Kirsten Ahlburg

Kirsten Ahlburg is a Danish author of children’s, young adult, and adult books. She is best known for her easy-to-read fiction and self-help books. Her notable works include Skal vi danse? (1985), Ikke i aften, skat (2001), Stolen for døren (2006) and Forandringer (2012). She received a national H.C. Andersen-style prize in 2006 and the Bogslugerprisen in 2016. She now has over 700 publications across Scandinavia.

Kirsten Ahlburg was born in Esbjerg. She trained as a teacher at Esbjerg Seminarium. She later qualified as a psychotherapist in drawing therapy.

In 1979, Ahlburg began teaching Danish to adult refugees. She worked as an immigrant teacher for 17 years. In 1991, she opened a private psychotherapy practice.

Kirsten Ahlburg helped mainly couples until 2007. She then chose to write full-time and has lived in Aarhus with her husband, Karl Aage Kirkegaard.

Ahlburg debuted as a writer with Skal vi danse? (1985). The novel was the first easy-reading novel for young and adult immigrants in Denmark. It marked a new genre for that audience. She continued to write for this group in later years.

Alongside practice and teaching, she wrote both fiction and non-fiction. Early self-help titles include Lyt til dig selv (1997). Ikke i aften, skat (2001) addressed low desire among women and became a bestseller. She explained her broader aim simply: “I have two missions in life.” She emphasised the importance of love and the need to simplify complex issues for readers.

Kirsten Ahlburg published Stolen for døren (2006) and later Forandringer (2012). Her clinical work informed these novels. “What happens in my life colours the books I write,” she said.

Ahlburg used a story to illustrate therapy from the perspective of a character’s mind. She also argued for respect in family life and partnerships. “Women should not be pressured into sex,” she stated, urging care for boundaries and consent.

Ahlburg wrote widely for children and young readers, including series for early grades. She produced many easy-to-read books to build confidence in new readers. Her work also reached Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and English-speaking markets.

In 2006, she won a national contest for the best fairy tale in the spirit of H.C. Andersen. The winning book was Lyset der ikke ville gå ud og andre eventyr (2006). In 2016, her girls’ series Nice eller nederen won the Bogslugerprisen.

Kirsten Ahlburg lives in Aarhus with her husband, Karl Aage Kirkegaard.

Photo credit: www.kirstenahlburg.dk