Pride: Writing From Experience

Writing From Experience is a panel discussion where published authors - who are transgender, non-binary, intersex, or otherwise challenge gender norms - talk about their works and what they consider important when depicting gender diversity. The panelists answer questions, and after the event you can purchase signed books from them.

The 2026 panel features: comic artist and novelist Sophie Labelle (she/her) (Serious Trans Vibes, The Best of Assigned Male), poet Taneli Leonora Viljanen (they/them) (Glitterneste), fantasy author Xan van Rooyen (they/them) (Sauúti Terrors, Born of Malice), poet and comic artist Susi Nousiainen (he/him) (Muovikauris, Hiljaista vettä, Se on amisjuttu!) and Aatos Koutonen (they/them) (Kiire vessaan: a Campaign of Fictional Interviews for Inkotuki, Kanna tuuli kaipauksein, a historical romance).

The panel is moderated by YA novelist Dougie K Powell (they/he) (My Best Rival, The Grown Ups).

The discussion is held in Finnish and English. Questions can be asked in either language.