Bio note

Natalia Matolinets is a Ukrainian writer from Lviv, who loves travelling, coffee and Belle Époque. She incorporates myths, magic and cultural heritage of Central and Eastern Europe into her stories. She’s the author of eight novels. Among her accolades are Eurocon 2023 Chrysalis Award, Best Debut and Best Series from BaraBooka. Her work has been translated into Czech, Polish, English and Bulgarian.

Natalia was a literary resident of Prague UNESCO City of Literature and has participated in projects in Poland, Latvia and Croatia. She was guest lecturer of Sozopol fiction seminars in 2023 and joined PEN Sweden in 2024.

Residency goals

During her creative residency in Sofia, Natalia will be working on the Garnet Season series, set in the Austro-Hungarian empire and beyond during Belle Époque. She would also like to reconnect with Bulgarian cultural professionals she had met and worked with during her first visit to Bulgaria. Natalia would also like to share her  experiences of writer's life and Ukrainian publishing industry during full-scale invasion.