Ellie’s Voice or Trööömmmpffff,* an adorably whimsical Estonian picture book for ages 3-6, is about a seabird named Ellie, who has no voice. “Everything else has a voice,” Ellie thought sadly. "The trees rustle. The waves crash. Even the rain sings when it falls." I’m the only one who can’t make a sound." Ellie felt tears … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Weekend: Ellie’s Voice or Trööömmmpffff
Though Lithuania has yet to export a Jo Nesbo styled writer of thrillers, or a Baltic Henning Mankell, an increasing number of its most respected authors are now finding their way into the hands of English readers. Over the last few years, Noir Press has published six writers (seven novels): three women and three men. … Continue reading #TranslatedLit The Dark Undergrowth of Lithuanian Literary Fiction by Stephan Collishaw
The world of books is dominated by the five giants of publishing. Whether we like it or not, these are the continents that define the literary globe. (Noir Press Founder Stephan Collishaw) But sometimes it’s good to go exploring and find something new. Something different. Little islands, overgrown and unknown, where you have to hack … Continue reading #TranslatedLit The Unexplored Island of Literary Lithuania by Stephan Collishaw
Since its inception, Comma Press has aimed to put short stories at the heart of narrative culture. We specialise in the form for a multitude of reasons, but to mention just a few, publishing short stories is an attempt to democratise literature, to call for pluralism, and to identify cutting-edge and often marginalised voices from … Continue reading #TranslatedLit Comma Press: Reading the City Anthologies by Becca Parkinson
Devilspel by Grigory Kanovich translated by Yisrael Elliot Cohen Danuta Hadassa Danuta Hadassa no longer remembered how many years had gone by since she found herself living out in the sticks; she had been on the road for years and had intended to put an end to her life in a roadside inn. … Continue reading Excerpt from the new novel Devilspel by Grigory Kanovic
My cousin Egidijus Lisauskas put his hand on the book, hesitated for a moment, and then pulled it off the shelf and put it into my hands. It was 1997, we were standing in a bookstore in Vilnius, and I had asked for something to read to improve my Lithuanian, explaining that all I could … Continue reading The Translator’s Choice by Translator Elizabeth Novickas
This week we’ll be looking at Parthian Books, an independent publisher that operates from Swansea, Wales within the United Kingdom. Parthian began twenty five years ago as the brainchild of Richard Lewis Davies and Gill Griffiths (initially to publish Davies’ book Work, Sex and Rugby) and has since developed into a leading Welsh publisher. While … Continue reading Publisher Spotlight: Parthian Books
As I was doing research for this month of Baltic appreciation by talking to people in the industry and looking at publishers there was a particular line that caught my eye in regards to The Emma Press’ story. They mentioned that much of their exploration into the area of Baltic literature (they have published and … Continue reading Highlighting Endowment Programs in the Baltic States
The Emma Press is an award-winning press based out of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2012 by the eponymous Emma Wright, this publisher focuses on titles directed at children, while at the same time seeking to break down barriers and offer perspectives that are underrepresented (whether due to race or ideology). Though … Continue reading Publisher Spotlight: The Emma Press
What first drew you to Lithuanian stories? I first went to Lithuania in 1995, just four years after it had established its independence from the Soviet Union. Despite the many problems the country faced, it was a wonderful place to be. Vilnius was a beautiful, old city and to walk its streets was to … Continue reading Q&A with Author and Noir Press Founder Stephan Collishaw
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 