Swedish agency Albatros expands into publishing

Swedish agency Albatros, which previously represented only film and TV writers, has expanded to cover book publishing, hiring three new literary agents.

Founders and managing partners Elin Sandström Lundh and Martina Österling have signed authors including Jonas Jonasson (of The Hundred-Year-Old Man), Denise Rudberg and Sofie Sarenbrant.

Heading the new publishing division is literary agent Erik Larsson, who brings with him Maria √Öhlin and Nora El Sharif, all previously of Stockholm-based literary agency Partners in Stories.

Larsson said: “Albatros has become a leading player on the market. To be able to lead this expansion and, together with my team, create a dynamic agency feels extremely exciting. I look forward to continue working closely with the authors to create the best conditions possible for them and their writing, both at home and internationally.”

Sandstr√∂m Lundh and √ñsterling said: "We are incredibly happy to have Erik on our team and we know that with his skills and great expertise, he will create an innovative literary agency with a focus on what’s best for the writers. The fact that some of Sweden's bestselling writers join us right from the start makes us absolutely convinced that our expansion meets a need in the market."

Albatros Agency is a Stockholm-based boutique agency, which Österling and Sandström Lundh launched in 2017. Albatros represents film and TV writers and directors from the Scandinavian region and their clients create, write and direct English-language and local-language scripted programming for outlets including Netflix and HBO Nordic, among others.

In August 2020, ICM Partners, which is located across America and in London, acquired a minority stake in Albatros with the goal of creating opportunities for Albatros clients in Europe and the US, as well as building collaborations with ICM clients on both sides of the Atlantic. ICM agent Pete Stone recently relocated to Stockholm to work with Österling and Sandström Lundh more closely.