Aye Write – Know The Authors: Antti Tuomainen
Aye Write is upon us. Events are already underway as the last couple of weekends have hosted the Wee Write festival – that’s the family events aimed at younger readers. This week sees the main festival kicking into gear and the guests start appearing thick and fast.
Once again I am delighted to team up with the lovely Liz from Liz Loves Books to introduce another of the authors who will be appearing at Aye Write in 2017.
Liz sets the questions to Antti Tuomainen, author of The Mine. Antti joins us fresh from a series of appearances across the UK as part of the Orenda Books Roadshow. On Saturday 11th March he will make the long journey back up North for an appearance in Glasgow’s Mitchell Library.
Over to Liz and Antti:
Tell us a little about your current novel, what readers can expect from it..
AT: THE MINE is a crime story and a story of a father and a son. I hope it is a suspenseful and an entertaining read that also gives you something to think about.
Where did you grow up and what was family life like?
AT: I grew up in Helsinki. I’ve lived here all my life. Wonderful family. My Mom and Dad were very important in my becoming a writer. They read a lot and there were always books in the house.
Academic or creative at school?
AT: I think extracurricular is the word. I wasn’t very enthusiastic about school.
First job you *really* wanted to do?
AT: I was 18 or 19 when I just knew – instinctively and deep down – I would be a writer. I never wanted to be anything else since then.
Do you remember the moment you first wanted to write?
AT: See above. Also: I liked Finnish at school. We got to write essays and stories. I made up everything. I realized there is magic to this.
Who are your real life heroes?
AT: My mother, my father and my incredibly wonderful wife Anu.
DIY expert or phone a friend?
AT: First DIY, then phone a friend.
Sun worshipper or night owl?
AT: I like mornings. I like to go to bed early, get up early. When I was young, it was the other way around.
A book that had you in tears.
AT: Not tears, exactly, but I immensely liked John Williams’ Stoner. A beautiful novel.
A book that made you laugh out loud.
AT: Any book by Elmore Leonard.
One piece of life advice you give everyone
AT: I try my best to not give anyone any advice. But, if anyone asks, I am always willing to share my experience on a given topic if I have any.
Antti will be appearing at Aye Write on Saturday 11th March at 6:30pm. He will be accompanied by Orenda stablemate Kati Hiekkapelto and Swedish crime-writing due Roslund & Hellstrom. Tickets can be purchased here
Antti is all over social media – you can find him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AnttiTuomainenOfficial
On Twitter: www.twitter.com/antti_tuomainen
And Instagram: www.instagram.com/antti_tuomainen