Literature as a European mother tongue: In our series “One is a CROWD”, we introduce you to authors from all over Europe who will be involved in the CROWD omnibus reading tour, taking place from May to July 2016, featuring 100 authors who will be travelling through 15 European countries. We asked them five questions about text production, reception and mediation. In case you were wondering what a literary activist from Vienna looks like, meet Stefanie Sargnagel! 

Who are you as a poet/writer/author/artist?

I see myself as a humorist. Somewhere between poetry, comedy and cartoon. You could also call me a social media personality. A subculture It-Girl.

What kind of literary tradition, authors or concepts have you found inspirational for your work?

I enjoy realistic fiction, laconic storytelling, tragic comedy and very dark humour. I’d say that’s very Viennese in general. Everything that’s influenced me has these charasteristics, no matter if it’s music, friends, comics or literature.

Please name several contemporary authors who you think are most significant – in any possible sense – and why?

I’m not a big reader.

What do you think about the current state of the relationship between the author and the reader? Is there a mentionable shift in that relationship through new media in terms of being alienated on the one hand or being enlivend on the other hand?

All of my texts came about through social media. I wouldn’t write at all if it wasn’t for speaking to a direct audience. I feel kind of autonomic from the literacy scene, art world or journalists because of that.

There have always been interactions and disputes between the discourses of poetry and politics. Do you see possibilities of emancipatory strategies concerning contemporary interactions between poetic and political discourses and agendas? What can/should/do these literary strategies look like?

What?