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| First Name | Liisa |
| Last Name | Kovala |
| Member Since | August 19, 2015 |
| kovalaliisa@gmail.com | |
| Pen Name | A. L. Jensen |
| Branch Affiliation | Member at Large (no branch affiliation) |
| Website | www.liisakovala.com; www.liisakovalabookcoach.com |
| Blog | https://liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/ |
| @liisakovala | |
| @liisakovalawriter | |
| Bio | Liisa Kovala is an award-winning Finnish Canadian author, book coach, and podcast host. Like Water for Weary Souls (House of Karhu 2025) is her second historical novel and recently won an IPPY Award, a BookFest Award and a Global Book Award. Liisa is the author of Sisu's Winter War (Latitude 46, 2022) and Surviving Stutthof: My Father's Memories Behind the Death Gate (Latitude 46, 2017) which was shortlisted for a Northern Lit Award and published in Finland by Docendo (2020). She also writes the Hygge House Cozy Mystery series under the pen name A. L. Jensen. The first book in the series, Hygge and Homicide also received a BookFest Award for mystery. Liisa is inspired by her Finnish heritage and the northern landscape she calls home. Learn more about Liisa at liisakovalabookcoach.com and subscribe to liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com. |
| Publications | Murder by Nordic Design (House of Karhu, 2026) Midsummer, Marriage, and Murder (House of Karhu, 2026) Hygge and Homicide (House of Karhu, 2026) Like Water for Weary Souls (House of Karhu 2025) Sisu's Winter War (Latitude 46 Publishing, 2022) Surviving Stutthof: My Father's Memories Behind the Death Gate (Latitude 46 Publishing, 2017) |
| Other Memberships | The Writers' Union of Canada Book Coaches Canada Sisters in Crime (President) The Historical Writers' Association Historical Novel Society Sudbury Writers' Guild (Past President) |
| Awards | IPPY Award (Silver): Like Water for Weary Souls (2026) BookFest Award (Bronze): Like Water for Weary Souls (2026) Global Book Award (Bronze): Like Water for Weary Souls (2026) BookFest Award (Bronze): Hygge and Homicide (2026) Short listed Northern Lit Award: Surviving Stutthof: My Father's Memories Behind the Death Gate (2018) |
| Contests | First prize in Geist's 2023 Literal Literary Postcard Short Story Contest for "Surveillance" |
| Genres | Biography & Memoir, Drama, e-Book, Educational, Fiction, Health, History, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Nonfiction, Romance, Short Stories, Speculative, Young Adult |
| Available For | Readings, Presentations, Workshops, Book Club Meetings, Speaking Engagements |
| Services Offered | Editing, Freelance Writing, Manuscript Reading & Consultation |