Small Blue Planet — Ep 01, Finland

Welcome to a new podcast series here on the Locus Roundtable: Small Blue Planet! Hosted by the inimitable and organized Cheryl Morgan, this podcast focuses on international speculative fiction and translations. Cheryl has a good introduction that covers our hopes for the series on her blog. On to our first episode!

Our first guests are:

Jukka Halme: a middle-aged & mild-mannered civil servant by day, an international man of perplexity by night. Three-time chair of Finncon, a founding member of Finnish Tolkien Society, reviewer, author, editor, illustrator and con-organiser, who likes almost all things sciencefictional and fantastic. Married, with two Lancashire Heelers. Reigning Ruler of the Universe since 1994 and Eurocon 2011 GoH. Licensed to bear arms, but often opts for long sleeves.

Marianna “Kisu” Leikomaa, a long-time fan of science fiction and fantasy. Supreme Queen of Everything of Finncons 2008 and 2012, but also been known to dabble in translations (Liz Williams: Snake Agent etc). In her spare time (whatever that is) writes book reviews and organizes even more conventions. Very fond of good vampire fiction, not so fond of paranormal romance.

Show Notes

What the fan scene is like in your country (conventions, fanzines, etc.)?

• Finncon
• Åcon
• Tähtivaeltaja
• Portti
• Usva
• Kosmos Pen
• Enhörningen (Ben Roimola)
• Worldcon 2015 bid

What English-speaking writers are popular in your country?

• Peter Watts, Aliette de Bodard (Finncon 2013 GoHs)
• Tricia Sullivan (Åcon 2013 GoH)

What writers from your country are available in translation into English?

• Tove Jansson (Moomins)
• Hannu Rajaniemi (The Quantum Thief, The Fractal Prince)
• Johanna Sinisalo (Troll, Birdbrain, The Hunter King)
• Leena Krohn (Tainaron)
• Risto Isomäki (The Sands of Sarasvati)
• Emmi Itäranta (Memory of Water, HarperVoyager 2014)
• Iron Sky

What writers from your country would you like to see translated into English?

• Anne Leinonen & Eija Lappalainen
• J. Pekka Mäkelä
• Tiina Raevaara
• Sari Peltoniemi
• Jyrki Vainonen
• Pasi I. Jääskeläinen
• Viivi Hyvönen
• Finnish Writers
• Books from Finland

What writers from other non-English-speaking countries are popular in your country

• Karin Tidbeck (Sweden)
• Andrzej Sapkowski (Poland)
• Sjón (Iceland)

Cheryl Morgan is a Hugo award winning writer, editor, publisher and bookseller. She blogs regularly at http://www.cheryl-morgan.com/.

For more information about science fiction from non-English-speaking countries see the Science Fiction and Fantasy Translation Awards, the World SF blog and the Europa SF blog.