista, Sweden
«I was really taken by the urgency of Line Ylvisåker's MY WORLD IS MELTING. In a way it's like looking into the world's future when the consequences of climate change will be seen and felt everywhere! I especially liked her personal approach and the reportage like style. To make it short: we really look forward to publish "Verda mi smeltar" on our Hoffmann und Campe nonfiction list next spring!», editor Sarah Houtermans, Hoffmann und Campe, Germany
Press in Germany, Austria and Switzerland:
»Ihre Sätze sind Ausrufezeichen.« Karen von Guttenberg, Bild,
»Ein Buch wie eine aufrüttelnde Doku-Serie.« Katharina Kluin, Stern
»[...] trotz aller Betroffenheit wohltuend nüchtern und präzise« Anne-Catherine Simon, Die Presse
»Ein packendes, eindringliches Plädoyer gegen die Klimakatastrophe.« 3SAT "Kulturzeit"
»[...] die Darstellung im Reportagestil [ist] ausgesprochen plastisch.« Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
»Man merkt schnell, dass die Autorin ihr Handwerkszeug gelernt hat [...]. «Spektrum der Wissenschaft Online
»Eindrücklich schildert die Autorin Line Nagell Ylvisåker diese Katastrophe, ihre Konsequenzen, ihre Ursachen [...].« Eduard Erne, SRF Tagesschau
»Ein Frontbericht vom Kampf gegen den Klimawandel, aufklärend und anrührend.« Focus
»Die Journalistin schreibt den Klimawandel auf, detailliert, unaufgeregt. Ein starkes Buch, das betroffen macht.« Bild Online
»Keine Science-Fiction – Realität.« ― Greenpeace Magazin
»[...] ein Appell voller Dringlichkeit. Line Nagell Ylvesakers Schilderung ist ein schonungsloser und zutiefst persönlicher Bericht [...].« Herbert Pardatscher-Bestle, Herbert Pardatscher-Bestle "Bücherrundschau"
»Ein alarmierender Bericht.« Anne Stürzer, Bremervörder Zeitung
»[Ylvisåkers] Buch berührt und informiert.« ― Büchermagazin
»Eindringlich berichtet [Ylvisåker] von der Bedrohung eines Systems, das nicht nur hochkomplex, sondern auch wunderschön ist.« Ulrike Schädlich ― Freundin
»[...] ein mehr als lesenswerter Tatsachenbericht, ein notwendiger Schrei nach Aufmerksamkeit.« ― the little queer review
Articles:
Stern: Lawinen, Stürme, Hitze: So dramatisch trifft der Klimawandel meine Heimat Spitzbergen
NTV: Auf Spitzbergen ist nichts mehr, wie es war
Bild: Wenn es in der Arktis warm wird, kommt der Tod
Bild Online: Lieblingswerke der BILD-Reporter: Lesen im Locdown
Spiegel: »Menschen zahlen viel Geld, um Gletscher schmelzen zu sehen«
Spektrum der Wissenschaft, review: Klimawandel auf Spitzbergen
Television:
Buchtip Kulturzeit, 3sat.de
Contact: line(at)ylvisaaker.com
Phone: 0047 959 48 554