It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Bengt Nordin, a pioneer in the Swedish book world, founder of Nordin Agency and one of the country’s first literary agents. Bengt passed away after a period of illness on 6 October, aged 78.

He began his career in the publishing world, as, among other things, book club manager at Bonniers and CEO of Wahlströms. When he founded Nordin Agency in 1990, he changed the landscape for Swedish authors. He built an agency that became a bridge between creativity and the world – a home for stories and voices that would reach far beyond the country’s borders.

Bengt represented some of our most successful authors, including Marianne Fredriksson, Liza Marklund and Camilla Läckberg, and helped put Swedish literature on the international map. But for those who knew him, his work was about much more than success stories. He was a man with a big heart, integrity and humour – someone who saw and believed in his authors, and who was always there with helpful advice, encouragements and laughter.

Bengt Nordin leaves behind a rich legacy: not only in the form of books and authorships, but in all the people he inspired and the path he paved for the literary stars of the future.

Rest in peace, Bengt.