Sf Writing Course in Tampere

The Sampola science fiction and fantasy writing course starts on January 17. The course emphasis this spring season is a ”chain story” where the story production is divided into movie production–style roles (writer, producer, editor, etc.); there will also be gothic horror story writing. More info on the Sampola site.

Linkage: Finnish Tolkien Society and Kontu Merging?

The Finnish Tolkien Society and the net community Kontu (“Shire”) are discussing merging into one association. The discussion is going on in the Kontu forum, comments are welcomed.

Nova 2011 Competition

The Nova short story competition for new writers for the next year has been announced. The deadline for the stories is February 28. More info from the Nova page at TSFS.

Heli Määttä Wins Portti Competition

Anne has the low-down on the 2010 Portti short story competition. This year’s winner is Heli Määttä from Oulu. The second place went to Maarit Lejon, and the third was a tie between Anna Malinen, and Petri Laine & Anne Leinonen (who collaborated on a story).

The Portti competition is the biggest sf short story competition in Finland. The first prize is a cash award of 2 000 €; the total sum of the prizes is 4 200 €. The competition is organized by the Tampere sf society, and the winning stories are published in their zine Portti. This year’s award jury comprised professor Frans Mäyrä, editor Kanerva Eskola and Portti editor Raimo Nikkonen.

Birdbrain Reviewed

Johanna Sinisalo’s 2008 novel Linnunaivot ( Birdbrain) has been translated into English. It is reviewed in Salon Futura, and Sam Jordison quite likes it:

Since it’s December, I don’t feel too nervous about declaring Finnish writer Johanna Sinisalo’s Birdbrain (translated by David Hackston) one of the most interesting books I’ve read this year. It is… well… the fact that it’s so hard to describe is part of its appeal."

Go read the full review—and purchase through the link in the review to get some excellent Finnish fiction to read and support the zine that told you all about it while you’re at it!

Jyrki Ijäs 1943–2010

Sad news this weekend: Jyrki Ijäs, one of the stalwarts of Finnish fandom, died on the night between Thursday and Friday of an advanced cancer. Jyrki was very active in the early days of Finnish fandom, among other things he edited his own zine Ikaros and was a member of the organizing committee of the very first Finncon in 1986. He loved science fiction and movies and a good chat over a beer or two. Even though he was mostly retired from fandom activities, he attended Finncon this year. I’m kind of glad that his last convention was a rather traditional Finncon more in the style of “the old days”—and I’m happy I got one more chance to chat with him there!

Babek nabel has a thread for remembering Jyrki.

Photo by Johan Anglemark

Love of Books Award to Toni Jerrman

The Finnish Fair Foundation has given the “For the Love of the Book” achievement prize to Toni Jerrman in recognition of his long-standing cultural work in the field of science fiction, fantasy, and horror literature. The jury commended Jerrman for a determined and sincere enthusiasm that has promoted awareness of genre literature for over 25 years. He has worked in the field as an editor, newspaper critic, radio journalist, and lecturer, and with his “rock spirit, anarchism, and courage” helped especially adolescent boys and young men find their way into the habit of reading books. Toni’s influence in the Finnish fandom was also recognized by the jury.

The Finnish Fair Foundation operates in conjunction with the Finnish Fair Corporation and aims to promote Finnish trade and industry, as well as Finnish business life in general. The Love of Books award is worth 5 000 €, and the winner is decided by a jury that this year comprised the chairwoman of the Finnish Book Publishers’ Association Anna Baijars, author Olli Jalonen, professor Laura Kolbe, author Sofi Oksanen, editor-in-chief Jarmo Papinniemi and cultural journalist Reetta Ravi.