3 sharp ones for Helle Vincentz

You have previously worked as a journalist and have a masters in Human Rights. Now, you debut as an author with The African Virgin. What made you quit the traditionel career and start writing?

It was a huge decision! But I’ve always dreamt of writing books with a socially critical plot and I feel like everything that I’ve done in the past, have been preparations for this.

The novel is about a young, ambitious career oriented woman, Caroline Kayser, who works for a gigantic oil company. She is a woman in a man’s world. Why has it been important to place your main character in that scenery?

The Danish labor market is still, anno 2011, a difficult place to reach heights for young, ambitious women, and the book shows the struggle it takes to reach the top. I think that many readers, no matter what career stage they are on, will recognize Caroline’s challenges. It is a fierce battle, for men as well, but women have to fight even harder to prove their worth, which is clarified by placing Caroline in such a distinctly male-dominated trade as the oil industry.

The African Virgin is your first novel. Can vi expect to see more novels from you? And is Caroline Kayser a person, we are going to follow?

You will definitly see more books from my hand. I’ve already planned the next two adventures, Caroline Kayser will be thrown into. They are going to be thrilling, so you may well look forward to them!