Bethel - Mirko Steinkamp presents debut novel

Nimbi, the goblin, Marinus, the woodruff, Agariá, the fairy ... In his debut novel "Alanlandhe: The Great Griffin", author Mirko Steinkamp has brought a multitude of fantastic creatures to life. Just like Kastanéa, princess of the kingdom of Kasta-Nién, they face a dark threat. "Developing the characters and the plot and creating a complete world from the imagination was very exciting," says Mirko Steinkamp.

"Alanlandhe: The Great Griffin" is the first novel that the 45-year-old Bethel employee and amateur author has published. The 404-page work was published in July 2022. "My goal has always been to write a novel, preferably a multi-volume saga," says Mirko Steinkamp, who works as a consultant in the residential division of the Eben-Ezer Foundation at the Stapelage site.

Mirko Steinkamp discovered his interest in writing as a teenager. He began with poetry and poems. He then became increasingly interested in short stories. "Later, I was involved a lot in literary projects in Bielefeld, where authors read to each other or organised readings," he says. His preference for quirky content and fantastic literature quickly developed.

"Alanlandhe" is a Christian fantasy novel, emphasises Mirko Steinkamp. "I used images and borrowings from the Bible and brought them into the world of Alanlandhe." In his novel, for example, there are protagonists who have characteristics of biblical figures. "There is the creator figure, who plays a central role. And there is the adversary side, which tries to influence the world in Alanlandhe," says Mirko Steinkamp. There is also a counterpart to the Bible itself in the story: the "Book of Melodies". "There are many things in this book that have to do with faith."

Mirko Steinkamp chose the Christian profile because he wants his book to encourage readers to reflect on their own life of faith. "If you consciously look for it, the protagonists offer many anchor points. You find areas of identification for yourself, for your own life," he says. In "Alanlandhe" there are people who fall into doubt, who fall, only to find hope again - and who always find their way back to their Creator God.

Mirko Steinkamp also finds writing so exciting because he is sometimes surprised by the plot and the characters himself. "A protagonist's character develops during the story. On the one hand, that's what you want, on the other hand, things happen in the book that you didn't actually plan. It takes on its own dynamic."

"Alanlandhe: The Great Griffin" is published by Books on Demand. The book is only the first volume of a multi-part saga, says Mirko Steinkamp, who is already working on the sequel. The working title is "The Fiery Dragon".

Text and photos: Gunnar Kreutner