SAJAMSKI RADIO - Interliber 1

Guest Interliber 1Hosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026

Interliber 1

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

The book industry often faces a narrative of decline — falling readership, digital disruption, and economic pressures. But what happens when you move past that story and look at how different players actually operate? This episode captures a snapshot of the Croatian book fair, Interliber, through the eyes of five distinct participants, each navigating the market with a different approach. You will hear from a web-only bookseller testing the waters of physical presence, a national publishing association fighting for survival in a tough market, a foreign embassy using books as cultural diplomacy, a fiercely independent author building a self-sustaining business, and a niche publisher unearthing forgotten literary treasures. It’s a study in contrasts: from the challenges of small markets to the advantages of cultural habits, and from seeking state support to thriving entirely on one's own terms. You'll walk away with a richer understanding of how diverse strategies can coexist and succeed within a single, complex industry.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Zuzi Shop, a web-only bookseller with over 12,000 titles, made its first appearance at a physical book fair. Even an online-first business finds value in real-world presence, understanding that trade shows can be a crucial first step for brand exposure and customer acquisition beyond digital channels.

The Zuzi Shop team prioritized stocking 'Algorithm editions' and antique books for Interliber, specifically because these items are hard to find elsewhere. In a crowded market, identifying and serving underserved niches, especially those driven by scarcity, can be a powerful strategy to differentiate and attract dedicated customers.

Omer Spahić describes the Bosnian publishing market as extremely difficult—ten times lower subsidies than Croatia, 17% VAT, and almost no bookstore network. Yet, their association was founded 'to stop complaining, to start solving things we can solve.' When conditions are dire, the first step towards progress is to acknowledge the reality and focus resources exclusively on actionable solutions.

Spahić addresses the challenge of new media and declining reading by emphasizing 'well-chosen, nicely edited, and well-designed books.' Instead of chasing digital trends or lamenting statistics, the answer for traditional publishers often lies in doubling down on the intrinsic quality and aesthetic appeal of the physical product itself.

When asked why Russians read more, Sergej Ždanov from the Russian Embassy jokes about 'long winters' with 'nothing to do, no sea, nowhere to rest, no sun.' Sometimes the most enduring market advantages aren't economic or strategic, but deeply rooted cultural habits shaped by geography and climate.

Author Elvis Duspara describes himself as writing, laying out, designing, and distributing his four books entirely on his own, without any external support, and living solely from their sales. Full vertical integration and fierce independence can create a viable, debt-free business model for authors, even in smaller markets, if they fully own the entire creative and commercial process.

Nakladna zadruga Ognjišta specializes in publishing Croatian and foreign books from the early 20th century, including works never before translated. A distinct, historical niche can create a sustainable business by serving a specific, underserved readership that values literary heritage and unique discoveries.

Spahić sees regional book fairs like Interliber as an opportunity for Bosnian publishers to present their books and hopes for a 'unification of the market' through shared languages. For smaller national markets, informal regional integration can be a crucial survival strategy, turning linguistic commonalities into broader commercial platforms for cooperation and competition.

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