Stefan Maiwald, born in 1971 in Braunschweig, is one of the most versatile German authors. He has lived on the island of Grado between Venice and Trieste for 20 years and writes novels, crime thrillers and non-fiction, including the bestsellers Laura, Leo, Luca and I - How to Survive in an Italian Family, We are Papa! and The Italy Principle: This is How Happiness Works! The historical Venice crime novel The Doge's Spy was voted best debut of the year by the authors' and critics' association HOMER, and his blog www.postausitalien.com is the most-read German-language Italy site. Maiwald spends most of his free time on the beach; in Grado there are seven kilometres of fine sand.