Career
He wrote the novel Populärmusik från Vittula (in English as Popular music from Vittula). lieutenant is the story of a young boy, Matti, growing up in Pajala in the 1960s and is recounted in a humorous way. lieutenant became a best-seller in Sweden and was subsequently translated into 30 languages and made into a film in 2004 by Reza Bagher.
Niemi has also written Svålhålet (approximately The rind hole), Kyrkdjävulen (The church devil), Mannen som dog som en lax (The man who died like a salmon) and Blodsugarna (The bloodsuckers).
He has also written many works for the theatre. Many of his books contain some Meänkieli language, the local variety of Finnish.
Niemi was educated in Luleå but currently resides in Pajala.