HarperCollins has pre-empted the World French rights to the Maja from Stormskär series by Anni Blomqvist. This is the second foreign deal for this title.
Amazing news: HarperCollins has pre-empted the World French rights to the Maja from Stormskär series by Anni Blomqvist, in a five-book deal, marking the second foreign language territory for this series.
The Maja from Stormskär series follows Maja, a young girl from Åland Island, for over 50 years. Her life is forever changed when Janne, a fisherman’s son, asks for her hand in marriage despite barely knowing her. Young Maja is set to start a new life on the remote Stormskerry and grows into a strong woman capable of dealing with both the good and the bad that life throws at her. A coming-of-age story, a portrayal of wild nature and hard work, and a love story beautifully weaved together, the series consists of five volumes.
The Maja from Stormskär series, originally published between 1968 and 1973, is an established Swedish-language modern classic. It rose to new fame in 2024, when it was adapted into a spectacularly successful movie with the same name which became the most watched movie of the year in the Nordics. The new edition, out with Schildts & Söderströms, was a hit and sold almost 10.000 copies in less than a year.
Anni Blomqvist (1909–1990) was born on Vårdö, northeast of the Isle of Åland, where she lived her entire life. She debuted in 1966 and after the success with the books about Maja from Stormskär (1968-1973) Blomqvist wrote several critically acclaimed novels and an autobiographical work about life in the archipelago, past and present.
HarperCollins Publishers is the second largest book publisher in the world with operations in 17 countries. HarperCollins France was founded in 2016 and is made up of several imprints across all genres.
The acquiring editor Marine Alata stated: “Maja [from Stormskär] is more than just a novel; it’s a deeply human story about love, grief and survival. The protagonist’s journey, shaped by both the wild elements and the weight of personal loss, resonates in a way that feels both timeless and universal. I believe Maja would find a devoted readership in the French market. There’s a growing appreciation for intimate, atmospheric novels that explore the inner lives of women with such emotional depth.
The Maja from Stormskär series will be included in the “Au gré du monde” collection, launched a couple of years ago including the works of Anne Jacobs, Katarina Widholm, and Abi Daré, a collection of foreign fiction that publishes family sagas, historical and book club women’s fiction with strong, powerful heroines who struggle against the traditions and the obligations imposed on women in their times. The collection offers the readers a chance to escape across borders and eras.
Warmest congratulations to the publisher!