Author: Chiara Stanziani

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!

Cappelen Damm has acquired the Norwegian digital rights to bestseller Radio Popov by Anja Portin.

Cappelen Damm has acquired the Norwegian digital rights to Radio Popov by Anja Portin, one of the most successful children’s books of the last decade. Radio Popov won the Finlandia Junior upon its release, and has already travelled to 25 language territories. Radio Popov follows Alfred, a nine-year-old boy who lives virtually alone. His mother is not in the picture and his father is constantly busy with work and business trips. During one of these business trips Alfred is left alone for so long he runs out of food, and electricity is cut off.

When everything seems lost, Alfred is saved by a mysterious stranger who delivers food and woollen socks in lonely children’s letterboxes. It is the beginning of a wonderful adventure that will lead Alfred to a new family, and to saving more forgotten children. Alfred’s story is moving, and touches on social issues, but also contains joy, friendship, and a happy ending.

Anja Portin has quickly become a favourite among children’s authors with her middle grade novel Radio Popov. She writes about children who take matters into their own hands when grownups do not want to take responsibility or are not there to do it. 

Cappelen Damm is one of Norway’s leading publishers, and publish an extensive variety of titles for all audiences. They are the Norwegian home of, among others, Kari Hotakainen’s works.

Congratulations to the author and the publisher!

The Maja from Stormskär series by Anni Blomqvist is travelling to Estonia, where it will be published by Eesti Raamat.

Amazing news for a new entry on our list: the Maja from Stormskär series by Anni Blomqvist is starting its journey out into the world and is now travelling to Estonia, where it will be published by Eesti Raamat.

Originally published from 1968 to 1973, 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 new edition, launched by Schildts & Söderströms in 2024, was a hit in Finland and sold almost 10.000 copies in less than a year. Now an established Swedish-language classic, Maja from Stormskär was adapted into a widely successful movie, and became the most watched movie of 2024 in the Nordic countries.

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. Maja från Stormskär is loosely based on her family’s experiences.

Congratulations to the author and the publisher!

Host has acquired the Czech rights to A Dangerous Dream by Miila Westin, thus continuing The Mythicals series.

The Mythicals series is continuing for Czech readers: Host has acquired the rights to A Dangerous Dream (The Mythicals #2) by Miila Westin. The Mythicals series is a graphic novel series that beautifully blends together Finnish mythology, adventure, and stunning illustrations. In Finland the series is published by Kustantamo S&S.

In A Dangerous Dream (Mythicals #2) Eevi is lonely: after their successful adventure, none of her friends has been in touch, and no one believed her when she explained what happened. Then, one night Otso comes knocking at her window and asking for her help. His sister is sick, and Eevi’s necklace could be the key to saving her, so she goes along. But why does Eevi keep having scary dreams? And are they really just dreams?

Host is the Czech home of many Finnish titles, including our very own A Giraffe’s Heart Is Unbelievably Large for the children’s list and Pirkko Saisio’s Helsinki Trilogy and Juhani Karila’s Fishing For the Little Pike for adults’ fiction.

Warm congratulations to the author and the publisher!

Runeberg winner Suliko by Pirkko Saisio is travelling to Estonia, where it will be published by Postimees.

Suliko by Pirkko Saisio, the winner of this year’s prestigious Runeberg Prize, is continuing its journey out into the world and is now travelling to Estonia, where it will be published by Postimees. This is the third foreign deal for this title.

Suliko is a lyrical and intense novel where a disillusioned dictator reflects on his life on a cold New Year’s Eve. The only thing that seems to bring him comfort is Suliko, a song from his youth that has become a leitmotif throughout his entire life. The novel slips into flashbacks, describing how his idealism turned into something completely different, and the events flash him by until he can hardly recognize himself. In Finland Suliko is published by Siltala.

Pirkko Saisio is the author of  the globally successful Helsinki Trilogy, and the great dame of Finnish literature, with a production ranging from novels to plays. Her The Red Book of Farewells (Helsinki Trilogy #3) and Passion have recently been included in the Readers’ and Critics’ Selections of the 100 Best Books from Finland.

Postimees is one of Estonia’s leading publishing houses, with a list ranging from non-fiction to literary and commercial fiction, and children’s literature. They are the Estonian publisher of, among others, Julia Quinn, Anthony Gottlieb, Douglas Stuart, and John Irving.

Congratulations to the author and the publisher!