Welcome to DC Writers Room’s new Substack, the place for all things literary in the DMV. This issue features an interview with Roman Kostovski, Publishing Director at Plamen Press.
Lit Life: A Conversation with author Roman Kostovski
DCWR: What’s the inspiration behind your latest project?
KOSTOVSKI: I would say that our mission inspires every project we take on. As an independent publishing non-profit, we aim to promote high-quality English-language literature translations from Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. Additionally, we are working to build a community here in Washington, DC, that supports and creates literature in translation. That's why we have expanded our publications to include works that may fall outside our usual area of interest, as long as they are translated by translators residing in the Greater Washington DC area. For example, our latest publication, "People and Trees," by Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli, translated by local literary translator Katherine E. Young, will be released on November 19.
DCWR: What do you hope readers take away from your books?
KOSTOVSKI: Well, that is an interesting question. Our area of interest, Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, is unique due to its dynamic history. One of our writers, Hana Andronikova, once joked that her grandmother lived in nine countries without ever leaving her house. That's nine geopolitical transformations of an environment in one person’s lifetime. These transformations often clash with the culture and traditions of the people caught up in that setting. Our books provide readers with the human experience: the living, feeling, and thinking their characters have in a complex environment of socio-political and cultural change. Each of our authors has lived through some form of totalitarianism and regime change, and their craft reflects that experience.
DCWR: What book or books are on your newsstand or desk right now?
KOSTOVSKI:
- The Good Soldier Schweik by Jaroslav Hasek
- Farewell and a Handkerchief by Vitezslav Nezval
DCWR: Which writer or artist of any kind did you most recently discover and fall in love with?
KOSTOVSKI: Not to sound biased, but my most recent "new discovery" is the book we will be publishing in this year: "People and Trees" by Akram Aylisli. As a publisher focusing on regions with vibrant literary scenes, we are constantly discovering new voices, but also older voices that have not yet been introduced to English-speaking audiences. Although Aylisli wrote his book in 1971, it will be published in English for the first time in November 2024. I fell in love with this book. It's a perfect example of literature that delves into the complex human experience shaped by sociopolitical transformations. Through compelling characters, Aylisli vividly portrays the impact of collectivization, World War II, and Soviet colonization on a traditionally Muslim village in the mountains of Azerbaijan. His writing style is wonderfully lyrical, almost resembling poetry. When I read the manuscript, I was immediately drawn into the story and felt a sense of longing after putting the book down. I found myself missing the characters in the book, which is a sign of a truly captivating read. I must mention that Katherin Young's translation skills played a crucial role in making this book such a good read. Her ability to capture the essence of Aylisli's writing and convey it in English is truly remarkable.
There are two books I have my eyes on in the near future: Lidija Dimkovska's Grandmother Non-oui and Katerina Tuckova's The White Water. Both have already been published in English, and I look forward to reading them.
DCWR: When you’re not writing or translating you are …?
KOSTOVSKI: I’ve got three kids that keep me occupied when I'm not writing or translating. Once in a while I play guitar and banjo and I'm interested in documentary filmmaking.
NEWS FROM THE DC WRITERS ROOM
DCWR SATURDAY MORNING WRITE-IN: Want a chance to write with the DC Writers Room? Join us at our Tenleytown Studio on Saturday, 10/5, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for our Saturday Morning Write-In. Bring your computer or notebook, choose a desk and write. And if you need inspiration, we'll have writing prompts to help you get started. A continental breakfast will also be provided to fuel your creative energy. You can register for the write-in here.
DCWR PUB NIGHT HAPPY HOUR WITH PLAMEN PRESS: Our next Pub Night, in collaboration with Plamen Press, will take place Friday, 10/25 from 6-8 p.m. Join us to learn about Plamen Press’s work with publishing translations, hear about their latest titles, and mingle with members of the DC literary community while enjoying light refreshments. You can register for this event here.
THE LIT LIST: THE DMV’S COOLEST LITERARY EVENTS THIS MONTH
THE LITERARY HILL BOOKFEST: Looking to get your book festival fix in October? The Literary Hill Bookfest takes place on Sunday, 10/6, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Eastern Market. This free event is an opportunity to meet acclaimed authors, attend panel discussions and book signings, and enjoy family-friendly activities at Children’s Corner. And don’t forget to hop on over to Tunnicliff’s Tavern after the main event for some poetry readings! Visit the Literary Hill Bookfest’s website for a list of authors and panels that will be featured at the fest.
HURSTON/WRIGHT FOUNDATION 23rd ANNUAL LEGACY AWARDS: The Hurston/Wright Foundation will be hosting their much-anticipated 23rd Annual Legacy Awards on Friday, 10/18, 6:30-9 p.m. at the Washington Plaza Hotel. The Hurston/Wright Legacy Awards program honors Black writers in the United States and around the globe for literary achievement. The awards ceremony will celebrate the 2024 Merit Award honorees and the 2024 Legacy Award nominees. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.
INNER LOOP LITERARY ARTS GALA: The Inner Loop’s Literary Arts Gala takes place at MLK Jr. Library on Saturday, 10/19, and will celebrate 10 years of the organization’s presence in the DC literary community. The event will include cocktails and conversations, readings from Inner Loop featured writers, and a silent auction with goods and services from local businesses and artisans. Tickets can be purchased here.
BATTLE OF THE BANNED: Show your support for the freedom to read by attending the DC Public Library Foundation’s Battle of the Banned, on Saturday, 10/5, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial LIbrary. The event will lift up the voices of banned authors and honor inspiring community advocates with our second annual DCPLF awards, as well as feature food and music. Learn more about Battle of the Banned on their website.
SUBMISSION CALL FOR VOLUME XI OF GRACE AND GRAVITY: The Grace and Gravity anthology is accepting submissions for Volume XI, Grace and Grit. The anthology welcomes prose submissions (both fiction and creative nonfiction) from women writers in the DMV-area that relate to the theme of “grit.” You can access the submission call with more details on their website, and submit your work at this link.
“A writer’s life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity.” — Toni Morrison, The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations