Finland’s Reuna-kustantamo publishing house will see its managing director change this autumn after five years under writer Olli Sarpo. Sarpo is stepping down to take up a new position as the director of the Myllykoski Museum, dedicating himself to preserving local history in the very community where the publisher is based. This move marks a significant shift for a key Finnish independent literary publisher with a catalog of roughly 500 titles.
A Writer’s Transition to Cultural Preservation
Olli Sarpo has led Reuna-kustantamo for five years, a period during which the house published between 40 and 50 works annually. During his tenure, Sarpo also maintained his own prolific writing career. His most recent works include the novel 'Ohimarssija', partially set in Myllykoski, and a children’s book co-authored with Milla Paloniemi, now Laitinen. In a statement, Sarpo addressed his decision to leave the CEO role, noting the constant demands on his time. 'The day isn’t getting any more hours, and the itch to write isn’t taking a break,' Sarpo said, explaining his rationale for the career change.
Sarpo’s new role is with the Myllykoski Museum association, which was founded in 2024 and is actively working to record local history. The museum does not yet have its own premises. This autumn, the association itself will publish two books related to the history of Myllykoski, a venture that aligns closely with Sarpo’s professional background in publishing and local storytelling.
The Foundation and Evolution of Reuna-kustantamo
The publisher at the center of this transition has a distinct history within Finland’s literary landscape. Reuna-kustantamo was founded by Tarja Tornaeus in 2013. In a pivotal move in 2021, Tornaeus put the company up for sale, and it was purchased by the publisher's own authors. This ownership model remains today, with 40 author-shareholders currently invested in the company’s future.
Reuna operates with a small core staff. It employs two permanent workers responsible for book sales and marketing, and one in-house editor. Despite its compact team, the publisher supports a community of approximately 150 fiction and non-fiction authors. Its total output since founding encompasses around 500 titles across print, audiobook, and e-book formats, establishing it as a notable contributor to Finnish literature.
The Search for New Leadership and Strategic Vision
The chair of Reuna’s board, Kotka-based author Päivi Taussi, has now begun the process of finding Sarpo’s successor. Taussi, who was elected to a one-year term as chair last December, has published three novels with Reuna herself, with a fourth slated for release in spring 2027. She is a known literary organizer in Kotka and has written book reviews for the Kouvolan Sanomat newspaper.
In a statement, Taussi outlined the dual demands for the next managing director. 'The company must be managed so that it remains financially sound. The managing director must also understand the intrinsic value of high-quality literature, because that is what the publishing house exists for,' Taussi said. This statement underscores the balancing act faced by independent cultural enterprises: maintaining artistic integrity while ensuring economic viability.
The current board includes Seppo Vuokko, Risto Nenonen, Toini Lehto, Riitta Ekstam, with Olli Sarpo serving as a deputy member. This board will be central to steering the publisher through its upcoming leadership transition.
The Cultural Significance of an Independent Publisher
Reuna-kustantamo’s model, owned by the authors it publishes, represents a unique and community-focused approach within the Finnish publishing industry. Its survival and growth since the 2021 buyout demonstrate a viable alternative to larger commercial houses. The publisher’s output of 40-50 titles per year provides a crucial platform for both established and emerging Finnish literary voices whose work might not fit mainstream commercial molds.
The transition of its CEO to a local museum directorship is not merely a personnel change. It highlights the interconnectedness of cultural institutions in Finland, particularly in smaller communities like Myllykoski. Sarpo’s move from publishing contemporary works to archiving local history reflects a broader engagement with storytelling in all its forms—from national fiction to regional heritage.