Three Issues of Finnish Weird

This is already old news, but I didn’t mention it at the time, so I’ll fix that oversight now. The third issue of the Finnish Weird zine is out. It once again highlights contemporary Finnish weird fiction, translated into English. This issue’s stories are by Anne Leinonen, Johanna Sinisalo, Helena Waris, Leena Likitalo, and Magdalena Hai (the winner of this year’s Atorox Award). In addition there is an author spotlight on Helena Waris.

As always, the issue is available as a free download (epub and pdf), so go check it out! (Editor Toni Jerrman points out that an improved epub version of issue 2 is also available on the site.)

Big Book of Science Fiction

The Big Book of Science Fiction, edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer, is an undertaking which makes the word ambitious seem woefully inadequate. The book contains no less than 105 short stories and strives to cover the history and themes of science fiction.

I’m mentioning the book here because it contains two stories by Finnish authors, Gorgonoids by Leena Krohn and Baby Doll by Johanna Sinisalo. And of course over a hundred other stories.

You can read more about the project in the Kirkus review of Ann and Jeff.

Leena Krohn a World Fantasy Award Finalist

Leena Krohn’s Collected Fiction is a finalist in the 2016 World Fantasy Awards, in the best collection category.

The collection is published by the Cheeky Frawg Books, and is available both as a hardcover and an ebook.

Finnish Sf in Strange Horizons

Strange Horizons has published a short story by Sara Norja, called Water, Birch, and Blood. The story is free to read, go check it out!

The story is also available as audio in the Strange Horizons podcast.

Illustration by O. Horvath

Kosmoskynä Award to Irma Hirsjärvi

The Kosmoskynä Award is an achievement award occasionally given by the Finnish science fiction and fantasy writers association to a person or community for advancing Finnish science fiction literature. At Finncon this year, Irma Hirsjärvi received the award. Irma’s own fandom research is significant, and she has also actively influenced the development of Finnish science fiction and fantasy research. She has been active in the researchers’ network and later the Finnish Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy Research FINFAR.

FINFAR founding meeting

In addition to the research she has had a big influence in fandom in general. She was instrumental in starting to organize Finncons in other cities outside Helsinki (and has chaired a few), took part in starting the Finncon association, has taught writing, participated in writing guides, talked about science fiction, and been a good friend to people coming to fandom.

Congratulations, Ipa!

Photo: Jussi Vainikainen

Atorox Award to Magdalena Hai

The winner of the Atorox award (for best Finnish sf short story published last year) was announced at Finncon. This year the award went to the short story Kaunis Ululian (“Beautiful Ululian”) by Magdalena Hai, published in the Osuuskumma anthology Kristallimeri.

Heikki Nevala, Jussi Katajala, Oskari Rantala, J.S. Meresmaa,
Janos Honkonen, and Magdalena Hai. Photo by Pasi Karppanen

The top 3 this year was:

1. Magdalena Hai: Kaunis Ululian (Kristallimeri. Osuuskumma)
2. Oskari Rantala: Didin historiat (Portti 4/14)
3. Tuukka Tenhunen: Ugrilainen tapaus (Spin 4/14)

Osuuskumma continues to dominate the Finnish sf short fiction scene: no less than seven of the top 10 stories were published in their anthologies. The Portti and Spin fanzines published one story each, and one was published in Anne Leinonen’s collection Pienen rasian jumala.

There were 20 short stories in the short list (nominated by Finnish fandom; all published stories were eligible), and 62 persons participated in the voting. The award is given by the Turku Science Fiction Society.

Tähtifantasia Award 2016

The Tähtifantasia Award for the best fantasy book translated into Finnish last year was announced at Finncon on July 2. The winner is Etäisten esikaupunkien asioita (Tales from outer suburbia) by Shaun Tan. The collection is translated by Jaana Kapari-Jatta and published by Lasten keskus.

The jury compared Tan’s stories to those of Leena Krohn and Tove Jansson and commended them as imaginative stories that give a lot to children, young adults, and adults alike. The stories talk about wanting to belong, the power of friendship, and the meaning of close relationships. There is always hope in the stories, even when the main characters are loners and outsiders.

The translation preserves the richness, the rhythm, and the atmosphere of the original exceptionally well. The jury recommends the Finnish version to all readers.

The award is given by the Helsinki Science Fiction Society, and the jury comprised of critics Jukka Halme, Aleksi Kuutio, and Anne Leinonen, and the Risingshadow.net fantasy forum representative Osmo Määttä.