FILI translation and printing grants round opens on October 1, 2023!

We are happy to inform you that the FILI Fall 2023 grant application period opens on October 1st and will last until November 1st. Now is the right time to acquire your next Finnish title and author, and be ready to apply for the FILI translation grant!

FILI offers grants to support the translation of Finnish literature. These grants are intended for publishers outside Finland and are to be applied towards the translator’s fee. Grants are awarded for translating works of fiction and general non-fiction, children’s and young adult (YA) books, and comics and graphic novels from the Finnish, Finland-Swedish and Sámi languages. Grants are awarded to cover part of the translation cost, on average, 50 to 70 per cent. Grants are also available for printing costs for comics and graphic novels and for children’s picture books. Read more here: APPLY FOR THE FILI GRANTS

This is a perfect time to acquire exciting new Finnish titles – see some of our Fall highlights below, and browse our Fall 2023 Catalogue here: Ahlback Agency Fall 2023 Catalogue

The Logbook of Love

Elina Hirvonen

What’s love all about? In Elina Hirvonen´s new novel, The Logbook of Love, conversations about love form a sea of connections among people from wildly different backgrounds and places.

  • A novel for fans of Rachel Cusk, Jenny Offill and Deborah Levy

“This struggle between sadness and joy, the light and darkness of loving is felt in every chapter of the book.
Hirvonen writes about people beautifully and touchingly, greatly appreciating each and every one. The narrative is documentary-like, but it is beautified by a sense of relevance, warmth and presence. Despite its heavy world, the love log book is light and joyful.”

– Outi Hytönen in Suomen Kuvalehti newspaper

Request the English materials here

The Kristinestad Murders #1: Revenge

Kaisu Tuokko

The peace of the idyllic seaside town Kristinestad is broken in the first installment of an addictive new crime series.

  • A perfect mix of Nordic crime, love triangle drama, and the beautiful surroundings of the old coastal town of Kristinestad, Western Finland
  • Bestseller – 7000 copies sold in less than three months!

Perfect for fans of Viveca Sten and Camilla Läckberg, this opening of the new KRISTINESTAD MURDERS crime series follows in the footsteps of strong female crime authors, offering gripping crime plots and interpersonal drama.

“Tuokko’s narration is effortless. The life of youth with its crises also appears natural. The plot of Revenge [Book 1] keeps one in its grip, even surprising the reader. The crime is the size of one book, but the story of Eevi and Mats is left open by the author.”
– Sari Toivakka in Keskisuomalainen newspaper

Request the English materials here

Do You Follow? How to Have a Less Toxic Relationship with Social Media

Perttu Pölönen

The book that every social media user should read! The third book by popular speaker and sales success Perttu Pölönen!

  • Perttu Pölönen has studied future technologies at Singularity University think tank, based at NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, co-founded an edtech company in Myanmar and won EU’s biggest science competition for youth. In 2018, MIT Tech Review honored him among the 35 Innovators Under 35 in Europe.
  • Rights to Perttu Pölönen’s books sold in 8 territories

No one wants to be manipulated, but on social media we are constantly influenced without us noticing. Do we really understand what social media does to us? Could things be different?

Request the English materials here

CupOfTherapy series

Antti Ervasti and Matti

Internationally bestselling and easily approachable and comforting selfcare with a visual approach – created by an experienced Finnish psychotherapist and an award-winning illustrator

  • Selfcare for the Instagram generation!
  • Relatable and comforting illustrations of the human experience with all its struggles and wonders
  • With expert advice from a psychotherapist on how to deal with common struggles and experiences
  • Books sold 75,000 copies! Rights sold to 20+ countries! Bestseller in the MUJI stores in Japan!
Request the English materials here

The Vole And The Moon

Mila Teräs and Nora Surojegin

A charmingly sweet picture book about the beauty of living in the moment. Mila Teräs’ enchanting prose is accompanied by Nora Surojegin’s gentle illustrations.

  • Mila Teräs was awarded the prestigious Kaarina Helakisa Prize in 2023!
  • For fans of Leo Lionni’s Frederick
  • Books illustrated by Nora Surojegin have been translated into 10 languages.

The book tells of how important it is to stop: instead of the constant hurry and overachieving, it is important to pause and just exist without feeling guilty. At the same time, the book highlights what a wonder and secret life really is.

Request the English materials here

Stop Secret Mysteries: Stinker the Horrific Sock Monster

Ilona Ahti and Miila Westin

A funny middle-grade mystery series for fans of Roald Dahl

  • Miila Westin is a Finlandia Junior Prize winning illustrator (2020) and her books have been sold into 14 languages
  • Ilona Ahti is an award-winning TV and film script writer and co-writer of the Oscar nominated film Girl Picture
  • Independent sequel planned for 2024

The sock-trap has been set! A sock-monster, Stinker,  is on the loose!

In the opening of this charmingly funny middle-grade series, top-secret cases are being solved. Why are there only odd socks  in the cabinet, and where have the hairclips and remote controls vanished?

Request the English materials here

 


Charlotte Casiraghi has chosen Mia Kankimäki’s bestseller THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT for the CHANEL “Summer Readings with Charlotte Casiraghi” campaign!

We are beyond thrilled and excited to share that Mia Kankimäki’s international bestseller THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT (Simon & Schuster) and the French edition: CES HÉROINES QUI PEUPLENT MES NUITS (Gallimard, Folio)  were chosen for CHANEL’S “Summer Readings with Charlotte Casiraghi 2023” campaign! In this annual campaign, Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco, daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco, picks a selection of books that she recommends to read this summer.

For the summer 2023 selection, four books were chosen, and Charlotte Casiraghi was asked a question about each title.

In CHANEL’s video that you can access here, Charlotte Casiraghi was asked to describe THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT/ CES HÉROINES QUI PEUPLENT MES NUITS as a virtue and here is her answer:

Bravery. Because we’re borne aloft by the bravery of these women who inspire the author. And I must say she has a number of adventures thanks to these exceptional women.
– Charlotte Casiraghi about THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT

THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT has sold over 55,000 copies in Finland and has so far been sold into 21 territories. A TV series based on the book is in development by napafilms!

         

We have the full English translation for you to read – rights are still available in Spain, Portugal, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Greece, Romania, etc. !

Download the materials for THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT here!

Naiset joita ajattelen öisin
Otava, 2018, 448pp

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
ALBANIA: Muza
CHINA: Beijing Huaxia Winshare Books Co., Ltd.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Albatros Media / Motto
DENMARK: Bilgrav
ESTONIA: Varrak Publishers
FILM & TV RIGHTS: napafilms oy
FRANCE (paperback): Folio
FRANCE: Editions Leduc
GERMANY: BTB
HUNGARY: Kossuth
ITALY: Neri Pozza Editore
JAPAN: Soshisha
LATVIA: Zvaigzne ABC Publishers
LITHUANIA: Leidykla Gelmes
NETHERLANDS: Orlando
NORWAY: Gursli Berg Forlag
POLAND: Poznańskie
RUSSIA: Eksmo
SLOVENIA: Didakta
SWEDEN: Wahlström & Widstrand
UK: Simon & Schuster
USA: Simon & Schuster

Reading materials:
English edition

About author


Mia Kankimäki

Mia Kankimäki is the author of two best-selling books which blend travelogue, memoir, biography and women’s history. After taking a master’s degree in comparative literature at the University of Helsinki and working diligently in Finnish publishing, in 2010 she left her job and traveled to Japan to write her first book. Her books have received several literary awards, for example the Best Travel Book of the year 2013, the HelMet Award 2015, and Otava Book Foundation’s Non Fiction Award 2020. She currently lives in Helsinki, Finland, whenever she’s not traveling for her next book project.

Mia has been enthusiastic about Japanese culture for years, and is a qualified ikebana teacher of the Sogetsu school. Her first book Things That Make One’s Hear Beat Faster took her to Kyoto where she has spent long periods of writing and making research ever since. Kankimäki’s second book The Women I Think About at Night has sold over 54,000 copies in Finland and the translation rights have been sold to 20 territories, including USA and China.

Mia's both books have been aqcuired by Japanese publisher Soshisha:

"I am delighted to share that Mia Kankimäki’s debut title, THINGS THAT MAKE ONE’S HEART BEAT FASTER, is embraced and loved by many Japanese readers. A cross between an autobiography and a travelogue, the author finds an emotional connection with a woman geographically far apart and from a different era and tries to discover who she really was. I believe this style is reflected in THE WOMEN I THINK ABOUT AT NIGHT as well. Though some of the female figures in this second book might not be well-known locally, I am looking forward to seeing how our readers will react to their lifestyles." - Daisuke Watanabe, Editor, Soshisha

Bibliography


2018, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction

The Women I Think About At Night

Mia Kankimäki


2013, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction

Things That Make One's Heart Beat Faster

Mia Kankimäki

Find your book for the summer with Ahlback Agency!

Find your book for the summer with Ahlback Agency! 

We from Ahlback Agency want to wish you all a fantastic summer! And if you are still pondering which books should make your personal reading list this summer, we have a few recommendations for you!

Adult books:

Kids books: 

Are you looking for more recommendations? Why not try our new STORYFINDER tool and search by your own criteria!

Enjoy the summer! 


Spring 2023 FILI translation and printing grants applications open until May 1st!

We wish to let you know that FILI Spring 2023 grant application period will last until May 1st. Now is the right time to acquire your next Finnish title and author, and apply for the FILI translation grant!

The FILI grants are offered to support the translation of Finnish literature. The grants are intended for publishers outside Finland, to be applied towards the translator’s fee. Grants are awarded for translating works of fiction and general non-fiction, children’s and young adult (YA) books, and comics and graphic novels from the Finnish, Finland-Swedish and Sámi languages.

Grants are awarded to cover part of the translation cost, on average, 50 to 70 per cent. Grants are also available for printing costs for comics and graphic novels and for children’s picture books. Read more here: APPLY FOR THE FILI GRANTS

In the previous application period of Winter 2023, 80 projects received the FILI grant with over 125,000 EUR awarded in total! See the latest awarded projects here.
Remember that FILI also gives grants for reader’s reports – and they cna be applied for at any time! More information here.

This is a perfect time to acquire exciting new Finnish titles – see some of our Spring highlights below!

 

 

Follow the Butterfly

Martta Kaukonen

A Spiegel bestseller!

An addictive psychological thriller in the spirit of Gillian Flynn

Ida, 20, a serial killer who was abducted as a child, starts therapy with celebrity therapist Clarissa. Only one of them knows that they share a mutual secret from the past. Will the other one realize it before she gets murdered?

It’s exciting how the author succeeded in her novel to present the events as present, but the characters spoke to you as if they were reflecting on the events with us in a Netflix series. That was definitely the icing on the cake for me! [–] FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY [was] a real page turner. Every twist hits you cold and every solution you come up with is destroyed by the author in one sentence. A thriller that will take your breath away. You can no longer trust your own thoughts and the individual characters. Recommended reading for psychological thriller fans!
– Lisa Albrecht on academicworld.net, Germany

Request the English materials for FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY here

 

Inherited Land

Maria Turtschaninoff

“The book is beautiful like a piece of jewellery and rich like a forest.”
– Åbo Underrättelser

Inherited Land is an episodic work of literary fiction depicting human relationships with nature across generations, following in the tradition of family sagas like One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.

Inherited Land tells multiple enchanting stories about short human lives on a small farmstead in the north of Finland with its golden cloudberries and the mythical woodland animals. The hub of the narrative is a marsh close to the farmstead, and nature is the constant while humans are like dragonflies: here one day, gone the next. Across four centuries, the people face wars, epidemics, and heartbreaks, but from the woods they find shelter and a place to be themselves.

Inherited Land is a novel about the climate crisis without ever mentioning it by name. Instead, the novel explores what people have thought about their environment, how they have used it and why. The novel is a reminder of where we have come from, and what a relationship between humans and nature could look like in the future.

Request the English materials for INHERITED LAND here

 

The Logbook of Love

Elina Hirvonen
What’s love all about?

In her unique Finnish voice, award-winning author Elina Hirvonen has written a heartfelt and unforgettable novel about everything we love. In The Logbook of Love, conversations about love form a sea of connections among people from different backgrounds and places.

The narrator meets with friends and strangers, moves between the past and the present, shifts from country to country. Everywhere she goes, she talks with others about love: romantic love, the love for justice and human rights, marital love, the love of parents for children, the love that can bind friends from different cultures and backgrounds – and the love that, no matter how powerful it is, sometimes fails to bridge the gaps between people.

“From one of Finland’s most talented writers comes a beautiful, compelling and evocative novel about the universal power of love in its many diverse forms and voices, taking readers from Finland to Iraq, Malawi, Morocco, Spain, Zambia and points further afield.”

—Katja Pantzar, author of The Finnish Way, TarcherPerigee, Penguin Random House

Request the English materials for THE LOGBOOK OF LOVE here

 

The Black Mirror

Emma Puikkonen

Three women, three epochs and three destinies.

Nominated for Nordic Council Literary Prize 2023!

The Black Mirror is a magically beautiful novel about a world ran by oil.  And about the humankind who must take a look at the looking glass.

When Ida Tarbell is a child, black gold is springing from the ground in her hometown of Rouseville in the 1860s. When Lotte Teer is a child in 1973, people gather around on a picnic on an Amsterdam highway. Astrid Fuglesang has always dreamed of oil rigs and lands on one in the year 2028.

For millions of years, black liquid has hibernated beneath the earth and the ocean. When it is awoken, the humankind can no longer live without it. Ida, Lotte and Astrid are driven women whose fates are swayed by oil. Each of them takes control of it, in a way.

Request the English materials for THE BLACK MIRROR here

 

Ørja

Riikka Sandberg

A fateful novel about friendship, passion and secrets buried in the sea from the end of the occupation of Norway till the 1970s.

1952. A gigantesque mail carrier lives on the island of Ørja with her boat-building father. His last boat is left unfinished, and the daughter takes on the task. The boat is sold to an island-dweller who is the subject of many chilling rumors.

1976. Tine arrives in Ørja to put up a traveling cinema. But what is even more interesting than the projector, is the wire recorder she finds in the shed. It talks of a tragic past that the island community has kept silent about.

A rebel. A spouse. A savior. A friend. A lover. How many lives can one person live? What happens when they collide?

”The novel is filled with fantastic nature descriptions. The author has written it with such detail, that the reader can sense the rippling of waves on the pier and the stormy swelling of the sea against the harsh rocks. [–] The colourful nature descriptions accompany the bleak human destinies which the reader follows with excitement until the end.”
 Jari Olavi Hiltunen in Satakunnan Kansa newspaper

Request the English materials for ØRJA here

 

The Last Grudge

Max Seeck

The third installment in the NYT-bestselling series – Published in the US on February 7, 2023!

A prominent business executive Eliel Zetterborg is found brutally murdered in his home in Helsinki. The company he led has just announced drastic cutbacks and Zetterborg gained hundreds of enemies and death threats in the process.

But the murder motive become less clear, when the police finds out that the murderer had other targets as well. The only clue the police has is a photo of Zetterborg with three other men, whose faces are all scratched off. Who are the faceless men, and why can’t the police identify them? Are they other victims? Or something more sinister?

While Jessica Niemi suffers from a mental breakdown after her encounter with the witch coven, Jusuf gets a chance to lead the investigations and prove his skills as a police officer, while helping Jessica battle her demons that seem to come closer and closer…

Request the materials for THE LAST GRUDGE here

 

All The King’s Men

Elina Backman

Winner of the Storytel Audio book Award 2020 for the Best Crime Novel

Saana has been fired from her job as a click-bait journalist, so she decides to spend a summer with her aunt in a small town named Hartola. It sounds like a perfect opportunity to take it easy and recover. But when Saana begins to dig into the case of a teenage girl who died 30 years earlier, peace in the small town is shaken.

Meanwhile, in Helsinki, a fire-marked body is found at Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, and crime investigator Jan Leino and his team have a new case on their hands. However, the investigation isn’t going anywhere, and Jan fears that the murder at King’s Gate is just the beginning…

Saana and Jan continue working on their own cases until their paths cross – for more than one reason.

Request the materials for ALL THE KING’S MEN here

 

Sang

Elina Pitkäkangas

Winner of the Topelius Award 2023!

The state of Fusang is recovering from a war that ravaged the world. 16-year-old Kong Dawei, an earnest young man, is living in a poor mountain village and tries to pay his adopted siblings’ citizen dues by transporting contraband goods at night.

After a series of unfortunate events, Dawei ends up in the southern capital which is ruled by the cruel matriarch of the White Tiger Clan. When there is nothing else to lose, Dawei has only one goal: to get back to his loved ones, his brother Ren and his friend and love interest Dray– whatever it takes.

Sang is an addictive fantasy novel that travels through cold mountains and humid cities, noisy bazaars and opulent halls, and the world after the Black Rain, in which one’s value is measured in money.

Request the materials for SANG here

 

Leadership as Mastery: The Finnish Way

Asko Känsälä

Lead like a Finn! The Finnish way of leadership combines art and craftsmanship, like the great Finnish master architect Alvar Aalto.

Leadership is often thought of as a quality of the individual, but in this LEADERSHIP AS MASTERY we learn it is more of an art form to be mastered. We develop to be an exceptional leader through cycles of practice and reflection, just like the mastery of any other complex skill.
– Jeffrey K. Liker, PhD, author of international bestseller The Toyota Way

Request the English materials for LEADERSHIP AS MASTERY here

 

Terapiassa
WSOY, March 2021, 407 pp.
Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
CROATIA: Znanje
CZECHIA: Albatros Media
DENMARK: Forlaget Falco
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
GERMANY: Heyne
GREECE: Psichogios
HUNGARY: Partvonal Kiadó
LATVIA: Jumava
LITHUANIA: Obuolys
POLAND: Czarna Owca
WORLD ENGLISH: Pushkin Press, Audible (audio)
Reading materials:
Full English manuscript

 

 

Arvejord
Förlaget, August 2022, 371 pp.
Rights sold:
FINLAND: Förlaget (orig. Finland-Swedish), Tammi (Finnish), SWEDEN: Förlaget
AZERBAIJAN: Alatoran
BULGARIA: Izida
CROATIA: HENA COM
CZECHIA: ARGO
DENMARK: Alpha Forlag
ESTONIA: Rahvat Raamat
FRANCE: Éditions Paulsen
GERMANY: Rowohlt
HUNGARY: L’Harmattan
ISRAEL: Hakibbutz Hameuchad – Sifriat Poalim Publishing House
ITALY: Bompiani
NETHERLANDS: Uitgeverij Atlas Contact
NORWAY: Bonnier Norsk Forlag
POLAND: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie
ROMANIA: Editura Univers
WORLD ALBANIAN: Shkupi Publishing House
WORLD ENGLISH: Pushkin Press
Reading materials:
English sample and synopsis
Swedish PDF

 

 

Rakkauden lokikirja
WSOY, August 2023, 250pp.
Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig).
Reading materials:
English sample, Finnish ms May/June 2023

 

Musta peili
WSOY, 2021, 287 pp.
Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY(orig.)
Reading materials:
English sample and synopsis, Swedish manuscript

 

Ørja
Otava, February 2023, 395 pp.
Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
Reading materials:
English sample and synopsis

Kauna
Tammi, 2021, 390 pp.
Rights sold:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ALBANIA: Muza
BULGARIA: EMAS
DENMARK: Gutkind
ESTONIA: Pegasus
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe
HUNGARY: Animus Kiadó Kft.
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
NETHERLANDS: A.W.Bruna
NORWAY: Aschehoung
SWEDEN: Albert Bonniers Förlag
UK: Welbeck
USA & CANADA: Berkley / Penguin Random House
WORLD ARABIC: Arab Scientific
TV RIGHTS: Stampede Ventures
Reading materials:
English edition

 

Kun Kuningas Kuolee
Otava, 2020, 495 pp.
Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava(orig.)
CZECH REPUBLIC: Grada
DENMARK: Gyldendal
ESTONIA: Varrak Publishers
FRANCE: HarperCollins France
GERMANY: Piper
HUNGARY: Maxim
ITALY: Newton Compton
LITHUANIA: BALTO
NETHERLANDS: Cargo
NORWAY: Cappelen Damm
POLAND: Czarna Owca
ROMANIA: Lebada Neagra
RUSSIA: Mann, Ivanov and Ferber
SLOVAKIA: Arkus Vydavatelstvo
SWEDEN: Bokfabriken
FILM & TV RIGHTS: Aurora Studios
Reading materials:
German & Italian editions

 

Sang
WSOY, 2022, 496 pp.
Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava(orig.)
DENMARK: Straarup & Co
TURKEY: Indigo Kitap
Reading materials:
English sample & synopsis

 

 

Johtajasta mestariksi
Tammi, January 2023, 174 pp.
Rights sold:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
Reading materials:
English manuscript


Happy Crime Easter!

It’s (almost) Easter and we at Ahlback Agency are inspired by a great Norwegian tradition: påskekrim –  Easter Crime! Yes, Easter season means crime novel release season in Norway and what better way to celebrate this occasion than with our Ahlback Agency spring 2023 crime highlight title: FOREVER WITH YOU by Erika Vik.

We now have a book trailer for this exciting psychological thriller debut in which Nordic Noir meets Goth Rock:

 

FOREVER WITH YOU will be published in Finland next week, on April 14th. We have an English sample and synopsis available.

Praise:

“A dark, skillfully written rock thriller in which the author knows the world, and the details of which will linger in the reader’s mind.”

– Otava Crime Novel Competition, Honorary Award

Download FOREVER WITH YOU here. 

About author


Erika Vik

Erika Vik (b. 1982) is an award-winning author, illustrator and producer of the LANU! literature festival. She loves rock music, fennec foxes and the feel of wind on her face – still, she'll never again sail on the North Sea when the storm is rising.

Vik was born in Hyvinkää, a small town in southern Finland. Vik has a Master of Arts degree. She's also the creator and producer of LANU!, an awarded virtual literature festival, targeted for children, teenagers and young adults. The annual festival has been held since 2020, and Vik has produced and filmed several short documentaries for the festival.

Before writing Forever With You, Vik has written three popular YA fantasy titles, which are loved by a wide audience and received the Kuvastaja honorable mention as an excellent complete fantasy series.

Vik's fourth novel, a psychological thriller Forever With You (Luonasi ikuisesti) was published in April 2023. The fast-paced novel with a dense atmosphere takes place in the brutal world of goth rock and dark desires. Forever With You is Vik's debut in adult fiction.

Bibliography


2023, Crime & Suspense

Forever With You

Erika Vik

Introducing two new fiction authors for Ahlback Agency!

We are very happy to announce representation of two exciting new authors for our spring 2023 fiction list!

Please join us in welcoming the Nordic Council Literature Prize 2023 nominated Emma Puikkonen and critical acclaimed debut author Riikka Sandberg to Ahlback Agency!

You can read more about Emma and Riikka’s works below and we are looking forward to discussing their books with you in London and virtual meetings!

Photo: Jonne Räsänen

Riikka Sandberg: Ørja

Riikka Sandberg (b. 1989) is a Finnish author who grew up in the midst of boatsheds and the sea breeze. She studied Finnish and Creative Writing at the University of Turku and currently teaches at the University of Helsinki. Sandberg’s debut book Ørja was published in February 2023 and has been described as a thoughtfully constructed novel in which the fjords and the churning sea set a grand stage.

Sandberg is inspired by the Nordic languages, history and nature, and the fictional isles in her debut novel Ørja were inspired by a small and rugged Norwegian island to where she retreated alone to write. Eventually she carried out research for her novel in Norway, the Faroe Islands and the Finnish Lapland and archipelago. Sandberg considers it important to write about women who are, for one reason or another, cast out or have themselves left the society or their community, and about those who have forgotten to live their own truth.

 

Ørja (Ørja, Otava, February 2023) – Upmarket fiction

A fateful novel about friendship, passion and secrets buried in the sea from the end of the occupation of Norway till the 1970s.

1952. A gigantesque mail carrier lives on the island of Ørja with her boat-building father. His last boat is left unfinished, and the daughter takes on the task. The boat is sold to an island-dweller who is the subject of many chilling rumors.

1976. Tine arrives in Ørja to put up a traveling cinema. But what is even more interesting than the projector, is the wire recorder she finds in the shed. It talks of a tragic past that the island community has kept silent about.

A rebel. A spouse. A savior. A friend. A lover. How many lives can one person live? What happens when they collide?

Reading material: English sample + synopsis

 

Photo: Meri Björn

Emma Puikkonen: The Black Mirror 

Emma Puikkonen (b. 1974) is one of Finland’s foremost contemporary prose writers. Her works explore highly topical themes and phenomena, of which climate change has recently become the most important. She is a trained drama instructor who also teaches the literary arts and theatre.

Her work Eurooppalaiset unet (2016) was nominated for the Finlandia and Export Prizes, and an earlier novel, Lupaus (2019), met with critical acclaim. Her novel Musta peili (2021) (“The Black Mirror”, not published in English) was nominated for the Runeberg Prize and has been nominated for the 2023 Nordic Council Literature Prize.

The Black Mirror (Musta peili, WSOY, September 2021) – Literary Fiction

Nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize 2023!

Three women, three epochs and three destinies

The Black Mirror is a magically beautiful novel about a world ran by oil.  And about the humankind who must take a look at the looking glass.

When Ida Tarbell is a child, black gold is springing from the ground  in her hometown of Rouseville in the 1860s. When Lotte Teer is a  child in 1973, people gather around on a picnic on an Amsterdam  highway. Astrid Fuglesang has always dreamed of oil rigs and lands  on one in the year 2028.

For millions of years, black liquid has hibernated beneath the earth and the ocean. When it is awoken, the humankind can no longer live without it. Ida, Lotte and Astrid are driven women whose fates are  swayed by oil. Each of them takes control of it, in a way.

Reading material: Swedish manuscript available, English sample + synopsis: April 2023

About author


Emma Puikkonen

Emma Puikkonen (b. 1974) is one of Finland’s foremost contemporary prose writers. Her works explore highly topical themes and phenomena, of which climate change has recently become the most important. She is a trained drama instructor who also teaches the literary arts and theatre.

Her work Eurooppalaiset unet (2016) was nominated for the Finlandia and Export Prizes, and an earlier novel, Lupaus (2019), met with critical acclaim. Her novel Musta peili (2021) (“The Black Mirror”, not published in English) was nominated for the Runeberg Prize and has been nominated for the 2023 Nordic Council Literature Prize. 

About author


Riikka Sandberg

Riikka Sandberg (b. 1989) is a Finnish author who grew up in the midst of boatsheds and the sea breeze. She studied Finnish and Creative Writing at the University of Turku and currently teaches at the University of Helsinki. Sandberg’s debut book Ørja was published in February 2023 and has been described as a thoughtfully constructed novel in which the fjords and the churning sea set a grand stage.

Sandberg is inspired by the Nordic languages, history and nature, and the fictional isles in her debut novel Ørja were inspired by a small and rugged Norwegian island to where she retreated alone to write. Eventually she carried out research for her novel in Norway, the Faroe Islands and the Finnish Lapland and archipelago. Sandberg considers it important to write about women who are, for one reason or another, cast out or have themselves left the society or their community, and about those who have forgotten to live their own truth.

Emmi Itäranta wins Tähtivaeltaja Award and Saara Turunen goes to #1 on the Finnish Bestseller List!

Fantastic news from the Fantasy world: with her book MOONDAY LETTERS, Emmi Itäranta has received The Tähtivaeltaja Award for the Best Finnish Science Fiction Book 2020!

According to the jury composed of experts, MOONDAY LETTERS has a style that is clear and crisp and very fluent. The jury says: “The author’s strong vision of the solar system shows us the direction we are heading at. Simultaneously it poses the question: are we changing while our everyday and our place of living change and what kind of a price are we paying for all this.” “Another poignant theme in the book is ecology. The vista into a collapsed and abandoned crust that humans have sucked empty, is cautionary and prophetic. This makes MOONDAY LETTERS astutely topical.”

Praise:

“Itäranta’s language is beautiful, and depictions almost poetic. The story grows, as emotions, clues, past, secrets and truth open like flowers. The plot flows forward and the mystery keeps readers hooked up. And it is a pleasure to read.” – Helsingin Sanomat newspaper

Download full English manuscript

With her fresh new novel IRRATIONAL THINGS, Saara Turunen tops the official Finnish Bestseller list and goes to No.1

Praise:

“We are honored to be the first foreign publishers of this masterly Work by Saara Turunen. We believe that its subject is a matter of great relevance in the face of the modern life-style and the readers will relate with and feel for the main heroine.”-Ieva Savukynaitė-Dubicka, BALTO, Lithuania

Download materials from here.


Only 2 weeks left to apply to FILI translation grants from Finnish and Finland Swedish!

Apply now:
The unique translation grant system in Finland gives you an opportunity to finance your translation costs up to 70%  read more here:  https://fili.fi/en/grants/

The Spring application period started on 1st of April and will be closed on 1st of May.

Please note that only translations from Finnish or Finnish-Swedish to foreign languages will be supported.

Translators:
We will advise you to find the best possible translators, and in some cases, you can also translate from English.  Find more information about translators here: https://kaantopiiri.fi/en/search-translators/

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MOONDAY LETTERS
Teos, 2020

Rights sold:
FINLAND Teos (orig.)

Reading materials:
Full English manuscript

 

 

IRRATIONAL THINGS
Tammi, 2021

Rights sold:
FINLAND:Tammi (orig.)
LITHUANIA: Balto

Reading materials:
Long English sample, synopsis

About author


Emmi Itäranta

Emmi Itäranta (b.1976) holds two MA degrees, one in Drama and another in Creative Writing. Her award-winning debut novel Memory of Water (Teemestarin kirja) was published in Finland in 2012 to great accolades, followed by The Weaver (Kudottujen kujien kaupunki) in 2015. Her latest novel The Moonday Letters was published in September 2020.

Itäranta’s writing has been compared to that of Ursula K. Le Guin. Her honours include the Young Aleksis Kivi Prize 2013, the Kalevi Jäntti Literary Prize 2012 and first place in the Teos Fantasy and Sci-Fi Literary Contest 2011.

Memory of Water has sold to over 25 languages to date, and it has also been nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award, the Arthur C. Clarke Award recognizing the best science fiction novel published in the UK in 2014, and the Golden Tentacle award. In addition, Itäranta has been included on the Honor List of the Otherwise Award (formerly James Tiptree, Jr. Award). 

Itäranta’s cv is an eclectic mix of writing-related activities, including stints as a columnist, theatre critic, press officer and dramaturge. Her poems, short stories, articles and essays have appeared in anthologies, film magazines and science fiction magazines in the UK and Finland. She now lives in Finland after 14 years in the United Kingdom.

About author


Saara Turunen

Saara Turunen is an internationally acclaimed award-winning author, playwright and director. Much of her work examines the themes of art, identity and social norms. Turunen is known for her three highly acclaimed novels - Irrational Things (2021), The Bystander (2018) and Love/Monster (2015), but also for her work in theatre. Her plays have been translated into 15 languages and performed all around the world. Turunen was awarded with the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize in 2015, with the Finland Prize in 2016, with the City of Helsinki’s The Artist of the Year Award in 2018 and with the Lea-Prize in 2020, all high-profile awards given in Finland.

Her latest novel Irrational Things (2021) became an immediate bestseller and a critical darling. It has already sold over 20,000 copies in Finland.

Norstedts acquires Swedish rights to Death in Sunset Grove by Minna Lindgren!

The prestigious Swedish publishing house Norstedts has acquired the rights to Minna Lindgren’s Death in Sunset Grove. The trilogy has been a great success in Finland and abroad and sold several reprints, the Swedish deal representing its 11th sold territory.

“Lately I have acquired books that deal with people in old age and different aspects of love and death. To these novels I can now count Death in Sunset Grove in which we get to know the three lovely little ninety-year-olds, Irma, Siiri and Anna-Liisa, and take part in their dealings with head-nurse and director at Sunset Grove. The three delightful creatures go about life light-heartedly, although their lives are full of death, funerals, illnesses and abuse of power. The critical and satirical way with which Minna Lindgren depicts old people’s care in today’s Scandinavia, with all its privatisations and profit-making businesses, makes you laugh in all its absurdity.  And of course the reader can’t wait for Irma, Siiri and Anna-Liisa to take their revenge on the head-nurse and the director, since the reader feels that they have become ones friends. Let Irma, Siiri and Anna-Liisa rule the world!” – Gunilla Sondell, editor, Norstedts

About the book:
Siiri, Irma and Anna-Liisa are best friends and the queen bees of the retirement community Sunset Grove. When their comfortable world is upturned by a suspicious death at the community, they are shocked into doing something about it. Determined to find out exactly what happened and why, they begin their own private investigations.

Click here for the English edition of Death in Sunset Grove!

RIGHTS SOLD: 
FINLAND, Teos (Original publisher)
CZECH REPUBLIC, Albatros Media
DENMARK, Jensen & Dalgaard
ESTONIA, Varrak
GERMANY, Kiepenheuer & Witsch
FRANCE, Calmann-Lévy
ITALY, Marsilio
SLOVAKIA, Albatros Media
SPAIN, Penguin Random House
SWEDEN, Norstedts
WORLD ENGLISH, Pan Macmillan

READING MATERIALS:
English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian editions of book 1
English synopses of books 1-3
French, Spanish, Italian, and Finnish editions of books 1-3

About author


Minna Lindgren

Minna Lindgren (b. 1963) is a freelance journalist and columnist known for her whimsical writing style and fearless approach to topics as strange as opera and death. In addition to novels, she has authored nonfiction books on classical music. In 2009 Lindgren won the Bonnier Journalism Prize for her article entitled “Father’s Death” (“Isän kuolema”).

Lindgren is best known for the Sunset Grove trilogy, which has been sold to 17 territories, and the final part, The End of Sunset Grove, was nominated for the International Dublin Literature Award in 2019. She has also written three standalones: Angry Widow (2018), A Far Far Love (2019) and Hope Never Dies (2020).

Minna Lindgren’s books have been critical and commercial successes, in Finland and internationally.

Bibliography


2020, Literary Fiction, Humor

Hope Never Dies

Minna Lindgren


2019, Literary Fiction, Humor

A Far, Far Love

Minna Lindgren


2018, Literary Fiction, Humor

Angry Widow

Minna Lindgren


2015, Literary Fiction, Humor

The End of Sunset Grove

Minna Lindgren


2014, Literary Fiction, Humor

Escape from Sunset Grove

Minna Lindgren


2013, Literary Fiction, Humor

Death in Sunset Grove

Minna Lindgren

Monster Nanny sold to Slovenia!

The biggest Slovenian publisher Mladinska knjiga has acquired Tuutikki Tolonen’s wild middle-grade fantasy Monster Nanny alongside its sequel Monster Route. Mladinska’s list includes children’s classics from Astrid Lindgren and Roald Dahl to contemporary authors like Dav Pilkey. The beloved Monster Nanny duology is now sold in 14 territories!

Monster Nanny is a warm and engaging story, written with humour and wit. Children will love the oddness of the strange nannies and enjoy the thrill in uncovering the mystery that surrounds them.” — Alenka Veler, editor, Mladinska knjiga

A blend of Where the Wild Things Are and Mary PoppinsMonster Nanny tells the story of a contemporary family whose daily routines are turned upside-down when a hairy, swamp-smelling creature said to be specializing in childcare shows up at their doorstep.

Click here for the full English text of Monster Nanny!

RIGHTS SOLD:
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi
CHINA (simplified Chinese), Beijing Children’s Publishing House
ESTONIA, Tiritamm
FRANCE, Editions Robert Laffont (two-book-deal)
GERMANY, Carl Hanser Verlag (two-book-deal)
HUNGARY, Tessloff Babilon (two-book-deal)
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
NETHERLANDS, Luitingh-Sijthoff (two-book-deal)
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
SLOVENIA, Mladinska knjiga (two-book-deal)
SPAIN (Spanish), La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan), La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren (two-book-deal)
WORLD ENGLISH, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

About author


Tuutikki Tolonen

Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award.  Her inspiration for the Monster Nanny trilogy sparked during a family breakfast. “My son Leo, then six, said: ‘I heard on the radio yesterday that all moms have to go on vacation and monsters will take their places,” she says.

Her other bestselling series is the Agnes-series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2021 nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Award, received an honorable mention for the Runeberg Junior Award, and won the Luku Varkaus Award. Tolonen tells that the inspiration for Agnes comes for her interest for weird and inexpicable tales, ghost stories and mysteries: "I wanted to write  book my daughter Aili, then nine, would like to read - not too long, not too scary, but very curious."

Bibliography


2022, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Agnes and the Shadow in the Window

Tuutikki Tolonen


2021, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Agnes and the Mysterious Manor

Tuutikki Tolonen


2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Monster Message

Tuutikki Tolonen


2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Agnes and the Garden of Dreams

Tuutikki Tolonen


2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Monster Route

Tuutikki Tolonen


2015, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Monster Nanny

Tuutikki Tolonen

The City of Woven Streets by Emmi Itäranta published in the UK!

Emmi Itäranta’s sophomore novel The City of Woven Streets has been published in the UK by Harper Voyager. After her prize-winning debut Memory of Water the expectations have been high and The City of Woven Streets fulfills them gracefully:

“This is her second novel and it’s a cracker – a book of almost hypnotic beauty set in a dreamlike world of a city that is constantly awash with ebbing and flowing tides. – – Fans of Margaret Atwood will adore this book as will those who revel in China Mieville’s extraordinary imagination. Itaranta is a name to watch.” – Lovereading.co.uk

The City Of Woven streets is far more a work of literary fiction than just another mass-produced genre piece. There’s no setup to cash in on an epic series, just a single tale told expertly and eloquently, with compelling characters and a unique style, often thought-provoking and more importantly, entertaining.” – Eamo the Geek website

See also Itäranta’s interview with Civilian Reader blog here.

The City of Woven Streets will be published in the United States in November 2016 as The Weaver.

Itäranta’s first novel, Memory of Water has been sold to 22 territories to date. We are glad to announce the newest deal: the Lithuanian rights have been sold to Nieko Rimto. Congratulations!

Contact the agency for the English editions of Memory of Water and The City of Woven Streets!

READING MATERIAL:
MEMORY OF WATER

English edition
Finnish edition

READING MATERIAL:
THE CITY OF WOVEN STREETS
English edition
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
MEMORY OF WATER
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
WORLD ENGLISH, HarperCollins
ARABIC, Dar Al Muna
BRAZIL, Record
BULGARIA, Perseus
CZECH, Albatros Media/Plus
DENMARK, Turbine
ESTONIA, Koolibri
FRANCE, Place des Editeurs
GEORGIA, Palitra L Publishing
GERMANY, DTV/Reihe Hanser
HUNGARY, Metropolis Media
ITALY, Sperling & Kupfer
JAPAN, Nishimura Shoten
KOREA, The Book in My Life
LATVIA, Janis Roze
LITHUANIA, Nieko Rimto
NORWAY, Gresvik Forlag
RUSSIA, Text Publishers
SPAIN, Ediciones B.
SWEDEN, Modernista
TURKEY, Dogan Egmont
FILM RIGHTS, Bufo

RIGHTS SOLD:
THE CITY OF WOVEN STREETS

WORLD ENGLISH, HarperCollins
BRAZIL, Record
FRANCE, Place des Editeurs
GEORGIA, Palitra L Publishing
HUNGARY, Metropolis Media
JAPAN, Nishimura Shoten

 

About author


Emmi Itäranta

Emmi Itäranta (b.1976) holds two MA degrees, one in Drama and another in Creative Writing. Her award-winning debut novel Memory of Water (Teemestarin kirja) was published in Finland in 2012 to great accolades, followed by The Weaver (Kudottujen kujien kaupunki) in 2015. Her latest novel The Moonday Letters was published in September 2020.

Itäranta’s writing has been compared to that of Ursula K. Le Guin. Her honours include the Young Aleksis Kivi Prize 2013, the Kalevi Jäntti Literary Prize 2012 and first place in the Teos Fantasy and Sci-Fi Literary Contest 2011.

Memory of Water has sold to over 25 languages to date, and it has also been nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award, the Arthur C. Clarke Award recognizing the best science fiction novel published in the UK in 2014, and the Golden Tentacle award. In addition, Itäranta has been included on the Honor List of the Otherwise Award (formerly James Tiptree, Jr. Award). 

Itäranta’s cv is an eclectic mix of writing-related activities, including stints as a columnist, theatre critic, press officer and dramaturge. Her poems, short stories, articles and essays have appeared in anthologies, film magazines and science fiction magazines in the UK and Finland. She now lives in Finland after 14 years in the United Kingdom.

Bibliography


2020, Fantasy & Science Fiction

Moonday Letters

Emmi Itäranta


2015, Fantasy & Science Fiction

The Weaver

Emmi Itäranta


2012, Fantasy & Science Fiction

Memory of Water

Emmi Itäranta

Salla Simukka’s Sisterland sold to Latvia!

simukkanewsSalla Simukka’s wonderful Sisterland, the middle-grade fantasy novel echoing The Snow Queen and Alice in Wonderland, has been sold to Zvaigzne in Latvia! Zvaigzne is also the publisher of Simukka’s 52-territories-selling YA thriller, the Snow White Trilogy, and they are happy to continue the collaboration with her new novel for younger audiences.

Rights to Sisterland are available: click here for the English sample and synopsis of Sisterland!

World English rights to Sisterland were pre-empted last week by Random House USA/Crown Books: “…Just as she has shown in her As Red As Blood teen series, Simukka continues to prove that she is one of today’s most talented children’s writers.” –  Phoebe Yeh, VP, Publisher, Crown Books for Young Readers

Also Simukka’s Macedonian publisher Bata Press has acquired the rights for the second and the third installment in the Snow White Trilogy – As White As Snow and As Black As Ebony. Congratulations!

About Sisterland:
The 11-year-old Alice falls through the snow and lands in the summery world of Sisterland – and in a much-awaited adventure! In the heart of Sisterland lies a garden full of all kinds of peculiar creatures: wind faeries, dream weavers and asking flowers. Together with her new friend Marissa they must find the queen who rules Sisterland to end the snowfall in their own world.

The Finnish edition will be published by Tammi in October 2016 with delicate black-and-white illustrations by Saku Heinänen.

About the author:
Salla Simukka (b. 1981) is one of Finland’s most internationally successful authors and a winner of the Finland Prize and Topelius Prize. She writes books for young adults and children, and travels the world talking about them.

RIGHTS SOLD: Sisterland
FINLAND, Tammi (Original publisher)
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
UNITED STATES, Random House

About author


Salla Simukka

Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 52 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013.  Where It All Begins, published in 2022, is her first novel for adults

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences.  She has written books for young adults and children, and now also for adults, and travels the world talking about them.

Bibliography


2022, Literary Fiction

Where It All Begins

Salla Simukka


2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

In the Dark I Can Be Yours

Salla Simukka


2020, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Detained

Salla Simukka


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Turn off the Lights! Turn on the Lights!

Salla Simukka


2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Sisterland

Salla Simukka


2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As Black as Ebony

Salla Simukka


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As Red as Blood

Salla Simukka


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As White as Snow

Salla Simukka


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Elsewhere

Salla Simukka


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Without a Trace

Salla Simukka

Random House U.S. pre-empts Sisterland by Salla Simukka!

simukkanewsWe’re very proud to announce that Random House in the U.S. has acquired the World English rights of Sisterland by Salla Simukka in a pre-empt.

The Crown Books for Young Readers, imprint of Random House Children’s Books, will also newly publish Simukka’s YA hit, The Snow White Trilogy: As Red As Blood, As White As Snow and As Black As Ebony, which is sold in over 52 territories. Now they are spellbound by Sisterland, the middle-grade fantasy novel, echoing The Snow Queen and Alice in Wonderland:

“It is so wonderful that now Salla Simukka brings her richly evocative voice to middle grade readers. Sisterland is magical writing at its best.  When readers enter into the Garden of Secrets, they will be treated to a mysterious fantasy world full of whimsy and wonder, the stunning backdrop for an adventure that will test the bounds of courage and the bonds of friendship and loyalty.  Just as she has shown in her As Red As Blood teen series, Simukka continues to prove that she is one of today’s most talented children’s writers.
–  Phoebe Yeh, VP, Publisher, Crown Books for Young Readers

About the book:
The 11-year-old Alice falls through the snow and lands in the summery world of Sisterland – and in a much-awaited adventure! In the heart of Sisterland lies a garden full of all kinds of peculiar creatures: wind faeries, dream weavers and asking flowers. Together with her new friend Marissa they must find the queen who rules the Sisterland to end the snowfall in their own world.

The Finnish edition will be published by Tammi in October 2016 with delicate black-and-white illustrations by Saku Heinänen.

About the author:
Salla Simukka (b. 1981) is one of Finland’s most internationally successful authors and a winner of the Finland Prize and Topelius Prize. She writes books for young adults and children and travels the world talking about them.

With these wonderfully happy news the Agency is thrilled to celebrate its 7th Anniversary and warmly congratulates Finland’s most internationally acclaimed author, translated in 52 territories, the Finland Prize winner, Salla Simukka!

Click here for the English sample and synopsis of Sisterland!

RIGHTS SOLD: Sisterland
FINLAND, Tammi (Original publisher)
UNITED STATES, Random House

RIGHTS SOLD: The Snow White Trilogy
FINLAND, Tammi (Original publisher)
ALBANIA, Botime B-Books
ARAB WORLD, Arab Scientific
ARGENTINA, Nuevo Extremo
AZERBAIJAN, Qanun
BELGIUM, Clavis
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA, BTC Sahinpasic
BRAZIL, Novo Conceito
BULGARIA, Egmont
CANADA (French), Hachette Livre
CATALAN, La Galera
CHINA, Modern Press
CROATIA, Znanje
CZECH REPUBLIC, Egmont
DENMARK, Gyldendal
ESTONIA, Pegasus
FAROE ISLANDS, Bókadeildin
FRANCE, Hachette Livre
GEORGIA, Bakur Sulakauri
GERMANY, Arena
GREECE, Metaixmio
HUNGARY, Athenaeum
ICELAND, Forlagid
INDONESIA, Gramedia/Bhuana Ilmu Populer
ISRAEL, Yedioth
ITALY, Mondadori
JAPAN, Nishimura
KOREA, Gimm Young
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA, Alma Littera
MACEDONIA, Bata Press
MALAYSIA, Buku Fixi
MONTENEGRO, BTC Sahinpasic
NETHERLANDS, Clavis
NORWAY, Gyldendal
POLAND, Foksal/WAB
PORTUGAL, Presença
ROMANIA, Trei
RUSSIA, Eksmo
SERBIA, Vulkan
SLOVAKIA, Verbarium
SLOVENIA, Mladinska
SPAIN, La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TAIWAN, Emily Publishing
THAILAND, Nanmee Books
TURKEY, Altin Kitaplar
UNITED KINGDOM & COMMONWEALTH, Hot Key Books
UNITED STATES & CANADA, Random House
VIETNAM, Alpha Books

About author


Salla Simukka

Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 52 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013.  Where It All Begins, published in 2022, is her first novel for adults

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences.  She has written books for young adults and children, and now also for adults, and travels the world talking about them.

Bibliography


2022, Literary Fiction

Where It All Begins

Salla Simukka


2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

In the Dark I Can Be Yours

Salla Simukka


2020, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Detained

Salla Simukka


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Turn off the Lights! Turn on the Lights!

Salla Simukka


2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Sisterland

Salla Simukka


2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As Black as Ebony

Salla Simukka


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As Red as Blood

Salla Simukka


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As White as Snow

Salla Simukka


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Elsewhere

Salla Simukka


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Without a Trace

Salla Simukka

New author Max Seeck debuts with The Angels of Hammurabi

seecknewsWe are excited to announce that the agency has signed a new author, Max Seeck. The newcomer’s debut thriller The Angels of Hammurabi has created unparalleled buzz before its August publication and praised as gripping, unputdownable, and simply – cool.

The story centers around Daniel Kuisma, a military intelligence officer, and Annika Lehto, a Foreign Office analyst who are sent to investigate the disappearance of an employee of the Finnish Embassy in Zagreb. The investigation gets complicated when the mysteries start to unravel: something hidden happened in Daniel Kuisma’s days as a peacekeeper during the Yugoslav Wars. Everything seems to boil down to a group called The Angels of Hammurabi. Who are they – and who is killing them off, one by one?

“Sometimes, very rarely though, while reading an unpublished manuscript, you get a feeling of astonishment and disbelief: this is too good to be true, this has to be a skillful modification of something already published. But you just cannot put your finger on exactly which books and authors.
The further I went into the manuscript, this feeling was completely replaced by another notion. No, this is too skillful. Too well written. Too original. Very aware of the thriller and crime fiction tradition, yes, but has effectively went a long way into its own powerful direction.
My years in publishing have made me cautious of the saying “I could not put it down”. I wish I could have been able to say it more often. When it is true, you definitely want to share it with other people. Because you are certain they will enjoy it too.”

— Hannu Harju, Publishing Manager of Finnish Fiction, Tammi Publishers

Max Seeck (b. 1985) works in sales and marketing during the day and writes thrillers in the night-time. The Angels of Hammurabi is his first novel.

READING MATERIALS:
Finnish manuscript
English synopsis
English sample coming soon!

Click here to request reading materials!

About author


Max Seeck, New York Times Best Selling Author

Max Seeck - New York Times Bestselling Author of THE WITCH HUNTER.

Winner of the prestigious Glass Key Award 2023 for his novel THE LAST GRUDGE. 

“Another star has been added to the firmament of thriller writers,” announced Iltalehti newspaper, when Max’s debut novel was published in 2016. Four years and four books later, Max Seeck’s novels have been sold to more than 40 countries, including US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries and as far as Korea!

His debut trilogy following protagonist Daniel Kuisma sold over 40,000 copies in Finland. His new Jessica Niemi series landed him on the New York Times Bestseller list! In Faithful Reader, AKA The Witch Hunter (US title), book 1 of the Jessica Niemi series, Helsinki Police Detective Jessica Niemi hunts an occultist serial killer. In Evil’s Net, AKA Ice Coven, Jessica and her team follow clues hidden on Instagram to solve the disappearance of a young influencer and a manga artist.

Max Seeck has a background in sales and marketing, and has lately been able to dedicate his time to his lifelong love of writing. His interests include well-conducted research, reading Nordic Noir and listening to movie soundtracks as he writes.

Bibliography


2024, Crime & Suspense

Milo

Max Seeck


2022, Crime & Suspense

Ghost Island

Max Seeck


2021, Crime & Suspense

The Last Grudge

Max Seeck


2020, Crime & Suspense

The Ice Coven

Max Seeck


2019, Crime & Suspense

The Witch Hunter

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Mephisto Touch

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Call of Hades

Max Seeck


2016, Crime & Suspense

Angels of Hammurabi

Max Seeck

Q & A with Katri Lipson about Detroit, love, dreams and ice-hockey

We had a chance for a chat with the author of the critically acclaimed Detroit, Katri Lipson. The story of unrequited love, set in the world of NHL, was published in Finland in March. The versatile author’s previous novel, The Ice-Cream Man, was awarded the 2013 European Union Prize for Literature, and sold to 11 territories. Now she’s back with an examination of shattered dreams: Detroit.

What made you choose NHL as the setting of Detroit?
– Ice hockey has been my burning passion since I was a little girl and NHL is the best, toughest and most magical professional sports league in the whole universe. My first novel Cosmonaut was a story about two Russian boys dreaming of space travel, where as inDetroit I asked myself how the dream of two young men would look like in North America.

Your novels have taken place in various locations, for example in the Czech Republic, in the Soviet Union and now in the U.S. Do you think that some themes are universal, or do nations differ from each other when it comes to love, for example?
– Love is naturally an example of an endless, universal theme. It is so huge that over and over again it has to be examined in various circumstances and environments, which all bring new aspects to our existence, identity, sexuality, gender issues, etc. The locations in my novels are very important, almost as protagonists themselves, and many times they are locations of my own personal history.

You have been praised for your narrative style. Sometimes it’s been described as cinematic, sometimes compared to the Russian masters. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
– Definitely from my characters. Each time, in a wonderful and merciless way, they force me to learn a totally new dance, and that is probably why my novels are so different from each other. Each time I am struck by these odd and wild souls with their seemingly distant worlds, but each time during the writing process they manage to show me why they chose me to tell their story, which, to my horror or exultation, turns out to be my story, too.

Your books have been awarded prizes, translated into foreign languages and praised by critics and readers alike. What goals do you still have on your career you’d want to achieve?
– My goal is to be a guinea pig. I want language to make mysterious, impossible and illegal experiments with me. I want to go somewhere I was not supposed to go.

Contact the agency for the English sample & synopsis of Detroit: info@ahlbackagecy.com!