Photo: Aleksandar Kotevski
An astonishing storyteller of remarkable characters, caught at the threshold of personal transformation—poised between the real and the improbable.
Biography
Žarko Kujundjiski (Skopje, 1980) is a Macedonian novelist, short story writer, essayists, playwright, poet, translator and film critic. He is author of 14 books. His short stories, poems, essays and reviews have been translated in different languages and selected in many anthologies, “Best European Fiction 2013”, among others.
He is owner and main editor of the publishing house “Antolog Books” and founder of the “BookStar”, festival of European literature, held each October in Skopje.
In the past he has been working as a journalist (1998-2002), columnist (2002-2007), copywriter (2009-2014) and press coordinator of the “Brothers Manaki” Film Festival (2010-2015).
He has translated two books from English to Macedonian language.
Kujundjiski is a member of the Macedonian writer association and of Macedonian PEN Center since 2012.
“Spectator” is the first debut novel in the contemporary Macedonian literature which so far has been published in eight print run editions.
Outstanding title:
SPHINX OF ANGER (2020)
Lazar is the editor of a publishing house teetering on the brink of financial collapse. One day, a mysterious girl appears at his office, claiming to be of devilish origin. She brings with her an old, impeccably preserved Latin manuscript. Scribbled in its margins are previously unknown verses by Konstantin Miladinov, the renowned 19th-century poet. The very next day, a writer once published by Lazar’s house vanishes without a trace in Split, Croatia. Holding the enigmatic book in his hands, Lazar embarks on a journey that pulls him deep into the layered and turbulent history of the Balkans. “Sphinx of Anger” weaves together history, mythology, mystery, and investigative intrigue, all set against the backdrop of contemporary events in the region and beyond.
No. of pp: 304
Awards and honors:
- “Antolog’s best selling book” – Skopje book fair 2020
- National representative for The Balkanika Award 2021
- Shortlisted for Novel of the Year Award for 2020
- Shortlisted for “Racin award” for the best fiction book for 2020
Rights sold to:
Bulgaria (Persey).
Latest title:
THE STORY-ADDICT (2024)
The short story is an underrated form, yet one with remarkable potential. With that lightning-flash, playful definition, it’s a form every author would love to claim as their own—which is precisely why Žarko felt that such a collection would be the most fitting way to mark his 25-year writing anniversary. And when he speaks of a form with remarkable potential, he mean this, among other things: the shortest of these pieces contains just ten words, while the longest spans nearly four thousand.
No. of pp: 159
Awards and honors:
“Stale Popov” award for best fiction book in 2024
Rights sold to:
Italy (Besa), Bulgaria (Persey), Czech Republic (O.leandr).
Rights:
Antolog Books
antolog@gmail.com