|
|
in this issue
DRIED REINDEER MEAT
Mikael Niemi
Norstedts (2000)
ISBN:9113007734
RIGHTS SOLD:
Czech Republic, Denmark, Esthonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, The Netherlands, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Russia, USA.
'I was born in 1959 and grew up in Pajala in Tornedalen, very close to the Swedish border with Finland. My maternal grandmother was a Sami and my father is a Tornedalen. My roots in these two cultures have brought me strength and inspiration. I began writing poetry and short stories when I was fifteen and with time, my dream of becoming a writer became more and more important to me. I qualified as an electrical and telephone engineer and moved a little further south to the harbour city Luleå. After completing my A-level studies, I took various jobs, including one in an engineering workshop and another in a small publishing house. I also worked as a supply teacher and a classroom assistant. Whatever I did, I kept writing. My first book, a collection of poetry called Nosebleed During Mass, was published in 1988. Since then I have written more poetry, as well as works of fiction and plays. My first book for young people was Church Demon (1994). The action takes place in Pajala and the story is about three young people who are forced to fight terrifying monsters. The sequel, Bloodsuckers, was about the same group of youths. I am planning a third volume about them. My first novel for adults was called Popular Music from Vittula, a humerous tale about being a boy in Pajala and, specifically, my growing up there in the 1960s and 70s. To date, the rights for Popular Music from Vittula have been sold to 14 countries.'
© University of Wales, Aberystwyth 2002-2009
site by
CHL