Fredrik Backman: Beyond the Bestseller, A Struggle with the Machine

Fredrik Backman, the celebrated author behind international bestsellers like "A Man Called Ove" and "Anxious People," reveals a profound conflict between his love for writing and the pressures of the publishing industry. In a recent interview, Backman expresses a deep unease with the fame and marketing demands that accompany his success, hinting at the possibility of stepping away from publishing altogether.

The conversation begins with Backman, speaking softly from his Stockholm apartment, offering a preemptive apology for his dog’s potential barking. This simple gesture immediately highlights Backman’s personal nature, a stark contrast to the image of a globally recognized author. He is famously private, especially regarding his family, and admits to feeling anxious about interviews and public appearances. A viral video from Simon & Schuster’s Centennial event last year captured his anxieties, foreshadowing his current contemplations.

When asked about his inspiration for his latest novel, "My Friends," Backman’s response is surprisingly candid: "Maybe this is the last thing I’ll ever publish." This statement, not delivered in search of flattery, but from a place of genuine reflection, encapsulates his internal struggle. If this were to be his final contribution, he wants it to be something meaningful, something that resonates with and inspires young people.

The path to "My Friends" was not without its challenges. Initial reactions from his inner circle were lukewarm, with his wife deeming the first draft "too dark," a reflection of the two years of confidence and writing troubles he endured. "I had a really long period where I thought ‘I’m going to retire from writing,’” Backman confesses. But he clarifies that his potential retirement wouldn’t be from writing itself, but rather from publishing. The pressure, he explains, had become overwhelming.

He continues to grapple with this dilemma, caught in the "machine of the industry." Backman is not alone in this sentiment. Rebecca Yarros, the author of the wildly popular "Fourth Wing," recently shared her decision to take a break after the demanding writing, publishing, and marketing cycle took a toll on her health. Similarly, Colleen Hoover, the author of the BookTok sensation "It Ends With Us," had to cancel her book tour due to stress-related health issues.

Backman’s unease is particularly poignant considering his past experiences. In 2021, he signed a four-book deal with Simon & Schuster UK, encompassing the final installment of his Beartown series, "The Winners," and three standalone novels, one of which is likely "My Friends." Despite this commitment, the discomfort with the public-facing aspects of his career persists.

“I’ve always struggled with this part of it, the being interviewed, going on tour, being somewhat – in the smallest form of the word – a celebrity,” he admits. "I’ve always struggled with being a public figure and people having expectations of you and having preconceived notions of you. I’m not good with crowds; I’m not good with strangers. I don’t give a good first impression to people. I’m comfortable with maybe seven people."

Acknowledging his privilege of being a full-time writer, Backman recounts his past "proper jobs," including operating forklifts for grueling 10-12 hour shifts, a physically demanding experience that left him sore and unable to fully extend his fingers. He shares these experiences not to solicit sympathy, but to emphasize the importance of the industry treating young writers with care. He believes writers, by their nature, are highly sensitive.

“You’re not supposed to be a balanced, high-functioning individual because that’s not what makes you a great writer,” Backman asserts. "People expect you to be able to shut that off and say ‘Yeah, but now we need you to think about marketing, meeting about marketing, thinking about your brand.’"

He differentiates between established authors like himself, who have developed coping mechanisms and support systems, and young writers in their twenties who are just starting out. Placing intense pressure on these emerging talents, he argues, is "a lot to ask of someone who makes their living off of talking to imaginary friends."

The article acknowledges the underlying forces of capitalism that drive the need for intense marketing. Books need to sell for publishers and authors to survive, and effective marketing campaigns can significantly impact their financial stability. However, the landscape is shifting, with social media, particularly BookTok, playing an increasingly influential role in book sales. This shift places additional pressure on authors to cultivate a personal brand, blurring the lines between their work and their personal lives.

While some authors thrive in this environment, embracing marketing, touring, speaking engagements, and book signings, others struggle to adapt. Backman cautions, “These people that you’re dealing with are very sensitive creatures, and you can break them if you push them too hard.”

The conversation returns to "My Friends," exploring the message Backman hopes to convey if it were indeed his final book. The story unfolds through two interwoven timelines. One timeline revisits a transformative summer experienced by four childhood friends, a bond that inspires a painting that eventually becomes world-renowned. The other timeline follows a teenager in the present day, who cherishes a postcard of the painting. Her unexpected acquisition of the original artwork sets her on a cross-country journey to uncover the painting’s history, connecting her own life to the painting’s subjects in surprising ways.

Backman sees a parallel between the pressures faced by writers and the commodification of art. He observes that art is often hidden away and treated as a financial asset, a notion he vehemently opposes. He wants to instill in young people the idea that art belongs to them, not to the elite.

Young people are a recurring theme in Backman’s narratives. In "A Man Called Ove," an elderly, grieving man finds renewed purpose in life through his interactions with a young family. "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry" revolves around a lovable 7-year-old. Even in books featuring adult characters, Backman emphasizes the childlike wonder and vulnerability that resides within us all, navigating life’s complexities as we go.

When asked if he hopes to share hope with his readers, Backman offers a different perspective. He describes the feeling he seeks to evoke in his readers: “At the end of the night (when) you’re just exhausted and someone in your life who loves you and cares about you just turns around and looks at you and says, ‘You did good. You did good. I can see that you struggled, and I can see that you did your best,’” Backman says. “That’s what I’m looking for in my books, and maybe that’s interpreted by some people as hope, and maybe it’s redemption and maybe it’s something else. But I’m looking for that. I’m looking for you to close the book at the final page and feel like it’s OK.”