Announcement

We are delighted to announce the founding of Linden Editions,

a new independent publishing house in the UK.

Linden Editions has been set up by three publishing friends: Tasja Dorkofikis, Nermin Mollaoğlu, and Geraldine D’Amico.

It came out of our joint desire to publish outstanding literary works of fiction, narrative nonfiction, reportage, and essays, as well as some modern classics, primarily in translation, from Europe, the Francophonie, and the Mediterranean region.

We live and work internationally and enjoy a mixture of cultures, identities and traditions. We speak many languages between us and intend to use this access to world literature to our best advantage. We believe that there are countless books that merit international exposure: books which tell compelling stories; books which bring fresh, unforgettable voices; and books which are urgent, challenging and committed. We believe that literature can build bridges between people, and open minds and borders.

Linden trees grow all over the world, and are often planted at the centre of village squares. Many cultures see the linden as a sacred tree, its perfume all-pervading, and its tea curative. People have been gathering under their shade for generations to share stories. Just like the seeds spread by linden trees, we hope our books will spread the seeds of internationalism further.

Tasja: ‘Understanding the world we live in is essential, and this understanding is enriched through access to international literature. Despite the insularity signalled by Brexit, British readers have shown a growing enthusiasm for literature in translation. I am delighted to encourage this spirit of openness through our publishing programme.’

Geraldine: ‘I dream of a world without borders. Perhaps this is impossible – but we can achieve it in books, and I want Linden to spread its seeds, and to bring comfort and nourishment.’

Nermin: ‘In my native Turkey, a literary agent’s job is much more than just making deals, it’s also a healing role. While governments around the world try to control how we behave and what we call each other, Linden Editions will promote cross-cultural understanding. I am excited to promote literary voices from all over the world and, by challenging the kind of nationalism that I have seen in Turkey, our tree will bear fruit.’

Burhan Sonmez, the President of International PEN, said: ‘I am happy to see that Linden Editions will open a new window to the publishing world and will especially contribute to the spread of translated literature. This is an important step taken at the right moment. At a time when cultures and different voices need to hear one another more, I believe, Linden Editions will be a new lighthouse to broaden the horizon of literature.’

Our first acquisitions are:

Not There by Mariusz Szczygiel. From Szczygiel, one of the best reportage writers in Poland, comes a collection of literary essays about loss and grief, to be translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. Lloyd-Jones has said: ‘Not There is about ordinary people and the things that have happened to them, and it’s impossible for the reader not to share the emotions underlying the stories as they prompt us to think of our own losses, and our compensations. It’s also about how we remember things – unreliably on the whole – and how our idea of the truth may be a very personal one.’ To be published in 2025.

In Late Summer by Magdalena Blažević – a powerful anti-war novel set in Croatia in Kiseljak 1993, translated by Anđelka Raguž. To be published in 2024.

The logo, which takes the seeds of the linden tree as its focus, nestled in a globe-shaped frame, was designed by Sarah Schulte.

For further information please email: tasja@lindeneditions.com