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. His latest spy novel, Senate Square, 6 p.m., is set during the collapse of the USSR and follows a thrilling international game of spies – based on real events. You can find it on page XX.

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 XX), the first book in his acclaimed series featuring Igor Brudny – a policeman battling both dangerous criminals and his own troubled past.

Beyond fiction, we also take great pride in our non-fiction titles. We may not publish many, but those we do are impactful. A prime example is Krzysztof Brożek’s biography of Lech Wałęsa – the most comprehensive account of this extraordinary figure’s life. Based on hundreds of hours of interviews with witnesses to Wałęsa’s journey – from his humble beginnings in a small Polish village to leading the Solidarity Movement, becoming President of Poland, and winning the Nobel Peace Prize – this book provides an in-depth and unparalleled portrait of one of the most controversial figures in 20th-century Polish history.

But that’s not all. You’ll also find historical romance spanning centuries (Meet Me Before Winter Comes by Zbigniew Zborowski), psychological dramas (The Fool by Katarzyna Franus), horrors and thrillers by Stefan Darda and Piotr Kościelny and works by one of Poland’s most renowned literary figures of the past 50 years, Tomasz Jastrun.

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