About NovelHaven
Discover the story behind our passion for Polish literature
Our Story
NovelHaven was founded in 2018 by Anna Kowalczyk, a Polish literature scholar with a vision to bring the rich literary tradition of Poland to English-speaking readers around the world. What began as a small online bookshop specializing in translated works has grown into a curated destination for the finest Polish fiction available in English.
Our journey started when Anna noticed that despite Poland's extraordinary literary heritage and contemporary vitality, many exceptional Polish works remained unavailable or difficult to find in English translation. Working initially with a small network of independent publishers and translators, NovelHaven set out to bridge this cultural gap.
Today, we work directly with leading Polish publishers, award-winning translators, and emerging authors to ensure that the full spectrum of Polish literary voices—from historical epics to contemporary urban fiction, from magical realism to literary thrillers—reaches a global audience.
Our Mission
At NovelHaven, we believe that literature offers one of the most intimate windows into another culture. Our mission is threefold:
- To curate exceptional Polish fiction that represents the diversity and richness of Poland's literary landscape
- To support and promote outstanding translations that preserve the unique voice and cultural nuances of each work
- To build a community of readers passionate about discovering international literature and connecting across cultural boundaries
Each book in our collection undergoes a careful selection process, ensuring that we offer only works that combine literary merit, cultural significance, and engaging storytelling. We're not just selling books—we're fostering cross-cultural understanding and celebrating the universal power of stories.
Our Values
Cultural Authenticity
We prioritize translations that maintain the distinct voice, cultural context, and literary style of the original Polish works.
Reader Experience
Every aspect of our service is designed with the reader in mind, from our carefully crafted book descriptions to our personal recommendations.
Literary Community
We foster connections between readers, authors, and translators through events, reading groups, and our active online community.
Literary Discovery
We're committed to introducing readers to books they might never otherwise encounter, expanding literary horizons beyond the mainstream.
Meet Our Team
Our dedicated team of literary enthusiasts works passionately to bring you the finest Polish fiction in translation.
Anna Kowalczyk
Founder & Literary Director
With a PhD in Comparative Literature from Jagiellonian University, Anna founded NovelHaven to share her passion for Polish literature with the world. She oversees our curation process and maintains relationships with publishers across Poland.
Maja Nowak
Translation Coordinator
A translator herself, Maja works with our network of literary translators to ensure that each book maintains its authentic voice and cultural nuances when brought into English. She holds an MA in Translation Studies from UCL.
Piotr Wiśniewski
Operations Manager
Piotr ensures that our books reach readers quickly and in perfect condition. With a background in logistics and a lifelong love of literature, he oversees our inventory, shipping processes, and customer service team.
Karolina Jabłońska
Literary Community Manager
Karolina builds and nurtures our community of readers through events, reading groups, and social media. With experience in literary festival organization, she creates engaging ways for readers to connect with Polish literature.
Tomasz Zieliński
Digital Director
Tomasz brings Polish literature into the digital age by overseeing our website, developing our e-book offerings, and implementing technology that enhances the reading experience. He has a background in both computer science and literary studies.
Our Partnerships
We collaborate with leading cultural institutions, publishers, and literary organizations to promote Polish literature globally.
Polish Book Institute
We work closely with the Polish Book Institute on translation grants and promotional activities that bring Polish literature to international audiences.
Warsaw Literary Festival
As an official partner, we help connect English-language readers with Polish authors during this premier literary event.
University of Warsaw
Our academic partnership supports research and educational initiatives focused on Polish literature in translation.
Polish Cultural Institute
Together, we organize author events, readings, and cultural programs that showcase Polish literary achievements.
What They Say About Us
Join Our Literary Journey
Discover exceptional Polish fiction and become part of our community of literary explorers.