About Peirene
Peirene Press is an independent boutique publishing house in London. It was set up by Meike Ziervogel in 2008. In addition to a commitment to world class literature and high quality translation, we are passionate about building communities of book lovers and sharing the joy of the best novella-length contemporary European fiction.
Peirene’s books
Peirene specializes in contemporary European literature in English translation. We only publish books of less than 200 pages that can be read in the same time it takes to watch a DVD. We curate our books according to themes. In 2010 we brought out Peirene’s Series of The Female Voice – three books with female protagonists and strong female voices (although not all are written by women.) 2011 we bring out Peirene's Series of The Man – male authors, male protagonists, male views of the world - from Germany, Holland, Austria. And 2012 we will bring out our Series of The Small Epic – truly big stories in small packages - an historical short novel from Finland, a Danish literary crime story and a Swiss novella about the most influential Chinese painter of all times, Bada Shanren.
Peirene's annual subscriptions
We like to encourage readers to take out our annual book subscription for £25. Three times a year you will receive a beautiful book of world-class literature at your doorstep. In addition, any subscriber will receive 40% discount for two people on all the Peirene events. Gift subscriptions are also available from our online shop.
Why Peirene
Peirene Press takes its name from a Greek nymph who turned into a water spring. The poets of Corinth discovered the Peirene source and, for centuries, they drank this water to receive inspiration.The idea of metamorphosis fits the art of translation beautifully. To turn a foreign book into an enjoyable English read involves careful attention to detail.
How Peirene chooses books
We regularly review the winners and short listed books for the most prestigious literary prizes in the various European countries, such as the French Prix Médicis, the German Georg Büchner Preis, the Polish Nike, the Czech Magnesia Litera etc. Furthermore, we work with international agents and pay attention to what foreign publishers have translated. We are also influenced by suggestions from readers, friends, writers, translators, journalists, university professors. And last but not least we attend European book fairs and are not afraid of making personal choices.
Peirene’s literary events
Because literature - both reading and writing - can be a lonely affair, Peirene hosts a wide range of regular literary events. These are no boring readings but parties with performances, conversation, food and wine. For more information, see our events page.