Pija Lucija Kralj

Hi! I'm Pija Lucija Kralj (2001), a writer from Slovenia and currently in the final year of my master’s in Sociology at the University of Ljubljana. I did my undergraduate studies in Social Work, and during my academic path, I spent time living in Ghent (Belgium) and Aarhus (Denmark). Right now, I’m based in Belgium, wrapping up my studies.

Writing has been with me for as long as I can remember. I’ve published four books so far — three young adult novels (Nikogaršnja, Julija, and Basist nikoli ne dobi bejbe) and a poetry collection that’s on its way. In 2019, my novel Julija was adapted into a feature film, which was a surreal and exciting experience.

In 2024, I was selected for an artist residency in London, supported by the Slovenian Ministry of Culture. That time really shaped my relationship with poetry — I fell in love with the idea of expressing more by saying less, and leaving space for the reader to feel their way through the text. That’s when I wrote my first poetry collection, S figami ob vinu, which will be published in 2025. Nature plays a huge role in my writing. I often find myself turning to the outdoors — its symbols, rhythms, and silences — to find clarity and meaning. I try to bring that connection into both my poetry and prose.

In recent years, I’ve been lucky to receive some recognition for my work. In 2024, I won the Best Short Story award from AirBeletrina and also received the main prize from Ventilator besed for short fiction. My poetry collection also won first prize for best unpublished poetry book from the publishing house Kulturni Maribor.

A book that’s stayed with me lately is The Women I Think About at Night by Mia Kankimäki — a beautiful blend of biography, travel, and reflection on the lives of extraordinary women. It really resonated with me.