Dude, January was seriously intense. It was gray outside, but inside my head it was super loud. SchalkesOpa and I have put out so much stuff in the last few weeks – songs, videos, thoughts... I can barely keep up myself.
We had made a real plan, but you know how life goes: then everything changes and you have to prioritize. Check out everything we managed to get done: • Completely redid the homepage • Fresh songs ready to go • My book is finally out • 'Max Answers' (Season 2) is running! • And brand new: 'Max Reads' has started.
⚡ Gallery, Videos and Comments |
Did you notice?
The menu on the side looks different now.
Under 'Media' there's now a dropdown thing. I set up a gallery for you guys there.
There are already 99 pictures in there – so at least three new ones every day!
And here's the cool part:
You can rate the pictures with up to 5 stars and leave your comments! I uploaded the pictures especially for you guys so you'd have something to look at.
So tell me honestly what you think of them – that would be awesome of you!
For the videos we also built in a search function so you can find your favorite clips faster. BTS videos (Behind the Scenes) are all there now too.
But let me be real with you: I noticed that nobody has used the reply function on the videos yet.
That's actually a bummer!
The idea was that we could chat a bit there – kind of as a test to see if you guys even want a forum or chat.
Don't be shy and give it a try!
⚡ What's coming in February? |
All books (not just the German ones) will be displayed.
You can rate and comment on them.
And once again the plea (please, please):
If you like one of my books, write a short review on Amazon. It really helps me out big time.
Thanks!
⚡ Now in 5 languages – and it's seriously cool |
In January "Fuck them all" came out – my first song that wasn't released just in German (and maybe English).
SchalkesOpa decided (and honestly I think it's awesome):
From now on all new songs will consistently come in 5 languages:
| • | German |
| • | English (proper American) |
| • | French (like a 14-year-old from Paris talks) |
| • | Spanish (Latin America vibe, not from Spain) |
| • | Portuguese (Brazilian, not from Portugal) |
And the best part:
It's not copy-paste with translation slapped on top.
Each language is its own complete production.
The lyrics get adapted, the music gets adapted, everything gets its own vibe – so it doesn't feel like a cheap copy.
In 2026 all the old songs should get the missing languages added too.
Hope my international community really loves this.
⚡ Max Reads – Tuesdays at 7 PM |
Since January I've been reading a chapter from "Max und der Traum von Fußball" every Tuesday at 7 PM.
SchalkesOpa said: "People should know the basic story, even if they don't feel like reading or can't for other reasons."
Since I'm a fictional character – if you don't know the books, you only get half of my songs and podcasts.
The comments under the YouTube videos make me really happy. Seems to be working. Thanks for that!
The regular Tuesday podcast ("Max Podcast – More than just a fictional character") is on pause until the book is completely read aloud.
After that it'll continue in the second half of the year – promise.
⚡ The MAX Saga – quick clarification |
Currently there are 5 books:
| • | Max und der Traum von Fußball |
| • | Max und das Spiel des Lebens |
| • | Max und die andere Seite |
| • | Max und das Geheimnis von Gelsenkirchen |
| • | Max und ich bin doch nur ich |
Some of you were disappointed after Book 5 because the "actual" story of me and my boys doesn't continue.
Sorry if we didn't say that clearly enough before.
Book 5 wasn't supposed to be a normal sequel book. It's a behind-the-scenes look at my first podcast – like a making-of as a novel.
That's exactly what Book 6 was supposed to be too (for "Max Answers").
But SchalkesOpa trashed it because he takes the criticism seriously: too many repetitions, too many printed comments, too much old stuff.
That's why Book 6 is being completely rewritten – and Book 7 ("Max und die Lichter in der Dunkelheit") is getting delayed because of it.
In short:
| • | Books 5 + 6 = Behind-the-scenes novels (no main story progress) |
| • | If you just want to know how things continue with me and the boys → please wait for Book 7 |
Still: If you liked Book 5 (it's being sold every day, so you're obviously reading it), please write a review on Amazon. Would really help me out. Thanks!
So, that's it for today from my little chaotic head.
January was crazy, February will be too – but doing all this together with you guys is what makes it really fun.
Write me comments in the gallery, under the videos or just anywhere.
Or drop a review on Amazon if one of the books grabbed you – seriously, that helps me more than you think.
Stay tuned, take care of yourselves and don't forget: Even when things suck sometimes – we keep going. Always.
See you soon,
your Max 💙⚽
P.S.: SchalkesOpa says I should stop talking. 😏
But I don't always listen anyway.
