REPLACING ANGEL
Louise has just completed her follow up, Replacing Angel. This gritty coming-of-age novel explores the intersections of life washed up in Brighton, and how one man influences the young women he befriends. The main character Natalie’s journey from Sweden is not just geographic – she must discover her own sexuality and try to find out what has happened to Angel in whose glamorous image she has shaped herself. Louise has drawn on her own experiences of being a naive small-town girl arriving at place where everything is possible. However, there is always the risk of losing yourself among all the opportuniteis and oddballs ...
This time around she is writing in English, as she has spent the better part of her grown-up life in Brighton. At the moment she is looking for an agent in the UK. "Punkindustriell Hårdrockare med Attityd" was marketed as a crossover between teen- and adult fiction. However, Replacing Angel is aimed at a slightly older audience, and she is inspired by writers such as M.J. Hyland and Helen Cross.
She blogs at louisehalvardsson.blogspot.com
SCHOOL VISITS
Louise often visits schools and libraries to talk about her own experiences of growing up and finding a way to cope with the expectations of being young today. She writes about peer pressure, sex and alcohol in a way that everybody can relate to.
Click here to read about her first school visit in the UK.
MORE ABOUT HER SWEDISH DEBUT NOVEL
"Punkindustriell hårdrockare med attityd"is the story about the insecure 16-year old, Guns N' Roses-loving, Amanda. The book is set in the small town Nässjö, and follows Amanda through her last years at school – three years filled with a desperate search for an identity. What do you do if you're fed up with the perfect blondes in your own class, but are not cool enough to hang out with the black-haired art students with piercings? Luckily Amanda has got Kim, who gives away her drainpipe jeans and is old enough to buy beer. Kim, who knows punks from England and thinks that Axl Rose is king. And with a little bit of help from Kim, Amanda grows from being nobody to actually becoming somebody. Not just anybody though, but a "Punk Influenced Hard Rocker with Attitude", as Kim describes Amanda in her article for the local paper. And then she meets Jonte ...
REVIEWS
"Halvardsson has a particularly focused eye. Even if she has left her teenage years behind, she manages to look at them sharply and clearly. None of the minute detials, nuances and atmopsheres are lost. That takes commitment, a wide memory and a good way with a story." - Caroline Owman Skånska Dagbladet
"Punkindustriell hårdrockare med attityd" is a book full of angst, but also a positive energy and a will to survive. A hope of one day being able to find and accept yourself." - Åsa Mwansa, Skaraborgs Tidning
"In this well-written book, there's an apt description of the vulnerability and insecurity that can be concealed behind a daring appearance. Teenagers and adults alike are invited to reflect." - Elisabeth Frank, The Library Service
"For emo kids "Punkindustriell hårdrockare med attityd" is a great read. For my own sake I'm happy that the school years are long gone and I can't help feeling a bit relieved when I've reached the end of the book." Anders Järnebrand, Lidköpings Tidning
"Halvardsson never shies from describing the problematic or the unpleasant, but the book also contains a wonderful dark sense of humour that prevents it from being just an anxiety-ridden account of her teenage years. The language is quick, simple and to the point, and yet never dull. On the contrary, Halvardsson can create striking description in just a few words." - Camilla Jönsson, Hallandsposten
"Louise Halvardsson takes the reader on a roller coaster ride where the shift between Sunday dinner at grandma's and drunken nights in town is exhilarating. The portrait of Amanda is detailed and trustworthy." Kajsa Århäll, Mariestads Tidning
POETRY
Louise writes and performs poetry under the name Lou Ice. She is also a founding member of the poetry group, The Writing Sisters Collective. Since 2004 she has been a member of Poets Cornered, where she has been one of many active workshop facilitators. Her poetry and short fiction have appeared in publications such as OpenWideMagazine, Ink,Sweat&Tears, and Redemption Anthology.
If you would like Louise to visit your school or library don’t hesitate to contact her. She is always up for doing workshops and performing her poetry.
For a sample of her poetry:
www.myspace.com/louicepoetry82www.myspace.com/writingsisterscollective1
