Our series of masterclasses continues! This time, we have something truly special in store as we welcome literary agent Laurence Laluyaux to Helsinki for an exclusive masterclass, offering a rare insight into the international literary scene today.
Laluyaux represents Nobel Prize laureates Han Kang, László Krasznahorkai and Olga Tokarczuk, among others, and also works with authors such as Sara Stridsberg, Elin Cullhed and Olga Ravn.
In Helsinki, she will share insights from her many years in the industry, answer questions about literary trends and emerging developments, and offer her best advice to writers. The masterclass is primarily aimed at writers and translators, but we also welcome applications from publishers, editors and other professionals in the book industry.
Laurence Laluyaux grew up in France and studied literature in France and England. After briefly working as an interpreter and bookseller, she joined RCW Literary Agency, where she was responsible for the foreign rights department. In 2001, she became a director of the agency.
Today, she leads the development of RCW International, which focuses on authors from around the world writing in a wide range of languages. In recent years, she has brought several Nordic authors to RCW and is actively involved in literary festivals and organisations such as English PEN. She is the recipient of the 2026 Ottaway Award in recognition of her work promoting international literature.
Her authors have won or been shortlisted for some of the world’s most prestigious literary prizes, including the Nobel Prize in Literature, the Booker Prize, the International Booker Prize, the National Book Award for Translated Literature, the Prix Femina, the Swedish Academy’s Nordic Prize and many others.
The masterclass will take the form of a conversation (in English) between Laurence Laluyaux and Helsinki Lit’s Programme Director Philip Teir, followed by an opportunity for participants to ask questions.
Participation in the masterclass is free, but by application only. The application period opens on Wednesday, October 14th, and closes on Friday, Monday, November 9th. A jury consisting of representatives from Helsinki Lit and the Amos Anderson Fund will select 30 participants. The event will last approximately 2.5 hours, and refreshments and light snacks will be provided courtesy of the Amos Anderson Foundation.
Please send an application in your own words, in Finnish, Swedish or English, to masterclass@helsinki-lit.fi by November 9th, 2026 (maximum 1,500 characters).
Successful applicants will be notified individually.
