Loukko by 
We are very happy to announce that Atmosphere Libri, an independent publisher of both Italian and quality translated fiction, has acquired Italian rights to Maresi (Schildts & Söderströms 2014) as well as two upcoming titles in The Red Abbey Chronicles by Maria Turtschaninoff. Rights to Maresi are now sold in 11 territories!
“Maresi deals with the compelling theme of human identity and ego; of finding yourself and your own purpose. This is an exciting topic for any young reader.”
– Mauro Di Leo, publisher, Atmosphere Libri
In addition to being awarded the 2014 Finlandia Junior Prize, the highest accolade given to a Finnish children’s or YA book, Maresi was nominated for the 2015 Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize.
Naondel, the prequel to Maresi and Part II in The Red Abbey Chronicles, will arrive in Finnish bookstores next year. The UK edition of Maresi will be published by Pushkin Press in January of 2016.
Praise from international publishers:
“I was blown away by Maresi, quite simply. Maria Turtschaninoff has written an incredibly original, vivid and gripping story with appeal not only for YA readers but far beyond…I’ve no doubt that Maresi and The Red Abbey Chronicles as a whole will become classics of the genre.”
– Adam Freudenheim, Publisher and Managing Director, Pushkin Press/Pushkin Children’s Books
“Maresi is a powerful, intelligent and utterly thrilling adventure story with a strong and timely feminist message. Set in a beautifully drawn fantasy world, this story is as compelling as it is challenging, and I devoured it in one sitting.”
– Daniel Seton, Commissioning Editor, Pushkin Press/Pushkin Children’s Books
”Maresi takes the reader into a world full of wonder. And, most importantly, it tells us about the magical power of friendship. A truly enchanting story.“
– Stefanie Brösigke, Junior Editor, Heyne Verlag, Germany
About The Red Abbey Chronicles by Maria Turtschaninoff:
Maresi, Book I: The Red Abbey is a refuge for women and girls where everyone pursues their own areas of interest. Maresi prefers to spend her time reading and learning. Everything changes when the frightened Jai arrives on the island. She has seen her sister get buried alive for speaking to a young man, and her father and a crew of thugs are after her. Maresi and her friends have to fight to defend both Jai and their community.
A prequel to Maresi, Book II, Naondel (Schildts & Söderströms) will tell the story of the First Sisters, and how they came to flee a harem in the faraway Eastern Lands and eventually establish the Red Abbey.
A sequel to Maresi, Book III (Schildts & Söderströms) will follow Maresi after she leaves the Red Abbey and sets out to establish a school in the oppressed province of Rovas.
RIGHTS SOLD: MARESI
Original publisher: FINLAND, Schildts & Söderströms
BELGIUM, Clavis
CANADA (French), Editions de la Bagnole/Groupe Livres Quebecor Media
DENMARK, Turbine
FINLAND, Tammi
GERMANY, Random House/Heyne
ITALY, Atmosphere Libri
NETHERLANDS, Clavis
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
SWEDEN, Berghs
TURKEY, Altin Kitaplar
WORLD ENGLISH, Pushkin Press
Reading materials: The Red Abbey Chronicles
Book I, Maresi:
Full English text
Swedish edition
Finnish edition
Book II, Naondel:
English synopsis
Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com
