When Will Tomorrow Come? (Когда наступит завтра?), Igor Kotjuh’s debut collection in Russian, was also a valuable learning experience in the publishing world for him.
In 2004 Igor collaborated with Doris Kareva and the publishing house Huma to publish his debut collection, which was eventually released at the end of that year. The author was given a lot of freedom by the publishing house, which allowed him to communicate directly with the editor, artist, printer and publisher. The book was printed at the end of December, and published in January 2005. At that point, Igor gained an understanding of the entire publishing process, from conceptualisation to cover design.
Igor Kotjuh has an interest in publishing literature of value: poetry, prose, essays, children’s literature.
In Estonian and Russian.
Original and translation (both directions).
As of now, Igor Kotjuh is involved in several publishing projects.
KITE
Contact: publishing house’s website (https://www.oblaka.ee/publishing-house-kite/)
Igor Kotjuh founded the KITE publishing house, based on the literary group Tuulelohe which was active in Tartu from 2003 to 2006. Under the KITE publishing house, dozens of books have been published so far. Estonian literature, in Estonian and Russian.
KITE publishing house’s works have been recognised multiple times by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and have garnered the attention of critics.
Some of KITE books:
2020 – … Серия „Эстонские поэты в переводах Елены Скульской“
2018 Knut Ødegård I was a Baby’s Cry in a Collapsed Basement (translator from Norwegian Øyvind Rangøy)
2016 Orbita Talk in Estonian, Babe (Translator (from Russian) Aare Pilv)
2012–2015 Series PEN Library (Goran Simić, Hamdam Zakirov, Karen Connelly, Sergei Zavjalov)
2011 and 2015 Essay collection Tenacity to Be Brave. Poets about Poetry I and II
2014 Ян Каплинский „Белые бабочки ночи“
2013 Мехис Хейнсаар „Волшебный и грозный мир природы“ (перевод с эстонского П. И. Филимонова)
2013 Andra Teede „Ühe jalaga põhjas“
2013 Katrin Väli „KTRN“
2012 Андрей Хвостов „Страсти по Силламяэ“ (перевод с эстонского П. И. Филимонова)
2010 P. I. Filimonov Zone of non-Euclidean geometry (Translator (from Russian) Aare Pilv)
2009 Обёснение в любви. 150 стихотворений 18 русских поэтов Эстонии“
NEW CLOUDS
Contact: the magazine’s website (oblaka.ee)
On 1 January 2007 the e-magazine New Clouds (Uued Pilved) was launched. The founder and editor-in-chief of the publication is Igor Kotjuh.
The magazine has three main objectives:
- to promote Russian-language literature in Estonia,
- to foster a strong dialogue between Estonian and Russian-speaking writers
- to strengthen ties with Baltic authors.
New Clouds is also a tribute to the history of Russian literature in Estonia. In 1920 the first Russian-language literary publication in Estonia was launched – a weekly literary, artistic and social affairs magazine called Clouds (Облака).
EST LIT LOCUS
Contact: Facebook profile of the publication (https://www.facebook.com/estlit.locus)
On 10 August 2014 the literary landscape was expanded with the addition of the Est Lit Locus Facebook page. This is an account created by Igor Kotjuh, which he considers a microblog Est Lit Locus – the location of Estonian literature – serves as a microblog where he shares related news, introduces new books and discusses the interactions of Estonian literature with other literary traditions around the world. The blog is published in both Estonian and Russian languages.
Est Lit Locus showcases not only literature, but also Estonian art and music, both classics and contemporary trends.
Est Lit Locus poses an interesting challenge for Igor. Igor Kotjuh takes on multiple roles simultaneously, such as that of a publisher, editor, translator, poet, compiler, journalist, photographer and photo editor, among others.
Est Lit Locus has received recognition in the field of culture and integration. The materials published on the blog are frequently quoted and republished by traditional media outlets.
TUUM
Contact: website of the publishing house (https://tuum.ee/)
The Tuum publishing house was established on 19 October 1992, which was one year and two months after the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Estonia, and four months after the country adopted its own currency. Tuum has always been recognised for its focus on quality over quantity. Tuum’s primary focus has been on publishing valuable literature, with an emphasis on modern Estonian literature. Several top Estonian writers have been published by Tuum. The publishing house also strives to discover and promote young and emerging talents.
In 2018 Igor Kotjuh, a poet, translator, and journalist, became the CEO of Tuum Publishing House.
Some of Tuum’s books:
2021 Triin Paja Primeval Bird (Ürglind)
2021 Triin Soomets Surface Under the Timeline. Poetry 2019–2021 (Pind ajajoone all. Luulet 2019–2021)
2021 Natalja Nekramatnaja Blue Peony (Sinine pojeng)
2021 Lehte Hainsalu Painless (Valuvaba)
2020 Elo Viiding I am Talking About Literature (Mina kõnelen kirjandusest)
2020 Larissa Joonas Arrhythmia or Nightingales (Arütmia või ööbikud)
2020 Kristjan Haljak Illuminations (Illuminatsioonid)
2020 Andrei Ivanov Paris Arabesques (Pariisi arabeskid)
2019 David Vseviov A Biography. The First Two Weeks (Elulugu. Kaks esimest nädalat)
2016 Cornelius Hasselblatt I Loved An Estonian (Ma armastasin eestlast) (translated from German by Katrin Kaugver)
2009 Kalev Kesküla Life from the Darkness (Elu sumedusest)
2008 Mari Saat The Redeemer of Lasnamäe (Lasnamäe lunastaja)
2004 fs 2004
2001 Ene Mihkelson The Sleep of Ahasveerus (Ahasveeruse uni)
1993 Emil Tode Border State (Piiririik)
MEDIA
2018 Igor Kotyuh: Tuum participates in shaping the canon of Estonian literature (READ)