Out now: Liliia Zhernov’s debut novel

Liliia Zhernov, born in Kyiv, came to Switzerland in 2022 and has been part of Weiter Schreiben Schweiz since 2025. The project pairs exiled authors with Swiss writers in tandem partnerships, provides them with information about the Swiss literary scene, and opens access to networks. Liliia says: 'An uprooted artist needs an open door – the first person in her new professional environment who believes in her. My acceptance into the Weiter Schreiben Schweiz project instantly brought all the pieces of the puzzle together: I found a publisher.'

'Баттер Me Up!/Lull mich ein!', Liliia's debut novel and her first book published in Switzerland, is released on September 28 by zeitkind Verlag. It is published both in German and French. The story of a consuming love that cannot be lived unfolds through a language of musical imagery and driving rythm in prose and poetry.

With this publication, Liliia Zhernov adds an exciting new voice to Switzerland’s literary scene. This is exactly what Weiter Schreiben Schweiz stands for: creating space and a platform for authors from war and crisis regions to be heard. 

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