Corto Literary Agency represents some of the best and most prestigious writers from South-Eastern Europe, i.e. the Balkans. It is a territory of diversity; an intersection of various cultures, traditions, and practices, a territory that pulsates with creativity and variety. Our mission is to choose only the finest and the most valuable in our pursuit to bring this talent closer to the international reading audience, to contribute to the open world of new stories, new voices and new ideas that can enrich and change us.
Besides representing authors from the Balkans, Corto Literary also works as a sub-agent for publishers and literary agencies abroad on Eastern European markets. Our main objective is to match the right publishers with just the right titles and thus contribute to the greater success of our clients. We serve as a mediator in the translation and publishing of the books from the Balkans abroad and vice versa, but we’d also be willing to offer our active support and help in any aspect of our client’s work.
Diana Matulić
/ Rights Director
I am an experienced book editor who has been working at some of the most important and notable Croatian publishing companies. Already as a student of comparative and world literature at Zagreb’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences I realized that my wish was to work in publishing industry and my wish came true. I still work as an editor-at-large for many clients in need of professional help in the book publishing process. My love of books is practically inextinguishable, which is why I founded Corto Literary Agency, with a mission to promote Croatian literature and literature from Southeast European countries abroad, but also to represent the most relevant global publishers and agencies on Croatian and Southeast European territory.
As a passionate reader and quality literature enthusiast, it is my ambition and vision to familiarize broader European and global readership with the finest voices from my region and the other way around, aiming to contribute to a world which holds openness, desire to get to know new cultures, and love of great literature in the highest esteem.
Antonija Radić
/ Literary Agent
I graduated in Comparative Literature and Italian Language and Literature at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb. My deep affection for the written word has guided me through the entire course of education. During my graduate studies, I wanted to explore more ways of participating in the process of cultural exchange what led me to start my journey as a literary translator.
Working at Corto Literary Agency has given me the opportunity to explore that process from a fresh perspective, one that accentuates even more the importance of disseminating the human experience treasured in literature. I see the work of a literary agent as a meeting point of international literary currents, set to making more visible the authors from the region while introducing new tendencies and voices from all parts of the globe. I’m delighted to be a part of that important mission.
Andrea Spužević Golemac
/ Literary Agent
It took me a while to get where I am today, I had a few detours working in IT and interior design companies just to confirm that it’s not for me. And I was right! This seems to be somewhat of a pattern in my life – before studying English, I’ve studied Criminal justice (Yes, I watched to many CSI episodes). However, universe had other things planned and I ended up with Bachelors in English Language and Literature and Masters in English and Linguistics. Being the weird kid with my nose in a book, I guess I could’ve seen that one coming!
Throughout my studies and career, I’ve had an opportunity to co-found Excalibur, a student association that’s mainly focused on English language and literature in University of Mostar, as well as organize and participate in several plays held in honour of Shakespeare (I played Katherine from Taming of the Shrew and Horatio from Hamlet, reviews said it was some of my best acting, not to brag). I’ve also had the opportunity to spend six months in Valencia, Spain on student exchange where I was lucky to meet wonderful professors and students who introduced me to some brilliant Spanish authors who are one of the 5-star reads on my ever-expanding Goodreads list.
Getting an opportunity to work at Corto was a dream come true! I was finally able to peek behind the scenes and see what really goes on in the publishing industry. And guess what, working in Corto goes very well with my need to always stay on top of things, mad organisational skills and tendency to take on multiple tasks at once. Being an avid reader is not so bad for this line of work either (now I finally have an excuse as to why I spend so much time reading). Other than reading, when I’m not at work you can catch me on my bike exploring the city, crushing bad guys in video games and dabbling in writing.
Simona Kaleva
/ Literary Agent
I graduated with a PhD in Public Communications and Information Sciences at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. I am glad that I managed to combine science and practice in the field of publishing industry. My scientific researches helped me to understand better the role of literary agents and my experience as an editor proved me that there is nothing more important than a well-written story.
My challenging journey started with children’s and YA genres and continues with wonderful surprises at Corto. Being part of the team has given me the chance to develop my passion for children’s titles and fine, meaningful illustrations. It is always a pleasure to find the best place for a new literary treasure and to maintain the never-ending multicultural conversation. I am truly happy to be part of this adventure and will always believe in Katherine Rundell’s words who says that “the best children’s fiction helps us refind things we may not even know we have lost”.