Förlaget becomes a minority owner in the children's book publishing house Etana Editions. The parties will also start cooperation in sales and marketing services. In the future, Etana's goal is to publish several of Förlaget's children's books in Finnish. Etana has also signed a representation agreement for foreign sales of translation rights with Förlaget's sister company Rights & Brands .
The latest joint publication of Förlaget and Etana Editions is the picture book Hissu kissun, Hilja! by Ted Forsström and Åsa Lucander, which was nominated for the Finlandia Prize 2023. The book was translated into Finnish by author Johannes Ekholm.
The publishing houses share a common passion for high-quality picture books, and want to publish works that build bridges between people and cultures. The cooperation also strengthens Etana Editions' position in the Finnish market.
- I have known Réka Király and Jenni Erkintalo since the founding of Etana, we met conveniently at the Bologna children's book fair. Although their picture book publishing house is small, their passion and professionalism are the biggest in Finland. We share the same love for illustration art and children's culture. When we have collaborated over the years, in connection with such picture books as Marika Maijala's Ruusu matka and Annika Sandelin and Linda Bondestam's Sano hei!, the books have always improved as a result of our cooperation. In the future, I look forward to even closer cooperation on future picture books, says Sara Ehnholm Hielm, publisher responsible for children's literature at Förlaget.
Etana Editions was founded in 2014 and has published more than 80 children's books. The internationally awarded publisher specializing in picture books sees the growing number of artists as its strength.
- We are happy that Etana Editions, which turns ten years old this year, and Förlaget will cooperate closely in the future as we share the same values and ideas about children's culture. It feels like we are part of a big family where creativity is valued, say Etana Editions founders Jenni Erkintalo and Réka Király.
- Etana has a wonderful picture book catalog and we look forward to developing business together with them, says Förlaget CEO Alexander Kråkström .
Förlaget was founded in 2015 and publishes 25 fiction books a year for adults, children and young people. Förlaget aims to promote reading and publishes in Swedish both in Sweden and Finland.