Joachim Helfer studied English Studies in Hamburg in 1984. After extensive travels throughout Europe, Africa and the United States he moved to Hamburg in 1990, where he worked as a writer, journalist and translator from English. He has been living in Berlin since 2001.

In 1994, he debuted with the novel Du Idiot, followed by the novel Cohn & King in 1998. Joachim Helfer is the author of prose works that follow in the tradition of Bildungs and coming-of-age novels in modern form. His epic, linguistically and intellectually charged narrative style creates a dense atmosphere and haunting psychological characters. His intense interest in language and artistic form is also reflected in the subjects of his works. Other topics include homosexuality and education.

Helfer’s awards include the Hamburg Literaturförderpreis 1992 and 1999; Association of Arts and Culture of the German Economy at the Federation of German Industries 1998; a residency at the Villa Aurora in Pacific Palisades 1999; and the Irmgard Heilmann Preis 2000.