What do chocolate, cheese, Heidi, Carl Jung and Alpine scenery all have in common? They are, ofcourse, Swiss and, more importantly, they are part of our Literally Swiss launch on Friday, February 9th at The Tabernacle in London – to which you are warmly invited. But worry not: we are not simply recycling Swiss stereotypes, rather we are myth-busting. If you are quick, we have some comp tickets and you can buy tickets via The Tabernacle website. Tickets include Swiss food and wine (but make sure you arrive at 6pm). Heidi will be there (I promise), and – topping the bill – seven outstanding authors from Switzerland and the UK: Peter Stamm, Alain de Botton, Monique Schwitter, Deborah Levy, Xiaolu Guo, Nicolas Verdan and Pedro Lenz, in conversation with me. Think of it as a literary cabaret with food, wine, music, chat, readings and – because it is Swiss – with chocolate! The evening before, Thursday February 8th, I will be conducting a one-on-one one-off interview with Meister-storyteller Peter Stamm at the British Library. Book here
In general ELNet news:
Do continue to send us your PRs and news – we can include it in our events calendar. Remember that we run our website, most of our events and produce our magazine for free, for the love of literature and to support you. We receive some funding – and are extremely grateful for it – from Arts Council England (our main supporter), from Creative Europe via ELIT in Austria*, and, occasionally, when we collaborate with individual countries, for example, with Switzerland, from their Arts Council, Pro Helvetia. I have just attended the *ELIT AGM, which took place at the elegant Literaturhaus in Hamburg (see our photo above!). ELIT is a working European Literature House and our six-country partnership is testament to the fact – and my passionate belief – that networking and sharing skills, news and views, work.
My new monthly books podcast The Words has just launched, returning me to BBC broadcasting roots. And what could be better than talking about books? The Words is produced by a professional team of producers and editors and is funded by Simon and Schuster. It’s a great format and it’s free. You need to log on here. Thank you for your very warm reactions so far – there is an obvious need for quality literary podcasts and I’d love to develop one dedicated to international or European literature, but they do need funding and professional support – which is exactly what S&S have recognized. Anyone want to do that?
Thursday 1st February is the deadline for our regular Riveting Reviews – for publication on Monday Feb 5th. On that same day, Feb 5th, we announce the EBRD Literature Prize Shortlist of novelists from across the EBRD region, and their translators. This is the inaugural Literature Prize funded by the prestigious European Bank For Reconstruction and Development. As Chair of the Judges, I have been overwhelmed by the high standard and huge variety of entries. You are welcome to join us at the Prize-giving in April 2018.(details soon). And, dear publishers, you must enter this year’s Prize for 2019!
Please put March 5th , 2018 in your diaries for our next European Literature Network meeting, at Europe House in London. March 5th is also the deadline for our next Riveting Reviews. Go on – give reviewing a go. Here are ‘the rules’.
This month I’m also visiting the Baltic countries in preparation for the Market Focus at April’s London Book Fair – to meet the authors coming over and to prepare for our Baltic Riveter magazine, which we will launch at LBF. Swiss and Balkan Riveters will follow later in the year, as well as some exciting workshops and events.
We can‘t promise chocolate every time but we’ll try!
Rosie The Riveter
P.S. You may also have seen that we are renting out our mountaintop village house in northern Tuscany. It’s a beautiful, fully-equipped house in a friendly, medieval village with the most stunning views. Ideal for writers, artists, walkers, individuals or families. Very reasonable rent. Book through Max via our website.