oh my gods
Award-winning fantasy novel that combines the mystical world of Norse mythology with topical challenges in politics and modern media.
storytrade awards
Apparently, populism, fake news, and volatile divine intervention pays off:
OH MY GODS has received the winner award in the category 'Urban Fantasy' and was finalist in the category 'Best Debut Prodigy.'
Plot
After centuries of hiding in a small Swedish settlement, the Norse gods want to be worshipped again. Since they are no experts in modern media, they convince their human neighbor Mara to help re-launch their brand in the Swedish and Norwegian market.
Her initial hesitation turns into a bitter but highly motivated acceptance of the job after she is fired from her advertising position. She’ll show the world what she is worth by launching an entire religion.
Plan
Her strategy is three-fold.
First, break people’s trust in their modern gods: government and the financial system. People lose the institutions that have always kept them safe.
The second step is to create crises: climate change gets a push and a virus from a pre-human era is released from the thawing permafrost. The panic this creates in the absence of leadership makes people desperate for help.
Even from Norse gods, who present themselves as saviors in the third campaign phase.
Problem
At least, that is the plan.
The gods appear to be a little too volatile; things get out of hand. They cause mayhem in the Nordics, and people close to Mara fall victim to the dangers she helped create.
She wants out. But the gods won't let her go that easily.
Will she manage to turn this around?
inspiration
what inspired the novel
There have been many aspects that influenced the story. These are a few major ones.
Swedish countryside
One of my favorite pastimes is to hike through the Swedish woodlands. It's not a far stretch to imagine giants under those hills, mythological wolves around each corner, and caves leading to hell itself.
Societal issues
At the time of writing, populism and fake news were on the rise. Climate change was a much debated topic, too. These three issues somehow found their way into a story about mythology, ambition, and friendship.
Norse mythology
Fascinating stories, captivating characters, and a piece of cultural history. Norse mythology has been a great inspiration and a source I gladly used. Or stole from. Whichever way you want to describe it.
inspiration for
locations
These are some real and not-so-real references that inspired the locations in OMGs.
Järnaby
A settlement in the Swedish forest, where the gods live undercover and Mara moved in, on a street called Linsbacka.
Valhalla
The magnificent hall of Odin, where important meetings take place.
Parliament house
Used by Loki to steer the Swedish political leader, and the place where Mara and her friends celebrate a victory.
Hell
A deep, underground staircase and tunnel leads to the final resting place of the dead who did not deserve a place in Valhalla
Wilnis
Mara's home town in Holland, soon to be hit by a natural disaster.
Ales Stenar
Used as the court of the gods.
Manuscript excerpts
Lucky you.
These are some readings from selected scenes from Oh My Gods.
manuscript excerpt
meet the giant
After hours of walking through the snow, Mara and the half-god Loki arrive at the place where the giants live. They need them to help the Norse gods back into power. But they are an odd species to recruit...
manuscript excerpt
BOWLING BALLS
This excerpt is about how Mara meets Odin and his family for the first time. Sounds boring? Not when she doesn't suspect any supernatural events, despite the obvious weirdness of her new neighbors.
manuscript excerpt
MIDSUMMER SWIM
Mara is invited by Vahid and his Iranian family to celebrate Midsummer at lake Delsjön in Sweden. She probably shouldn't have gone for that swim.
And this is only the start of an insane turn of events.