Camilla Grebe
Her writing is sharp and suspenseful, with a subtle sense of humor. In person, she is equally engaging and perceptive, her quiet wit offering a lighter contrast to the darker worlds she creates.
This raises an immediate question: where does the darkness in her writing come from?
From economics to storytelling
Camilla Grebe did not begin her career as a writer. In fact, her path started in business.
“It’s been a long journey,” she says. “One that proves life will take you places you never expect.”
She began her studies at the Stockholm School of Economics in 1987, majoring in economics, before building a career in marketing. She spent five years at Procter & Gamble and went on to work in marketing roles across several companies over many years, including Vodafone (now Telenor) and Vin & Sprit, which at the time was the company behind Absolut Vodka, as well as other companies, always within marketing.
“I worked as a marketing manager, marketing director, and managing director. I enjoyed it, but I never felt that my heart was there one hundred percent.”
The turning point came in 2002, when she joined Storyside, a small audiobook publisher.
“I read a lot of manuscripts and met writers. That’s when I became intrigued by the creative side instead of the business side.”
What began as a side project soon grew into something more. Together with her sister Åsa Träff, she started writing, initially as a hobby.
In 2009, she made her literary debut with a co-written book published with her sister.
“That was the start of everything. It eventually turned into a whole new career.”
Since then, Grebe has become one of Sweden’s leading crime writers, with international success and multiple award-winning novels. On the day of the interview, she is releasing her 17th book.
The role of SSE
Grebe credits her time at SSE with shaping both her mindset and her skill set, not only as a business professional, but also as an author.
“I’m not just a writer. I also run my own company,” she explains. “So, I constantly deal with finance, accounting, and marketing. In that sense, I have a lot of use for what I learned at SSE.”
Her books are published internationally, making both her work and herself an export product, while also creating work opportunities for people across different parts of the world.
Beyond technical knowledge, she emphasizes something deeper.
“You learn discipline. You learn how to approach problems and how to do research. But most importantly, you gain a mindset.”
She also sees clear parallels between entrepreneurship and creativity.
Creativity and entrepreneurship
While many imagine creativity as a moment of inspiration, Grebe describes it very differently.
“The creative process is not linear,” she says. “It’s messy. It’s more like a tangled yarn than anything else.”
Ideas can begin anywhere and evolve through continuous refinement.
“It can start with an idea, a twist, a theme, or even a character. And then you build from there. It’s an iterative process. You go back and forth, you do your research, you add things, you take things away, you shape your characters and the storyline.”
This, she argues, is where creativity and entrepreneurship intersect.
That mindset also requires a strong internal drive.
“No one tells me what to do. I have to be my own boss. And that means committing to excellence, not just doing 80 percent, but pushing until it is as good as it can be.”
Writing as a craft
So how does her creative process actually begin?
“It could start with something small,” she says. “An idea, a character, or a situation.”
From there, it grows.
“It is an active process. Writing is a verb, not a noun. I do not wake up with a finished novel. You build it piece by piece.”
Her stories are deeply rooted in human psychology.
“It is all about the human condition and relationships,” she explains. “You want readers to feel something and to care about the characters.”
For Grebe, suspense does not come from dramatic action alone.
“It is not about violence or shock value. If you are not emotionally invested, it does not matter. That is where real tension comes from.”
Her books often explore broader societal themes, from xenophobia to gender dynamics, but always through a human lens.
A disciplined daily routine
Today, Grebe lives in Portugal, where she has built a structured writing routine.
“We get up early, around seven, have breakfast, and then I write for at least three hours.”
She begins each day by editing what she wrote the day before.
“Then I usually write another chapter in the afternoon, go for a walk or go to the gym, and read. I always read.”
That discipline, she notes, is essential.
“If you do not love the craft, you will not keep going. Writing 17 books only happens if you truly enjoy the process.”
Giving back
Beyond writing, Grebe is also engaged in social initiatives, particularly in education and literacy.
She is an ambassador for the organization Läxhjälpen, which supports students who need academic assistance.
“They help young people who may not have support at home, whether due to language barriers or other challenges.”
“Language and education are key to building a strong foundation in society. It is something I strongly believe in.”
Lessons learned
Throughout her career, Grebe highlights two related but distinct qualities.
“Discipline is getting up at 6:15 every day, going for a run, and then working for seven hours,” she says.
“But commitment to excellence is something else. You need to understand what excellence means in your line of business and then make sure you leave no stone unturned to reach it.”
Advice to students
Her advice to current students is clear.
“Do not be afraid to try new things. Do not be afraid to fail, because everybody fails, and you will learn things by failing,” she says.
“And never lose your curiosity to investigate new things, new industries, new lines of work.”
The journey matters
When asked if she would change anything about her path, Grebe reflects:
“In life, you do not just aim for an outcome. It is the journey that matters. Everything you do shapes who you become.”
It is a perspective that mirrors her own writing, where stories are built gradually, shaped through process, revision, and time.