Outside the window

Look for number 19 behind everything. The disease that has infected millions of people in a matter of months and crippled the world's economy is called covid-19. In response, 19 writers decided to help fight its effects. Each of them wrote a short story or essay for this book about living with the epidemic at their backs. The collection is exceptional not only because of the big names of the authors, but also because 19% of the proceeds will be donated to charity.

The title of the book is borrowed from Lidmila Kábrtová's short story Behind the Window, in which an old woman, paralysed by fear of contagion, closes herself in absolute isolation. In their texts, the authors portray the world during the pandemic from a variety of angles, some going back in time. The variety of genres is also interesting - the realistic picture is intertwined with horror, crime stories and poetic fantasy.

Paul Auster contributed to the book without remuneration, Bianca Bell, Zuzana Dostálová, Pavla Horáková, Lidmila Kábrtová, Pavel Kosatík, Antonín Kratochvil, Alena Mornštajnová, Jan Němec, Jiri Padevet, Iva Pekárková, Markéta Pilátová, Martin Sichinger, Mark Slouka, Petr Stančík, Olga Stehlik, Jan Stifter, Miloš Urban and Michal Vrba. The editor of the book is Aleš Palán.

"What can a writer do in a time of pandemic, when bookstores are closed and there are no meetings with readers? Being at home, keeping the nurses, caregivers and shop assistants on their toes, sewing drapes and going shopping for elderly neighbours. But is it enough?" muses Aleš Palán, the editor of the short story collection Za oknem (Behind the Window). He came up with the idea of approaching 19 authors to write 19 short stories, a book will be produced, with 19% of the sale price going towards the fight against the covid-19 disease.

The response from the writers was overwhelming, they immediately threw themselves into their work. Its result lies before you. All authors have waived their remuneration and the publishing house PROSTOR and the distribution network Kosmas have reduced their usual rebate.

Dear readers, we hope you will find the project interesting.

Thank you for your support, we wish you the joy of reading and good health.

Your PROSTOR editorial team

Outside the window

19 writers against covid-19

Author of the project
and editor Aleš Palán (1965)

Paul Auster (1947)

Bianca Bell (1970)

Zuzana Dostálová (1976)

Pavla Horakova (1974)

Lidmila Kábrtová (1971)

Pavel Kosatík (1962)

Jiri Kratochvil (1940)

Alena Mornštajnová (1963)

Jan Nemec (1981)

Jiri Padevet (1966)

Iva Pekárková (1963)

Markéta Pilátová (1973)

Martin Sichinger (1967)

Mark Slouka (1958)

Petr Stancik (1968)

Olga Stehlikova (1977)

Jan Štifter (1984)

Milos Urban (1967)

Michal Vrba (1976)