Julijana Velichkovska is a lyricist in her prose, with a sharp sense of language. She contrasts urban and rural elements, plays with mythological patterns and archetypes, and draws from folklore and popular culture – music, film, and visual arts – creating a unique, captivating voice that resonates with readers.
Biography
Julijana Velichkovska is a writer (poetry, fiction, and children’s literature), editor, translator, and poetry festival organiser.
She is the founder of the publishing house PNV Publishing in Skopje, a co-founder and director of the Skopje Poetry Festival, and the program director of the Velestovo Poetry Night Festival in Ohrid. She is a member of the Macedonian Writers’ Association. She is a member of the European poetry platform Versopolis.
She is the author of three poetry books: “Reißverschluss” (2024, 2025 ‒ 2nd edition), recipient of the highest national poetry award, the ‘Miladinov Brothers,’ presented by the Struga Poetry Evenings, “Open Book” (2017), and “Mosquitoes” (2010); a novel, “Seasons” (2014, 2015 ‒ 2nd edition, 2019 ‒ 3rd edition & 2022 ‒ 4th edition); and a children’s book, “Vedra” (2022, 2023 ‒ 2nd edition), for which she won the Best Text in a Picture Book Award at the International Children’s Literature and Illustration Festival Litera in 2023. She has also authored a monograph, “XX Years of Velestovo Poetry Night” (2009), and together with Slave Gjorgjo Dimoski, she co-authored “FAIRIES, a panorama of Macedonian poetry by women, spanning from the 19th century to the present”. She has translated the work of more than forty writers from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Norway, Iceland, Greece, Estonia, Latvia, Serbia, Croatia, Denmark, Azerbaijan, Malta, the Faroe Islands, and Montenegro into Macedonian.
Her poetry has been translated into twenty languages. A selection of her poems entitled “Expecting Lions” has been translated into English and will be published by “Three Spire Press” in Cork, Ireland, by the end of 2025. Her children’s book, “Vedra”, has been published in Azerbaijani by “MDizayn” in Baku, 2025. A selection of her poems entitled “Box of Fear” has also been published in Azerbaijani by “Zardabi” in Baku, 2024. Her novel “Seasons” was translated into Bulgarian and published by “Ergo”, Sofia, 2017. Her work has been included in many anthologies. She has been invited to perform her work at many international literary festivals across Europe and Asia.
Outstanding title:
SEASONS (2014)
„This is a short (poetic) stream-of-consciousness novel that unfolds entirely on a city bus, with over 70 stories about growing up, maturing, and facing the wonders and oddities of the world. A novel, which can not only be read but can and should be experienced with all the senses and with all the hysteria and therapies of childhood. A novel, which should be embraced like a child and in which both the child and the woman should be sought at the same time. Both the archetype and the trip, the folklore and the rock and roll“ – Dushko Krstevski
No. of pp: 145
Rights sold to:
Bulgaria (“Ergo Publishing House”) and Serbia (Partizanska knjiga – reserved).
Latest title:
REIßVERSCHLUSS (2024)
Reißverschluss by Julijana Velichkovska is a bold and transparent autopoietic book in which seemingly chaotic words and word constructs grow into personal and condensed expressions. Brimming with emotions, doubts, and hopes, these words masterfully evolve into captivating lyrical poems. What previously coexisted in (meta)language – whether through sound, meaning, or opposition – what lay hidden and voiceless, becomes visible and expressive in her prose poems. It assumes a distinctly shaped poetic identity, absorbing Velichkovska’s vibrant temperament, her charm, and her dynamic energy, thus captivating readers.
At the same time, Reißverschluss is a book with a strong contemporary sensibility, where both the author and readers dwell simultaneously in the real and digital worlds, constantly exposed to rapid and profound changes. Thus, it becomes a significant work that, through mythology, metaphorically ‘comments’ on the vulnerability of culture and vividly portrays Velichkovska’s poetics.”
No. of pp: 45
Awards and honors:
- “Miladinov Brothers” Award of the Struga Poetry Evenings (2025)
Rights sold to:
English (Three Spire Press), Croatia (Hrvatsko društvo pisaca – reserved) and Greece (Thraka – reserved) .
Outstanding title for children:
JOY (2023)
“A magical story about a magical crybaby, the little princess Vedra, this fairy tale helps little criers overcome dragons and encourages adults not to judge them when they cry. With its fun, imaginative narrative and fantastically illustrated pages, the book reveals the hidden power of tears.”
Ivan Shopov, writer
Illustrator: Mario Kaev
Publisher: PNV Publishing
32 pages, paperback, 21 x 21 cm
Age: 6+
Awards and honors:
Best Text in a Picture Book Award at the International Children’s Literature and Illustration Festival Litera in 2023
Rights sold to:
Azerbaijan.
English translation available HERE
Rights:
Julijana Veličkovska
contact@pnv.mk