Hello and welcome

Do you know what Czarna Owca, the name of our publishing house, means in Polish? It’s Black Sheep – a symbol of standing apart, embracing difference, and daring to challenge well-established theories, visions, and beliefs. We believe in the power of books to explore a wide range of ideas – because we love reading them ourselves. In such a rich and diverse world of thought, isn’t it better to be open-minded rather than closed?

At Czarna Owca, we believe in the power of great storytelling. That’s why we proudly publish some of Poland’s most popular authors in spy thrillers and crime fiction. Take Vincent V. Severski, for example – a retired spy and bestselling author, often credited with pioneering modern Polish espionage fiction. With over one million copies sold in Poland alone, his books offer a rare and authentic perspective on European and Soviet intelligence.

In his two most recent works, he introduces new characters — MI6 agents Martin and Ray. Senate Square, 6 p.m., set in Helsinki during the collapse of the USSR, unfolds as a gripping multinational plot. It vividly portrays the Russian perspective at the twilight of the Soviet empire and ultimately captures the rise of the oligarchy that would later dominate Putin’s Russia.

This May, Severski published another novel — The Tailor, set in 2003, against a completely different geopolitical backdrop, highlighting rising global tensions linked to the U.S. operation in Iraq and Russia’s influence on Western politics. You can find details on pages 8 and 9.

Another standout author in our catalogue is Przemysław Piotrowski, whose crime novels are true page-turners. With their distinctive Central European and Polish settings, his books offer international readers a fresh and captivating perspective. Piotrowski combines gripping storytelling with meticulous research, ensuring every book is both authentic and thrilling. We recommend starting with Stigma (page 38), the first book in his acclaimed series featuring Igor Brudny – a detective battling both dangerous criminals and his own troubled past.

Beyond fiction, we also take pride in our non-fiction titles. While our catalogue in this area is selective, each work is impactful. A prime example is Krzysztof Brożek’s biography of Lech Wałęsa (page 76) — leader of the Solidarity Movement, later President of Poland, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate — which offers the most comprehensive account of this extraordinary figure’s life. Another is Change the World Again (page 79) by renowned Polish philosopher and publicist Tomasz S. Markiewka, addressing the challenges of climate change. He argues that real improvement requires political action rather than just personal virtue.

But that’s not all. You’ll also find gripping contemporary story Seven Days (page 64) by Tomasz Sablik, a renowned horror author; Kultor (page XX) by Artur Urbanowicz, a chilling tale set deep in Polish forests about a cult that kidnaps a girl; and the three-part YA Mallaroy series (pages 73), a Polish Wattpad sensation. In a world where the human realm coexists with supernatural beings, Alea possesses paranormal abilities, yet it is the ordinary Erin who ends up at a school for outcasts. Finally, our catalogue features works by Tomasz Jastrun, one of Poland’s most renowned literary figures of the past 50 years (page 88)

These are just a few highlights from our catalogue. We invite you to explore the following pages and discover more of our engaging, thrilling, and thought-provoking books. If something inspires you, excites you, or simply catches your interest, just get in touch!

All the best,
Katarzyna Słupska and Marek Korczak
Publishing Directors