Harri István Mäki’s three novels are suspected of plagiarism.
Harri István Mäki’s several works are suspected of plagiarism. Illustration picture. Mostphotos
Helmivyö publishing house report withdrawing numerous novels by author Harri István Mäki from sale.
The reason is young adult novels The Spell (2023) and Optimum (2022) as well as a novel for adults Mirror statue (2019) suspected of plagiarism. In addition, the publishing house has withdrawn a collection of short stories An angel in a tobacco parlor and other short stories (2020) off sale, even though there have been no similar suspicions. The publishing house Helmivö therefore withdraws from sale all of Mäki’s works that it has published.
The last time Mäki was caught plagiarizing was just a few months ago. Enostone publishing company announced in December that it was withdrawing Mäki’s work Kafka opens a barbecue kiosk (2025) for copyright infringement.
Publisher Kalle Niinikangas told Iltalehti at the time that the work was plagiarized by the late American poet-writer by Richard Brautigan of several poems. According to Niinikanka, the original poems had been modified for the work, but they were still recognizable.
At that time, Mäki had admitted to the publisher that the work was plagiarized.
If embedding doesn’t work, you can see Mäki’s picture as well from this link.
Now Mäki’s books back Vetava kustantamo Helmivyö announced in December that he also pulled Mäki Pink punk – work off the market. The work in question had appeared as plagiarism already in October, when the book had been removed from sale.
Mäki apologized for his plagiarism To Yle in the email he sent. Mäki confirmed to Yle that his work Pink punk is plagiarized from Brautigan’s 1976 novel Sombrero Fallout. He said he had plagiarized in his latest collection of poems, Kafka opens a barbecue kioskseveral of Brautigan’s texts.
Mäki, who also worked as a theater director, has mostly written novels for children and young adults. Mäki’s works in question include, among other things Insect hotel, Always cute mixed Detective agency Bibi and Kipi. Mäki has published nearly a hundred works in his career spanning almost 30 years. In addition, he teaches writing.
