How to become an ambassador of Ukrainian literature: Five simple ways

This autumn, Chytomo, together with the Craft media, in partnership with Snig.digital, Kavi.Agency, PEN Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Book Institute, launched the Chapter Ukraine project, which provides comprehensive information about Ukrainian books available in foreign translation. However, creating a tool is only the first step, so we aim to find ambassadors of Ukrainian books among both Ukrainians and foreign friends, among organizations, and simply caring readers. Everyone can take a small but important action to make Ukrainian books more visible abroad.

Method 1. Сreate and share your ‘must-read’ list – wherever you are

As research shows, book choices are most often influenced by personal recommendations – and this is true worldwide. Compile your own list of books you would like to recommend. Send it to your friends, post it on social media as a must-read list.

For whom? It’s up to you to decide – Ukrainians abroad, daily readers, discoverers of new cultures, or those who care about Ukraine.

Choose books in English, German, or Spanish – and a French list will be available soon. Just visit Chapter Ukraine and add books to your list.

Method 2. Are you outside Ukraine? Order books at your local bookstore

Bookstores often don’t have time to search for distributors, or simply don’t see Ukrainian books among hundreds of others in distributor catalogs. Make their job easier!

Through Chapter Ukraine, you can download a PDF or Excel spreadsheet with the data – and send it to your desired bookstore (or maybe even come in with the list and introduce yourself).

You can also cooperate with the bookstore to create thematic shelves. Occasions can vary:

• For Ukraine’s Independence Day.
• For the anniversary of the full-scale war.
• For Holodomor Remembrance Days.
• During Ukrainian festivals in your city.
• Just because.

Each occasion will require different selections, but all of them can be easily found using tags and classifiers, which you can do in one click.

Method 3. Replenish the funds of your library abroad

Libraries most often have their own form that can be filled out to order (for free!) the required book. Alternatively, you can form a list via Chapter Ukraine and send it to your library with a single click.

An order indicating where to get the book (publisher, distributor) will be invaluable help to the librarian, as they receive a ready-made solution for replenishing the fund. And perhaps you’ll want to organize a reading club as well?

Method 4. Use books for corporate orders. Especially abroad

Don’t forget that the best gift is a book. If your company or organization is looking for corporate gift ideas, choose Ukrainian translations.

Your neighborhood’s independent bookstores will be happy to receive and fulfill a corporate order for your chosen Ukrainian translations, which will provide support to two important links at once: Ukrainian literature and local small businesses.

You can also suggest where Ukrainian schools abroad can look for books.

Method 5. Maybe it’s time to open your distributor profile and start your own business/charitable project?

If you are a legal entity, a creative company ready to distribute Ukrainian books as a wholesale buyer or distributor, we believe that Chapter Ukraine will simplify your first steps.

You can easily find contacts for publishers, agencies, and distributors, which will allow you to quickly open your own profiles with distributors and present books at festivals, events, or in your own space.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please write to: chytomo@gmail.com (Subject: Chapter Ukraine)