I am a Swedish writer based in Stockholm, after over a dozen years abroad, mainly in the US (Los Angeles and New York). I’ve also lived for longer periods in Germany, Czech Republic, France and Spain.

I have been a freelance cultural critic since 2010, writing for most Swedish newspapers and magazines, but mainly daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. As a journalist I write profile interviews (like this one) and features.

Fiction

My debut novel “Att omfamna ett vattenfall” (To Embrace a Waterfall) was released in October 2020 in Sweden, to critical acclaim. See some of the reviews in Swedish press here (link).

Since 2021 I have a podcast about high- and lowbrow culture called Kulturbarnen, with musician and producer Pontus de Wolfe.

Since September 2022 I work part time for Kulturrådet as member of the reference group that choses which novels and collections of poetry that will recieve support from the Swedish government.

My second novel “Det osynliga templet - en vision om Hilma af Klint” (the Invisible Temple – a Vision of Hilma af Klint) was just released in Sweden (mid March 2025). In October, it was nominated as “Novel of the Year” by Prisma Nordic Literary Award. The jury’s motivation:

“The Invisible Temple breathes new life into Hilma af Klint’s artistry through an experimental portrayal in which Klint’s non-normative desires form a fundamental part of the narrative.
The novel is a well-written, spiritual tribute to polyamory, queer desire, creativity, and the importance of challenging fixed ideas about what a world can contain beyond the earthly. A creative staging of the conditions faced by those who choose to give everything for art and for other women.”

About “The invisible temple - a vision of hilma af klint”:

Det osynliga templet is a re-imagning of a few days in the life of Hilma af Klint, the Swedish painter, unknown during her lifetime but today considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century.

The novel has been widely praised in the Swedish press for its psychological depth and historical sensitivity. Sydsvenskan described it as “a profound exploration of the need to live with uncertainty,” while Jönköpings-Posten wrote that “Hilma af Klint rises from the pages as a living literary character.” Dagens Nyheter emphasized the novel’s nuanced portrayal of isolation and inner struggle and Finnish Hufvudstadsbladet highlighted the holistic use of research, in creating the living novel. Critics have also highlighted its feminist undercurrent and its depiction of the early 20th-century art world, noting how it sheds light on the marginalization of women artists (Bernur, Ponton).

About To “Embrace a Waterfall”:

Europe, 2010. A 25 year old woman tries to find her own way of living by love, friendship, art and sex as she moves through different European cities, during a few sweltering summer months.

New York, 1920. The dancehall girl June Mansfield Miller – a Jewish emigrant from Romania – lives a life outside of the mainstream. She marries wannabe author Henry Miller and they live a chaotic life in Brooklyn, part of the time with June’s live in girlfriend Jean. When they go to the bohemian Paris of the late 1920’s they get drawn into a toxic love triangle with Anaïs Nin - depicted in Nin’s celebrated book "Henry & June". But only one woman walks out unharmed of the situation.

In “To Embrace a Waterfall” (a title inspired by a poem by the queer Swedish poet Paul Andersson) we meet the two women, and their respective challenges, in an exploration of the genius/muse dynamic. Despite living almost 100 years apart, both women are met with intersecting limitations to their freedom, as they try to find a life that feels true to them, and not what society expects from them.

In a sense, it is about living life as if it was art, an exploration, a performance. Or a novel.

The book will be published in Czech and Greek during 2026-2027.

Att omfamna ett vattenfall is published by Natur o Kultur in Sweden.

Excerpts from the book has previously appeared in print in:

• Granta

• Nexus: the International Henry Miller Journal

• 10-tal (Sweden’s largest literary journal).

  
  

Selected critical reception:

“A profound exploration of the need to live with uncertainty.” — Sydsvenskan, on Det osynliga templet (2025)

“Hilma af Klint rises from the pages as a living literary character.” — Jönköpings-Posten, on Det osynliga templet

“Therén breathes life into the many dimensions of Hilma af Klint… navigating the dialogues between Hilma and the dead with great care and wisdom.” — Bernur, on Det osynliga templet

“Glittering novel about fallen women… The approach recalls Sara Stridsberg.” — Dagens Nyheter, on Att omfamna ett vattenfall (2020)

“Beautiful prose and refined dialogue.” — Svenska Dagbladet on Att omfamna ett vattenfall (2020)

Journalism

The main subjects I tend to navigate in my journalistic writing are literature, art, contemporary culture, intersectional feminism, children’s rights and spirituality.

A book with my collected articles 2007-2017 came out in 2017, published by Mondial. It’s called "Frihet, jämlikhet & systerskap" (Freedom, Equality & Sisterhood). 

Also published are numerous prefaces, essays, forewords and anthology pieces in various publications.

I have also been a regular guest in a range of network TV and national public radio shows in Sweden. For example, the popular morning show Malou efter tio and evening show Breaking News. 

For some years (5 printed issues) I was the co-publisher/editor of award-winning Swedish/English bilingual literary magazine of contemporary Swedish literary fiction called CONST Literary Preview.

There, I also published this piece called “Somebody’s Mom”, about my own experience of entering motherhood, which got positive response in Swedish press.

FURTHER Bio

Born in a small town in Sweden, I’ve spent over a decade outside of Sweden. I worked as a model internationally for some years, played in an indie band and I have done some acting as well (with small parts in the feature movies Blondie, Something’s Got to Break and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Since 2010 writing is my main occupation.

Feel free to contact me if you want to know more!