Thorvald Steen appointed Knight 1st class in the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav

Our very own Thorvald Steen was appointed Knight 1st class in the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav in September. This extraordinary honor is awarded as “a reward for distinguished services to the fatherland and humanity.” Thorvald received the order specifically for his “literary work and contributions to society.” The Order of St. Olav is the highest civilian honor currently conferred by Norway and only ranks after the military War Cross among all Norwegian decorations still awarded in the general ranking.

Read his acceptance speech here (in Norwegian).

This award is just one of many Thorvald has received over the years. Others include Gratias Agit, an honorary Czech Prize in 2020 (the only Norwegian to have ever received the award!), the Turkish Saladin Prize in 2014, the Dobloug Prize in 2001, and many more.

Thorvald’s most recent novel, The Valet, received rave reviews in Norway and will be published in English by Seagull Books and Swedish by Heidruns Förlag in 2026.

Congratulations, Thorvald—what an honor it is for us to have a knight on our roster of authors!

Photo: Oktober Forlag