Plamen Press - Where Words Ignite

05/30/2026

Just a friendly reminder that from 1:00–2:00 PM, Roman Kostovski, publisher of Plamen Press - Where Words Ignite, will be reading from his translations of Czech literature, as well as North Macedonian poetry from Sisyphus and I by Ilja Kostovski, translated by former San Francisco Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman and published by Plamen Press.

Join us at Kensington Row Bookshop for an afternoon of literature in translation and voices from across cultures.

05/29/2026

📚 FROM PLAMEN PRESS 📚
https://www.plamenpress.org/miniatures/
We are proud to announce the publication of Miniatures by acclaimed Danish poet Carsten René Nielsen, translated by award-winning poet David Keplinger and featuring illustrations by Mette Norrie.

At once whimsical, surreal, and deeply imaginative, Miniatures invites readers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. In these brief yet evocative poems, trees emerge from cracked plates, readers examine books with hand mirrors, and even snow has its own ministry. Each piece opens a door into a reality that feels both dreamlike and strangely familiar.

Drawing inspiration from the traditions of European surrealism while echoing the imaginative landscapes of poets such as Charles Simic and Mark Strand, Nielsen creates poetic fragments that are rich with humor, wonder, metaphor, and unexpected insight. Keplinger's masterful translation preserves the lyric precision and playful spirit of the original Danish, while Mette Norrie's illustrations provide a visual companion to these remarkable literary miniatures.

As a publisher dedicated to bringing outstanding international literature to English-language readers, Plamen Press is honored to share this unique collection with the world.

05/20/2026

In May 2026, Cheuse Center board member Katherine E. Young’s translation of Akram Aylisli’s People and Trees (Plamen Press) was named one of three...

05/19/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtwTQdvE67M
What an unforgettable evening at the Arts Club of Washington celebrating the tenth anniversary of The Alan Cheuse International Writers Center.
The night brought together readers, writers, students, critics, and friends for a fireside conversation filled with literature, memory, humor, and reflection—honoring the enduring legacy of Alan Cheuse as a teacher, critic, mentor, and friend. It was far more than a literary event—it became a rare and deeply human experience filled with warmth, intellect, laughter, reflection, and genuine connection. Surrounded by extraordinary writers, critics, students, and friends, guests shared in conversations that reminded everyone why literature matters: not simply as art, but as a way of understanding ourselves and one another.
A heartfelt thank you to the featured guests:
• Holly Smith — editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books, lecturer, journalist, and “Jeopardy!” bronze medalist.
• Michael Dirda— Pulitzer Prize-winning literary journalist and longtime Washington Post Book World critic.
• Ron Charles — former Washington Post and Christian Science Monitor book critic, now writing on Substack.
• Sean Murphy — founder of 1455 Literary Arts, director of the Center for Story at Shenandoah University, and host of Some Things Considered.
The event was hosted by Eric Weiner, bestselling author, journalist, and former NPR foreign correspondent whose work thoughtfully explores happiness, spirituality, and the human search for meaning.
Special thanks to Sonya Cheuse for opening the evening with warmth and insight, sharing reflections on Alan Cheuse’s life, generosity, and lasting impact on writers, readers, and students across generations.
The event is well worth the time to view, and is available on Lit-Up Live, A YouTube Channel dedicated to the craft of writing and the promotion of literature from all over the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtwTQdvE67M

05/12/2026

Three translated works from shortlist of ten chosen by independent jury

05/08/2026

https://www.ebrd.com/home/news-and-events/news/2026/ebrd-literature-prize-2026-finalists-announced.html

Three translated works from shortlist of ten chosen by independent jury

05/08/2026

PEOPLE AND TREES: A TRILOGY -EBRD FINALIST!!!!!

Today we celebrate an enormous achievement for Plamen Press.
Our publication, People and Trees: A Trilogy, has become a FINALIST for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The book is among ten titles selected from a pool of exceptional works by exceptional writers and translators.
This marks our very first recognition on a global platform, and it is a moment of deep significance for our press.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to this journey. From translation and editing to design, production, and promotion—this achievement belongs to all of you.
First and foremost, we extend our deepest thanks to Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli and translator Katherine Young for bringing this extraordinary work to life and placing it in our hands.
We are deeply grateful to the many individuals who helped shape this book, including our Managing Editor Rachel Miranda, and Editor Ian Jones.
Our sincere thanks to Walter Carlton and Carlton Creative for designing such a striking and memorable cover.
We also extend our appreciation to Thomas de Waal and Leeya Mehta for their tireless efforts in promoting this work.
Finally, we would like to recognize the unwavering support of our local literary community, including the The Alan Cheuse International Writers Center, DC-Area Literary Translators Network (DC-ALT), and The Writer's CenterThe Writer's Center in Bethesda. Your encouragement and commitment to literature have he helped us a great deal.
Thank you all for helping us getting to this point.
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04/01/2026

Today we celebrate an enormous achievement for Plamen Press.
Our publication, People and Trees: A Trilogy, has been shortlisted for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Literature Prize. The book is among ten titles selected from a pool of exceptional works.
This marks our very first recognition on a global platform, and it is a moment of deep significance for our press.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to this journey.

04/01/2026

Today we celebrate an enormous achievement for Plamen Press.
Our publication, People and Trees: A Trilogy, has been shortlisted for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Literature Prize. The book is among ten titles selected from a pool of exceptional works by exceptional writers and translators.
This marks our very first recognition on a global platform, and it is a moment of deep significance for our press.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to this journey. From translation and editing to design, production, and promotion—this achievement belongs to all of you.
First and foremost, we extend our deepest thanks to Azerbaijani writer Akram Aylisli and translator Katherine Young for bringing this extraordinary work to life and placing it in our hands.
We are deeply grateful to the many individuals who helped shape this book, including our Managing Editor Rachel Miranda, and Editors Ian Jones and Nicole Suozzi.
Our sincere thanks to Walter Carlton and Carlton Creative for designing such a striking and memorable cover.
We also extend our appreciation to Thomas de Waal and Leeya Mehta for their tireless efforts in promoting this work.
Finally, we would like to recognize the unwavering support of our local literary community, including the The Alan Cheuse International Writers Center, DC-Area Literary Translators Network (DC-ALT), and The Writer's Center in Bethesda. Your encouragement and commitment to literature have he helped us a great deal.
Thank you all for helping us getting to this point.

10/29/2025

The Embassy of the Czech Republic invites you to an evening with acclaimed Czech author Marek Torčík, who will present his award-winning debut novel Memory Burn, followed by a discussion and Q&A on October 29, 2025, at 6 pm.

The event is presented in collaboration with the Czech Center New York.

About the Author

Marek Torčík (b. 1993) is a Czech poet and prose writer from Přerov, currently based in Prague, where he studied English literature and culture at Charles University. His poetry collection rhizomy (2016) and recognition as a finalist in the Czech–Slovak poetry competition Básne SK/CZ in 2018 and 2020 established his literary voice early on. His first novel, Rozložíš paměť (Memory Burn, Paseka, 2023), received both the Magnesia Litera Prize for Fiction and the Jiří Orten Prize for authors under thirty in 2024. The novel is being translated into several languages.

About the Book

Set in a small Czech industrial town, Memory Burn is a coming-of-age story of a q***r boy confronting trauma, identity, and resilience.

Torčík delves into the recesses of memory in an effort to come to terms with painful memories from his childhood. As a homosexual boy with a slight build growing up in a small industrial town, the protagonist of the story faces severe bullying at school, but his problems aren’t over once he gets home: his mother, a low-paid factory worker who has to look after her father, an alcoholic nearing the end of his life, has very little tolerance of her son’s sexual orientation. One bright spot amid the bleakness of small-town life is the friendship he strikes up with a Romany classmate, Marian, which later develops into a romantic relationship. In the novel Memory Burn, Torčík not only describes people living on the fringes of society in a convincing, sophisticated and precise way, but also implies that sometimes it is better to wipe the slate clean and liberate oneself from negative childhood memories.

Translated into English by Graeme and Suzanne Dibble, Memory Burn illuminates life on the margins with empathy and precision, ultimately asking whether it’s possible to free oneself from the past.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 6 pm

Location: Embassy of the Czech Republic

3900 Spring of Freedom Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008

RSVP required: https://MemoryBurn.eventbrite.com | Admission free

The event will be in English.

Embassy Policy: The Embassy of the Czech Republic disclaims and excludes any and all liability for any loss, injury, or damage, alleged to have been suffered by or as a result of or otherwise on its premises. No large bags are allowed. Small purses may be checked as you pass through security for entrance. RSVP confirmation and photo ID required (for adults accompanying children).

Parking: Non-metered parking is available on Spring of Freedom Street and Tilden Street.

Closest Metro: The Embassy is about a 15-20 minute walk from the Van Ness Metro Station.