Franz Hohler   was born in Biel, Switzerland, in 1943. He is both a writer and a cabaret artist. While still a student in Zurich he scored such a hit with his one-man show 'Pizzicato' that he left university and has subsequently toured the world. He writes for both adults and children as well as for the theatre, and has received awards in all these categories. His books have been translated into seven languages.  Critical praise for Die Steinflut  'Franz Hohler....a brilliant writer in the great tradition of Swiss literature.' (Olivier Berger) Previous novels include: Tschipo (1978); Der neue Berg (1988); Der Mann auf der Insel (1991); Da wo ich wohne (1993); Die Rückeroberung (1994); Die blaue Amsel (1995); Drachenjagen (1996). Translation rights available from Verlagsgruppe Random House GmbH Neumarkter Str. 18 D-81673 München Tel: +49 89 4372 2679 Fax: +49 89 4372 2665 Email: christine.scharf@bertelsmann.de Contact: Christine Scharf The Stone Flood published in English in 2001 by Harvill, London (tr. John Brownjohn) Luchterhand Verlag was founded by Hermann Luchterhand in 1924. Since 1954, Luchterhand has been publishing literary titles, an early and triumphant success being with Günter Grass's novel Die Blechtrommel (1959). Luchterhand publishes literary fiction and poetry and scrupulously prepared editions of various authors' complete works. In 1997, the firm was voted Publishing House of the Year by the German trade journal Buchmarkt. Luchterhand is now part of the Random House Group. Authors include Christa Wolf, Ernst Jandl, Pablo Neruda, António Lobo Antunes, Will Self, Frank McCourt, Hanns-Josef Ortheil.