Latvian rights sold for Finlandia Prize-winning YA novel DEEP IN THE WOODS by Päivi Lukkarila!

We are thrilled to let you know that the Latvian rights for Deep in the Woods, the Finlandia Prize-winning YA novel by Päivi Lukkarila, have been acquired by Latvijas Mediji! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Latvijas Mediji are one of the leading publishers in Latvia. They currently publish approximately 100 new titles a year, mainly focusing on commercial fiction, historical literature, children’s and YA books, both original and translated.

Here are Latvijas Mediji’s thoughts on Deep in the Woods:

“The novel is simultaneously a story about nature, young people growing up, the ability to take responsibility, and also the ability to trust, all wrapped up in an intriguing and also frightening form.”
– Brigita Babre, editor, Latvijas Mediji, Latvia

Päivi Lukkarila’s novel about four teenagers who embark on a smartphone-free weekend wilderness trek was an immediate success with the Finnish critics and readers, with many praising its use of language, its depictions of the challenges young adults face in their lives, and its ominous atmosphere. Deep in the Woods was awarded the 2024 Finlandia Prize for Children’s and YA Literature and it has sold close to 10,000 copies to date!

With this latest sale, rights for this gripping YA novel have been sold to 4 territories!

Rights are still available in the UK, the US, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, France…

Download materials for DEEP IN THE WOODS here!

Deep in the Woods

Päivi Lukkarila

Four very different teens sent on a smartphone-free wilderness expedition… Finlandia Prize-winning and bestselling mystery story for 12+!

Luka feels like he’s in high school only to satisfy his parents. Why bother with something you’re not interested in?

Sabina’s relationship with Nella has ended. Nella liked her when she was just “conveniently” queer, girly and long-haired. Now that Sabina has decided to be who she always wanted to be, Nella has left her. How do the other three participants in the hike feel about her?

Nasim, from Nokia, dreams of studying literature and becoming a writer, but is constantly confronted with prejudice.

Joel is convinced that one day he’ll be a world-famous stand-up comedian. Comedy’s tough, and it’s easy to overdo it when you’re trying to make people laugh. Joel tells a very different story about his background. What’s real, and what is he making up?

The expedition is only supposed to last three days, but a fateful event changes everything and the teens have to survive in the wild without their guide. They try to entertain each other with ghost stories, and as they tell them, their own frightening childhood experiences come back to haunt them. There seems to be something creepy about their surroundings. What was it in there that spooked all the tourists and will the four be left to wander the wilds until their final days?