Glisk to Collaborate with Author Ivar Leon Menger

Glisk, a Federation Entertainment-affiliated company, has secured an exclusive deal with German author Ivar Leon Menger to adapt his suspense and mystery audio series and debut novel.

The agreement kicks off with an initial three projects: two audiobook series, Ghostbox and Monster 1983, which are being adapted as TV series, and the debut novel When the Strangers Came, which is currently being developed and adapted for the screen.

Ghostbox is a mystery trilogy that tells the story of a young Berlin journalist who wants to solve her brother’s mysterious suicide.

Monster 1983 is a three-season mystery thriller audio drama series set in the small coastal town of Harmony Bay, Oregon, in the summer of 1983, when mysterious things start to happen.

When the Strangers Came, which is launching in August this year, is set deep in the forests of Northland in a lakeside cabin on a small island, with the mainland barely visible in the distance, where 15-year-old Juno has lived in almost complete isolation since early childhood. She only has her parents and her little brother Boy for company. They live in constant fear of “Strangers,” who want to take revenge on their father for testifying against one of them many years ago.

Menger said: “I never expected my debut novel to take off like this before the publication date; there are already first foreign licenses—and now a deal to adapt it for the screen. I want to thank my agent Marc Koralnik of Liepman, who represents the novel worldwide, and Julie and Philipp of Glisk, who are equally passionate about adapting my novel and audiobooks. I am thrilled to have found such internationally experienced and networked producers to develop my work. I am convinced that this will start a comprehensive, long-term and successful partnership.”

Julie Link and Philipp Steffens of Glisk added: “We believe in shining a light on talent and investing in long-term relationships with creatives, so we’re thrilled a writer of such critical acclaim has entrusted us with developing and creating scripted adaptations of his renowned audiobooks as well as his yet-to-be-released new novel. One of our aims as a company is to take German concepts and talent to a global audience, so we hope this is just the beginning of an ongoing collaboration with Ivar as we have big plans to build his brand.”

Marc Koralnik of Liepman AG Literary Agency said: “When I first read Ivar’s novel manuscript, it was one of those rare moments in an agent’s life when the spark is instantaneous, and you immediately realize that this book will be a bestseller and made into a film. It’s a versatile material with international appeal crying out for a streaming adaptation. Ivar is the rising star in the German-language thriller field. He knows the craft and develops successful suspense stories, whether for a novel, fiction podcast or film. In fact, we had every major German publisher bidding for the novel, and several film offers came in immediately. We are convinced that we have the right partner for the novel. We have exactly the same feeling with Julie Link and Philipp Steffens, who share our vision for the author.”