Petr Borkovec: A short story takes time

Born in 1970 in Louňovice pod Blaníkem. He did not complete his studies in Czech language and literature at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University. He writes poetry, prose, and children’s books; he is also active as a translator, editor, and journalist. For many years, he worked as a dramaturge at the Prague literary café Fra. He made his debut with the collection Prostírání do tichého (Setting the Table into Silence, 1990). His most recent acclaimed titles include Malé lode (Little Boats, 2026), Diktáty (Dictations, 2025), Nějaká Cécile a jiné (A Certain Cécile and thers, 2025), Ledňáček jsou modré mokré holínky (A Kingfisher Is Blue Wet Wellies, 2024), Křehká knížka (A Fragile Book, 2024), and Básně (Poems, 2023). He currently feels closest to the short story form: “A short story is not light reading,” he said in an interview for CzechLit.cz, “It is a discipline that takes time.”