Hannu Rajaniemi
Encyclopedia
Hannu Rajaniemi is a Finnish author of science fiction
and fantasy
, who writes in both English
and Finnish
. He lives in Edinburgh
, Scotland
, and is a founding director of a commercial research organisation, ThinkTank Maths.
, Finland
. He holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics from the University of Oulu
, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Mathematics
from the University of Cambridge
and a Ph.D. in Mathematical Physics
from the University of Edinburgh
. Prior to starting his Ph.D. candidature, he completed his national service
as a research scientist for the Finnish Defence Forces
.
While pursuing his Ph.D. in Edinburgh, Rajaniemi joined Writers' Bloc, a writers' group in Edinburgh that organizes semi-regular spoken word
performances and counts Charlie Stross
amongst its members. Early works included his first published short story "Shibuya no Love" in 2003 and his short story "Deus Ex Homine" in Nova Scotia
, a 2005 anthology
of Scottish science fiction and fantasy, which caught the attention of his current literary agent, John Jarrold.
Rajaniemi gained attention in October 2008 when John Jarrold secured a three-book deal for him with Gollancz
, on the basis of only twenty-four double-spaced pages.
His debut novel, The Quantum Thief
, was published in September 2010 by Gollancz in Britain and was published in May 2011 by Tor Books
in the U.S. The novel has been nominated for the 2011 Locus Award for Best First Novel
. A sequel, The Fractal Prince, is in progress.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
, who writes in both English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Finnish
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
. He lives in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and is a founding director of a commercial research organisation, ThinkTank Maths.
Biography
Rajaniemi was born in YlivieskaYlivieska
Ylivieska is a town and a municipality of Northern Ostrobothnia region, Finland. It has a population of , and it serves as the administrative centre for Kalajokilaakso and Pyhäjokilaakso, an area with about 90,000 inhabitants....
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. He holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics from the University of Oulu
University of Oulu
The University of Oulu is one of the largest universities in Finland, located in the city of Oulu. It was founded on July 8, 1958. The university has around 16,000 students and 3,000 staff...
, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Mathematics
Certificate of Advanced Study in Mathematics
Part III of the Mathematical Tripos is a one year Masters-level taught course in mathematics offered at the Faculty of Mathematics, University of Cambridge currently taken by over 200 students each year...
from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
and a Ph.D. in Mathematical Physics
Mathematical physics
Mathematical physics refers to development of mathematical methods for application to problems in physics. The Journal of Mathematical Physics defines this area as: "the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and...
from the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
. Prior to starting his Ph.D. candidature, he completed his national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
as a research scientist for the Finnish Defence Forces
Finnish Defence Forces
The Finnish Defence Forces are responsible for the defence of Finland. It is a cadre army of 15,000, of which 8,900 are professional soldiers , extended with conscripts and reservists such that the standard readiness strength is 34,700 people in uniform...
.
While pursuing his Ph.D. in Edinburgh, Rajaniemi joined Writers' Bloc, a writers' group in Edinburgh that organizes semi-regular spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
performances and counts Charlie Stross
Charles Stross
Charles David George "Charlie" Stross is a British writer of science fiction, Lovecraftian horror and fantasy. He was born in Leeds.Stross specialises in hard science fiction and space opera...
amongst its members. Early works included his first published short story "Shibuya no Love" in 2003 and his short story "Deus Ex Homine" in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia: New Scottish Speculative Fiction
Nova Scotia: New Scottish Speculative Fiction is an anthology showcasing Scottish science fiction and fantasy, compiled by Neil Williamson and Andrew J. Wilson...
, a 2005 anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
of Scottish science fiction and fantasy, which caught the attention of his current literary agent, John Jarrold.
Rajaniemi gained attention in October 2008 when John Jarrold secured a three-book deal for him with Gollancz
Victor Gollancz Ltd
Victor Gollancz Ltd was a major British book publishing house of the twentieth century. It was founded in 1927 by Victor Gollancz and specialised in the publication of high quality literature, nonfiction and popular fiction, including science fiction. Upon Gollancz's death in 1967, ownership...
, on the basis of only twenty-four double-spaced pages.
His debut novel, The Quantum Thief
The Quantum Thief
The Quantum Thief is the first science fiction novel by Hannu Rajaniemi. It was published in Britain by Gollancz in 2010, and will be published in 2011 by Tor in the US. It is a heist story, set in a futuristic solar system, that features a protagonist modelled on Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief...
, was published in September 2010 by Gollancz in Britain and was published in May 2011 by Tor Books
Tor Books
Tor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
in the U.S. The novel has been nominated for the 2011 Locus Award for Best First Novel
Locus Award for Best First Novel
Winners of the Locus Award for Best First Novel, awarded by the Locus magazine. Awards presented in a given year are for works published in the previous calendar year....
. A sequel, The Fractal Prince, is in progress.
Short Fiction
Rajaniemi maintains a list of short fiction online. A partial list follows.- "Shibuya no Love"
- Published in futurismic.com, 2003
- Available online
- "Deus Ex Homine"
- First anthologized in Nova Scotia: New Scottish Speculative FictionNova Scotia: New Scottish Speculative FictionNova Scotia: New Scottish Speculative Fiction is an anthology showcasing Scottish science fiction and fantasy, compiled by Neil Williamson and Andrew J. Wilson...
, 2005, ISBN 978-1-84183-086-5 - The Year's Best Science Fiction 23, 2006, edited by Gardner Dozois, ISBN 0-31-235334-0
- Year's Best SF 11Year's Best SF 11Year's Best SF 11 is a science fiction anthology edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer that was published in 2006...
, 2006, edited by David Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer, ISBN 0-06-087341-8
- First anthologized in Nova Scotia: New Scottish Speculative Fiction
- "His Master's Voice"
- Published in Interzone 218, October 2008
- Available online in English and Finnish
- Audio version available online as a podcastPodcastA podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
on the Escape Pod (episode #227) and Starship Sofa (Aural Delights No. 98)
- "Elegy for a Young Elk"
- Published in Subterranean, Spring 2010
- Won the award for short from in the 2011 Science Fiction & Fantasy Translation AwardsScience Fiction & Fantasy Translation AwardsThe Science Fiction & Fantasy Translation Awards is a literary award for science fiction and fantasy works translated into English. The first award was presented in 2011 for works published in 2010. Two awards are given, one for long form and one for short form. Both the author and translator...
.
Collections
- Words of Birth and Death (2006, Bloc Press), containing
- "The Viper Blanket"
- "Barley Child"
- "Fisher of Men"
External links
- Website of author with a blog, a list of short works and a link to the TwitterTwitterTwitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
feed.