SAJAMSKI RADIO - Interliber 4

Guest Interliber 4May 3, 2026

Interliber 4

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

The conversation exposes the stark realities of publishing in Croatia, where a single book fair has become the unlikely anchor for an entire industry. Branko Čegec, a veteran publisher and owner of Meandar, lays out a landscape where physical bookstores are vanishing, critical reviews are scarce, and the act of publishing a book often feels like creating a product with no clear path to market. Yet, against this backdrop, other publishers like Hena.com and Vuković i Runjić demonstrate how strategic timing, rapid translation of award-winners, and re-issuing beloved authors can carve out commercial success. This episode reveals how publishers navigate a market that demands both a deep commitment to literary quality and a pragmatic approach to survival, turning a national book fair into what Čegec calls "the only serious bookstore in Croatia." Readers will come away with a clearer understanding of the challenges and quiet triumphs of getting books into readers' hands today.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Branko Čegec describes Interliber as "the only serious bookstore in Croatia" and the sole place to see most new publications. When a country's retail infrastructure fails, a temporary fair transforms from an event into a critical, year-round distribution channel and the primary point of discovery for readers.

Čegec notes that "the story with a book, unfortunately, ends the moment we produce it," with publishers struggling to place books due to lack of serious bookstores and media coverage. The act of publishing is only half the battle; without robust distribution and media attention, a book becomes inventory with no path to its audience.

Meandar, Čegec's publishing house, brings theoretical-philosophical works like Rita Felksi's "The Limits of Critique" (on the decline of book reviews) and Luccio Ordine's "The Utility of the Useless" (on marginalizing humanities). Some publishers choose to release titles that directly critique the industry's systemic issues or broader societal values, affirming their mission even in a challenging market.

Ermina Husković of Hena.com explains they prepare for Interliber "all year," timing their "best titles" for release in the months leading up to the fair. A major industry event isn't a standalone sales opportunity; it's the culmination of a yearly strategy, where product releases are precisely timed to maximize market impact.

Hena.com published Elif Shafak's Booker-finalist novel "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World" in "almost record time." To capitalize on international literary awards, speed in translation and publication is essential for capturing reader interest while the critical buzz is fresh.

Hena.com successfully published Zijah Sokolović's monodrama "Cabaret, Cabaret" as a book, tapping into an existing audience who had seen its 1500+ stage performances. An established theatrical work can find a second life and new revenue stream in print, leveraging an existing fan base that already values the material.

Iva Cekojević of Vuković i Runjić notes their perennial best-sellers are Haruki Murakami and Orhan Pamuk, prompting a "big comeback wave" of re-editions for Interliber. Re-issuing popular titles by proven authors is a reliable strategy to meet sustained demand, especially when an author's visibility or upcoming visit creates renewed interest.

Cekojević states that expectations for Interliber are "not so much about numbers" but about "the hustle and interest in books," ensuring they "don't have a deficit." For some publishers, the primary value of a major fair lies in maintaining market presence and fostering reader engagement, with direct sales serving as validation rather than the sole objective.

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