Courage in Journalism Award for Jessikka Aro! New review for her PUTIN’S TROLLS!

We are very proud to announce that Jessikka Aro, author of PUTIN’S TROLLS, has received International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage of Journalism Award!

The other three award recipients were imprisoned Egyptian multimedia journalist Solafa MagdyYakeen Bido, a freelance broadcast journalist in Syria; and, Uighur journalist of Radio Free Asia, Gulchehra Hoja.

“Right now, the pursuit of truth, and the need for diverse journalism, is at a critical high,” said the IWMF’s Executive Director Elisa Lees Muñoz. “This year’s Courage in Journalism Award winners remind us that those who tell the world’s most vital stories, whatever the risk may be, are our true heroes. We congratulate Jessikka, Solafa, Yakeen, and Gulchehra for your spectacular work and uncommon bravery.”

Jessikka Aro reports from the frontlines of Russian information warfare, conducting courageous investigations inside troll factories while enduring incessant attacks and sexual harassment.

Her story is now available in her bestselling narrative nonfiction PUTIN’S TROLLS that has already been acquired by publishers in 7 territories and sold over 20 000 copies in Finland.

Ask for the full English manuscript of PUTIN’S TROLLS by clicking here.

NEW EXCELLENT REVIEW FOR PUTIN’S TROLLS

”Jessikka Aro’s ambitions are to show that the Russian troll business is not a single phenomenon, but a whole system that does not rule out unpleasant surprises in the future. She succeeds well in proving this.”

Here is the full review from Hufvudstadsbladet (in Swedish)

OTHER PRAISE:

”Valuable insight into Russian troll operations worldwide. ”
– Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“Have you ever thought about how defenseless one person can be when systematically attacked with information warfare?
This is what happened to Finnish journalist Jessikka Aro. The book is an outstanding personal and educational story about the dangers of modern information society and the possibilities of defending oneself against them.
Precaution – reading this can severely damage one’s naivety with irreversible consequences.”
 – Raul Rebane, Stratkom, Estonia

”A brave and forceful attempt in the time of the ongoing information warfare
to make the invisible culprits visible.”
– László Kúnos, Director, Corvina Kiado, Hungary

”The extraordinary story of Finnish journalist Jessika Aro is a prime example of a great personal courage and journalist’s dedication face to face new types of threats at the time of an actual hybrid information conflict. The book represents important evidence in the recent debates about the risks we underestimate or even don’t realize.”
– Ján Simkanič, Director, Denik N, Czech Republic

About author


Jessikka Aro

Jessikka Aro is an award-winning reporter with Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, specializing in Russia, extremism and information warfare. In 2014 and 2015, she published a series of articles on pro-Kremlin social media trolls and their influence outside of Russia’s borders. Due to her investigations, Jessikka became the target of a severe and still ongoing international propaganda and hate speech campaign, which she recounts in Putin’s Trolls.

In 2019, the US State Department awarded Jessikka the International Women of Courage Award, but the award was mysteriously rescinded by the Trump administration, allegedly due to her social media criticism of then President Trump. On December 1, 2020, Jessikka Aro received the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award, presented in partnership with the Washington Post and hosted by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Jessikka was recognized for her award-winning investigative reporting of Russian information warfare. Jessikka lives in Helsinki, Finland.

Bibliography


2025, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, History & Politics

Putin's USA: How Russia Divides and Rules the American People

Jessikka Aro


2019, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, History & Politics

Putin's Trolls

Jessikka Aro

Related news

Elina Ahlback Literary Agency shortlisted for The Literary Agent Award in LBF!

We are delighted to announce Elina Ahlback Literary Agency Ltd (Finland) has been shortlisted at The London Book Fair International Excellence Awards 2020 for The Literary Agent Award.
We are very proud to announce that the founder and owner of Elina Ahlbäck Literary Agency – Elina Ahlbäck has been shortlisted for The Literary Agent Award in LBF International Excellence Awards 2020!

”We are passionate to bring world-class literature from Finland to the global publishing market. We are very proud to represent the best of the best Finnish authors” said Elina Ahlbäck.

The Elina Ahlbäck Literary Agency, founded by Elina Ahlbäck in 2009, is Finland’s first, and only, independent literary agency as well the most well-known agency in Finland, which has internationalized Finnish literature with great results and with a determined sense of direction.

Recent success stories for the Agency in 2019 include Max Seeck and his The Faithful Reader, sold in 35 territories at auctions, and pre-empts, in two months, including sales in the UK (Welbeck Publishing) and US (Berkley, Penguin Random House) as well as TV rights optioned in Hollywood by Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures. 12 foreign sales (in three months) for Finlandia-winner Laura Lindstedt’s novel My Friend Natalia, with North American rights sold to W.W.Norton/Liveright, French rights to Gallimard, and German rights to dtv.

In narrative non-fiction, Mia Kankimäki’s The Women I Think About at Night has sold in 13 territories including North American rights to Simon & Schuster, Chinese rights to Winshare Publishing and Japanese rights in negotiation with Soshisha. In children’s non-fiction, Laura Ertimo’s Weird Weather has sold in 12 countries.


Toomas, Julia, Nicole and Elina celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Agency.

See the agency’s contacts here.

WILD EAST by Aapo Roselius & Oula Silvennoinen nominated for Finlandia Prize, first sales to Estonia!

WILD EAST by Aapo Roselius & Oula Silvennoinen nominated for Finlandia Prize, first sales to Estonia!

WILD EAST is the untold story Finnish Kindred Nation Wars in the aftermath of the World War I in North-Eastern Europe –  and the fierce events of the year 1919. 

The book is nominated for the greatest non-fiction award in Finland: Non-Fiction Finlandia Prize.

While the Finlandia winners will be announced in two weeks on the 27th of November, we are very excited to announce that Estonian Rahva Raamat has already acquired the Estonian translation rights for the book:

”The ending of World War I in 1918 created a situation in Europe that rarely happens – a lot of nations gained independence at once. But not all of them – after gaining its own independence in 1917,  some of the Finns went on expeditions trying to help their kindred nations towards self-government – the movement was called the Kindred Nation Wars.  In WILD EAST, the authors have discussed these years in detail, concentrating not only on Finland but also on the neighboring countries and their developments. It is a refreshing view to the aftermath of the World War in Finland and North-Eastern Europe – an untold story.”
– Rain Siemer, Publisher, Rahva Raamat, Estonia

Click here to request the info sheet and full Finnish manuscript for Wild East.

The book has been praised for its realism and shocking impression on the reader:

“The work brings new, dark tones to the mythical picture of the Finnish Kindred Nation Wars and the construction of the Greater Finland. It positions the wars in the great power game of the early 1920s and in the ideological continuity between the World Wars. A dramatic story of the actions, motives and destinies of individual people reveals how war breaks people’s bodies and minds.”
‒ Finlandia Nonfiction Award jury 2019

“The researcher duo is making a convincing, sometimes shocking, impression on the reader. The
connection to the general turmoil of the era deepens the horizons, and the warfare in its outrageousness and nonsense is portrayed well in dense prose.”
‒ Helsingin Sanomat newspaper

We are also very happy to introduce the two new authors for our agency:
AAPO ROSELIUS  is a resercher and a nonfiction author, who has studied extensively the Finnish Civil War and the history of the 1920s and 1930s.

OULA SILVENNOINEN, PhD, is a historian and an author of narrative non-fiction who specializes on the upheavals of the modern era within the Nordic and Baltic sphere. Among other topics, he has published on the themes of policing, war, fascist movements and the Holocaust. His works have been translated also into German, Swedish and Estonian. Oula Silvennoinen is currently based in the University of Helsinki, Finland.

Rights sold:
FINLAND, Tammi (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat

Dressler/Oetinger acquires the German rights to the prize-winning fairytale The Grumblebelly Cat at auction

The first foreign rights deal for The Grumblebelly Cat by Magdalena Hai has been struck! The book is one of our children’s books’ highlights, a multiple prize-winner and a fantasy tale like the Brothers Grimm would have written in the 21st century.

Dressler Verlag, a publisher within the renowned German publishing group Oetinger acquired the German language rights for the book at auction. Their authors include names like A. A. Milne and Cornelia Funke, and the publisher focuses on literary fiction and political or socially critical topics. Dressler’s editor Anna Herberhold was very excited about the acquisition:

From the first moment I met Magdalena Hai’s wonderful girl hero, I knew that this manuscript was something incredibly rare and wonderful. Ms Hai has written a very timely, but timeless, relevant and empowering story about universally important themes without ever talking down to her readers. She’s at eye level with the children, even the very smallest of them, who will all be delighted by the story of the brave, compassionate and fierce girl defeating greed and saving the ever-hungry cat with the grumbling belly. The power of this book’s message will reach every child just as much as us adults reading it with or to them,” she said.

The Grumblebelly Cat won the Finnish Export Prize in 2018 and is nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize – the winner will be announced October 30th this year. Additionally the book was nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Prize 2017 and Runeberg Junior Prize 2018.

The book has been well received also by readers and critics:

“Wise and fearless.” – Aamulehti newspaper

“A great fairytale about a big issue.” – Kujerruksia blog

“Fascinating and intense.” – Arvid Lydecken Prize jury 2018

The Grumblebelly Cat is above all an unadulterated fairytale which features typical elements of the genre, such as victory of the underdog and terrible opponents. However, Hai’s book revisits the tradition of the fairytale in a highly original fashion and adds new ingredients.” – Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize 2018 jury on nomination

The beautifully detailed black-and-white illustrations are drawn by Teemu Juhani, an up-and-coming illustrator residing in London.

Magdalena Hai’s current works include the manga-inspired YA adventure The Royaume Chronicles, the first instalment of which, The Third Sister (Kolmas sisar, Otava), was just published in Finland to praising reviews. In addition she is working on the Little Shop of Nightmares (Painajaispuoti, WSOY) early readers’ series with Teemu Juhani.

Rights sold:
FINLAND, Karisto (Orig. publisher)
GERMANY, Dressler/Oetinger

About author


Magdalena Hai

Magdalena Hai is an award-winning author, lover of cross-genre fiction and all things strange. Her fiction often combines elements of sci-fi, fantasy and horror.

Her Little Shop of Nightmares series has been sold to 30 territories around the world. Among Hai's many accolades are winning the Finlandia Prize for children's and YA literature and the Finnish Literary Export Prize, and being nominated  the Nordic Council Children & Young People's Literature Prize.

Besides being an author, Hai teaches writing and is an active member and editor in the publishing co-operative Osuuskumma.

Bibliography


2025, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)

Little Shop of Nightmares 4: The Crystal Skull

Magdalena Hai


2023, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

The Horned God

Magdalena Hai


2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

The Spell of Iset

Magdalena Hai


2021, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)

Little Shop of Nightmares 3: Sticky the Horrible Snowman

Magdalena Hai


2020, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Miss Swift’s Weird and Wonderful House

Magdalena Hai


2019, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)

Little Shop of Nightmares 2: The Mystery of the Missing Teeth

Magdalena Hai


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

The Third Sister

Magdalena Hai


2018, Chapter Books (6-9 Years)

Little Shop of Nightmares 1: The Terrible Tickling Powder

Magdalena Hai


2017, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Grumblebelly Cat

Magdalena Hai


2012, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Beggar Princess

Magdalena Hai

Related news

The Red Abbey Chronicles: awards, events, sales

Naondel, Maria Turtschaninoff’s second novel of The Red Abbey Chronicles, is gaining acclaim. The novel’s English edition, published in 2017 by Pushkin Press, has been longlisted for the 2018 CILIP Carnegie Medal, which is awarded annually to the writer of an outstanding book for children and young people. Medal holders include C.S. Lewis, Neil Gaiman, Phillip Pullman –Turtschaninoff is definitely in esteemed company.

Maresi, the first book of the trilogy, has in the meanwhile been selected as the teen category title – though it’s also beloved of adult readers alike – for Nordic Library Week: Monday the 13th of November is “The Big Reading Aloud Day” in libraries across the Nordics and beyond. Maresi, among two other titles, will be read out loud simultaneously, in different languages, in over 2000 places!

Additionally, Naondel was recently sold in Latvia. Petergailis Publishing was glad to continue The Red Abbey Chronicles with the publication of the second book: “Despite the horrific events of the story, Naondel is quiet and beautifully told,” said Kaspars Eizentals of Petergailis.

Click here for reading materials for The Red Abbey Chronicles!

Rights sold: The Red Abbey Chronicles

Original publisher: FINLAND, Schildts & Söderströms (Book 1)
Original publisher: FINLAND, Förlaget (Books 2-3)
BELGIUM, Clavis (Book 1-2)
BRAZIL, Morro Branco (Books 1-3)
CANADA (French), Editions de la Bagnole (Book 1)
CHINA (Simplified), Shanghai 99 (Books 1-3)
DENMARK, Turbine (Book 1)
ESTONIA, Varrak (Book 1-2)
FINLAND, Tammi (Books 1-2)
FRANCE, Rageot (Books 1-2)
GERMANY, Random House/Heyne (Book 1)
HUNGARY, Scolar (Books 1-3)
ITALY, Atmosphere Libri (Books 1-3)
LATVIA, Petergailis (Book 1-2)
NETHERLANDS, Clavis (Book 1-2)
NORWAY, Gursli Berg Forlag (Books 1-3)
POLAND, Wydawnictwo Debit (Books 1-3)
ROMANIA, Univers (Book 1)
WORLD SPANISH, Penguin Random House/Alfaguara (Book 1)
SWEDEN, Berghs (Books 1-2)
TURKEY, Altın Kitaplar (Book 1)
UNITED KINGDOM, Pushkin Press (Books 1-3)
UNITED STATES, Abrams (Books 1-3)

FILM, Film4

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 Tangled Roots.

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

Photo credit: Veikko Somerpuro/Tammi

Bibliography


2024, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Manticore

Maria Turtschaninoff


2022, Literary Fiction

Tangled Roots

Maria Turtschaninoff


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Maresi: Red Mantle

Maria Turtschaninoff


2016, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Naondel

Maria Turtschaninoff


2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Maresi

Maria Turtschaninoff


2012, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Anaché

Maria Turtschaninoff

Related news

Maresi charms readers around the world

Maria Turtschaninoff’s YA fantasy Maresi, which has been sold to 22 territories and film so far, continues to gather great feedback among the readers.

In France, the fantasy website Elbakin.net awarded Maresi the prize for the best translated YA fantasy book of 2017.  ”The author insists without hesitation that women have to assume power and form female friendships, but never does so forcefully or caricaturably.”

The UK-based literature blog Strange Bookfellows praised the novel’s atmosphere: ”Maresi is unafraid of exploring the darker aspects of life and human culture–death, domestic abuse, patriarchal oppression, femicide–but it is never bleak for the sake of being bleak.”

In Norway, Maresi was recommended as the weekend’s best readings in VG, the biggest newspaper in Norway. Additionally, book bloggers are swooning over the book: ”Maresi is a very special YA fantasy book. It has a very unique story, like Uprooted, and it takes feminism up on the same level as Wonder Woman,” said the Outland blog. Blogger Elise Cathrin recommended the book warmly: ”It’s a strong story about brave women.”

 

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 Tangled Roots.

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

Photo credit: Veikko Somerpuro/Tammi

Bibliography


2024, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Manticore

Maria Turtschaninoff


2022, Literary Fiction

Tangled Roots

Maria Turtschaninoff


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Maresi: Red Mantle

Maria Turtschaninoff


2016, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Naondel

Maria Turtschaninoff


2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Maresi

Maria Turtschaninoff


2012, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Anaché

Maria Turtschaninoff

Related news

Johanna Sinisalo’s The Core of the Sun wins Prometheus Award for Best Novel

The Libertarian Futurist Society has chosen The Core of the Sun, by Johanna Sinisalo, as the 2017 winner in the Best Novel category of the 37th annual Prometheus Awards. Previous winners include names such as Kurt Vonnegut, Cory Doctorow and Charles Stross.

The awards will be presented during WorldCon75, the 75th annual World Science Fiction Convention Aug. 9-13, 2017 in Helsinki, Finland, where Johanna Sinisalo is a Guest of Honor.

In the novel, the Eusistocratic Republic of Finland has prioritized social stability and national health, and outlawed practically everything that might give one pleasure or cause addiction: except the distribution of sex. To achieve this, the state has bred a new subspecies of women who are receptive, submissive and always willing.

“Written with wit and grace, […] the novel maintains an impressive grasp on plot and suspense, easily luring the reader into taking its characters, politics, and striking story to heart.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

At the moment Sinisalo is finalizing the manuscript of Renate’s Story, a novel based her original story for the screenplay of the hit movie Iron Sky: sharp political satire that tackles the timely topics of indoctrination of the masses, the hunger for power – and, of course, the endless folly of mankind. The novel will be published in German and Finnish simultaneously with the premiere of the sequel, Iron Sky: The Coming Race, to be released at Berlin Film Festival in February 2018. Rights have also sold in France.

Click here to request reading materials for The Core of the Sun or Renate’s Story!

Publishers of The Core of the Sun:
CZECH, Euromedia
FINLAND, Teos
FRANCE, Actes Sud
GERMANY, Klett-Cotta
LATVIA, Petergailis
WORLD ENGLISH, Grove Atlantic

Publishers of Renate’s Story:
GERMANY, Klett-Cotta
FINLAND, WSOY/Johnny Kniga
FRANCE, Actes Sud

About author


Johanna Sinisalo

Johanna Sinisalo (b. 1958) is a Finlandia Prize-winning superstar of Finnish speculative fiction. In addition to her ten novels, she has also written short fiction and film and television screenplays. Her works have been translated into twenty languages.

Sinisalo has won several literary prizes also abroad, such as the 2004 James Tiptree, Jr. Award and the 2017 Prometheus Award, and was nominated for the Nebula Award in 2008, the Prix Escapades in 2012, and the Grand Prix de L’Imaginaire in 2017. In 2022, Johanna Sinisalo was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal for services to Finnish literature.

Photo credit: Katri Kallio

Bibliography


2025, Literary Fiction, Fantasy & Science Fiction

Swan Song

Johanna Sinisalo


2021, Fantasy & Science Fiction

The Storm Flute

Johanna Sinisalo


2020, Fantasy & Science Fiction

Strangers Inside

Johanna Sinisalo


2018, Fantasy & Science Fiction

IRON SKY: RENATE'S STORY

Johanna Sinisalo


2013, Fantasy & Science Fiction

The Core of The Sun

Johanna Sinisalo


2011, Fantasy & Science Fiction

Blood of Angels

Johanna Sinisalo


2010, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Möbius Twist

Johanna Sinisalo


2008, Fantasy & Science Fiction

Birdbrain

Johanna Sinisalo


2000, Fantasy & Science Fiction

Troll

Johanna Sinisalo

Related news

Midsummer children’s news: prizes and reviews for Leinonen, Parkkinen, Pitkänen and Simukka

With Midsummer upon us, we are thrilled to see more good news and reviews rolling in for our authors’ latest books across picture book, middle-grade and YA.

Monster Nanny illustrator Pasi Pitkänen’s endearing jungle island adventure picture book, The Island of Lost Animals, recently sold in China, has been warmly reviewed by Finnish literary bloggers for its warm yet cautionary tale of wildlife species decline:

“Pasi Pitkänen has succeeded with his first solo publication, which gets my recommendation. The illustrations are truly excellent.”  Kirjavinkit blog, Finland

My expectations were rewarded with this book and its superb illustrations. It is thrilling, touching and yet humourous with its cartoon-like pictures.[…] Pitkänen’s action-packed adventure tackles an important and timely issue, that of conservation and protection of wildlife and the natural habitat.”  Luentaanko tämä blog, Finland

In other adventures, Leena Parkkinen and illustrator Jussi Karjalainen’s exotic backyard adventure, Little Brother’s Marvellous Expedition continues to garner praise from reviewers:

“Children’s literature might be the last territory where anarchy is order and the unconventional is wished for. Echoes of these can be found in abundance in the work of Leena Parkkinen and Jussi Karjalainen. – – A healthy phenomenon is that children’s literature can handle societal themes with the aid of allegories. What does not necessarily open up immediately, might simmer in the subconscious and become a life-changing revelation later on.” – Turun Sanomat newspaper, Finland

We are so thrilled that Salla Simukka’s middle-grade novel Sisterland won Finland’s LukuVarkaus prize last week. Established by the town of Varkaus and paper company Stora Enso, the LukuVarkaus prize is awarded to a children’s book published in the previous year by a jury of school-age children. Congratulations again to Salla!

And more reviews for Anne Leinonen’s YA fantasy, Bookwitch; the first volume of Anne’s recently-published YA duology received another review this week:

“There are nice pinches of romance and suspense, and a surprising twist in the end, as I thought there would be. The story is thought-out and well-presented to the reader, guaranteeing a pleasant read.” – Dysphoria blog, Finland 

Even with its fast-paced twists and turns, it’s a wonderfully relaxing comfort read.” — Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland


Our warmest Midsummer greetings and good wishes to you, one and all!

About author


Anne Leinonen

Anne Leinonen (b.1973) is a multiple-award winning, key author, tutor and editor of Finnish science fiction and fantasy. Her most recent publication is the first volume of a YA urban fantasy duology, Bookwitch (Kirjanoita), which will be followed by Witchbook (Noitakirja) in 2018.

Leinonen’s short stories have been published in magazines and anthologies, earning her several Atorox awards (voted for by fans). Her science fiction novels, Viivamaalari and Ilottomien ihmisten kylä were published to positive reviews, as well as a trilogy, Routasisarukset, written in collaboration with Eija Lappalainen, In addition to writing YA and adult fiction, she has now started to work on audio and television dramas.

Anne Leinonen moves fluidly between science fiction and fantasy. Her texts deal with themes of otherness and unfamiliarity, as well as conflicts between the community and the individual. Nature plays an important part in her work, as a vehicle for the story, the stage of action and on a symbolic level. Leinonen’s prose is taut, with no superficial descriptions. Instead, she takes her readers right in to the middle of events and the lives of her characters. Her use of language shows talent and uniqueness, favouring experimentation with different styles and often works on several pieces at the same time. She is especially renowned for her collaborations with other writers.

About author


Leena Parkkinen

Leena Parkkinen has authored three prize-winning adults’ novels set in 20th century Europe, often about people living at the margins society. Her skillful use of detail is often imbued with an element of suspense. She has also written two children’s story books.

Parkkinen has received numerous literary awards, such as Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize for the best debut (2009), Academic Bookshop’s Bestselling Debut Prize (2009), Laila Hirvisaari Award (2010) and the Kalevi Jäntti Prize (2013), in addition to being nominated for the Tulenkantaja Export Prize 2017. Her works have been translated into seven languages to date.

About author


Pasi Pitkänen

Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

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.

Sisterland wins the LukuVarkaus award

Salla Simukka’s Sisterland has received the ’Lasten LukuVarkaus’ award, a literary prize given annually to the best Finnish children’s book for readers up to twelve years old and published in the previous year. The winner was selected by a jury of six elementary school pupils.

The kids’ jury appreciated especially the balanced combination of fantasy and realism, and the novel’s characters. In addition, the jury stated that there’s ”not a single boring bit” in the book.

Sisterland has been sold to ten territories to date, the latest two being China and the Arab World.

Earlier this year Salla Simukka received also the Kaarina Helakisa award, given annually to an outstanding children’s book author or illustrator. ”Salla Simukka has made Finnish YA literature world famous, shattered glass ceilings and always stood up for minorities. She is inspiring, visible and audible. She’s a prime example of nothing being impossible,” said the jury.

Rights sold:

FINLAND, Tammi (Original publisher)
ARAB WORLD, Arab Scientific Publishers
BELGIUM, Clavis
CHINA, Hunan Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House
ESTONIA, Pegasus
FRANCE, Hachette Livre
JAPAN, Nishimura
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
NETHERLANDS, Clavis
UNITED STATES, Random House

About author


Salla Simukka

Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 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.

Bibliography


2025, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Four Birthdays and a Funeral

Salla Simukka


2024, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Secret Staircase

Salla Simukka


2022, Literary Fiction

Where It All Begins

Salla Simukka


2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

In the Dark I Can Be Yours

Salla Simukka


2020, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Detained

Salla Simukka


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Turn off the Lights! Turn on the Lights!

Salla Simukka


2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Sisterland

Salla Simukka


2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As Black as Ebony

Salla Simukka


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As Red as Blood

Salla Simukka


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As White as Snow

Salla Simukka


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Elsewhere

Salla Simukka


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Without a Trace

Salla Simukka

Related news

Literary prize nominations and reviews – May 2017

Nominations and reviews for Pauliina Susi, Jussi Valtonen and Leena Parkkinen
In this month’s fiction highlights, we’re thrilled to share news of In the Rear Window author, Pauliina Susi’s nomination for the ’Glasnyckeln’ – Glass Key – crime fiction prize for Nordic crime fiction writers.  A Swedish translation of the novel is now available. The Glass Key winner will be announced in August – watch this space!

Meanwhile, Jussi Valtonen’s Finlandia Prize winning novel, They Know Not What They Do, was recently published in Germany (Piper) and Hungary (Cser) to warm reviews, and will be out in English this November from Oneworld with the superb cover featured to the right here.

Also in the spotlight is Decent Ingredients, Leena Parkkinen’s sensuous and atmospheric novel about social politics, forbidden love and food in 1950s Helsinki, which recently sold in Italy (Sovera) and we are now delighted to be able to offer you a newly-extended English sample translation by the talented Lola Rogers.

Click here to request further information and reading materials.


PRAISE FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO:

They Know Not What They Do” is a great novel that shows ambition and the willingness to take risks” – Sand am Meer, Austria

“All in all a time critical novel that explores the individual’s increasing identity struggle, the struggle to root and consolidate.” – Buchtips, Germany

They Know Not What They Do speaks to a large audience. There are few contemporary novels that can address both adolescents and middle-aged people, university professors and young green activists, parents and children, Europeans and Americans. […] Different opinions collide, but no one is right and no one is wrong. They simply see things differently, as if they were living in another dimension. That’s what their tragedy is about.” – Olvass bele literary blog, Hungary

“Valtonen’s book offers a realistic prospect [of future], so this book is a great way to look a bit into the crystal ball that tells the future.” –  Librarius magazine, Hungary

“One of the most extraordinary books of recent times.” – Könyv utca literary blog, Hungary

”It is a thrilling, full-fledged, revolutionary, well-crafted work.” – Vilmos Csányi, Est Ujság, Hungary


PRAISE FOR DECENT INGREDIENTS:

“A fine novel that would have perhaps worked even without its plot about espionage. Bon appetit!” – Savon Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“Parkkinen hooks the reader with an intriguing story written in wonderfully ornate and rich language, which is, however, very accessible. She gives away so delicious recipes from Saara and Elisabeth’s kitchen that one can’t help one’s mouth from watering. Reading this book will make you hungry!” – Lukuneuvoja blog, Finland

“All in all a very readable book…” – Ja kaikkea muuta blog, Finland

“If you are at all interested in food, love, secret agents or well-told stories, you really ought to read Leena Parkkinen’s Decent Ingredients. Parkkinen’s third novel is so delicious that it is bound to be named by many as the best Finnish read of the year.” Aamulehti newspaper, Finland

“From the first page onwards, I became absorbed in that almost unbearably pleasurable reading frenzy that Parkkinen served in the world and characters she created. Decent Ingredients was a sinfully good novel, the reading of which you cannot stop once you’ve begun…” P.S. I love books, Finland

“Parkkinen is at her best when she describes the relationships between people. Saara’s clinging to Elisabeth is moving. And Elisabeth’s ruthlessness is annoying. The longing of two women’s bodies for one another is beautifully depicted.” Helena Ruuska, Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“Leena Parkkinen is one of those writers whose text you are allowed to expect a lot of. And she does not fail you this time, either. Decent Ingredients is a multi-layered story that must be carefully read, up until the last clause, in order to understand everything that Parkkinen is telling us.” Etelä-Saimaa newspaper, Finland

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


Leena Parkkinen

Leena Parkkinen has authored three prize-winning adults’ novels set in 20th century Europe, often about people living at the margins society. Her skillful use of detail is often imbued with an element of suspense. She has also written two children’s story books.

Parkkinen has received numerous literary awards, such as Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize for the best debut (2009), Academic Bookshop’s Bestselling Debut Prize (2009), Laila Hirvisaari Award (2010) and the Kalevi Jäntti Prize (2013), in addition to being nominated for the Tulenkantaja Export Prize 2017. Her works have been translated into seven languages to date.