MY FRIEND NATALIA published in the US as a paperback!

We’re excited to share the news that Laura Lindstedt’s MY FRIEND NATALIA has just been published as a paperback in the US!

Published by prestigious W.W. Norton / Liveright, and translated by award-winning David Hackston, MY FRIEND NATALIA has been listed as The New York Times Editor’s choice, and the review in New York Times is exciting:

“— This is the book’s tease, that Natalia — eccentric, unruly, compelling — will be definitively “solved.” But she’s not a dramatic principal, not a thing able to fire real bullets. This was her psychologist’s figure of speech and as such probably tells us more about the psychologist than the patient. The deeper, indeed more layered, mystery is, it emerges, the novel’s chimerical narrator. — Laura Lindstedt’s sly, intriguing novel.” -Hermione Hoby, New York Times 

Download the full English manuscript for MY FRIEND NATALIA here

The rights have eben sold to 13 countries, but are still available in Denmark, Spain, Czech Republic, Turkey, Bulgaria, Latvia, China, Spain, Iceland, Japan etc.

This provocative Finnish author enters the fray of American literature (thanks to translation from David Hackston) with a racy, wonderfully weird novel about a therapist’s sessions with a sex-obsessed woman.”  Entertainment Weekly

“Hypnotic. . . [A] surprisingly suspenseful story touching on psychology, philosophy, and sex.”
Arianna Rebolini, Buzzfeed

“Throughout the novel, Natalia riffs on Sartre, Beauvoir, and others, baiting the psychologist with sexually charged critiques of patriarchal philosophy.” ― Publishers Weekly


MY FRIEND NATALIA
by Laura Lindstedt

Natalia cannot stop thinking about sex. A mesmerizing tale of one woman’s potent affliction by award-winning Finnish writer Laura Lindstedt. Narrated by an unnamed, ungendered therapist who leaps at the chance to employ their most experimental methods, My Friend Natalia offers a gripping examination of the power dynamics always present but rarely ever spoken about in therapy. “Something flared within me,” the therapist notes, “and it wasn’t merely sympathy, the emotion I feel for most of my clients. It was more like a sudden experience of harmony, wholly inappropriate given the circumstances.”


Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. She is currently revising her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015) is a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death. Oneiron has continued Lindstedt’s critical success, earning her the coveted 2015 Finlandia Prize. Lindstedt’s latest novel My Friend Natalia has been a critical success and the rights have been sold to 13 territories.

Ystäväni Natalia
Teos, 2019, 240pp

RIGHTS SOLD:

FINLAND: Teos (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat AS
FRANCE: Gallimard
GERMANY: DTV
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
ITALY: Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA: BALTO
NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM: De Bezige Bij
NORWAY: Oktober
ROMANIA: Humanitas Fiction
SWEDEN: Norstedts
USA: W.W. Norton / Liveright

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Excellent French praise for Laura Lindstedt’s MON AMIE NATALIA

We are extremely happy to share some excellent praise from France for one of Finland’s most dynamic novelists, Laura Lindstedt and her novel Mon Amie Natalia – My Friend Nataliaan erotic story of an ambitious therapist’s sessions with an unforgettable patient.

“Laura Lindstedt has written a very successful second novel that takes us into the heart of a therapy.” “A fascinating and original text.” “A text that asks real questions about female sexuality and the place of women in society.” – Maria Ferragu, Page

“Irreverent, caustic, original, full of artistic references”
– Virginie Bloch-Lainé, Libération

”Little by little this strange psychotherapy is bearing its fruit. Natalia liberates herself…/… Through it, the author analyzes the stereotypes of the caregiver and the patient, the balance of power and the stereotypes of gender and identity with impertinence and subtlety.” – Jean-Paul Gavard-Perret, Salon Litteraire

Download the full English manuscript and praise sheet for MY FRIEND NATALIA by clicking here

PRAISE

“Sly, intriguing…. The deeper, indeed more layered, mystery is, it emerges, the novel’s chimerical narrator.” – Hermione Hoby, New York Times Book Review

“Lindstedt’s novel reads like the love child of a pornographer and a high theorist: Derrida meets Anaïs Nin…/ Bawdy and beguiling.” – Kirkus Reviews

“This novel is about the subtle division of power. The one who has the words has the power. And the great storyteller in this setting is Natalia. The therapy sessions are a celebration of literature and art (think Niki de Saint Phalle, Georgia O’Keeffe, but also the tragedies of Greek mythology). Natalia plays an intellectual game about the appropriation of stories.” –Het Parool, Netherlands

WATCH LAURA DESCRIBE THE CREATIVE PROCESS BEHIND HER NOVEL

MY FRIEND NATALIA
by Laura Lindstedt

Natalia cannot stop thinking about sex. A mesmerizing tale of one woman’s potent affliction by award-winning Finnish writer Laura Lindstedt. Narrated by an unnamed, ungendered therapist who leaps at the chance to employ their most experimental methods, My Friend Natalia offers a gripping examination of the power dynamics always present but rarely ever spoken about in therapy. “Something flared within me,” the therapist notes, “and it wasn’t merely sympathy, the emotion I feel for most of my clients. It was more like a sudden experience of harmony, wholly inappropriate given the circumstances.”

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Teos (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat AS
FRANCE: Gallimard
GERMANY: DTV
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
ITALY: Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA: BALTO
NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM: De Bezige Bij
NORWAY: Oktober
ROMANIA: Humanitas Fiction
SWEDEN: Norstedts
USA: W.W. Norton / Liveright

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Today Elina Ahlback Literary Agency celebrates its 12th anniversary!

The story of the Elina Ahlback Literary Agency began in Manhattan, New York, in February 2009. While Elina’s son was skating in the skate park under the Brooklyn Bridge, the courageous decision to establish the agency was made — with its mission to build bridges between authors and publishers worldwide and with its passion to internationalize Finnish literature.

Elina Ahlback Literary Agency is Finland’s leading and first independent, international literary agency representing Finnish and Nordic authors’ and illustrators’ book, film & TV rights in international markets. The Agency also represents U.S. publishers and their authors exclusively in the Nordic countries.

We are enormously proud of the authors we have the honor to represent and  are celebrating with some of the best praises for our excellent authors and titles this Spring:

A New York Times Bestseller

Translated with icy precision, by Kristian London, is written in short, sharp, present-tense chapters, a technique which adds to its relentless tension.

– The Wall Street Journal on
The Witch Hunter by Max Seeck

 

 

 

 

 

Best Book of the Month

This provocative Finnish author enters the fray of American literature (thanks to translation from David Hackston) with a racy, wonderfully weird novel about a therapist’s sessions with a sex-obsessed woman.

– Entertainment Weekly on
My Friend Natalia by Laura Lindstedt

 

 

 

Best Travel Book of Year 2021

Packed with emotions, this book is like reading a travelogue, feminist’s manifesto and a self-help guide in one.

– The Independent on
The Women I Think About at Night by Mia Kankimäki

 

 

 

 

Best Debut Novel of the Year

By pushing her character into a crisis, a writer can sometimes observe the abyss of the mind. How eloquently we are led from the drama of a crisis into facing the questions of domination and subjugation. The intense mood is amplified by the close-knit style of expression. The general impression of this dense novel follows along the same lines as the communication between the characters: it surely is cold but it does emit some heat.

– Parnasso on
Arctic Mirage by Terhi Kokkonen

 

 

Winner of a National Crime competition 2019

Finland is the new Mecca of crime fiction. You need proof? Just read the first novel by A.M. Ollikainen. I couldn’t imagine a better start for a series. CARGO is outstanding.

– Marco Schneiders, Publishing Director, Bastei Lübbe on
Cargo by A.M.Ollikainen

 

 

 

Winner of The Best Crime Fiction Novel in 2020

This art detective thriller that is constructed around the masterpiece by Michaelangelo Caravaggio moves fluidly forward like an Italian little criminal on his scooter. The twists and turns are swift and the plot as intricate as the Sicilian courtly etiquette; yet the tranquil pace of the narration allows the reader to stay on board.

– KMV Magazine on
Lead White by Jyrki Erra

 

 

 

A national bestseller

Miika Nousiainen’s FACELIFT is first and foremost a fantastic humorous novel full of wit and charming characters. Moreover the author does not shy away from more serious issues and offers a refreshing perspective on many clichés and stereotypes. Reading Facelift is an experience not to be forgotten.

– Lucie Bregantová, Host Publishing on
Facelift by Miika Nousiainen

 

 

 

Winner of the Storytel Audio book Award 2020 for the Best Crime Novel
Winner of Elisa Kirja Book Award, Best Newcomer 2020

Our first impression after reading this wonderful book is ‘It is such a fascinating and engaging read, that your biggest challenge will be putting the book down.’ Scandinavian landscapes, 30-years old mystery, investigation, all the atmosphere – ideal mix. We even felt the True Detective vibes! We liked the masterful parallel storylines, the formed author`s style, and, of course, the perfect ending!

– Sofia Shramko, Mann Ivanov Ferber on
All The King’s Men by Elina Backman

 

A national bestseller

The title of this book immediately caught my eye, but it’s rare that a book delivers beyond its clever name. This book does. It’s an entertaining, thought-provoking read about the world we live in and the companies that, when unchecked, will shape our future.

– Joost van den Ossenblok, A.W. Bruna on
The 50 Most Dangerous Companies by Juha-Pekka Raeste and Hannu Sokala

 

 

 

An immediate national bestseller

Love is not – although abstruse – irrational….These two things, the search for love at the same time as you are escaping from it and the process of observing and describing it, are at the core of Irrational Things. — Little by little, all these irrational things are presented by Turunen to the reader in her endearing way that takes notice of the smallest details. Time flies, the narrator changes and becomes more and more aware. As a cunning writer, Turunen has fooled the reader into fearing how a distant relationship can survive. And suddenly, I as a reader, realize that all the while I’ve been following an artist’s development story.

– Suvi Ahola, Helsingin Sanomat on
Irrational Things by Saara Turunen

About author


A.M. Ollikainen

A. M. Ollikainen is a pseudonym for author duo Aki and Milla Ollikainen. Aki Ollikainen has published three novels and won the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize in 2012. He has also been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and Prix Femina in 2016. Milla Ollikainen has published three crime novels and won Like Publishing and the Finnish Detective Society’s Crime novel writing competition in 2012. Cargo is their first novel together and the Winner of a National Crime Novel Competition. 

About author


Elina Backman

Elina Backman is an author and a media & marketing professional living in Helsinki. Elina loves books (all sorts), traveling, cycling and is a host of a Book & Wine Club. She is a creative soul with a commercial mind, and her goal is to find readers globally.

Her debut novel All the King's Men was published in 2020 and immediately gained an enormous amount of attention from the Finnish media, including a praising review by the biggest daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. The Havas series is now a best-selling series in Finland and an international TV series is in development. Elina's books have sold over 100 000 copies in Finland.

Together with Heidi Holmavuo, Elina has also narrated the true crime podcast Ratkaisematon (Unsolved), which turned into a full-length audio book as the two crime writers started investigating the murder of a young girl in 1955. They were able to uncover new evidence and their research led the police to reopen the investigation. This story is narrated in the book Unsolved - The Case of Elli Immo.

About author


Juha-Pekka Raeste & Hannu Sokala

Juha-Pekka Raeste covers international and domestic business for Helsingin Sanomat, the biggest newspaper in Finland. He focuses on the biggest corporations and the IT industry.

Hannu Sokala has worked as a financial journalist for over 30 years, starting at the daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat and, lastly, as an investigative reporter for the Finnish National Broadcasting Company YLE. He enjoys digging into the biggest banks and corporations and the most powerful industries.

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

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.

Big Hollywood film & TV news coming soon!

“An exceptional combination of hardboiled Scandi-noir and eerie ghost story. [--] Seeck marries breathtaking suspense with an expertly drawn heroine. This is guaranteed to send shivers up even the most unshakable readers’ spines." – Publisher's Weekly, starred review (Ghost island)

"Each new step has been an artistic success. Max Seeck, last year's winner of the Glass Key Award for best Nordic detective story, has a golden touch for Finnish suspense fiction." - Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

“Another star has been added to the firmament of thriller writers,” announced Iltalehti newspaper, when Max’s debut novel was published in 2016. 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 Jessica Niemi series landed him on the New York Times Bestseller list! 2024 will see the release of his independent novel MILO, which is already creating buzz internationally with several rights pre-empts ahead of the Finnish publication!

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.

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 55,000 copies in Finland and the translation rights have been sold to 21 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

About author


Miika Nousiainen

Miika Nousiainen (b. 1973 in Säynätsalo) has worked as a news and current affairs journalist for MTV3's news department. In addition, he has written for several popular TV-shows.

Nousiainen’s debut novel, Raspberry Boat Refugee (2007), tells the story of Mikko Virtanen, a man who desperately wants to become Swedish at any cost. In this tragicomic work, Nousiainen makes sharp observations about our western neighbor and illustrates that we’re all self-proclaimed experts on Sweden.

Roots (2016) follows the search for a missing father, taking readers across continents from Lieksa, Finland, to Australia. The book was also well-received internationally.

In Facelift (2020), Nousiainen gently explores themes of family and the longing for connection.

In addition he has written The Danger of the Long Distance Runner (2009) and Forrest Giant (2011). 

Nousiainen's novels have been adapted countless times and translated into languages such as Swedish, German, Dutch, Italian, and Estonian.

Miika Nousiainen have been awarded with: Laila Hirvisaari Foundation Grant (2008), Kalevi Jäntti Prize (2009) and Honorable Mention in the Sports Museum Foundation’s Sports Book of the Year Competition (2010)

About author


Terhi Kokkonen

Terhi Kokkonen (1974) is a Helsinki-based musician and pop lyricist. She is known for the band Scandinavian Music Group, as well as being one of the singers of the band Ultra Bra. Kokkonen has studied dramaturgy at the Theater Academy and screenwriting and film editing at the Department of Cinematography and Stage Design at Aalto University. Arctic Mirage is her debut novel, and it was awarded as the best debut novel of 2020.

Excellent start for ONEIRON in Poland! Interview with Laura Lindstedt

Excellent start for Oneiron in Poland!

Watch the interview with the author Laura Lindstedt and translator Sebastian Musielak!

We are extremely happy to let you know that Laura Lindstedt’s ONEIRON, which in 2015 won the most prestigious literary prize in Finland – the Finlandia prize – has now been published in Poland by Wydawnictwo Poznańskie to excellent reviews!

The novel introduces seven women in a white, undefined space seconds after their deaths.
None of the women can remember what happened to them, or how they got there.
Lindstedt plays with genres from essay to poetry, transitioning from humor to rage – while asking her reader to contemplate the question of death’s inevitability and what follows it.

The book has sold to 14 territories, but the rights are still available in Estonia, Russia, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Iceland, China, Japan, etc. 

Download the full English manuscript here.

The first Polish reviews are in and they are really positive:

The novel about small, almost transparent moments and decisions that made our lives. /../
Although Lindstedt is playing with imagination, building a new, post-death world, I get the feeling that what she wants really to write about is the way we live

– Sylwia Chutnik, writer

We can debate on whether „Oneiron” is about the collective memory of one sex, or if it is the history of memory stigmatisation by means of who we’ve been and what we’ve experienced as a certain sex. One thing is for sure: Lindstedt’s womanhood is power and mystery
– Jarek Czechowicz, independent literary blogger

The thing is, what causes the women’s death, and how they died. Here the main part plays the male power, which manifests itself in different ways (…) but Lindstedt does not give us the accusatory vision of the world as seen by the victims. Her heroines are strong, determined to fight for themselves and their goals. With no regrets.
– literary critic Maciej Kijko

The author Laura Lindstedt also just had a a very fascinating interview with her Polish translator Sebastian Musielak about Oneiron, which you can re-watch on Youtube (in English).


ONEIRON
by Laura Lindstedt
Seven women meet in a white, undefined space seconds after their deaths. Time, as we understand it, has ceased to exist, and all bodily sensations seem to have disappeared.

None of the women can remember what happened to her, or how she got there. Performance artist Shlomith from New York, chief accountant Polina from Moscow, heart transplant patient Rosa Imaculada from Brazil, upper-class Nina from Marseilles who is expecting twins, Wlbgis from the Netherlands, who suffers from throat cancer, Senegalese Maimuna, who dreams of a career as a model, and Austrian teenager, Ulrike. They don’t know each other. They don’t know why they are there – or where they are. In turn they try to remember, to piece together the fragments of their lives, their identities, their lost loves, and to pinpoint the moment they left their former lives behind.

Lindstedt plays with genres from essay to poetry, transitioning from humour to rage – while asking her reader to contemplate the question of death’s inevitability and what follows it. As also in Lindstedt’s acclaimed debut novel ScissorsOneiron addresses the challenges of communication on several levels.

 

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. She is currently revising her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015) is a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death. Oneiron has continued Lindstedt’s critical success, earning her the coveted 2015 Finlandia Prize. Lindstedt’s latest novel My Friend Natalia has been a critical success and the rights have been sold to 12 territories

RIGHTS SOLD:

FINLAND: Teos (orig.)
BULGARIA: Faber
DENMARK: Rosinante & Co
FRANCE: Gallimard
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
ITALY: Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA: Versus Aureus
NORWAY: Oktober
POLAND: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie
ROMANIA: Editura Paralela 45
SPAIN: Armaenia Editorial
SWEDEN: Norstedts
TURKEY: Everest Yayınları

WORLD ENGLISH: Oneworld Publications

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

An Evening with Laura Lindstedt, the “Rock Star” of Finnish Literature

An Evening with Laura Lindstedt, the “Rock Star” of Finnish Literature

We are really happy to invite you to join us for an evening with Finlandia-winning author Laura Lindstedt, the “Rock Star” of Finnish Literature, discussing her globally-acclaimed new novel MY FRIEND NATALIA with critic and writer Bethanne Patrick.

Register here for the virtual event in Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-laura-lindstedt-the-rock-star-of-finnish-literature-tickets-153531907067?aff=ebdssbeac

                                                                                                   

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

New York Times recommends Laura Lindstedt’s US debut

Laura Lindstedt Drawing Accolades with MY FRIEND NATALIA

Finland’s most dynamic novelists, Laura Lindstedt, bursts onto the American literary scene with her novel MY FRIEND NATALIA – an erotic story of an ambitious therapist’s sessions with an unforgettable patient. The novel is published by prestigious W.W. Norton / Liveright, and translated by award-winning David Hackston. MY FRIEND NATALIA is already listed as The New York Times Editor’s choice! In addition, the review of the book in New York Times is exciting:

“— This is the book’s tease, that Natalia — eccentric, unruly, compelling — will be definitively “solved.” But she’s not a dramatic principal, not a thing able to fire real bullets. This was her psychologist’s figure of speech and as such probably tells us more about the psychologist than the patient. The deeper, indeed more layered, mystery is, it emerges, the novel’s chimerical narrator. — Laura Lindstedt’s sly, intriguing novel.” –Hermione Hoby, New York Times 

You can read the NYT review here.

MY FRIEND NATALIA is already Entertainment Weekly’s Best Book of The Month’ & ’20 Must-read Books of the Month’

“This provocative Finnish author enters the fray of American literature (thanks to translation from David Hackston) with a racy, wonderfully weird novel about a therapist’s sessions with a sex-obsessed woman.”Entertainment Weekly, 1.3.2021

MY FRIEND NATALIA is praised in BuzzFeed as one of ‘Spring Books We Couldn’t Put Down’

Laura has yesterday been interviewed by Shelf-Awareness where she reveals some secrets about what’s inspired her. Check the article from here.

Scandinavia House in New York City will host AN EVENT on Saturday 10 April for a book talk with Laura Lindstedt and translator David Hackston on MY FRIEND NATALIA, the author’s U.S. debut. The event will take place as a Zoom webinar; please ask questions in the chat or send them in advance to  info@amscan.org. Registration is required; please sign up through the link here.

The exciting literary novel will be published in 13 territories, but the rights are still available in Denmark, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Latvia, China, Spain, Iceland, Japan etc.

Download the full English manuscript and praise sheet for MY FRIEND NATALIA by clicking here

MY FRIEND NATALIA
by Laura Lindstedt
Natalia cannot stop thinking about sex. A mesmerizing tale of one woman’s potent affliction by award-winning Finnish writer Laura Lindstedt. Narrated by an unnamed, ungendered therapist who leaps at the chance to employ their most experimental methods, My Friend Natalia offers a gripping examination of the power dynamics always present but rarely ever spoken about in therapy. “Something flared within me,” the therapist notes, “and it wasn’t merely sympathy, the emotion I feel for most of my clients. It was more like a sudden experience of harmony, wholly inappropriate given the circumstances.”

 

AUTHOR

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. She is currently revising her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015) is a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death. Oneiron has continued Lindstedt’s critical success, earning her the coveted 2015 Finlandia Prize. Lindstedt’s latest novel My Friend Natalia has been a critical success and the rights have been sold to 13 territories.

 

 

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Teos (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat AS
FRANCE: Gallimard
GERMANY: DTV
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
ITALY: Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA: BALTO
NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM: De Bezige Bij
NORWAY: Oktober
ROMANIA: HUMANITAS S.A
SWEDEN: Norstedts
USA: W.W. Norton / Liveright

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

MY FRIEND NATALIA by Laura Lindstedt published in the US today

We are extremely happy, as today is the US publication day for one of Finland’s most dynamic novelists, Laura Lindstedt, who bursts onto the American literary scene with her novel My Friend Natalia – an erotic story of an ambitious therapist’s sessions with an unforgettable patient. The novel is published by prestigious W.W. Norton / Liveright, and translated by award-winning David Hackston.

“My Friend Natalia” has already received amazing pre-reviews, and is selected by Entertainment Weekly as the Best Book of the Month in March 2021. 

“Throughout the novel, Natalia riffs on Sartre, Beauvoir, and others,baiting the psychologist with sexually charged critiques of patriarchal philosophy.”  – Publishers Weekly

“Lindstedt’s novel reads like the love child of a pornographer and a high theorist: Derrida meets Anaïs Nin. Ultimately, this is as much a novel about language as it is about sexuality or psychology, and translator Hackston has performed a virtuosic task capturing the Finnish pyrotechnics in English.” – Kirkus Reviews

“This provocative Finnish author enters the fray of American literature (thanks to translation from David Hackston) with a racy, wonderfully weird novel about a therapist’s sessions with a sex-obsessed woman.”  – Seija Rankin, Entertainment Weekly, ‘Best New Books of March’

“I was tremendously impressed by My Friend Natalia. . . . Laura Lindstedt has a very Finnish take on sophistication (downbeat, deadpan), is disconcerting, dissonant, peerless in deferred resolution, a blithe dissolver of the regular association of ideas. Why did I not use lockdown to learn Finnish? Why?”
– Helen DeWitt, author of The Last Samurai

“Smart, dark, funny, and weirdly exhilarating, Laura Lindstedt’s My Friend Natalia is both pitched on the brink and absolutely alive. An absorbing discourse of sex, power, and boundaries, in sentences that lift like music.”
– Paul Lisicky, author of Later: My Life at the Edge of the World


MY FRIEND NATALIA
by Laura Lindstedt

Natalia cannot stop thinking about sex. A mesmerizing tale of one woman’s potent affliction by award-winning Finnish writer Laura Lindstedt. Narrated by an unnamed, ungendered therapist who leaps at the chance to employ their most experimental methods, My Friend Natalia offers a gripping examination of the power dynamics always present but rarely ever spoken about in therapy. “Something flared within me,” the therapist notes, “and it wasn’t merely sympathy, the emotion I feel for most of my clients. It was more like a sudden experience of harmony, wholly inappropriate given the circumstances.”


Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. She is currently revising her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015) is a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death. Oneiron has continued Lindstedt’s critical success, earning her the coveted 2015 Finlandia Prize. Lindstedt’s latest novel My Friend Natalia has been a critical success and the rights have been sold to 13 territories.

RIGHTS SOLD:

FINLAND: Teos (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat AS
FRANCE: Gallimard
GERMANY: DTV
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
ITALY: Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA: BALTO
NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM: De Bezige Bij
NORWAY: Oktober
ROMANIA: HUMANITAS S.A
SWEDEN: Norstedts
USA: W.W. Norton / Liveright

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Excellent US praise for Laura Lindstedt’s MY FRIEND NATALIA – An Entertainment Weekly Best Book of the Month in March 2021

We are extremely happy to let you know that one of Finland’s most dynamic novelists, Laura Lindstedt bursts onto the American literary scene with her novel My Friend Natalia – an erotic story of an ambitious therapist’s sessions with an unforgettable patient –  and is selected by Entertainment Weekly as the Best Book of the Month in March 2021. Translation by award-winning translator David Hackston.

W.W. Norton/Liveright publication date is March 23. Read more on their website.

The exciting literary novel will be published in 13 territories, but the rights are still available in Denmark, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Latvia, China, Spain, Iceland, Japan etc.

Download the full English manuscript and praise sheet for MY FRIEND NATALIA by clicking here


US PRE-PUBLICATION PRAISE

Throughout the novel, Natalia riffs on Sartre, Beauvoir, and others, baiting the psychologist with sexually charged critiques of patriarchal philosophy.
– Publishers Weekly


I was tremendously impressed by My Friend Natalia. . . . Laura Lindstedt has a very Finnish take on sophistication (downbeat, deadpan), is disconcerting, dissonant, peerless in deferred resolution, a blithe dissolver of the regular association of ideas. Why did I not use lockdown to learn Finnish? Why?
– Helen DeWitt


Smart, dark, funny, and weirdly exhilarating, Laura Lindstedt’s My Friend Natalia is both pitched on the brink and absolutely alive. An absorbing discourse of sex, power, and boundaries, in sentences that lift like music.
– Paul Lisicky, author of Later: My Life at the Edge of the World


This provocative Finnish author enters the fray of American literature (thanks to translation from David Hackston) with a racy, wonderfully weird novel about a therapist’s sessions with a sex-obsessed woman.
-Seija Rankin, Entertainment Weekly, ‘Best New Books of March’


Lindstedt’s novel reads like the love child of a pornographer and a high theorist: Derrida meets Anaïs Nin. Ultimately, this is as much a novel about language as it is about sexuality or psychology, and translator Hackston has performed a virtuosic task capturing the Finnish pyrotechnics in English. Lindstedt may not be looking to make an exact analogy between the work of therapy and the work an artist does, but it’s hard not to read this as an ars poetica: ‘If you talk a lot,’ the therapist says, ‘the sorrow might permanently change shape.’ Bawdy and beguiling.
– Kirkus Reviews

 


MY FRIEND NATALIA
by Laura Lindstedt

Natalia cannot stop thinking about sex. A mesmerizing tale of one woman’s potent affliction by award-winning Finnish writer Laura Lindstedt. Narrated by an unnamed, ungendered therapist who leaps at the chance to employ their most experimental methods, My Friend Natalia offers a gripping examination of the power dynamics always present but rarely ever spoken about in therapy. “Something flared within me,” the therapist notes, “and it wasn’t merely sympathy, the emotion I feel for most of my clients. It was more like a sudden experience of harmony, wholly inappropriate given the circumstances.”


Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. She is currently revising her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015) is a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death. Oneiron has continued Lindstedt’s critical success, earning her the coveted 2015 Finlandia Prize. Lindstedt’s latest novel My Friend Natalia has been a critical success and the rights have been sold to 12 territorie

Ystäväni Natalia
Teos, 2019, 240pp

RIGHTS SOLD:

FINLAND: Teos (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat AS
FRANCE: Gallimard
GERMANY: DTV
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
ITALY: Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA: BALTO
NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM: De Bezige Bij
NORWAY: Oktober
ROMANIA: HUMANITAS S.A
SWEDEN: Norstedts
USA: W.W. Norton / Liveright

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

EALA Spring 2021 Fiction Rights Guide

We are happy and proud to share our spring 2021 Fiction Rights Guide and announce amazing new titles from bestselling crime to award-winning literary fiction and heartwarming feel-good!

Browse our full Spring 2021 Fiction Rights Guide here.

 


Cargo by A.M. Ollikainen
Winner of National Crime Novel Competition

The first in a fast-paced and addictive Nordic Noir series. A.M. Ollikainen is Finland’s Lars Kepler!

A cargo container is found in Helsinki with a dead body inside.The container and the property where it’s found belongs to one of the most notorious businessmen in Finland. As Police Commissioner Paula Pihlaja begins to investigate the case, traces lead back to the businessman’s family, revealing decades of suspicious business ventures in Africa.

Reading materials coming in April

 

Bad Blood (Jessica Niemi #3) by Max Seeck
New York Times Bestselling Author
A prominent business executive Eliel Rosenström is found brutally murdered in his home in Helsinki. 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 Rosenström 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?

Full English coming in September

 

Still Waters Run Deep by Elina Backman
A standalone sequel to All the King’s Men
Is evil lurking beneath the calm waters? Three young men are making a documentary film about a mystical hermit, living in the Isle of Sheep in Helsinki. First one of them disappears, then another one. When one of them is found dead in the nearby nature reserve, the police becomes involved.

Download the English synopsis from here

 

 Bechi by Koko Hubara

A groundbreaking debut novel from one of the most interesting authors of the generation. This is the story of a simultaneously close and destructive relationship between a mother and a daughter, and of a desire to belong somewhere while also wanting to break free.

Bechi is in her thirties, and lives in Helsinki, where she is trying to finish her master’s thesis. Her mother Shoshana is a writer of Yemeni Jewish heritage. Her autobiographical novel shocked readers in Finland, but she has also burned all the bridges between her family in Israel.

When Bechi tells her mother about her pregnancy, many years of tension come to a head. How can two people remember everything so differently? More importantly, what are the things that they would rather forget?

English sample coming soon!

 

Irrational Things by Saara Turunen

Autofictive story of love, death and life between two countries. Turunen’s funny, witty and melancholic voice examines the contradiction of sense and sensibility.

What if you are in love with a good man – a man you have always wanted to fall in love with? But what if this man lives in one country and you in another? Should you be sensible and leave the man to be free and independent? Or should you follow your heart, burn the bridges behind, and go after him?

Download 100-page English sample & synopsis from here

 

Homestead by Ann-Luise Bertell
Finlandia Prize and Runeberg Award Nominee 2020
When Elof is ten years old, his father dies, leaving him and his little brother Ivar alone at the mercy of their relatives. Elof learns that he must never show fear, especially not in front of others and never to his wife Olga, whom he never really gets close to. Pride is the most important thing to Elof, as is their homestead, Heiman, which is all the family has ever truly owned.

Download English sample and synopsis from here or request the Swedish ms

Arctic Mirage by Terhi Kokkonen
Winner of the Debut Novel competition 2020

Literary mystery with a “Twin Peaks” vibe set in Finnish Lapland.

Karo and Risto go on holiday in Lapland to give themselves time to fix their stressful marriage. However, on their way back home, they’re involved in a car accident and are subsequently forced to stay at the only accommodation in the area; Hotel Arctic Mirage. Once inside, they find that the hotel has a rather strange atmosphere and it starts to have a peculiar effect on them. Karo begins to doubt her own memories and tries her best to escape the snowbound hotel holiday village whereas Risto starts to feel strange and refuses to leave.

Download English sample and synopsis from here

 

My Friend Natalia by Laura Lindstedt
US Debut in March 23rd, 2021 by W.W. Norton/Liveright

A bold, and brave novel about young woman’s sexuality, the power of narration, and identity.

Natalia starts to see a therapist to help solve the problems in her sex life. It is clear from the beginning that she is not going to play by the rules of the therapy. The weekly sessions combine art, philosophy, literature, childhood memories, and erotic experiences as a method of treatment, and slowly they make Natalia lose all her inhibitions. She starts to enjoy the therapy – maybe too much?

Download the full English pdf from here

 

Charming Duke by Sara Medberg

Bridgerton meets Jane Austen in 19th century Sweden

The lady of Blackthorn Castle, beautiful Arabella, has been widowed and fallen into poverty. In the midst of all adversity, she is encouraged by Jane Austen’s literary heroines. However, the shadows of the past won’t leave Arabella alone: she encounters a dazzling English duke who claims to know a fatal secret about Arabella’s late spouse.

Download the English synopsis from here – sample coming soon

About author


A.M. Ollikainen

A. M. Ollikainen is a pseudonym for author duo Aki and Milla Ollikainen. Aki Ollikainen has published three novels and won the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize in 2012. He has also been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and Prix Femina in 2016. Milla Ollikainen has published three crime novels and won Like Publishing and the Finnish Detective Society’s Crime novel writing competition in 2012. Cargo is their first novel together and the Winner of a National Crime Novel Competition. 

About author


Ann-Luise Bertell

Ann-Luise Bertell is an author and a theater director, born 1971 in Oravais, Finland. She has graduated from the Finnish Theater Academy, and debuted as a writer in 1997 with the collection of poems, 'Rus av gul', and has since written poems, short stories, a children's book, plays and two novels. Longing (Vänd om min längtan, 2016), was awarded the Yle Prize and the Choreus Prize. Her second novel Homestead (Heiman) was published in 2020 and was nominated for the Finlandia Prize, and her third novel Yearning (Glöm Bort Din Saknad) was published 2022.

Ann-Luise has been Wasa Theatre's director since 2020, but is also a mother of three, dog owner, hiker, seeker, spy and bookworm.

About author


Elina Backman

Elina Backman is an author and a media & marketing professional living in Helsinki. Elina loves books (all sorts), traveling, cycling and is a host of a Book & Wine Club. She is a creative soul with a commercial mind, and her goal is to find readers globally.

Her debut novel All the King's Men was published in 2020 and immediately gained an enormous amount of attention from the Finnish media, including a praising review by the biggest daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. The Havas series is now a best-selling series in Finland and an international TV series is in development. Elina's books have sold over 100 000 copies in Finland.

Together with Heidi Holmavuo, Elina has also narrated the true crime podcast Ratkaisematon (Unsolved), which turned into a full-length audio book as the two crime writers started investigating the murder of a young girl in 1955. They were able to uncover new evidence and their research led the police to reopen the investigation. This story is narrated in the book Unsolved - The Case of Elli Immo.

About author


Koko Hubara

Koko Hubara (MSSc., 1984) is the founder of Brown Girls Media (Ruskeat Tytöt Media), the first for us by us media for people of color in Finland. She is the first editor-in chief of color in the history of Finland. She is also a freelance journalist, essayist, translator and creative writing teacher. Hubara is a native of Vantaa, with origins in Vyborg, Karelia; Kemijärvi, Lapland, Israel and Yemen. Her debut work, the essay collection Brown Girls (Ruskeat Tytöt – Tunne-esseitä), was released in 2017, and has been translated into Swedish. Hubara has won many awards for her antiracist work in the Finnish context. She is working on her PhD on narratives of Brown daughters of White mothers at the University of Turku. Bechi is Hubara’s first novel.

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

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.

Big Hollywood film & TV news coming soon!

“An exceptional combination of hardboiled Scandi-noir and eerie ghost story. [--] Seeck marries breathtaking suspense with an expertly drawn heroine. This is guaranteed to send shivers up even the most unshakable readers’ spines." – Publisher's Weekly, starred review (Ghost island)

"Each new step has been an artistic success. Max Seeck, last year's winner of the Glass Key Award for best Nordic detective story, has a golden touch for Finnish suspense fiction." - Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

“Another star has been added to the firmament of thriller writers,” announced Iltalehti newspaper, when Max’s debut novel was published in 2016. 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 Jessica Niemi series landed him on the New York Times Bestseller list! 2024 will see the release of his independent novel MILO, which is already creating buzz internationally with several rights pre-empts ahead of the Finnish publication!

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.

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 four highly acclaimed novels -Hyena Days (2024) - Irrational Things (2021), The Bystander (2018) and Love/Monster (2015), but also for her work in theatre. Her works have been translated into 16 languages and performed all around the world. Turunen has received the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize in 2015, the Finland Prize in 2016, the City of Helsinki’s The Artist of the Year Award in 2018 and the Lea-Prize in 2020, all high-profile awards given in Finland.

About author


Sara Medberg

Sara Medberg is a historian currently writing her doctoral dissertation about the education of highborn girls in the 18th century. The ideas for her novels come from her research. In her thesis she studies young womens' conduct manuals in Sweden in the 18th century from the perspective of the modernising ideals for women and the upbringing of girls.

Sara has received academic scholarships from the Swedish Cultural Foundation, Waldemar von Frenckell's Foundation and the Swedish Literature Society. Including others, her literary work is sponsored by the Finnish Author Association and Otava's Book Foundation.

Medberg enjoys costume dramas, fashion from the past, castles, mansions, shopping and running. Her novels have sold over 90,000 copies across all territories.

About author


Terhi Kokkonen

Terhi Kokkonen (1974) is a Helsinki-based musician and pop lyricist. She is known for the band Scandinavian Music Group, as well as being one of the singers of the band Ultra Bra. Kokkonen has studied dramaturgy at the Theater Academy and screenwriting and film editing at the Department of Cinematography and Stage Design at Aalto University. Arctic Mirage is her debut novel, and it was awarded as the best debut novel of 2020.

Happy New Year 2021: Full English manuscripts available for many EALA books

We wish you a Happy New Year 2021 and hope you had relaxing holidays!

English manuscripts:
To begin this fresh new year, you will have a chance to read and download full English manuscripts of many of our excellent books, in order to make publishing decisions. These books listed here will soon be published in English or have recently been published in English. What a perfect time to pick your next bestseller now!

Grants to foreign publishers:
The unique translation grant system in Finland gives you an opportunity to finance your translation costs up to 70% and even cover part of your printing costs – read more here:  https://fili.fi/en/grants/

Apply now:
The new FILI grant application period is now open starting January 1st, until February 1st. Please note that only translations from Finnish or Finnish-Swedish to foreign language will be supported.

Translators:
We will advice 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/

My Friend Natalia by Laura Lindstedt
W.W. Norton 2021, translated by David HackstonThe long-awaited new novel by Finlandia-prize winner! A bold, and brave novel about young woman’s sexuality, the power of narration, and identity. Right sold to 12 territories.“I read a galley of Laura Lindstedt’s “My Friend Natalia” (the translation, obviously) yesterday and I cannot stop thinking about how masterful the craft is,” writes Marissa Higgins in her review of Finnish author Laura Lindstedt’s novel “My Friend Natalia.” “Totally original, enthralling. Totally weird. 10/10, do recommend.” – Marissa Higgins, AuthorDownload the English PDF here. 


The Moonday Letters by Emmi Itäranta

The Moonday Letters is an eco-thriller and a love story, taking place in the future where the Earth has become almost inhabitable. Hauntingly beautiful, with highly literary style, it tells a story of individuals in a world that is lost because of our actions.

“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 the English PDF here.

 


The Women I Think About at Night by Mia Kankimäki
Simon & Schuster 2020, translated by Douglas Robinson

Hop on a plane with Mia Kankimäki and follow the footsteps of 12 historical female figures: fearless explorers, gifted writers and passionate artists! Rights sold to 16 territories.

“A fantastic book that every woman can enjoy. The book is a confidence-booster for all women seeking to build a life based on finding a path out of the beaten track, to find inspiration from “night women” who overcame all odds to make brave choices and seek better lives for themselves. These travels were as much travels of the soul than of the physical world.” —Beauty News NYC

Download the English PDF here.

 


A Wonderful Life by Frank Martela
HarperCollins 2020

In this engagingly insightful book, Frank Martela takes you on a voyage through the history, philosophy, and psychology of happiness and worthy living to answer the questions about meaning of life. Rights sold to 25 territories!
“A brilliant and charming book that tackles the grandest questions of life in plain terms, with humor and insight…full of anecdotes, history, thoughtfulness, perspective, and entertaining discourse. If you have any curiosity about the meaning of life—and who doesn’t?—this book is a refreshing and important resource.” — Roy F. Baumeister, Author of New York Times bestseller

Download the English PDF here.

 


Future Skills by Perttu Pölönen
Start Publishing 2021, translated by Owen Witesman

The next revolution is a human revolution, according to Perttu Pölönen, a futurist, inventor and an inspirational speaker. We should develop courage, adaptability, compassion, storytelling, patience and curiosity, to name a few, in order to succeed in the era of machines, robots and artificial intelligence

“This book provides insights for the younger generation to prepare for an uncertain future. It is a must-read to prepare for an era of new competition.”
– Yoonjoo Park, Director, BP Publisher, Korea

Download the English PDF here.

 


Sisterland by Salla Simukka
Crown Books 2019, translated by Owen Witesman

That winter it starts snowing and it never seems to end. Eleven-year-old Alice falls through the snow and lands in the summery world of Sisterland – in a much awaited adventure!
“This book is gorgeous, lush, and dreamy with the atmosphere of fairy tales we all know and love. It’s Alice Through the Looking Glass, but for this generation. It’s a beautiful exploration of friendship and the way children forget, of bravery and the beauty of remembering.” – Megan Szmyd, Book Shop of Fort Collins

Download the English PDF here.

 


Weird Weather by Laura Ertimo & Mari Ahokoivu
Skyhorse Publishing 2021, translated by Owen Witesman
Weird Weather! answers children’s tough questions about climate change, and tells how we can all fight against it.

We follow two clever children, Lotta and Kasper, who get tired of their parents’ evasive answers about weird weather like snowless winters, heat-waves, and tropical storms. They decide to research what climate change is really is about.

“Weird Weather is ambitiously done, but it looks beautiful and fresh. The spreads are spacious and there is not too much text. The content has been carefully written based on the facts but skillfully popularized so that even children can read and listen to them.” – Kirsin kirjanurkka blog

Download the English PDF here.

 

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 (Kuunpäivän kirjeet) 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


Frank Martela

Professor Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specializing in the question of meaning in life. His articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind, Harvard Business Review, Salon, CNBC and his work has been featured on Quartz and on the BBC. His research has been published extensively in numerous academic journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal of Personality, Metaphilosophy, Southern Journal of Philosophy, and Academy of Management Review. He has spoken to more than one hundred audiences worldwide, including invited lectures in universities on five continents, including Stanford University and Harvard University. He’s been interviewed by the New York Times, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Vice News, Fox News,and Monocle Observer among others. He is Assistant Professor at Aalto University in Finland. Outside of work, Frank is a father to three lovely children, an amateur-level soccer player, with an occasional skiing trip in the winters. He is made in Green Bay, so Packers holds a special place in his heart.

About author


Laura Ertimo

Laura Ertimo is a geographer and author. She has previously worked in publishing of geography-related non-fiction and maps, and now she writes full time, specializing in children’s non-fiction. A recurring theme in her work is the holistic worldview, the interaction between phenomena, people and nature.

In 2020, she received the prestigious Tietopöllö Award for her work as a Non-Fiction writer. Her children's title WHERE DID THE ANIMALS GO, illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, was nominated for the 2021 Finlandia Award and has also won the Tieto-Lauri award!

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

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 55,000 copies in Finland and the translation rights have been sold to 21 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

About author


Perttu Pölönen

Perttu Pölönen is a futurist, inventor and an inspirational speaker. In the Finnish media, Perttu has been called a gentle highbrow and fearless inventor. Future Skills has been an instant bestseller in Finland – where Perttu has become one of the most sought-after speakers inspiring thousands of people in his lectures.

About author


Salla Simukka

Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 53 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. Simukka has been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award  every year 2021–2024. Where It All Begins, published in 2022, is her first novel for adults and in 2024 she started a collaboration with JP Ahonen on a middle grade novel.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked as an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences.  She has also been working on the programme of Turku Book Fair in 2017–2020.

Lithuanian rights sold for Laura Lindstedt’s MY FRIEND NATALIA!

Laura Lindstedt’s MY FRIEND NATALIA Lithuanian rights were acquired by BALTO. now this marvelous title will be published in 13 territories!

Click here to request the English materials for MY FRIEND NATALIA.

 

MY FRIEND NATALIA 
by Laura Lindstedt

A playful, brilliant, feministic and surprisingly funny novel by Finlandia-prize winner!

Natalia starts to see a therapist to help solve the problems in her sex life. It is clear from the beginning that she is not going to play by the rules of the therapy. The weekly sessions combine art, philosophy, literature, childhood memories, and erotic experiences as a method of treatment, and slowly they make Natalia lose all her inhibitions. She starts to enjoy the therapy – maybe too much?

The novel takes a deconstructive approach to the self-help narratives of our time and drives the tools of autofiction into a dead end, asking what is concealed, when everything is revealed.


FILI TRANSLATION GRANTS REMINDER!

Don’t forget to apply for FILI translation grants this week before Friday 1st of May 23:59.
FILI Translation grant can cover 50-70% of your translation costs from Finnish.
All applications that meet the grant criteria are guaranteed at least 50% grant towards translation costs.

Read more and apply here.

See all of our Spring 2020 Fiction titles here.

 

Rights sold for
MY FRIEND NATALIA

FINLAND: Teos (orig.)

BELGIUM: De Bezige Bij
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
FRANCE: Gallimard
GERMANY: dtv
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
ITALY: Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA: BALTO
NETHERLANDS:
De Bezige Bij
NORWAY: Oktober
ROMANIA:
Humanitas Fiction
SWEDEN: Norstedts
UNITED STATES:
W.W. Norton / Liveright

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

German rights to Laura Lindstedt’s MY FRIEND NATALIA sold to dtv

One of the biggest German trade publishers, dtv, has acquired in a pre-empt the German rights to Laura Lindstedt’s sensational novel MY FRIEND NATALIA – now sold in 12 territories and counting. The acquiring editor at dtv is thrilled:

My Friend Natalia is a daring feminist tour de force, dealing with sexuality, gender and power dynamics in highly original and intelligent ways. Laura Lindstedt is a literary voice to be reckoned with and we are overjoyed to bring her brilliant novel to a German readership!” – Lucy Harries, Editor,  dtv Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Germany

Congratulations, Laura Lindstedt! Congratulations, dtv!

dtv is a Munich-based independent publisher and they publish books in literary fiction & commercial fiction, children‘s books, YA as well as non-fiction. Their catalogue include authors such as John Williams, James Baldwin, Celeste Ng, Graham Swift and Min Jin Lee.

* * *

My Friend Natalia  (Teos 2019, 240 pp.) is a thrilling exploration of gender, sexuality, and power following an ambitious therapist and a patient with a unique psychological obsession who become entangled in a complicated, explosive relationship.

The narrator of My Friend Natalia is a therapist whose gender is deliberately left undisclosed. The story begins when Natalia arrives at her therapist’s surgery. Natalia is having problems in her sexual life. Her thoughts obsessively swirl around the subject of sex, but during the act itself, her mind drifts elsewhere. Natalia has had a vast number of sexual partners, but these relationships never last long. Why are fantasy and reality so far removed in Natalia’s life? Is Natalia’s hypersexuality a symptom of a deeper problem? Running through the novel is the question of power. Who is ultimately guiding the course of these sessions – the therapist or Natalia? And which of them is the true narrator of the novel?

About the author:

Laura Lindstedt is a Finlandia-winner and one of the most celebrated young Finnish authors of recent years: her novels verge on the postmodern and experiment with form and language in an accessible style. The Finlandia winning novel Oneiron has been sold in 14 territories, and over 50,000 copies sold in Finland. Her works have been translated into 18 languages so far. Laura Lindstedt is currently revising her PhD on French author Nathalie Sarraute and touring the world to promote her works

Rights sold:

FINLAND:
Teos (orig.)
BELGIUM:
De Bezige Bij
ESTONIA:
Rahva Raamat
FRANCE:
Gallimard
GERMANY:
dtv
HUNGARY:
Scolar Kiado
ITALY:
Elliot Edizioni
NETHERLANDS:
De Bezige Bij
NORWAY:
Oktober
ROMANIA:
Humanitas Fiction
SWEDEN:
Norstedts
UNITED STATES:
W. W. Norton/Liveright

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

French rights for My Friend Natalia acquired by Gallimard

French rights to Laura Lindstedt’s new vibrant and literary daring novel, My Friend Natalia have been sold to Gallimard. We are thrilled and congratulate Laura Lindstedt’s publishers around the world: My Friend Natalia will be published in 11 territories and counting! Recently, North American rights were acquired by W.W. Norton/Liveright and 9 European deals closed over the summer, making this property one of the hottest Finnish novels ever.

Click here to request reading materials.

Laura Lindstedt is ‘a rock-star of literature’!
– Aamulehti newspaper, Finland 15.3.2019   ****

Finland’s leading literary magazine, Parnasso writes in their review:

“Laura Lindstedt (born 1976) won the Finlandia Prize in 2015. The 45-minute therapy sessions in her third novel uncover new worlds and perspectives. But these sessions go far beyond professional ethics and a normal duty of care…My Friend Natalia is a surprisingly easy read and a liberating, almost boisterous, book.”

My Friend Natalia  (Teos 2019, 240 pp.) is a thrilling exploration of gender, sexuality, and power following an ambitious therapist and a patient with a unique psychological obsession who become entangled in a complicated, explosive relationship.

The narrator of My Friend Natalia is a therapist whose gender is deliberately left undisclosed. The story begins when Natalia arrives at her therapist’s surgery. Natalia is having problems in her sexual life. Her thoughts obsessively swirl around the subject of sex, but during the act itself, her mind drifts elsewhere. Natalia has had a vast number of sexual partners, but these relationships never last long. Why are fantasy and reality so far removed in Natalia’s life? Is Natalia’s hypersexuality a symptom of a deeper problem? Running through the novel is the question of power. Who is ultimately guiding the course of these sessions – the therapist or Natalia? And which of them is the true narrator of the novel?

About the author:

Laura Lindstedt is a Finlandia-winner and one of the most celebrated young Finnish authors of recent years: her novels verge on the postmodern and experiment with form and language in an accessible style. The Finlandia winning novel Oneiron has been sold in 14 territories, and over 50,000 copies sold in Finland. Her works have been translated into 18 languages so far. Laura Lindstedt is currently revising her PhD on French author Nathalie Sarraute and touring the world to promote her works.

FINLAND:
Teos (orig.)
BELGIUM:
De Bezige Bij
ESTONIA:
Rahva Raamat
FRANCE:
Gallimard
HUNGARY:
Scolar Kiado
ITALY:
Elliot Edizioni
NETHERLANDS:
De Bezige Bij
NORWAY:
Oktober
ROMANIA:
Humanitas Fiction
SWEDEN:
Norstedts
UNITED STATES:
W. W. Norton/Liveright

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Breaking news! US deal for Laura Lindstedt’s MY FRIEND NATALIA!

Finlandia Prize winning author of Oneiron, Laura Lindstedt’s My Friend Natalia, has been sold in the U.S.! North American rights were acquired by Gina Iaquinta at Liveright/W.W. Norton, and the deal was brokered by Rhea Lyons at Hannigan, Salky, Getzler on behalf of Elina Ahlback Literary Agency. Congratulations! My Friend Natalia will be published in 10 territories and counting!

My Friend Natalia is also sold to De Bezige Bij (The Netherlands & Belgium), Rahva Raamat (Estonia), Scolar Kiado (Hungary), Elliot Edizioni (Italy), Oktober (Norway), Humanitas Fiction (Romania), Norstedts (Sweden), and originating from Teos (Finland).

Laura Lindstedt’s MY FRIEND NATALIA, is a thrilling exploration of gender, sexuality, and power following an ambitious therapist and a patient with a unique psychological obsession who become entangled in a complicated, explosive relationship.

Praise from the U.S. Publisher:
“I’m absolutely delighted by the chance to bring My Friend Natalia to a US audience. This is one of the most dynamic voices I’ve read in a long time; and I was blown away by the novel’s sly examination of power and sexuality. Laura Lindstedt is a true literary talent, and we’re honored to have her join our list!”
– Gina Iaquinta, Associate Editor | Liveright Publishing Corporation, W. W. Norton & Company

The Liveright fiction program champions bold literary voices, with recent publications including Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn, The World Doesn’t Require You by Rion Amilcar Scott, and Biloxi by Mary Miller. It also champions world literature; recent works in translation include The Collected Stories of Machado de Assis, Arturo’s Island by Elsa Morante, The Capital by Robert Menasse, and the forthcoming Kim Ji Young, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo.

Liveright Publishing Corporation grew out of the storied Boni & Liveright press, one of the most important publishers of the early twentieth century: Publishing some of the most celebrated American writers of the period, including William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway,  and poets such as Ezra Pound, T. S. Eliot, E E. Cummings, and European intellectuals such as Sigmund Freud and Bertrand Russell. In 2012, W. W. Norton & Company, re-launched the storied imprint Liveright, producing the finest literature including George Orwell Diaries and classics Faulkner, Stein, Cummings, Crane, Loos, Freud, Russell, and many more.

About the author:

Laura Lindstedt is a Finlandia-winner and one of the most celebrated young Finnish authors of recent years: her novels verge on the postmodern and experiment with form and language in an accessible style. The Finlandia winning novel ONEIRON has been sold in 14 territories, and over 50,000 copies sold in Finland. Her works have been translated in 18 languages so far. Laura Lindstedt is currently revising her PhD on French author Nathalie Sarraute and touring the world to promote her works.

Rights sold:

FINLAND:
Teos (orig.)
BELGIUM:
De Bezige Bij
ESTONIA:
Rahva Raamat
HUNGARY:
Scolar Kiado
ITALY:
Elliot Edizioni
NETHERLANDS:
De Bezige Bij
NORWAY:
Oktober
ROMANIA:
Humanitas Fiction
SWEDEN:
Norstedts
UNITED STATES:
W. W. Norton/Liveright

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

New fiction deals for Laura Lindstedt, Max Seeck and Mia Kankimäki

 

We are glad to announce the 7th foreign sales for Laura Lindstedt’s My Friend Natalia. This time she has gone to Romania – to be published by wonderful Humanitas!

 


 

Estonian Max Seeck fans rejoice! Pegasus in Estonia has bought the rights for the third part ofDaniel Kuisma Trilogy – The Call of Hades. Estonians can read the whole trilogy already in 2020!

“Max Seeck’s trilogy’s third book “The Call of Hades” is a breakneck race against the clock that flows smoothly as a movie. Daniel Kuisma is back. His dramatic past during his peacekeeper years in Yugoslav wars has not let him free, and he is the only one who can save the world. Seeck is writing good and fast, you better read it in one go:  a breathless ride between London, Zagreb, Arlanda and Helsinki. Three books. All quite different from one another. Even if each volume is complete in itself, one story links them all and only one man can make the journey. Guess who?”

Triin Aimla-Laid, Translator for Pegasus, Estonia


 

Mia Kankimäki’s narrative nonfiction is now conquering Scandinavia! Following the Norwegian deal last week, we have now closed the sales for Danish rights too. The Women I Think About at Night will be published in Karen Blixen’s homeland by Bilgrav Publishing, where the editors fell in love with the book immediately.

”We are very excited about Mia Kankimäki’s The Women I Think About at Night.  Mia’s tale about her inner and outer voyage in the footsteps of the historical women who inspire her – the Night Women – is unfiltered and liberating in a time where the overexposed idea about ‘the perfect life’ is a suffocating straitjacket to many people.

We are convinced that Danish readers will enjoy reading about Mia’s perfectly imperfect life and be inspired by a women with the potential to become a Night Women in her own right.”

 Lone Svane, Editor, Bilgrav Publishing, Denmark

 

Rights sold (My Friend Natalia):

FINLAND: Teos (orig.)
BELGIUM: De Bezige Bij
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
ITALY: Elliot Edizioni
NETHERLANDS: De Bezige Bij
NORWAY: Oktober
ROMANIA: Humanitas Fiction
SWEDEN: Norstedts

 

Rights sold (Daniel Kuisma Trilogy):

FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ESTONIA: Pegasus
GERMANY: Blanvalet
ICELAND: Forlagid
ITALY: Newton Compton
SLOVENIA: Didakta

 

Rights sold (The Women I Think About at Night):

FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
CHINA: Winshare Publishing
CZECH REPUBLIC: Albatros Media/Motto
DENMARK: Bilgrav Publishing
ESTONIA: Varrak
GERMANY: btb Verlag/RandomHouse
LATVIA: Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA:  Gelmes Publishing
NETHERLANDS:
Uitgeverij Orlando
NORWAY: Gursli Berg Forlag
RUSSIA: Eksmo Publishing
UNITED STATES: Simon & Schuster

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

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.

Big Hollywood film & TV news coming soon!

“An exceptional combination of hardboiled Scandi-noir and eerie ghost story. [--] Seeck marries breathtaking suspense with an expertly drawn heroine. This is guaranteed to send shivers up even the most unshakable readers’ spines." – Publisher's Weekly, starred review (Ghost island)

"Each new step has been an artistic success. Max Seeck, last year's winner of the Glass Key Award for best Nordic detective story, has a golden touch for Finnish suspense fiction." - Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

“Another star has been added to the firmament of thriller writers,” announced Iltalehti newspaper, when Max’s debut novel was published in 2016. 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 Jessica Niemi series landed him on the New York Times Bestseller list! 2024 will see the release of his independent novel MILO, which is already creating buzz internationally with several rights pre-empts ahead of the Finnish publication!

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.

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 55,000 copies in Finland and the translation rights have been sold to 21 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

De Bezige Bij acquires the Dutch rights to My Friend Natalia

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the Dutch rights of Finlandia winner Laura Lindstedt’s new masterpiece My Friend Natalia have been sold to De Bezige Bij.

This book fits their high-end literary list perfectly – and Laura gets the honor of being the first Finnish author of De Bezige Bij! Their editorial team was hooked from the first pages of the sample:

“A universal and surprising novel, which, despite being experimental in form, is incredibly accessible with crystal clear prose. The conversations between Natalia and her therapist are full of wonderful insights about literature, art, feminism and sexuality and it is fascinating to see how their relationship develops throughout the novel.”
– Peter van der Zwaag, Editorial Director, De Bezige Bij

De Bezige Bij – The Busy Bee – is one of the oldest and most distinguished literary publishing houses in The Netherlands, and publish the very best of Dutch, Flemish and international literature: Mulisch, Claus, Hermans, and also Beckett, Bellow, Borges, Brodsky, Camus, Joyce, Kerouac, Lowry, Nabokov, Pavese, Plath, Proust, Salinger, Sartre and Woolf, as well as a diverse list of current authors such as A.M.Homes, Anne Enright, Rachel Cusk, Peter Carey, Lauren Groff, Orhan Pamuk, Mohsin Hamid, Alessandro Baricco, Amos Oz, Andrés Barba and Siri Hustvedt.

Click here to request reading materials – and join the amazing family of Laura’s publishers!

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Teos (orig.)
BELGIUM: De Bezige Bij
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
ITALY: Elliot Edizioni
NETHERLANDS: De Bezige Bij
NORWAY: Oktober
SWEDEN: Norstedts

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

My Friend Natalia sold to Italy

My Friend Natalia keeps charming publishers all around the world! We are proud to announce that Elliot Edizioni has acquired the Italian rights of this magnificent, smart and fresh novel by Laura Lindstedt!

My friend Natalia confirms Laura Lindstedt as one of the most surprising contemporary writers. Lindstedt possesses the great ability to construct complex plots which feel familiar to the reader, who can happily abandon themself to the flow of a narrative based on solid and deep foundations. Also in this novel, the author skillfully mixes the high and the low, the psychoanalysis and the pop culture, the daily and the transcendent, the archetypes of the feminine and the most feral sex. Nobody amazes me as strongly as she does.”

– Loretta Santini, Elliot Edizioni, Italy

 

Click here to request reading materials – and join the amazing family of Laura’s publishers!

 

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Teos (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
ITALY: Elliot Edizioni
NORWAY: Oktober
SWEDEN: Norstedts

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

My Friend Natalia sold to 3 new countries in one week

We couldn’t be more thrilled to share this fabulous news: within only one week we have sold Laura Lindstedt’s My Friend Natalia to 3 new countries: SwedenNorway, and Estonia! The Hungarian rights were sold earlier this spring. Congratulations, Laura Lindstedt!

Congratulations, NorstedtsOktoberRahva Raamat, and Scolar!  My Friend Natalia is creating buzz around the world, and offers are expected in all major territories.

Click here to request reading materials – and join the amazing family of Laura’s publishers!

The response from these publishers has been phenomenal:

Lindstedt’s new novel is convincing and impressive, exciting and provoking. It is fascinating how playfully easy Laura manages to narrate a female experience that is equally thought-provoking and entertaining. My Friend Natalia is a sharp and stimulating novel, written with the finger on the pulse of time by a writer with great authority.
– Signe Russwurm, Oktober, Norway

Laura has a uniquely fresh voice that has powerful things to say. It keeps on echoing long after you’ve finished the book.
– René Tendermann, Rahva Raamat, Estonia

Laura Lindstedt has a special place in my heart – and in Norstedts’ heart – and we want to follow the authorship.
– Lisa Lindberg, Norstedts, Sweden

My Friend Natalia is an exceptional, extraordinary book. It is a bold, and brave novel about a young woman’s sexuality, the power of narration, and identity.  It is literary, playful, brilliant, feministic and surprisingly funny! Definitely something worth taking a look at!


NEW DEAL INFORMATION: We are also excited to share the news that Laura Lindstedt’s previous novel Oneiron will be published in Poland in 2021 by Wydawnictwo PoznańskieRead more about Oneiron here.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Teos (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
NORWAY: Oktober
SWEDEN: Norstedts

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

English sample for Laura Lindstedt’s MY FRIEND NATALIA now available!

MY FRIEND NATALIA is a bold novel about a young woman’s sexuality, the power of narration, and identity. Click here to request the new English sample.

“My Friend Natalia challenges your intelligence, takes a stand on contemporary questions, makes reference to Feminist theory and art history, and you can’t put it down!” –  People’s news newspaper

Laura Lindstedt  is one of the most celebrated young authors of recent years. She is currently revising her PhD thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute and touring the world to
promote her works. Her previous novel  Oneiron  won the prestigious literary award in Finland – the Finlandia Prize. It has also been translated into 14 different languages.

* * *

Natalia starts to see a therapist to help with problems in her sex life. It is clear that it is not going to play by the rules of the therapy. The Weekly Sessions combine art, philosophy, literature, childhood memories, and erotic experiences as a method of treatment, and a long time ago.


This literary gem has already mesmerized readers in Finland. Here’s the new praise collected:

“The book takes turn frolicking and mocking, and gives room for multiple interpretations.”  – HS Metro newspaper
“Lindstedt plays effortlessly with the different language registers. As a literature researcher, she knows how to use it. ”   Aamulehti newspaper, Finland”
“Intellectual and challenging novel.” –  Your Home Magazine
“The reader encounters fragmented material, intertextuality and mythical symbols. These meaningful, but irrational layers collect in the top of each other, and readers have the power to interpret them or not. “-  Karjalainen newspaper
My Friend Natalia  reads like a complicated mystery novel that you wish to crack yourself.”
–  Kaleva newspaper
“The therapy sittings, (or should I say beddings) turn into an Intellectual swordfight between Natalia and the therapist. Lindstedt character that action skillfully. ”-  Keskipohjanmaa newspaper

Click here to request the new English sample.

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

New praise for Laura Lindstedt and Mia Kankimäki

Laura Lindstedt’s new novel My Friend Natalia has been out for one month, and it has received rave reviews in many newspapers and literary blogs:

“Great novel that shows that Lindstedt can reinvent herself as a writer!” – Demokraatti magazine 8/19

“So bold, but ah, so stylish!” – Kainuun Sanomat newspaper 14.4.

“Every word is carefully thought and at the right place!”  Jorman lukunurkka blog 24.3.

“Lindstedt guides the reader flexibly through a multilayered, fragmented story that digresses in every turn, yet still holds together tightly.” – Kirjasta kirjaan blog 24.3.

“My Friend Natalia makes you laugh, but also question where the laughter comes from. It is unforgettable, a new corner stone in the Finnish women’s literature!” – Reader, why did I marry him blog 26.3.

“Lindstedt’s language is so lovely, flowy, and it makes me fall in love with my mother tongue again. I wanted to read this book so badly that I was annoyed every day when my commute was over and I had to put the book down!” – Bookish tea party blog 12.4.

My Friend Natalia updates the attitudes toward sex as well as the power structures between men and women!” – Kirja vieköön blog 1.4.


There’s no doubt that Mia Kankimäki’s The Women I Think About at Night has gotten more attention from media, print press and bloggers than any other Finnish book last year! And new reviews are still flying in!

“These Night Women will never leave my mind. The next time I doubt myself, I will close my eyes and think about them – and about Mia Kankimäki – and all the things they have been able to do.”
– Kotivinkki magazine

“One of the most unique travel guides!”
– Helsingin Sanomat newspaper

“Joyful mix of non-fic, travel diary and self-help!”
– Eeva magazine

“The Women I Think About At Night is so empowering! I feel like a stronger person after reading it. I feel I am capable of more! I am a night woman of my own life!”
– Kirjasähkökäyrä blog

“Kankimäki has the skill of writing: she can bring history and past alive. She wonders, observes, experiences and figures things out in such a realistic way that the reader shares her excitement and passion.”
– Kulttuuri kukoistaa blog 

“I fell in love with Kankimäki’s writing, her sharp humor and precise remarks. – – She writes so honestly about the process of creating the book that the reader can relate.”
– Hyviä Sanoja blog 

“So captivating that you can’t skip even one sentence!”
– Lumiomena blog 

“The Women I Think About at Night makes one reflect their own life and choices. It’s a book you can read many times.”
– Kirjakaapin kummitus

“This book is great for many women, older and younger. And I encourage men to open the book too!”
– Oma Sivunkääntäjä blog

“Kankimäki’s work is a power book for all girls and women. It urges you to do, go, dare and find your dreams – and yourself.”
– Parasta ennen blog

“This book is so inspiring that I immediately decided to book a trip to Florence!”
– Tuijata. Kulttuuripohdintoja Blog 

“Mia Kankimäki has smart wits and fabulous self-irony!”
– Maaseudun tulevaisuus newspaper  

“Pick up the book, open it, read the forewords – and you are ready for a journey of your lifetime!”
– Curiouser & Curiouser blog

“The Women I Think About at Night is a book about brave women – and about Mia Kankimäki herself. She looks for advice and guidance from these historical role models.”
– Suomen Kuvalehti magazine

“History is full of men’s strories. So Mia Kankimäki’s book is fresh and important, but it is also done brilliantly with a mix of facts and fiction. She paints an adventure after adventure in front of the reader, who cannot help but dive into them.”
 – Laju.fi

“We are so lucky to have women who don’t just settle to dream, but actually follow their hearts. We are lucky to have Mia Kankimäki, joka left her old life and embarked on an adventure  to brighten up the days of all of the women who are stuck in everyday life and work. We are lucky to have Mia’s sharp pen, curious mind and brave heart, who can lead by example and encourage us to step on unknown paths.”
– Double you hell yes – blog

“Kankimäki is a modern explorer – a female Indiana Jones, and she is not afraid to get her hands dirty on her search for Night Women. But instead of a whip she strikes with her pen!”
– Luettua elämää blog

“Every woman should have this book! It’s like morning coffee or a nail file – life it impossible with it! We need The Women I Think About at Night in every woman’s bag, porch swing or hideaway. And in every man’s life too!”
– Kuriiri magazine

Rights sold:
My Friend Natalia

FINLAND, Teos (orig.)
HUNGARY, Scolar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rights sold:
The Women I Think About at Night

FINLAND:
Otava (orig.)
CZECH REPUBLIC:
Albatros Media/Motto
GERMANY:
btb Verlag/RandomHouse
LITHUANIA:
Gelmes Publishing
NETHERLANDS:
Uitgeverij Orlando
RUSSIA:
Eksmo Publishing
US:
Simon & Schuster (North American rights)

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

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 55,000 copies in Finland and the translation rights have been sold to 21 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

Scolar acquires Hungarian rights to Laura Lindstedt’s My Friend Natalia

Only after a week from publication, we have closed the first foreign deal for Laura Lindstedt’s fantastic new novel My Friend Natalia! Laura’s Hungarian publisher Scolar Kiadó was quick to acquire the rights to this literary gem!

“We are very excited about the new  – and for us the second – novel of Laura Lindstedt. We can hardly wait to see it on the Hungarian bookshelves!”
– Andras Kozma, Foreign Rights Manager, Scolar Kiadó, Hungary

“As all Laura’s books, My Friend Natalia is an intelligent novel that gives the reader references to feminist theory and art history, as well as contemporary discussion of auto-fiction.”
– Helsingin Sanomat newspaper 23.3.2019

”My Friend Natalia is a phenomenal book. It fits perfectly in the current genre of feminist world literature.”
– Kirsin Book Club blog  17.3.2019
My Friend Natalia is a bold, and brave novel about young woman’s sexuality, the power of narration, and identity.

Natalia starts to see a therapist to help solve the problems in her sex life. It is clear from the beginning that she is not going to play by the rules of the therapy. The weekly sessions combine art, philosophy, literature, childhood memories, and erotic experiences as a method of treatment, and slowly they make Natalia lose all her inhibitions. She starts to enjoy the therapy – maybe too much?


The book was published in Finland on March 15th, and it has received starred reviews in two major newspapers, and enthusiastic blog reviews!

My Friend Natalia is a novel about the possibilities of therapy, and a passionate speech about art”, writes literary critic Mervi Kantokorpi in the biggest daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.

My Friend Natalia

Rights sold:
FINLAND, Teos (orig.)
HUNGARY, Scolar

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Fantastic reception to Finlandia-winner Laura Lindstedt’s new novel about young woman’s sexuality ‘My Friend Natalia’

Laura Lindsted’t new brave novel My Friend Natalia was published in Finland on Friday, March 15th. This amazing book about young woman’s problems in her sex life has generated a lot of media buzz and it has been reviewed in two major newspapers and various blogs!


My Friend Natalia is a novel about the possibilities of therapy, and a passionate speech about art”, writes literary critic Mervi Kantokorpi in the biggest daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.

“Laura Lindstedt has left the conventions of prose behind already in her debut (Scissors), and has broken the rules of narratives ever since. She moves freely in the consciousness of the characters and drops fragments of the story here and there.- – ‘My Friend Natalia’ is full of playful irony and female laughter.”

– Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland 15.3.2019 *****


“I have once called Laura Lindstedt the rock star of literature”

“Lindstedt plays effortlessly with the different language registers. As a literature researcher she knows how to use all the tools of the world literature.”

“The awaited book by Finlandia prize winner has the reader follow a nymphomaniac and very suspicious therapy sessions. This plot-driven mystery has a lot to offer for readers.”

– Aamulehti newspaper, Finland 15.3.2019   ****


“My Friend Natalia is a phenomenal book. It fits perfectly in the current genre of feminist world literature.”

“The texts flows from page to page. There’s nothing too much, nothing too little. It is easy to read even though the topics aren’t easy.”

– Kirsin Book Club blog  17.3.2019


“My Friend Natalia is a literary game. It uses philosophy, feminism and art research to build a narrative with sexuality in its heart. It examines how words and meanings are created. And all of its layers are hiding and revealing something at the same time.”

– Tuijata. Kulttuuripohdintoja. blog 16.3.2019


Request the reading materials by clicking here!

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

The Agency’s 9th anniversary & rights report: Oneiron sold to Spain

This week Elina Ahlback Literary Agency celebrates its 9thbirthday: a big thank-you for all of our clients and colleagues for the past years’ collaborations – it is an honor to head towards our first full decade with you!

At the recently organized New York Rights Fair, Elina Ahlbäck shared her insights on the agenting business and exporting Scandinavian story-telling in a panel discussion on Nordic fiction, called “The Scandinavian Smell of Success: Why, and How, Their Crime Fiction Has Become a Global Export.”

The panelists discussed the importance of film adaptations in the book business. “Film helps keep Scandinavian literature at the top of mind,” Ahlbäck said. “We have five titles that are already optioned. That global business is very important.”

Read a full article on the panel on Publisher’s Weekly here!

The panel concentrated on crime fiction, which has opened the way to other genres as well in picky markets like the one of the United States. Literary fiction has been gaining popularity; one of our hot titles has been the Finlandia-winning Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt, for which we’re glad to announce the 14th foreign rights deal: Armaenia Editorial has acquired the world Spanish rights for the novel.

“Wildly imaginative, intense and highly entertaining, Oneiron is the fable that we most need these days of exulting feminism. A tale that introduces and celebrates diversity of women of all conditions, pasts and mentalities and pushes them into self and other-conscience, while the reader sits and watches ever more captivated,” said editor Ricardo López of Armaenia Editorial.

The French and English editions of Oneiron have also gathered positive feedback from reviewers and readers:

“The unsettling story of the book, which deals with the pain of leaving life, lingers between Elfriede Jelinek’s chilling analysis and Lars von Trier’s minimalism known from Dogville.” – Livres Hebdo, France

In the sheer diversity of her characters, Lindstedt might be responding to other modern realities: genetic interconnections revealed by DNA tests; global migration and interdependence; the random array of newspaper obituaries that follow a terrorist attack; and the boundary-breaking and community-building properties of social media, two years before the rise of the #MeToo movement.”  – Public Books, USA

Click here for reading materials for Oneiron!

Rights sold:
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld
BULGARIA, Faber
CZECH REPUBLIC, Argo
DENMARK, Rosinante & Co.
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY, Scolar
ITALY, Elliot
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
NORWAY, Oktober
POLAND, Foksal
ROMANIA, Paralela 45
SPAIN, Armaenia Editorial
SWEDEN, Norstedts
TURKEY,  Everest Yayınları

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Finlandia-winning Oneiron sold to Turkey, gathering praise globally

Laura Lindstedt’s Oneiron, “a fantasy about the seconds after death” has been sold to Everest Yayınları in Turkey. Turkish will be the 14th language for the book, which was awarded the Finlandia Prize in 2015, nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize 2017 and has since gathered praise all around the world.

“Incredibly audacious.” Chicago Review of Books Most Anticipated Fiction Books of 2018, USA

“A prize-worthy, magnificent meditation on the afterlife.” Dagens Nyheter, Sweden

Oneiron is literally a fabulous work. A triumph of the art of the novel.” Dagbladet, Norway

“Strong and original.” ***** Jyllands-Posten, Denmark

“A visionary book.” Marie Claire, Italia

“Simply put – Oneiron is a very, very special book.” ***** .týždeň magazine, Slovakia

“The multi-layered story of Oneiron is very complicated, it hides philosophically broader dimensions, but surprisingly it is extremely readable.” **** Vlčí Boudy website, Czech Republic

The English version of the novel, published by Oneworld, will be hitting the stores on April 5th and sporting a different cover than most of the foreign – and the original – editions. Also the French publisher, Gallimard, will be using a cover of their own design: their publication date is the 12th of April.

Get in touch with us to request reading materials!

Rights sold:

Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld
BULGARIA, Faber
CZECH REPUBLIC, Argo
DENMARK, Rosinante & Co.
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY, Scolar
ITALY, Elliot
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
NORWAY, Oktober
POLAND, Foksal
ROMANIA, Paralela 45
SWEDEN, Norstedts
TURKEY,  Everest Yayınları

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Ahlback Agency December Newsletter

Happy Holidays! Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year!

“I rather want to be invited to Little Mouse’s Christmas.” – The Times
2017 has been a special year, with Finland celebrating its centenary of independence this month, and we reflect on a fruitful year of bringing Finnish literature to readers, both young and old, around the world.

Forthcoming in 2018

  • FINDING SISU by Katja Pantzar – Hodder (UK, March 2018);
    US title: THE FINNISH WAY: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness through the Power of Sisu – TarcherPerigee (US, June 2018)*“Anyone who enjoyed reading about hygge will surely embrace the simple and life-changing practices that Katja describes…” – Marian Lizzi, Editor-in-Chief, TarcherPerigee
    *cover & title subject to change
  • ONEIRON by Laura Lindstedt – Oneworld Publications (WE, March 2018)
    “A visionary book.” – Marie Claire Italia
  • THE NIGHTINGALE MURDER by Leena Lehtolainen (Maria Kallio series Book 9) – Amazon Crossing (US, March 2018)

Published in 2017

  • THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO by Jussi Valtonen – Oneworld Publications (UK, November 2017)
    “Classy and engrossing drama.” – Daily Mail
  • ESCAPE FROM SUNSET GROVE by Minna Lindgren – Pan Macmillan (UK, August 2017)
    “A Finnish Miss Marple.” – Independent
  • BELOW THE SURFACE (Maria Kallio series Book 8) by Leena Lehtolainen – Amazon Crossing (US, November 2017)
    “Lehtolainen’s crime series has reached cult status already.” – Bunte, Germany
  • CRUEL IS THE NIGHT by Karo Hämäläinen – Soho Press (US, April 2017)
    “This English-language debut by a prize-winning Finnish author has a great hook . . . [for] readers who enjoy books like L.S. Hilton’s Maestra and Caroline Kepnes’s You, in which the game is the goal.”  – Library Journal 
  • NAONDEL by Maria Turtschaninoff (Book 2 in the Red Abbey Chronicles) + MARESI paperback ed – Pushkin Press (UK, January-April 2017)
    “Will stay with the reader long after the book is closed.” The Guardian, on Naondel
  • MONSTER NANNY by Tuutikki Tolonen – Houghton Mifflin (US, November 2017)
    “Imaginative fantasy, and plentiful dialogue makes it prime for reading aloud.” — Booklist
  • AS RED AS BLOOD by Salla Simukka – Crown/PRH (US, January 2017)
    “Limned in stark red, white, and black, this cold, delicate snowflake of a tale sparkles with icy magic.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
  • LITTLE MOUSE’S CHRISTMAS by Riikka Jäntti – Scribble/Scribe Publications (WE, October 2017)
    “Beautifully illustrated … put together with enormous charm.” – The Times

AWARDS
PROMETHEUS AWARD 2017 – Johanna Sinisalo for The Core of the Sun
LUKUVARKAUS AWARD 2017, FINLAND – Salla Simukka for Sisterland
NOMINATIONS
INTERNATIONAL DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2018 – Minna Lindren for Escape from Sunset Grove
CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL 2017 – Maria Turtschaninoff for Maresi
ASTRID LINDGREN AWARD 2017 – Maria Turtschaninoff for Maresi
NORDIC COUNCIL LITERATURE PRIZE 2017 – Laura Lindstedt for Oneiron

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year!

About author


Jussi Valtonen

Jussi Valtonen (1974) is an author and psychologist from Helsinki. He has studied neuropsychology in the United States and screenwriting in the UK, and has also worked as a science reporter. He has written three novels and a short story collection.

Carried by Wings (Siipien kantamat, Tammi 2007) was given second place in Bonnier’s novel competition, and received a warm reception from both critics and bloggers. In 2014 Valtonen was awarded the Finlandia Prize, the country’s highest-profile literary award, for They Know Not What They Do (He eivät tiedä mitä tekevät, Tammi 2014).

About author


Karo Hämäläinen

Karo Hämäläinen (b. 1976) has two passions: literature and the stock market, and has a 15-year background as an economics reporter. He works as the managing editor managing editor of Parnasso, Finland’s best-known literary publication. Hämäläinen’s novel The Buyout was shortlisted for the Savonia Prize in 2011 and received the Tampere Literary Prize in 2012.

Hämäläinen has studied both in the humanities and in economics. Following stints in Helsinki, Munich and Berlin, he now lives in Tampere, Finland. He is a popular lecturer and guest commentator, and has had his own radio show. In his professional work, he uses Finnish, English, German and Swedish. In his spare time, Hämäläinen likes reading and running; his record marathon time set in 2010 is 3:04:04.

About author


Katja Pantzar

Katja Pantzar –  Katja Pantzar is a Helsinki-based writer and journalist who swims in the Baltic Sea year round. Raised in Canada, with stints in New Zealand and England, she is the author of The Finnish Way (Penguin Random House/2018), a bestselling non-fiction book about Nordic well-being, winter swimming and sisu (resilience) that has been translated into 24 languages. Her second book on sisu, Everyday Sisu: Tapping into Finnish Fortitude for a Happier, More Resilient Life (Penguin Random House/2022) explores through expert interviews and research-based information how we can better support our mental and physical health while taking care of each other and our planet. Everyday Sisu has also been published in Japanese, Thai, and Indonesian. Pantzar’s work has been widely covered around the world in media ranging from Le Figaro, Le Monde, and El Paísto Vogue the Washington Post and the New York Review of Books. . She is also the author of three mini-guides to the Finnish capital, including 100 things to do in Helsinki (Siltala/2024).

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

About author


Leena Lehtolainen

Leena Lehtolainen is the top female crime author in Finland: her new titles always head straight to #1 on the Finnish bestseller lists.

Lehtolainen created her successful protagonist, detective Maria Kallio, in 1993. Having already featured in 16 novels and a complete TV series, a new Maria Kallio TV reboot series was launched in Fall 2021 on C More. Lehtolainen’s novels have been translated into 30 languages and have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.

And just like the events in Bodyguard, a that takes the heroine Hilja Ilveskero all around Europe, Lehtolainen’s own work takes her to book festivals, exhibitions and other events across the globe.

Leena Lehtolainen has also published outside the crime genre; her book The Charm of Figure Skating was voted sports book of the year 2010 in Finland, and A Life in Six Scenes showed her return to literary fiction.

The Crossing of the Green Dragon is her first title for YA audiences.

In her free time, Lehtolainen enjoys all kinds of music and follows lynx trails in the forests – just like Maria Kallio.

About author


Maria Turtschaninoff

Maria Turtschaninoff is known for crafting lyrical, historically inspired fantasy stories starring strong female protagonists. In addition to J.R.R. Tolkien, she counts Philip Pullman, Ursula K. Le Guin and C.S. Lewis among her favorite authors. She is a two-time winner of the Society of Swedish Literature Prize, winner of the Swedish YLE Literature Prize, winner of the Thank You for the Book Award, a nominee for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (2020-2024), and winner of the 2014 Finlandia Junior Prize. In 2024, Maria Turtschaninoff won the Eeva Joenpelto Literary Prize (10,000 euro award) for her literary masterpiece Inherited Land.

Her Red Abbey Chronicles YA trilogy has been sold into 30 languages, while her first adult novel Inherited Land has been sold to 23 territories. Maria has a Master of Arts in human ecology and works full-time as a writer.

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 18 territories, and the final part, The End of Sunset Grove, was nominated for the International Dublin Literature Award in 2019. She has also written four standalone novels and a non-fiction book about the history of opera.

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

About author


Riikka Jäntti

Riikka Jäntti, a 2003 graduate of University of Industrial Art of Helsinki, now part of Aalto University, is a Helsinki-based illustrator and author who has created art for both nonfiction and fairy tale books for children. Her first children’s book was published in 2005. Jäntti is best known for the adorable Little Mouse series that has publishers in 20 territories, including Australia, Nepal, and China!

In her illustrations, she uses pen and ink as well as watercolor and gouache. In 2009 Jäntti won the first-ever Tieto-Lauri, an award for children’s and juvenile non-fiction, for her illustrations in Viidakkotanssi (Jungle Dance). The book was written by Markku Löytönen about the explorer Rafael Karsten in Ecuador.

About author


Salla Simukka

Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 53 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. Simukka has been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award  every year 2021–2024. Where It All Begins, published in 2022, is her first novel for adults and in 2024 she started a collaboration with JP Ahonen on a middle grade novel.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked as an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences.  She has also been working on the programme of Turku Book Fair in 2017–2020.

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 a book my daughter Aili, then nine, would like to read - not too long, not too scary, but very curious."

September fiction reviews round-up

As autumn sets in and we look forward to Gothenburg book fair later this week, we are happy to share an abundance of new reviews for our fiction titles with you below!

The Amazing Life and Times of Coco Kafka by Sissi Katz 
“A wild, imaginative fantasy that springs from the absurdity of real life and delves beyond melodramatic expression.” — Etelä-Suomen Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“Kafkaesque whirlwind […] An ambitious and imaginative debut novel.” — Bookshot blog, Finland

“Sissi Katz has written a breathtaking and mischievous novel.” — Nousu.net magazine, Finland

***
Fugu by Heikki Valkama
“The theme is undoubtably delicious.”  – Aamulehtinewspaper, Finland

“With its plot-driven narrative, Fugu offers – akin to Sujata Massey’s Rei Shimura books – a nice, cultural journey to Japan…” – Helsingin Sanomatnewspaper, Finland

“In Fugu, Valkama combines his knowledge of Japanese culture and cuisine with a page-turning murder mystery.”
– Hämeen Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“A very accessible novel.” – Isyyspakkaus blog, Finland

***
The Mephisto Touch by Max Seeck
“With this second novel, Max Seeck is well on his way to earning a permanent position in the ranks of Finland’s top crime and thriller writers.” — Anssi Väisänen, Kaleva newspaper, Finland

“This was not a violent adventure with some unscrupulous criminals, but rather a psychological suspense.” —Kirsi’s Book Club blog, Finland

“A story likely to continue; I look forward to it. Evil may never die, and psychopaths are their own dangerous subspecies of humans but, fortunately with literature, their encounters can be safe, at home.” — Bookshop blog, Finland

***
Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt
“Oneiron is a deeply fascinating book and one of the best I’ve read for a very long time.” — Litteratursiden, Denmark

There is something therapeutic – if not, relieving – in reading Oneiron; like surrendering to a trust exercise.  Politiken newspaper, Denmark 5/6 stars

“Death is the ultimate plot.”
 Weekendavisen newspaper, Denmark (interview)


SEPTEMBER BOOK LAUNCHES

Danish (Rosinate & Co.) – Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt
Lithuanian (Alma Littera) – Roots by Miika Nousiainen

NEW FOREIGN DEALS
  • German rights (Rowohlt) to The End of Innocence by Leena Lehtolainen
  • Italian rights (Newton Compton) to The Mephisto Touch by Max Seeck

About author


Heikki Valkama

Heikki Valkama is an acclaimed journalist who has worked as an editor-in-chief at several Finnish quality magazines. Additionally he has written books about Japan as well as translated from Japanese to Finnish. He grew up in Japan; when he was a teenager, a local yakuza boss tried to marry him off to his daughter. Fugu is his first novel.

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

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.

Big Hollywood film & TV news coming soon!

“An exceptional combination of hardboiled Scandi-noir and eerie ghost story. [--] Seeck marries breathtaking suspense with an expertly drawn heroine. This is guaranteed to send shivers up even the most unshakable readers’ spines." – Publisher's Weekly, starred review (Ghost island)

"Each new step has been an artistic success. Max Seeck, last year's winner of the Glass Key Award for best Nordic detective story, has a golden touch for Finnish suspense fiction." - Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

“Another star has been added to the firmament of thriller writers,” announced Iltalehti newspaper, when Max’s debut novel was published in 2016. 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 Jessica Niemi series landed him on the New York Times Bestseller list! 2024 will see the release of his independent novel MILO, which is already creating buzz internationally with several rights pre-empts ahead of the Finnish publication!

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.

About author


Sissi Katz

Sissi Katz is an ophthalmologist from Helsinki. Elements of her novel, The Amazing Life and Times of Coco Kafka, are inspired by the author’s own life: she has grown epithelial cells of the eye, visited a dye-works in the Negev desert and lived next door to a varan. She is currently working on a second novel.

Great reviews for Valtonen, Susi and Lindstedt in Germany and Norway!

Jussi Valtonen’s They Know Not What They Do (Zwei Kontinente) gets wonderful reviews in Germany…

“It’s enthralling to read how the life of a man, who has worked his way up to the very top, comes tumbling down.” — Berliner Zeitung, Germany

“The book reads thrillingly like a crime novel, but it’s a lot more than that.” – Die Presse, Austria

“Finnish author Jussi Valtonen’s social novel is fascinating and disturbing at the same time. He deliberately weaves real current affairs into fictitious narrative threads and future visions with scientific precision.”  – Aachener newspaper, Germany

 

…as well as Pauliina Susi’s Rear Window (Das Fenster), recently released in Germany…

“An excellent, thought-provoking page-turner.” – Frankfurter Stadtkurier, Germany

“A thrilling, psychologically well-balanced crime novel.” – Auf einen Blick, Germany

 

…and the Norwegian edition of Laura Lindstedt’s Oneiron has received glorious reviews, too!

”Oneiron is a shameless, touching and absurd approach to the state we know little about, the space, the transition, the moment when we hover between life and death.” – Torborg Igland, Fædrelandsvennen, Norway

”Oneiron is about death. It comes with interesting suggestions of how it is ”on the other side,” but actually sheds more light on the various power structures on our side.” – Dagsavisen, Norway

”Oneiron is literally a fabulous work. A triumph of the art of the novel. An unmatched vision of life and death set mostly in the shade. Furthermore it’s so imbued with strange stories, deep wondering and ambiguous thought patterns that it will keep University of Helsinki literature students occupied for years to come.” – Fredrik Wandrup, Dagbladet, Norway (six stars)

“Silk and iron […] an overwhelming novel.” – Anne Cathrine Straume, NRK, Norway

“Oneiron is a powerful effort – to some extent also for the reader – international, rich in life and drama, embracing knowledge-based political, gender, medical and religious elements. … Lindstedt is a skilled dramatic and creative creator. Parts that touch on modern art, both in terms of visualization and depth, have a touch of Siri Hustvedt. … Linguistically, Lindstedt is fresh and inventive, which has been carefully observed by translator Tor Tveite.” – Janneken Øverland, Klassekampen newspaper, Norway

“A fascinating fable about dead women … Multi-faceted, feminist hued fantasy with a hint of magical realism…. Oneiron is ambitious and lush … The multiple stories are sensual, painful and rough, to reveal a multi-faceted reality and in turn become a virtuoso showcase in the imagination’s ability to make ever more acrobatic leaps … linguistic diversity, the slightly absurd or surreal elements that are elegantly propagated throughout this mosaic, vital, critically-acclaimed novel.”– Steinar Sivertsen, Stavanger Aftenblad newspaper, Norway (six stars)

“Thought-provoking, gallows humour about the transition from life to death … I had never thought that a novel about death could be entertaining – and even fun – but Lindstedt’s novel is just that. It is fascinating and original in its reflection on life and death; a magical fantasy in the best sense of the word, but it is also realistic in its analysis of power and powerlessness. In other words, it is difficult to categorize, but easy to remain fascinated by for long afterwards.”– Vigdis Moe Skarstein, Fædrelandsvennen newspaper, Norway (five stars)

“Oneiron is touching, with its direct language, and in its multi-faceted and concrete approach to what life can be. The way in which Lindstedt portrays the biographies of the women in words, enriches the theme of life, the body, and art in a grotesque but also refreshing way.” – Ingeborg Urke Myklebust, Mellom, Norway

About author


Jussi Valtonen

Jussi Valtonen (1974) is an author and psychologist from Helsinki. He has studied neuropsychology in the United States and screenwriting in the UK, and has also worked as a science reporter. He has written three novels and a short story collection.

Carried by Wings (Siipien kantamat, Tammi 2007) was given second place in Bonnier’s novel competition, and received a warm reception from both critics and bloggers. In 2014 Valtonen was awarded the Finlandia Prize, the country’s highest-profile literary award, for They Know Not What They Do (He eivät tiedä mitä tekevät, Tammi 2014).

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

About author


Pauliina Susi

Pauliina Susi is a versatile writer who has authored a number of crime novels and a non-fiction book about private investigators. She has a master's degree in political science and she has worked as a journalist and editor at several well-known Finnish magazines.

Susi is known for her ability to incorporate current themes into her prose. Her debut novel was nominated for the prestigious Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize and In the Rear Window is the Winner of the Clue of the Year 2016, a recognition of the best crime fiction or detective novel of the year. The readers and critics have been charmed by her Tuulia Raja cozy crime series which combines witty language with complex relationships and intriguing murder mysteries, evoking similarities with the 1980s TV series Moonlighting.

While doing research for her novel, Susi has also become a trained private investigator herself!

Oneiron nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize

Laura Lindstedt’s Oneiron has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize. The prestigious prize is given annually to a work of literature that meets high literary and artistic standards, written in a Nordic language.

“Lindstedt’s artistic playfulness with the conventions of language, style, and prose makes the novel linguistically refined and impressive. The result is a work of multiple voices and multiple layers, in which modern expressions also assume something brilliantly classical. It is as if the author is striving to reach the infinite small details – the fractals – as she writes whole worlds within the space of the blink of an eye. The white reality of Oneiron, a blank page, is filled with living stories that celebrate human fantasy, with the possibilities that literature affords, and with uncompromising artistic work,” the jury motivated Oneiron’s nomination.

The prize is worth 350,000 Danish kroner. The winner of the Nordic Council Literature Prize will be announced and the prize awarded on 1 November 2017 at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki. Among the previous winners of the prize are for example the Nobel Laureates Tomas Tranströmer and Eyvind Johnson.

Oneiron won the Finlandia Prize 2015, and has sold 50,000 copies to date. The rights are sold in 12 territories, and the work has so far been published in four languages, to great reviews. The novel centers around seven women, each from a different country and unfamiliar to one another, who come together in a white, undefined space just seconds after their respective deaths.

Click here to request reading materials of Oneiron!

Laura Lindstedt is an award-winning author and literary scholar. Her novels verge on the postmodern and experiment with form and language in an accessible style. She is currently revising her Ph.D. thesis on the French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Rights sold: 

FINLAND, Teos (Orig. publ.)
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld
BULGARIA, Faber
CZECH REPUBLIC, Argo
DENMARK, Rosinante
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY, Scolar
ITALY, Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
NORWAY, Oktober
POLAND, Foksal
ROMANIA, Paralela 45
SWEDEN, Norstedts

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Italian press for Oneiron + FILI grants for 2017

Laura Lindstedt’s critically-acclaimed, Finlandia Prize-winning novel, Oneiron, was published in Italy in late November 2016 to some wonderful reviews, and a warm reception for Laura, who visited her publishers in Rome in early December.

To launch 2017 – which will also see the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish publications of Oneiron – Laura gave an interview to Italian literary journal, Alfabeta2, excerpted below with the latest praise pull-quotes:

“I believe that a strong, passionate book will find its audience, no matter what the genre is. Even though there are lots of cultural allusions in Oneiron, the play with genres etc., my purpose was to make the text as organic as possible. A reader doesn’t have to grasp every intertext I’ve put there.”  […]

“For me, when I write, the novel signifies a laboratory of ideas. It’s almost literally the place of thinking. As an activity, writing and reading are quite similar in this respect. They both create a specific temporality, favourable for difficult questions.”
Laura Lindstedt, as told to Marco Dotti for Alfabeta2, Italy

“A visionary book.” – Marie Claire Italia

“Laura Lindstedt’s construction is, specifically, about death. In this way, Dante Alighieri and Marcel Proust are subtly invoked.” –Daniele Abbiati, il Giornale newspaper, Italy (transl. Irene Sorrentino / Riitta Ammunet)

Publishers of Oneiron:
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld
BULGARIA, Faber
CZECH REPUBLIC, Argo
DENMARK, Rosinante
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY, Scolar
ITALY, Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
NORWAY, Forlaget Oktober
POLAND, W.A.B. Foksal
ROMANIA, Editura Paralela 45
SWEDEN, Norstedts

Prizes & nominations:
Finlandia Prize winner 2015
Toisinkoinen Prize winner 2015
Runeberg Prize nominee 2015
Flame Bearer Prize nominee 2015

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

New praise for Laura Lindstedt’s Oneiron!

3af385b0-bac8-42d4-bcca-a6f36ee0d474Laura Lindstedt’s Finlandia Prize-winning Oneiron continues to dazzle critics and readers. From book bloggers, literature prize jurors and major newspapers alike, the novel has received uniform praise. With 12 sold territories under its belt, the latest sale being to Polish Foksal’s literary imprint W.A.B., Oneiron is sure to gather glowing reviews also outside of Finland when the foreign editions start coming out later this year.

We’d also like to remind you that the deadline for the translation grant applications for FILI – Finnish Literature Exchange is the 1st of May. Please see FILI’s website for more information.

PRAISE FOR ONEIRON:

Oneiron is bewildering, wild, multi-layered, abundant and memorable. It is fierce and merciless but at the same time beautiful. It is one of its kind.”
Kirjakaapin kummitus literature blog, Finland

”There’s nothing predictable in Laura Lindstedt’s elegant and in every way skillful analysis of humanity.”
Turun Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“The sprawling narrative flows masterfully smoothly.”
Savon Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“Lindstedt uses the tools of literature to form a work of art with its own rules; one can only admire her execution and her ability to depict our world to a startling effect.”
Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“I’ve never read anything like Oneiron. In the best possible way.”
Lukutoukan kulttuuriblogi literature blog, Finland

“The jury was glad to see how Oneiron seems to rise effortlessly to the best of international literature.”
– Finlandia Prize jury, Finland

RIGHTS SOLD:
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld
BULGARIA, Faber
CZECH REPUBLIC, Argo
DENMARK, Rosinante
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY, Scolar
ITALY, Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
NORWAY, Forlaget Oktober
POLAND, W.A.B. Foksal
ROMANIA, Editura Paralela 45
SWEDEN, Norstedts

READING MATERIAL:
English sample
English synopsis
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Oneiron sold in 12 territories: W.A.B. Foksal acquires the Polish rights!

3af385b0-bac8-42d4-bcca-a6f36ee0d474Laura Lindstedt’s Finlandia Prize-winning Oneiron has reached a full dozen of sold territories with W.A.B. acquiring the Polish rights. W.A.B. is the prestigious literary imprint of Poland’s leading publishing house Foksal and home to authors such as Milan Kundera, Doris Lessing and David Foster Wallace.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Performance artist Shlomith from New York, chief accountant Polina from Moscow, heart transplant patient Rosa Imaculada from Brazil, upper-crust Nina of Marseilles who is expecting twins, cancer patient Wlbgis from the Netherlands, aspiring model Maimuna from Senegal and Austrian teenager Ulrike meet in an empty, blank space after their respective deaths. Time, as we understand it, has ceased to exist, and all bodily sensations are gradually disappearing.

“Lindstedt’s capacity to combine a fascinating story while building a reflection on the meaning of life and death is astonishing.”
– Marie-Pierre Gracedieu, Gallimard

“Lindstedt writes with an exceptional strength and originality. The story is well told and it is absolutely fascinating.”
– Signe E. Russwurm, Editor, Forlaget Oktober

“The author’s ingenious way of renewing the form and structure of the novel is downright striking, and she does so in an extremely reader-friendly manner!”
– Heikki Harma, Finlandia Prize juror, musician and journalist

RIGHTS SOLD:
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld
BULGARIA, Faber
CZECH REPUBLIC, Argo
DENMARK, Rosinante
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY, Scolar
ITALY, Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
NORWAY, Forlaget Oktober
POLAND, W.A.B. Foksal
ROMANIA, Editura Paralela 45
SWEDEN, Norstedts

READING MATERIAL:
English sample
English synopsis
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Finlandia Prize Winner Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt sold in 11 languages

We are thrilled to announce that Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt has been sold to Romania, bringing the number of territories to 11. RomaniOneironAug2015an rights were acquired by Editura Paralela 45, Publisher of authors such as Paul Auster, William Shakespeare, and Simone de Beauvoir. Finlandia winner Oneiron has sold close to 50.000 copies in Finland. Congratulations, Laura Lindstedt!

“Oneiron is a high literature title with a perfect architecture, and will add literary value and prestige to our fiction portfolio. We will be proud to have this novel published by Editura Paralela 45. We were all, myself and my fellow colleagues, impressed by it, and I think it has to do with our eternal fascination with death, the perpetual question of “what are we, where are we going”, and Laura Lindstedt offers us such a penetrating description of the state after death, in a multi-level, multi-register narrative, from the biological to the philosophical perspective of human essence.” 
– Mihaela Pogonici, foreign rights manager, Editura Paralela 45

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Lindstedt is the winner of the Finlandia Prize 2015, the country’s most prestigious literary honor. Her second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015) is a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments following one’s death. Laura Lindstedt became a critical darling already in 2007 with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize. She is currently revising her Ph.D. thesis on the French author Nathalie Sarraute.

RIGHTS SOLD: ONEIRON
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld
BULGARIA, Faber
CZECH REPUBLIC, Argo
DENMARK, Rosinante
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY, Scolar
ITALY, Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
NORWAY, Forlaget Oktober
ROMANIA, Editura Paralela 45
SWEDEN, Norstedts

RIGHTS SOLD: SCISSORS
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
DENMARK, Turbine

PRIZES, Oneiron
Finlandia Prize 2015
Toisinkoinen Prize 2015
Nominated for the Runeberg Prize 2015
Nominated for the Tulenkantaja Prize 2015

PRIZES, Scissors:
Nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2007
Nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize 2007

Reading material: Oneiron
English sample
English synopsis
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com
Copyright © 2016 Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, All rights reserved.
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency’s newsletter

Our mailing address is:
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency

Unioninkatu 20-22
Helsinki 00130
Finland

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Italian and Czech rights to the Finlandia winner Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt sold to Elliot Edizioni and Argo

We are thrilled to announce that Elliot Edizioni has acquired Italian rights and Argo has acquired Czech rights to the Finlandia Prize winner Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt (Teos 2015), bringing the number of territories sold to 10.  Rights were recently sold to Oktober in Norway, to Oneworld for English rights, to Gallimard in France, to Norstedts in Sweden, and to Rosinante in Denmark.

OneironAug2015

Elliot Edizioni, the renowned Italian publishing house founded in 2007 in Rome, is home to authors such as Christopher Moore, Sebastian Fitzek, Paul Torday, Donald Ray Pollock and Karen Russel. The prestigious Czech publishing house Argo specializes in translated fiction and publishes authors such as Thomas Pynchon, Michael Chabon, and Orhan Pamuk.

“Oneiron is one of the most peculiar novels of the last few years. Laura Lindstedt is a writer with a unique and surprising voice.”
– Loretta Santini, editorial director, Elliot Edizioni
“We are really excited to introduce a new fresh voice of the Scandinavian literature to Czech readers and we’re happy to provide Laura Lindstedt with a new home in the Czech context”
– Gabriela Kiszová, Foreign Rights Manager, Argo

Lindstedt’s acclaimed novel tells the story of seven women from different corners of the world who meet in a white, undefined space after death. With close to 50.000 copies sold in Finland, Oneiron was the highest-selling literary fiction title on the most recent bestseller list.

RIGHTS SOLD: ONEIRON

Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld
BULGARIA, Faber
CZECH REPUBLIC, Argo
DENMARK, Rosinante
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY,Scolar
ITALY, Elliot Edizioni
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
NORWAY, Forlaget Oktober
SWEDEN, Norstedts

RIGHTS SOLD: SCISSORS
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
DENMARK, Turbine

Prizes, Oneiron
Finlandia Prize 2015
Toisinkoinen Prize 2015
Nominated for the Runeberg Prize 2015

Prizes, Scissors:
Nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2007
Nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize 2007

Reading material: Oneiron
English sample
English synopsis
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

Copyright © 2016 Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, All rights reserved.
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency’s newsletter

Our mailing address is:

Elina Ahlback Literary Agency

Unioninkatu 20-22

Helsinki 00130

Finland

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Forlaget Oktober acquires Norwegian rights of Finlandia prize winner Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt

We are delighted to announce that the Norwegian publishing house, Forlaget Oktober, has acquired Norwegian rights of the Finlandia Prize winner, Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt (Teos 2015).Forlaget Oktober is one of the leading Norwegian publishing houses and it is home to authors such as Karl Ove Knausgård, Linn Ullman, Marguerite Duras, Søren Kierkegaard, and Sofi Oksanen.

Lindstedt writes with an exceptional strength and originality. The story is well told and it is absolutely fascinating. I am filled with admiration. We strongly believe in Lindstedt – not only in Oneiron, but also in her entire (future) literary work – and we want to be the publishing house that introduces her to the Norwegian readers. 

-Signe E. Russwurm, Editor, Forlaget OktoberLindstedt_Oneiron_cover

Lindstedt’s acclaimed novel tells the story of seven women from different corners of the world who meet in a white, undefined space after death. With close to 50.000 copies sold in Finland, Oneiron was the highest-selling literary fiction title on the most recent bestseller list. Oneiron is also nominated for Runeberg Prize.

Oneiron has now been sold to 8 territories – rights were previously sold to Oneworld for English rights, to Gallimard in France, to Norstedts in Sweden, and to Rosinate in Denmark. See full list of rights sold below.

RIGHTS SOLD: ONEIRON

Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld
BULGARIA, Faber
DENMARK, Rosinante
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY, Scolar
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
NORWAY, Forlaget Oktober
SWEDEN, Norstedts

RIGHTS SOLD: SCISSORS
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
DENMARK, Turbine

Prizes, Oneiron
Finlandia Prize 2015
Toisinkoinen Prize 2015
Nominated for the Runeberg Prize 2015

Prizes, Scissors:
Nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2007
Nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize 2007

Reading material: Oneiron
English sample
English synopsis
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

Copyright © 2016 Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, All rights reserved.
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency’s newsletter

Our mailing address is:

Elina Ahlback Literary Agency

Unioninkatu 20-22

Helsinki 00130

Finland

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

World English rights to Finlandia winner Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt sold in pre-empt to Oneworld

LindstedtOct23

We are happy to announce that the British boutique publishing house, Oneworld, has acquired World English rights of the Finlandia Prize winner, Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt (Teos 2015). The Bloomsbury-based Oneworld is known for introducing bold new literary voices and award-winning fiction from around the world, including Jamaican author Marlon James’ Man Booker prize winner A Brief History of Seven Killings, Eugene Vodolazkin, winner of the two biggest literary awards in Russia with his medieval novel, Laurus, and the multi-award-winning Goncourt finalist The Meursault Investigation by Algerian writer Kamel Daoud.

“We are thrilled to secure a second Finlandia prize-winner. This is a novel to love, from Lindstedt’s richly drawn characters and exquisite prose to her clever range of narrative devices and complex plotting, throughout which she threads her subtle power games and metaphysical questions. A brilliant second novel from a rising star, it will be a very welcome addition to our growing list of literary translations.”Juliet Mabey, Publisher, Oneworld Publications

Lindstedt’s acclaimed novel tells the story of seven women from different corners of the world who meet in a white, undefined space after death. With more than  40.000 copies sold in Finland, Oneiron was the highest-selling literary fiction title on the most recent bestseller list. Oneiron is also nominated for the Runeberg Prize.

Oneiron has now been sold to 7 territories – rights were previously sold in Sweden to Norstedts, in Denmark to Rosinante (in pre-empt), in Hungary to Scolar, in Bulgaria to Faber, in Lithuania to Versus Aureus, and in France to Gallimard (in pre-empt).

Oneworld will publish Oneiron in hardback in September 2017.

RIGHTS SOLD: ONEIRON

Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
BULGARIA, Faber
DENMARK, Rosinante
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY, Scolar
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
SWEDEN, Norstedts
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld Publications

RIGHTS SOLD: SCISSORS
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
DENMARK, Turbine

Prizes, Oneiron
Finlandia Prize 2015
Toisinkoinen Prize 2015
Nominated for the Runeberg Prize 2015

Prizes, Scissors:
Nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2007
Nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize 2007

Reading material: Oneiron
English sample
English synopsis
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Gallimard pre-empted the French rights of Finlandia Winner Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt

We are thrilled to announce that the prestigious French publishing house, Gallimard, has acquired French rights in a pre-empt to the Finlandia Prize winner, Oneiron by Laura Lindstedt (Teos 2015). Gallimard is one of the leading French publishing houses and it is home to authors such as Patrick Modiano, Albert Camus, and Franz Kafka.

“When I started reading the novel and I experienced the intensity of Lindstedt’s writing, the suspenseful atmosphere she creates from the very beginning, I understood I was facing a “chef-d’oeuvre”. Her capacity to combine a fascinating story while building a reflection on the meaning of life and death is astonishing. We are immensely proud to welcome her at Gallimard .”

Marie-Pierre Gracedieu, Gallimard

Lindstedt’s acclaimed novel tells the story of seven women from different corners of the world who meet in a white, undefined space after death. With more than  40.000 copies sold in Finland, Oneiron was the highest-selling literary fiction title on the most recent bestseller list. Oneiron is also nominated for Runeberg Prize.

Rights were previously sold in Sweden to Norstedts, in Denmark to Rosinante (in pre-empt), in Hungary to Scolar, in Bulgaria to Faber, and in Lithuania to Versus Aureus.

RIGHTS SOLD: ONEIRON

Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
BULGARIA, Faber
DENMARK, Rosinante
FRANCE, Gallimard
HUNGARY, Scolar
LITHUANIA, Versus Aureus
SWEDEN, Norstedts

RIGHTS SOLD: SCISSORS
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
DENMARK, Turbine

Prizes, Oneiron
Finlandia Prize 2015
Toisinkoinen Prize 2015
Nominated for the Runeberg Prize 2015

Prizes, Scissors:
Nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2007
Nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize 2007

Reading material: Oneiron
English sample
English synopsis
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

 

Lindstedt_Oneiron_cover

About author


Laura Lindstedt

Laura Lindstedt (b. 1976) became a critical darling with her adoption-themed debut novel Scissors (Sakset, Teos 2007), which earned her a nomination for the Finlandia Prize, the country’s most prestigious literary honour. Lindstedt’s second novel Oneiron (Teos 2015), a work of speculative fiction that takes place in the mysterious moments that follow one’s death, earned her the coveted Finlandia Prize of 2015 and was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize in 2017. Lindstedt’s success has continued with My Friend Natalia (Teos 2019) which has earned critical acclaim and has been sold to 12 territories. Together with author Sinikka Vuola, she has authored 101 tapaa tappaa aviomies (101 Ways to Kill Your Husband, Siltala 2022) which has been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize of 2024.

She is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis on French author Nathalie Sarraute.

Bibliography


2019, Literary Fiction

My Friend Natalia

Laura Lindstedt


2015, Literary Fiction

Oneiron

Laura Lindstedt


2007, Literary Fiction

Scissors

Laura Lindstedt

Norstedts acquires Swedish rights to Laura Lindstedt’s Finlandia Prize-winning Oneiron

LindstedtOct23We are thrilled to announce that Norstedts has acquired Swedish rights to Laura Lindstedt’s bestselling Finlandia Prize winner, Oneiron (Teos 2015). The acquisition was made at auction. Rights are now sold in five territories!

One of Sweden’s largest and most influential publishers, Norstedts is home to authors including Peter Hoeg, Stieg Larsson, Karl Ove Knausgård, Joseph Conrad and Mark Twain.

Oneiron is an extraordinary literary piece of work.”
– Henrik Lindvall, Senior Editor, Norstedts

Lindstedt’s acclaimed novel tells the story of seven women from different corners of the world who meet in a white, undefined space after death. With tens of thousands of copies sold in Finland, Oneiron is currently in its fifth printing and has reached first place on Finland’s official bestseller list! Oneiron is also nominated for Runeberg Prize.

Rights were previously sold in Denmark to Rosinante (in pre-empt), in Hungary to Scolar, in Bulgaria to Faber, and in Lithuania to Versus Aureus.

Praise for Oneiron:

The author’s ingenious way of renewing the form and structure of the novel is downright striking, and she does so in an extremely reader-friendly manner!”
– Heikki Harma, Finlandia Prize juror, musician and journalist

Oneiron is a wonderful and ambitious novel, original and intelligent. At the same time it is impressively tangible and almost corporeal, with such an interesting and warm tone of voice.”
– Marie Vinter, Editor, Rosinante, Denmark

“The contemporary Finnish literary scene is home to amazingly talented authors. It’s ti