Grant year boosts Kaisa Paasto’s career plans as author of children’s literature
Focusing on writing gives author Kaisa Paasto the opportunity to deepen her writing career and convey joy to young readers.
Espoo Artist of the Year 2024, author Kaisa Paasto, rejoices that she has been able to focus on writing, thanks to the artist grant given to her:
“It has been great to be able to dedicate all my working time to writing. This has freed up more energy to considering my situation as a whole: what kind of writing career do I want to build for myself.”
The transition from working life to a full-time writing career has changed Paasto’s working methods. It is challenging to maintain the discipline of office work in free conditions, and that is why Paasto strives to start writing first thing in the morning. Paasto’s working day often begins with a walk with her dog:
“During the walk I have the time to think through a few scenes. When I sit down in front of my computer, I already know what I will write next,” Paasto says.
Paasto’s plans for the grant year include writing children’s book series. The first book in the Prankenstein series was published in the spring. The humorous book series takes place in the school world, and the focus is on pranks. Paasto has written a sequel which will be released in spring 2025.
In addition, Paasto has been working on a book series called Skandietsivät. In the stories, three children solve mysteries in different Nordic cities when their parents attend futurology conferences. The manuscripts for the first two books in the series have already been written. Paasto has also written in the cities featured in the books:
“I travelled to both of the cities featured in the books for a few days. I did a lot of brainwork, trying to figure out how the events of the books would actually take place in the locations,” Paasto describes the process.
Paasto considers children’s and young adults’ literature to be close to her heart. For Paasto, children’s literature is about conveying empathy and joy to children.
“The whole point of literature is to be a tool for teaching empathy, how we understand others. It is crucial that as many people as possible read books,” Paasto says.
The grant has also spawned new ideas during the year. For example, Paasto has agreed on cooperation with Espoo’s schools, and primary school pupils will receive a literary greeting from Paasto in the autumn. Paasto will also cooperate with Espoo libraries. An exhibition featuring Paasto’s writing and Mari Ahokoivu’s illustrations for Paasto’s books is being planned for Espoo’s main libraries.
Libraries are important places for Paasto, both in terms of working and leisure time. Paasto says that she often visits libraries to browse books and gain insight from books for her work. As libraries have become an important topic to her, Paasto has for the past year presented Espoo libraries in her social media channels.
The artist grant is awarded to one professional artist based in Espoo for one year at a time.