Grupa Wydawnicza Relacja Fiction & Non-Fiction Rights Catalogue

FICTION & NON-FICTION

RIGHTS CATALOGUE 2023

Grupa Wydawnicza Relacja

Agnieszka

Piotr

Małgorzata Musiał

GOOD RELATIONS. A TOOLBOX FOR A MODERATE FAMILY 23

Małgorzata Stańczyk

SIBLINGS 25

Aleksandra Charęzińska, Joanna Szulc

SENSORY THERAPY FOR BABIES 27

Agnieszka Stein

NEW SEXUAL EDUCATION 29

ACTION ADAPTATION 29

CHILD UP CLOSE 29

CHILD UP CLOSE GOES INTO THE WORLD 29

Małgorzata Jackowska

DON’T WORRY, IT’S JUST EXTENDING A DIET 31

Joanna Anger, Anna Piszczek

THE BABY-LED WEANING 33

THE NEW BABY-LED WEANING 34

THE SEASONAL BABY-LED WEANING 34

THE BABY-LED WEANING. WE ARE GROWING UP! 35

FICTION

MARTA DZIDO

Multi-award winning and international author published in 10 countries. She holds a degree from Lodz Film School in Poland, professionally engaged in screenwriting, directing and producing recognized documentaries such as “Paktofonika – Hip-Hop Journey to the Past”, “Downies town”, “Solidarity Movement According to Women”, “Strongwomen”. Marta has authored many influential articles in popular magazines in Poland and abroad: “Przekroj”, “Znak”, “Jahrbook Polen”, “Art & Business”, “Magyar Lettre International”. She was distinguished with a scholarship from the Homines urbani, Czech Literary Forum, Hong Kong Baptist University, Next Page Foundation. In her books, she discusses many important social, political and cultural issues that are important today. The most significant part is a role of women in society, women’s rights, femininity and sensuality. Her literary language is vibrant and rich though sensitive and comprehensible. We are proud to provide foreign rights to these phenomenal books.

Recognitions:

• Culturist of the Year by Polish Radio Three

• Women for women

• Brave Women of 2018 by “Wysokie Obcasy”

Awards:

• Hollywood Eagle Documentary Award

• Beyond Borders – Krzysztof Kieslowski Award

• European Literary Prize

• Cyprian Kamil Norwid Award

EROTICISM, SENSUALITY, PASSION

Translated into Czech Collection of nine herstories full of strong women’s voice and girl power.

It is about a girl who likes to be a goer, a woman who has an affair with the moon, about a woman who wants to flee her life in a red ferrari. This is the very first book in Polish literature about passion, sensuality and emancipation, in which the sexual sphere is not immature or described with vulgarity. The eroticism here is neither medical nor filthy. The setting is very realistic, and many women can identify themselves with the book’s characters. They are liberated women able to enjoy their sexuality without shame or guilt.

THE STRAWBERRY SEASON

Format: Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 208

Marta Dzido shows femininity in all its aspects exploring the sensuality, sex, friendships, affairs, dallies, romances and desires in a spectacular yet sensitive way. She plays with words and brings out their multidimensional character and emancipatory potential.

LOVE, PASSION, DESIRE

2019 European Union Prize for Literature laureate

Translated and published in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria

Her and Him, once passionate teenagers in times before Facebook and Instagram. Deeply in love but wary of saying “I love you”. They explore boundaries and emotions, sharing many “first times”. Their romance blossoms in the 90s, where love letters and film photographs were the norm. Time moved slower, intensifying their longing for each other. Fearless kids, eager to experience everything, especially their bodies. Their passion burns like a scorching summer, even during the winter’s chill. Somewhere in the back of their minds there is a Y2K end of the world, when the comet will hit the Earth and the current civilization will fall anyway. Now in their forties, Him and Her reunite by chance. The youthful spark still flickers, hope lingering. Amidst daily routines, they reconnect, reminiscing about their past passion. Their stories have evolved over time, weaving different versions of the same tale. “What if?” they wonder, facing new questions about their lives until now and beyond.

THE SHACKLES OF THE ALCOHOLISM AND CODEPENDENCY

Excerpt from the book being translated into English for the anthology (Bloomsbury, UK)

This is the first Polish edition of hypertext story in which stories of women from one family intertwine with each other. The Matryoshka tells the story about mother and daughter stuck in the shackles of alcoholism. It shows suffering, mistakes and a vicious existential circle of events. They silently share traumatic experiences and repeat the same scenarios. The main character devotes her life to addicted mother just like a Little Mermaid devotes her tail to win the heart of beloved man. It tells a story about ways of acting, instilled by society and stereotypes, and overcoming them to live one’s own life. The author plays with literary conventions in a outstanding way and the title The Matryoshka – a wooden doll, in which there is another one – is a prominent allegory of the storyline composition.

THE THRILLS

Format: Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 144

THE MATRYOSHKA

Format: Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 144

RAGE AGAINTS THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY MODEL

Translated into Bulgarian and Vietnamese

Thought-provoking novel about Magda, who is furious about the reality full of stereotypes and expectations. She rejects traditional and patriarchal life, looks for a decent job, a good relationship. She looks for her own path. However, her effort does not bring any effect. Maybe she just does not want to? How will it end?

In this multidimensional work the author discusses pathological system, discrimination against women, inequality, stereotypes, consumerism. The story is relatable in other countries as this problem is global. This books is dedicated to everyone regardless of age or personal sensitivity. It is incredibly unique because it has two different endings – positive and negative.

What would Magda choose?

THE CLAM

Format : Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 176

THE

TRACE

OF MOTHER

Format : Paperback Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 144

What would YOU choose?

THE LITERARY VOICE OF THE GENERATION

The Trace of Mother is a book about women who have been abandoned by their country, unfulfilled dreams, shadows of femininity and a need of closeness. A single woman’s perspective on abortion without political context. It tells the story about Anna who becomes pregnant with Grzesiek. He does not want to be a father and encourages Anna to undergo and abortion. She agrees. After the procedure she tries to start a new life without Grzesiek. In her mind, she looks back to her childhood, makes alternative scenarios and thinks about the circumstances of her being born – with parties, drugs, friendship, love, and attempts to enter the adulthood in the background.

SABINA JAKUBOWSKA

A graduate of Jagiellonian University in Poland on the faculty of History Studies. She holds a master degree in archeology and a PhD in Culture and Religion Studies. She is fascinated by local history which was the subject of her doctoral dissertation. She is a qualified history teacher in a secondary school. The author of many prominent cultural, social, scientific or informational publications. She wrote awarded YA novel House at Wschodnia Street and historical fiction novel The Midwives.

She is a certified doula who accompanies women during labor. The interest in childbirth was taken after her great-grandmother, a renowned midwife in the late 19th century.

NOMINATION

THE MIDWIVES

Format : Hardcover

Size: 15,5 x 23 cm

Pages: 704

FILM RIGHTS OPTED

BY AN OSCAR NOMINATED DIRECTOR – AGNIESZKA HOLLAND

More than 10k copies sold

It is a gripping novel about midwives in the rural reality full of violence, poverty and ignorance. This book explores two sides of human nature – filthy and brutal, beautiful and sensitive. The main character comforts and soothes woman in labor, and after the birth, during the time of the Great War in a savage, superstitious background. On over 700 pages of Polish manuscript, you will experience many crucial historic events like assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the beginning of the First World War, a well-balanced description of Polish village, culture, folklore, and nature.

Winter 1885, a village near Cracow. Young Franciszka gives birth to her first child. Her foster mother, Regina, a midwife well-known in the area, aids in her childbirth. The child’s death, a difficult experience, brings the women closer together and allows to reveal the secrets of Franciszka’s origins.

At the same time, a baby is also born in a nearby manor house. Franciszka is employed as the baby’s wet nurse. A series of events leads her to start helping local women with birthing their babies and, thanks to unexpected support, she begins her studies at a midwifery school in Cracow. She returns to her home village from Cracow richer in knowledge of childbirth, which painfully collides with poor and superstitious rural reality. She is drawn into the maelstrom of passion and history.

RECOGNIZED AND AWARDED YA DEBUT

Adventurous page-turner for young adults with historical elements, hint of romance and mystery. It discusses important social issues such as domestic violence, teen pregnancy, adoption, mother’s love, support and rearranging a life. It is a fast paced and moving story with memorable and relatable characters. It was distinguished with Promoters od Debuts Award by The Polish Book Institute and “Tygodnik Powszechny” magazine.

THE HOUSE AT WSCHODNIA STREET

Format: Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 336

NON-FICTION

MARTA IWANOWSKA-POLKOWSKA

Coach PCC ICF, facilitator PlayingBIG, psychologist, trainer

A psychologist by education. She professionally takes care of boosting one’s self-esteem, acceptance, self-realization and teaches how to take one’s life in their own hands. She helps others to take the path of joy, energy and strength. Her seminars, in which she leads participants through the process of change and realizing their potential, are considered valuable and essential. The most important therapeutic factors of hers are mindfulness, acceptance, appreciation, change of the perspective and a sense of humor. In her work, she focuses on femininity, women’s strength, motherhood, war near the Polish border, pandemic and many more. Today more and more people say about development, success, but only a few know what it truly means and how to achieve it with happiness, health and fulfillment, she says.

• How to face a fear that carries deep within us?

• How to strengthen our psychological resources and how to take care of ourselves?

• What can we do for ourselves on a daily basis?

Marta has been talking about it regularly for almost 3 years on the podcast entitled “Express the truth of yourself”, on her blog, Instagram, and her book – Live it up!

SELF-HELP GUIDE

More than 10k copies sold

Thought-provoking guide dedicated to all women who are tired, overwhelmed by everyday life and trying to fulfill everyone else’s needs instead of their own. It is a moving book about courage and well-being regardless of many obstacles. The author is a master of writing in such a way that all women can identify themselves with the characters and relate to them. She takes a closer look into the attempts to take care of themselves and shows the path of joy which women can follow. Personal stories shown by the author makes this book full of emotions.

LIVE IT UP!

Format: Paperback

Size: 16,2 x 23,5 cm

Pages: 320

AGNIESZKA FIEDOROWICZ

Renowned journalist and reporter. Her career began in “Przekroj” magazine. She authored many wonderful popular-science articles in “Focus” magazine for more than 12 years. She is a graduate of The University of Warsaw on the faculty of Political Studies. She works full-time job in her alma mater in PR department. She is fascinated with writing about health and materializes her passion as a deputy editor-in-chief of quarterly magazine for patients “Po prostu żyj” (Eng. “Just live”) by STOMAlife Foundation.

She was a laureate of Piórko Nadziei (Eng. Feather of Hope Award) from the Amnesty International Poland – an award given to journalists writing about human’s rights – for her article about whistleblowing. She was distinguished with nomination for 3 Grand Press in the publicity and professional journalism for her texts about transplantology and Polish scientists. She has completed writing course under the supervision of Wojciech Chmielarz and Alicja Krzywiec. In private, she is a mother of two and a dog – Dzikus, jokingly called “the black hole that absorbs all the food fallen on the ground”.

DOCUMENTARY

This book is a collection of gripping interviews with students, beginner dentists, lecturers and experienced professionals. It is a fascinating documentary answering intriguing and provocative questions about dentophobia, the cost of opening your own dental clinic and latest trends in stomatology. The author asks how the condition of the teeth has an impact on the health and what patients are brawling about. The readers can also find blood chilling stories about medical errors, cracking veneers and dentures glued in a homemade way.

THE ROOT CANAL

Format : Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 240

It is a true page turner with short chapters written in an exciting and entertaining way. Despite many stories from dental offices the readers can find useful knowledge that makes them more aware and helps them avoid emergency dentist appointments in the future.

The author breaks stereotypes about the sadistic dentists and shows them as an ordinary people who do their job with passion and commitment.

PIOTR STANKIEWICZ, PH.D

Piotr is a philosopher, writer and poet, the creator and promoter of reformed Stoicism. He is an author of the bestselling Life According to Stoics, Does Happiness Write Blank Pages?, Manual of Reformed Stoicism and other books. He is a member of the international team Modern Stoicism.

Piotr was awarded a scholarship from Kosciuszko Foundation and National Humanities Development Program. He writes for the renowned “Przekroj” magazine, “Tygodnik Powszechny” and “Kultura Liberalna”. More about him here: https://piotrstankiewicz.pl/in-english/

THE VOICE OF THE GENERATION

I REMEMBER

Format: Hardcover

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 208

I Remember is a biography of Polish millennials. As such, it is relatable to all other Eastern European countries. An unconventional page turner that awakens nostalgia and brings bitter-sweet joy. It is a thoughtful compilation of author’s recollections and impressions from the 1980s, 1990s, and the 2000s, yet — following the trail blazed by Joe Brainard and Georges Perec — each of its sentences opens with a simple „I remember” („Pamiętam” in Polish). Nominated for the Polish Norwid Prize and Empik „Critics’ Choice” selection in the fall of 2021, the book marks the point when the millennial generation turns middle age. As such it sparked many online debates and enjoys wide readership.

MAGDALENA MODLIBOWSKA

Magdalena was a Head of Adoptions Section and Deputy Editor-in-chief in “Chcemy być rodzicami” (Eng. “We Want to Be Parents”) magazine, a longtime Deputy President of Independent Initiative Parents and Midwives “Well-born” Association. Since 2015 she is a President of the Foundation of Family Support After Adoption. She is an author of many excellent press articles and an unquestionable expert in adoption. In private, she is an adoptive and biological mother.

ADOPTION

This is a unique book for people considering adoption. It leads future parents through adoption process and unveils its lights and shadows. The author describes different forms of adoption, criteria for selecting specific adoption center, whole procedure, obtaining permission to adopt a child, prepare for child’s arrival, heath issues like post-adoption depression.

Apart from the facts, the author provides many moving stories which can make future parents familiar with adoption and learn its characteristics.

The book is set in Polish legal system. The adaptation process can be different in other countries. This part of book may require a solid legal consultation. However, everything else is the same. It is a wise and important book, a musthave for future adoptive parents.

DEMYSTIFY ADOPTION

Format : Paperback

Size: 16,5 x 22cm

Pages: 396

“Many people considering adoption fear the adoption process and obtaining the permission to adopt a child. The author describes the process and shares her own emotions so the future adoption parents can familiarize with it. However, one of the most important questions is how to face the challenges that come along with the child. This book helps solve doubts and dilemmas. It gives the feeling that adoptive parents are not alone. They are accompanied by the author, her experience and thoughts poured out on paper. The readers cans find many answers in the stories mentioned in the book.”

– Coalition for Family Foster Care Poland

MAŁGORZATA MUSIAŁ

Pedagogue by education and a mediator. She supports adults in better understanding of themselves and their children. She is an author of the bestselling parenting guide entitled: “Good Relations. A Toolbox for a Moderate Family” and the blog under the same title. During her psychology support workshops, she uses NVC methods, Self-Reg techniques, polyvagal theory and Internal Family System Therapy. In private, she is a wife and a mother of three growing children.

PARENTING

It is a wonderful guide dedicated to modern families. The author presents scientific context of children’s behavior and helps parents solve conflicts with a natural, human attitude, and the respect of their needs. Parents must understand that brain (or more specifically neocortex, which is responsible for rational thinking and decision-making) is believed to reach its maturity at the age of 25. Children’s amygdala, which is in control of emotions is extremely sensitive. As emotions are the indicator of children’s needs, misbehavior or anger are information about the difficulties that children face. If your child reacts with anger and cry due to lost toy, it could be one of the harshest experiences for it. A child saying “no” to parents says “yes” to its own needs and its goal is not to oppose the parents. The child does not have a natural need to take control of its parents unless it is taught that it is the right way to maintain the relationship with others.

The author discusses punishing children. Penalties teach children how to elude through lies, cunning, violence and they have negative influence on the relationship. Strong emotions like anger, humiliation, sense of injustice or seeking revenge cause children to focus on their own

GOOD RELATIONS. A TOOLBOX FOR A MODERATE FAMILY

Format : Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 204

difficult emotions and they do not care about others’ feelings. It is a valuable guide about parenting without rewards and punishments, a composition of many inspiring and influential texts in a nutshell.

MAŁGORZATA STAŃCZYK

Psychologist by education and an author of many excellent books for parents. Małgorzata is believed to be an expert and one of the leading representatives of the attachment parenting. She has several years of experience in supporting parents and teachers in building relationships based on appreciation and trust to children development. She runs online courses and educational programs for parents, in which she created a community of tens of thousands participants. She teaches the next generation of humanities-oriented psychologists and psychiatrists. She writes for “Newsweek Child’s Psychology” daily. She is a mother of three.

PARENTING

This is an important book dedicated to parents about appearance of another child in the family. It is said that the more children mean more joy, but it also comes with noise, chaos and harsh situations. Jealousy, fights, older child’s development regression, parents’ difficulties in organizing time – all those factors are believed to be extremely hard to overcome, hence parents need professional help. The author helps to answer the following questions:

• What can I do to support children, make them feel important and needed equally?

• What supports boundaries between children and what violates them?

SIBLINGS

Format : Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 256

• Why children need conflicts and how to help solving them?

This book is written with the respect to all family members diversity and it shows how to strengthen each child to have a hub for its development. The author does not forget about parents and shows them how to take care of themselves and how to sustain support for their children and enjoy parenthood. She tries to calm them amidst anxieties and helps to gain trust in their parenthood competences.

ALEKSANDRA CHARĘZIŃSKA

Renowned special education teacher, sensory integration therapist, pedagogical therapy specialist, Shantala massage instructor, relaxation methods trainer and an academic lecturer. She provides training for parents and pedagogical staff in which she demonstrates how to support children’s development and a preliminary recognition of sensory processing. She popularizes knowledge about supporting infants and children through playing and performing the daily activities correctly. She runs patented certification courses Smyko-Multisensoryka® for professionals and pedagogy students. Courses are recognized abroad for instance in England, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, Malta.

She is an author of a blog, many important articles and is an unquestionable expert in pedagogy.

JOANNA SZULC

A journalist, editor, former editor-in-chief of the “Dziecko” (Eng. “Child”) magazine, author of a few excellent books, and a mother of two. Joanna is recognized for many texts dedicated to parents and children.

SENSORY THERAPY

First months of child’s life is a special time for its parents. They familiarize with an infant, learn his behaviors and reactions. They often feel helpless, because the child cries, does not want to sleep or eat, and it is difficult to say why. The authors think that most of the time the reason that child act this way is improper number of stimulus and problems with self-regulation.

SENSORY THERAPY FOR BABIES

Format : Paperback

Size: 16,9 x 22,6 cm

Pages: 208

The authors explain what regulation, self-regulation and sensory integration is. They discuss its development of the youngest children – from being born to the age of 18 months. They bring closer the ways to support the child’s sensory development. They explain how specific senses work and what parents can do to give children necessary sensory experiences through play. The book is dedicated to parents who want to handle the difficulties in infant’s behavior, who want to take care of child’s development in a harmonic way, avoid possible disorders and help them boost their sensory potential.

AGNIESZKA STEIN

Renowned and awarded psychologist with many years of experience. She is an author of many essential and wonderful books for parents. Agnieszka represents an Attachment Parenting and NVC approach. She focuses on finding solutions to support whole family in its best functioning instead of getting rid of child’s misbehavior. She believes that supporting a lasting bond based on closeness and trust is the most important value. It is known that parents experience very high social requirements and it is easy to get lost in the maze of recommendations they receive every day, hence Agnieszka tries to find the best possible solution, alongside parents with empathy and understanding.

NEW SEXUAL EDUCATION

Format : Paperback

Size: 16,5 x 23,5 cm

Pages: 394

SEXUAL EDUCATION

Unique and recognized book about sexuality and sexual education. The author explains sexual education with a reference to attachment parenting, Bowlby’s Attachment Theory, Nonviolent Communication, and latest scientific sources without unnecessary, outdated and often harmful knowledge. The book is written with respect to children intimacy and proper child’s development. It is a valuable source of reliable knowledge which shows that treating a child with respect and empathy can support it enter the adulthood.

PRESCHOOL ADAPTATION

The author answers many common questions, explains preschool adaptation and emotional charge in the preschool debutant’s family.

PARENTING

CHILD UP CLOSE

Format : Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 316

ACTION ADAPTATION

Format : Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 224

Influential guide on the journey through parenthood. This is one the very first books on the Polish market about attachment parenting. It describes family relationships and building a lasting bond between parents, children and siblings. It answers pervading questions like how to help children identify and express their emotions, how and when to draw the line, and not to forget about your own needs. This book supports parents on the way to learn their own child.

PARENTING

Continuation of the Child Up Close dedicated to parents of school-age children.

CHILD UP CLOSE GOES INTO THE WORLD

Format : Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 340

MAŁGORZATA JACKOWSKA

Dietician, a graduate of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, and author of many books and articles about introducing complementary foods to infants, and healthy diets for kids aged 2-12. She is a promotor of a renowned Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) method. She helps parents understand how the children eat, why it is more play than the actual eating, why do they eat small portions of food, dry pasta or bread rolls. She shows how to get rid of pressure of being ideal mother and stop worrying about how much your child eats.

EXTENDING A DIET

It is a modern and reliable guide dedicated to parents of infants. The author dispels doubts about extending child’s diet when the milk is no longer enough. She explains:

• what is the difference between BLW and traditional methods of extending the child’s diet,

• do the elimination diets have sense,

• how long are parents supposed to feed child with a milk,

• what appliances or gadgets are useful.

DON’T WORRY, IT’S JUST EXTENDING A DIET

Format : Paperback

Size: 16,5 x 22 cm

Pages: 224

The book is full of current scientific knowledge. Exemplary meal plans along with a simple recipes can help make the menu for whole family and is reliable source of inspiration in the kitchen.

JOANNA ANGER

She is a dietician by education and professional teacher in preschool in Poznan, Poland. She is fascinated in attachment parenting and a huge fan of wrap-carrying. She is absolutely absorbed by showing the world to her daughter Alicja. She loves Baby-Led Weaning and participates in creating a culinary blog ALAANTKOWE BLW, where readers can find simple, healthy and quick dishes for whole family.

ANNA PISZCZEK

She is a Polish philologist and a historian. She is a teacher in elementary school, an instructor of music and composition classes. She loves dancing. She believes in positive effects of BLW methods, hence introduces in the world of the taste, smell, colors and a variety of dishes she makes with joy. She is a co-author of a culinary blog ALAANTKOWE BLW.

THE BABY-LED WEANING SERIES

Over 200k copies sold

A series of culinary books dedicated to the parents who are interested in Baby-Led Weaning method. The series has a wide variety of wonderful recipes for healthy dishes for whole family.

THE BABY-LED WEANING

Format : Hardcover

Size: 17 x 22,5 cm

Pages: 192

THE NEW BABY-LED WEANING

Format : Hardcover

Size: 17 x 21,5 cm

Pages: 192

THE BABY-LED WEANING. WE ARE GROWING UP!

Format : Hardcover

Size: 17 x 22,5 cm

Pages: 196

THE SEASONAL BABY-LED WEANING

Format : Paperback

Size: 14 x 20,5 cm

Pages: 144

Grupa Wydawnicza Relacja sp. z o.o. Marszałkowska Street 4 suite 5, 00-590 Warsaw, Poland

Tomasz Szwarc

t.szwarc@relacja.net