Representing the best
Finnish authors abroad
Finnish authors abroad
Maija Kajanto is a Helsinki-based writer, journalist, and communications professional. Her breakout BIRCH TREE CAFE feelgood romance series has sold over 200,000 copies in Finland.
In 2025, the Funlandia Prize for Fiction has been awarded to Maija Kajanto for the series Birch Tree Café (WSOY 2022–2024) and Laundrette on Park Street (WSOY 2025), as well as for her standalone Winter City Lights (WSOY 2025).
“The Birch Tree Café is a captivating five-part book series that takes readers to the small town of Pyhävirta in Central Finland. In this warm-hearted series, life’s joys and heartbreaks are shared over freshly baked cinnamon rolls and strong coffee. […]
The Laundrette on Park Street series begins with Laundry Day, a story about entrepreneurship, finding one’s place, and the scent of crisp, clean sheets.
The new release Winter City Lights turns the traditional idea of a perfect, blissful Christmas upside down. Happiness isn’t always found at a family gathering around the table—sometimes the most meaningful Christmas is experienced somewhere entirely different.” —Jury of the Funlandia Prize
Author portrait © Veikko Somerpuro
