One is a CROWD – Alexis Stamatis

Literature as a European mother tongue: In our series “One is a CROWD”, we introduce you to authors from all over Europe who will be involved in the CROWD omnibus reading tour, taking place from May to July 2016, featuring 100 authors who will be travelling through 15 European countries. We asked them three questions about text production, reception and mediation. In case you were wondering what a literary activist in Athens looks like, meet Alexis Stamatis!

Have you ever participated in collaborative author/reader projects? If so, what do you find interesting about them? 

Yes, many times. I found them to be very rewarding experiences. The relationship between the author and reader is of the upmost importance and whenever there is interaction it opens up new fields. I am extremely interested in the readers’ feedback. It concerns me a lot and I always keep these comments in mind. The creative process is something so personal and intimate, however, that it leaves no space for ‘other voices’ to affect me.

What is your favourite literary spot in …? (literary venue, bar, meeting area, city, etc.)

My favourite spot in Athens is the infamous literary café Flion (ex Dolce).  Overseas, I would have to say it is the renowned bookshop Shakespeare and Co. in Paris.

Which recent literary event fascinated you the most and why? (Please give us the link to the website of the event.)

The promo tour I realised through the U.S. (from New York to LA) traveling to 20 spots (cities, universities, bookshops) within 40 days across America to present my novel American Fugue which won the International Literary Award of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Alexis Stamatis is currently planning a book presentation of his novel Bar Flaubert at the Greek Embassy in Paris.

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