Maija Haavisto

I am a journalist, medical writer, artist and photographer from Helsinki, Finland. I started writing for a living at the age of 16. For six years I used to work for a computer magazine and had two of my own columns.

Currently I am a regular contributor to the decoration/interior design magazine Sisusta. and the music magazine Vertigo, for which I've interviewed such well-known bands as Anthrax and Front 242. My book Näin käytät Twitteriä (How to use Twitter) was published by the Finnish academic publisher Finn Lectura in 11/2009. I also do freelance translation, SEO writing and (medical) copywriting on the side.

My interests are varied including vegetarian food, literature, digital and traditional art, photography, indoor gardening, travelling, electronic music and many other things, but medicine is my #1 passion. I am particularly interested in neurology, pharmacology, immunology, oncology, endocrinology and nutritional science but also alternative medicine - from a critical perspective.

I have had CFS/ME (chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis) since the year 2000, though with proper medical treatment I have managed to reverse the previously progressive course of my illness. I have authored a book about CFS/ME/fibromyalgia treatments titled Reviving the Broken Marionette: Treatments for CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia, which features over 250 medications. The second Finnish edition of the book will be published by Finn Lectura in 2010.

I'm happy to review novels, medical books (whether mainstream "wellness" or textbooks) and vegetarian or mostly vegetarian cookbooks.

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter!