American Writer Sets Thrillers in Finland (Yle news)
American expat Jim Thompson has launched an international writing career by publishing thrillers first in – and about – Finland.
“Writing was a hobby. Of course I always wanted to publish something,” Thompson told YLE’s morning programme Aamu-TV.
He has lived in Finland for a decade, and found his writing career almost by accident. While working at neighbourhood Kallio pub Hilpeä Hauki, he happened to make the acquaintance of Jaakko Pietiläinen, the president of publishing company Johnny Kniga.
“One day we started talking and I explained the idea of the book I was writing. Jaakko says he wanted to read the book, and soon we had a deal,” says Thompson.
The book, Blood of Jerusalem (Jerusalemin veri) had been turned down by American publishers for being too graphic. In Finland, however, it flew to the presses in 2007 and was soon on shop shelves. After the success of the first book, Thompson went on to write Lumienkelit (Snow Angels) and Jumalan nimeen (In the Name of God.)
Through another set of happy coincidences, a top American writers’ agent took notice of Thompson and soon secured him a deal with American publisher Putnam. Even so, Thompson says he has no plans to leave Finland.
“I have two careers,” he says. “In Finland I write thrillers and internationally I publish detective novels.”
