Representing the best
Finnish authors abroad
Finnish authors abroad
ESTHER, THE BUTCHER, winner of the prestigious Helsingin Sanomat Debut Prize, has rapidly become an international sensation. Translation rights have sold to nearly 20 countries, with global publishers rushing to acquire this extraordinary Finnish literary discovery at unprecedented speed.
One of the first to secure rights was the renowned American publisher Grove Atlantic, which acquired worldwide English-language rights as well as rights to the author’s next, still unpublished novel. Grove Atlantic is known for publishing acclaimed writers such as Yan Lianke, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Donna Leon, and Lily King.
“It’s been so exciting to see the international momentum for ESTHER, THE BUTCHER. Just from the title I could tell this book was something very special, and all my colleagues were amazed by the extraordinary voice and style – and clearly many other editors around the world felt the same way! Not since Convenience Store Woman have I acquired a translated title with this kind of momentum, and Mariia is clearly a writer with a brilliant future – no one writes about flesh like her! I have no doubt that Ester, the Butcher will resonate widely with readers in days that for many of us feel increasingly surreal,” says Peter Blackstock, Deputy Publisher at Grove Atlantic.
“The response has been overwhelming. ESTHER, THE BUTCHER is emerging as one of the most sought-after international titles of the year. In just 11 days, we sold translation and publication rights to nearly 20 countries. Publishers have been particularly struck by Mariia Niskavaara’s distinctive, sharp, and assured voice. Our team is thrilled to work with her. Warmest congratulations to Mariia and her publisher, Kosmos,” says Toomas Aasmäe, literary agent at Bonnier Rights Finland.
Rights have currently been sold to the following countries and publishers:
Brazilian Portuguese: Intrínseca, Croatian: Fraktura, Danish: Gads Forlag, Dutch: De Arbeiderspers (2-book deal), Estonian: Rahva Raamat, French: Éditions Robert Laffont, German: Insel, Greek: Ikaros, Hungarian: Sárközy & Company, Icelandic: Benedikt, Italian: Ponte alle Grazie, Lithuanian: Alma Littera, Norwegian: Aschehoug, Polish: Foksal, Portuguese: Relógio D’Água, Swedish: Norstedts, World English: Grove Atlantic (2-book deal), World Spanish: Salamandra