The life of Dmitry Novikov (born 1966) has been one full of unexpected turns. He studied medicine at the University of Petrozavodsk, served in the Northern Fleet, worked as a hospital orderly and porter, and ran his own business. He made his debut as a writer of prose on the internet and was recognized by the online literary competition Art-Lito (2000). In Saint-Petersburg his first two story collections were published, The Karelian Isthmus Tango (2001) and A Fly in Amber (2003). His novel A Flame Out at Sea appeared in 2016; it was recognized by a number of literary prizes, including the Russian Booker (2017). His books have been translated into English, Norwegian, Finnish and Armenian.

Novikov currently lives near Petrozavodsk in a homestead that he built himself, amidst the beautiful Karelian nature, where his nearest neighbors are swans and bears. At present he is writing a new book and often plays host to creative figures from around the world. “Living on the border between civilization and the untamed forest is a wonderful opportunity for full-on happiness that the internet era gives us.”