A salon evening with Peirene's French author Véronique Olmi .
Saturday, 6th of February 2010
Peirene Premises, London N19
Four happy women: left to right – Lisa Dwan (actress), Véronique Olmi (author), Adriana Hunter (translator), Meike Ziervogel (publisher)
We have launched Peirene’s first title. I guess the picture says it all: it was a truly successful evening. Veronique’s beautiful English made it possible to express herself fluently. Lisa’s reading of the text gave a fantastic taster of what a staging of this stunning novella must be like and Adriana’s professional hosting allowed the thought-provoking richness of “Beside the Sea” take centre stage.
"I’ve known houses. I’ve known book launch parties. Parties with friends. Debates and signings. But at Meike’s house that evening, I realised a house - full of friends, books, journalists, writers, good wine and children too - could become a personality, and literature its ally. Because that evening literature mingled with life, with the energy of people and feelings coming together. It was an unforgettable experience, a few hours set apart. A gift." Véronique Olmi
"A hugely enjoyable evening and real confirmation of your commitment and passion for your books." Margaret Bluman
"It was a great evening Meike - you deserve much success! Great whisky drinking too." Stella Kane
"Meike, just wanted to say how impressed I am with how much you have achieved in such a short time! I loved the little booklet you have on your company; and the look of your books. Also the idea is terrific and I can't believe noone else has thought about it before you. I am sure you will be very very successful!" Elisa Kaczynska-Nay
"Thank you so very much for such a lovely inspiring and thought provoking evening. I had a wonderful time - it was really great. I wish you a most successful publication and I cannot wait to read the next!" Andy Hine
The salon was attended by (in alphabetical order): Cath Ames-Blackaby, Oli Ames-Blackaby, Margaret Bluman, Katharina Bielenberg (editor), Jamie Bulloch (translator), Laure de Vaugrigneuse (Bureau du livres de Londres), Katja Forreiter and one guests, Paul Fournel (Bureau du Livres de Londres) and one guest, Michael Geoghegam (European Book Sales) Alessandro Gallenzi (publisher, Alma books) Charles Handy (business guru writer, “The Empty Raincoat”), Elisabeth Handy (photographer), Imke Henkel (journalist), Andy Hime (Foreign Rights, Little Brown Group), David Jennings (music critic), Stella Kane (literary agent), Elisa Kaczynska-Nay (University of Oxford), Sophie Lewis (Dalkey Archive Press), Laura McGlaughlin (translator), Peter Mikl (Head of Culture, Austrian Insitute), Paul Mitchell (editor), Lucia Mitchell, Elisabetta Minervini (marketing director, Alma Books), John Charvet (emeritus professor, LSE), Morag O’Brien (literary agent, Ed Victor), Sabine Pfannenstiel (literary agent, Andrew Nurnberg Associates),Charlotte Ryland (editor, New Books in German), Daniela Schlingmann (literary scout), Chris Schueler (reviewer), Kinga Stanczuk (Polish Book Institute), Rebecca Steltner (Egmont UK), Adnan Van Dal, Lucy Vickery (Spectator), Maria Wagner, Martin Wagner (publisher, Pinter and Martin)
________________________________________________
The next Literary Salon will be – from a Peirene perspective – the most important yet. We will celebrate the launch of our very first book “Beside the Sea”. I am thrilled to welcome the author herself, Véronique Olmi. She will speak alongside her translator, Adriana Hunter, and the well-known actress, Lisa Dwan. Véroniquue is a highly acclaimed French writer, whose plays have won numerous awards and her novel “Beside the Sea” is a literary bestseller on the Continent. Adriana has translated more than 40 books from French into English and she has been nominated twice for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize. And Lisa, the actress, is renowned for her Beckett interpretations. Her recent performance of “Not I” was a sell-out at the South Bank centre. I am convinced that these three creative and highly successful women will give us a reading and performance of “Beside the Sea” that will be truly impressive and memorable.
“The most intense female narrative I’ve come across in years. A powerful tale of human frailty, like Beckett’s Not I, it unlocks you from the inside.” Lisa Dwan, actress
"Tragic. Moving. Essential reading, offering painful insight into the human condition and particularly the lives of women. With the skill of a thriller writer, the mother-narrator propels you forward and, as the awful climax approaches, compels you to profoundly question your own life and relationships." Rosie Goldsmith, BBC
Please book early by phoning 0207 6861941 or email: meike.ziervogel@peirenepress.com.
We request an £8/ per person donation towards the artists' fees. Wine, potato salad, cheese and cake will be served after the reading.