Johanna Sinisalo
Encyclopedia
Aila Johanna Sinisalo is a Finnish
science fiction
and fantasy
writer. She studied comparative literature and drama, amongst other subjects, at the University of Tampere
. Professionally she worked in the advertising business, rising to the level of marketing designer.
An important figure in the Finnish science fiction scene in the late 1980s and early '90s (winning a rare back-to-back collection of Atorox Awards for short fiction in the genre), she was also the first Finnish science fiction writer to make a mainstream breakthrough by breaking genre barriers.
Sinisalo was awarded the Finlandia Prize
for literature in 2000 for her first novel, Ennen päivänlaskua ei voi (translated as Not before sundown
in 2003 and again as Troll — A Love Story in 2004 for the American market). The novel has been translated into several languages. An English translation of "Linnunaivot" was published in 2010 by Peter Owen Publishers under the title "Birdbrain" (translated by David Hackston). Not Before Sundown was awarded The James Tiptree Jr. award
in 2004. Movie rights were acquired by Carter Smith
in 2006. She was nominated for a Nebula Award
in 2009 for Baby Doll.
She is also confirmed as the screenwriter of Energia Productions Iron Sky
movie, a sci-fi comedy set in 2018.
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...
science fiction
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...
writer. She studied comparative literature and drama, amongst other subjects, at the University of Tampere
University of Tampere
The University of Tampere is a university in Tampere, Finland. It has 15,400 degree students and 2,100 employees. It was originally founded in 1925 in Helsinki as a Civic College , and from 1930 onwards it was known as a School of Social Sciences...
. Professionally she worked in the advertising business, rising to the level of marketing designer.
An important figure in the Finnish science fiction scene in the late 1980s and early '90s (winning a rare back-to-back collection of Atorox Awards for short fiction in the genre), she was also the first Finnish science fiction writer to make a mainstream breakthrough by breaking genre barriers.
Sinisalo was awarded the Finlandia Prize
Finlandia Prize
The Finlandia Prize is the most prestigious literary award in Finland by the Finnish Book Foundation. It is awarded annually to the author of the best novel written by a Finnish citizen , children's book , and non-fiction book...
for literature in 2000 for her first novel, Ennen päivänlaskua ei voi (translated as Not before sundown
Not before sundown
Not Before Sundown is a novel written by Finnish author Johanna Sinisalo in 2000. In the same year it won a Finlandia Prize for literature. Since then it has won several awards including The James Tiptree Jr...
in 2003 and again as Troll — A Love Story in 2004 for the American market). The novel has been translated into several languages. An English translation of "Linnunaivot" was published in 2010 by Peter Owen Publishers under the title "Birdbrain" (translated by David Hackston). Not Before Sundown was awarded The James Tiptree Jr. award
James Tiptree, Jr. Award
The James Tiptree, Jr. Award is an annual literary prize for works of science fiction or fantasy that expand or explore one's understanding of gender. It was initiated in February of 1991 by science fiction authors Pat Murphy and Karen Joy Fowler, subsequent to a discussion at WisCon.- Background...
in 2004. Movie rights were acquired by Carter Smith
Carter Smith
Carter Smith, is an American film director and fashion photographer.-Life and career:A native of Topsham, Maine, Smith moved to New York City after graduating from Mt. Ararat High School in 1989. He enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology but later dropped out to pursue a career in...
in 2006. She was nominated for a Nebula Award
Nebula Award
The Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
in 2009 for Baby Doll.
She is also confirmed as the screenwriter of Energia Productions Iron Sky
Iron Sky
Iron Sky is an upcoming Finnish science-fiction comedy film from the makers of the Star Wreck series Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning. The film is directed by Timo Vuorensola and produced by Tero Kaukomaa of Blind Spot Pictures production company. The film stars Udo Kier and Tilo Prückner...
movie, a sci-fi comedy set in 2018.
Novels
- Ennen päivänlaskua ei voi, (Not before sundownNot before sundownNot Before Sundown is a novel written by Finnish author Johanna Sinisalo in 2000. In the same year it won a Finlandia Prize for literature. Since then it has won several awards including The James Tiptree Jr...
, TammiTammiTammi has multiple meanings.* Tammi is a Finnish publishing company, named after the Finnish word for "oak".* Jukka Tammi, Finnish Ice Hockey Goaltender* Tammi Terrell, American Motown singer...
, 2000) - Sankarit, (Tammi 2003)
- Kädettömät kuninkaat ja muita häiritseviä tarinoita, (Teos 2005), short story collection
- Lasisilmä, (Teos 2006)
- Linnunaivot, (Teos 2008)
Short fiction
She has published over 40 short stories, most of them fantasy and science fiction in various in sci fi magazines, journals and women's magazines. Her work has also appeared in the following anthologies:- Vuosirengas 74 (1974)
- short stories Kilometripylväät and Jäinen kaupunki
- Jäinen vaeltaja (1986)
- short stories Tarina kuolleesta metsästä and Sorsapuisto
- Atoroxin perilliset (1988)
- short stories Hanna, Yövesi and Suklaalaput
- Ensimmäinen yhteys (1988)
- short story Transit
- Illan tähti yksinäinen (1991) edited by Raija Hämäläinen
- short story Illan tähti yksinäinen
- Kultainen naamio (1993)
- short story Me vakuutamme sinut
- Onnellinen kuolema (1996)
- mini novel Tango merellä
- Linnées boreales (2001)
- short story (French) Le Transit
- Kärlek på finska (2002)
- short story (Swedish) Låset
- Intohimosta rikokseen (2002)
- short story Baby Doll
- Utopiae 2005 (2005)
- novelli (French) Baby Doll
Editor
- Anthology Verkon silmässä (Tammi, 2005)
- Selection of short stories about the internet from several writers.
- The Dedalus Book of Finnish Fantasy (Dedalus Books, 2005)
- Anthology in English, a selection of Finnish speculative fiction from the 19th century to the present day, translated by David Hackston.
Television
- Toinen todellisuus, TV2, 1991
- Maa on litteä, TV2, 1992
- Tulevaisuuden kuvia, TV2, 1995
- Ainoa elämä, TV2, 1997
- Elämän suola, TV 2, 1995
- Samaa sukua, eri maata, MTV3, 1997
- SunRadio, TV1, 1998
- Salatut elämätSalatut ElämätSalatut elämät is a Finnish 30-minute long soap opera broadcast on MTV3. It was the first Finnish daily soap opera. Its first episode aired on January 25, 1999...
, MTV3 - KotikatuKotikatuKotikatu is a Finnish drama television series broadcast on YLE TV1. Its first episode aired on August 24, 1995 and its last episode will air on December 8, 2012. It is the longest running Finnish drama television series....
, TV1 - Käenpesä, MTV3
Comics
- Tiskivuoro in Uusi Nainen -magazine ', art by Hannu Mänttäri
- Scripts for Moomin related comics for Semic and ToTo-tuotanto, several artists
- Pikku eläinpuoti in *Oma Ystävä -magazine, art by Hannu Mänttäri
- Kimppakämppä in Trendi -magazine, art by Johanna Rojola
- Several science fiction and fantasy themed comics from the year 1982 onwards, several artists