Laila Stien


Laila Stien is a Norwegian novelist, poet, author of children's literature and translator from Hemnes Municipality.

Early life

Born in the village of Bjerka, in Nordland on 16 May 1946, Stien grew up in Rana Municipality and later lived in Finnmark.

Literary career

Stien made her literary debut in 1979 with the short stories collection Nyveien. The collection contains short stories with motives from Sami society and culture. Before her first book, she was represented with texts in the anthologies Nordfra and Nordnorge foreteller. Her collections Fuglan veit and Sånt som skjer focus on family relations and everyday life.
Her literary works are often embedded with elements from Northern Norway and Sami culture. She received the Norwegian Critics [Prize for Literature|Norwegian Critics Prize for Best children's book] in 1993, and the Aschehoug Prize in 2000.
Stien has translated books from Sami language into Norwegian, including works by Synnøve Persen, Rauni [Magga Lukkari], and Nils-Aslak Valkeapää. She has edited anthologies on modern Sami literature, including Ildstedene synger from 1984.
She was awarded the Dobloug Prize in 2024.

Personal life

Her son, Ailo Gaup, is a former world champion in Freestyle Motocross.

Selected works

  • Nyveien
  • Fabler. Frost
  • Fuglan veit
  • Sånt som skjer
  • Hold stø båt
  • I det fri
  • Vekselsang
  • Gjennom glass
  • Svømmetak
  • Veranda med sol
;Children's books