Martyna Bunda

(b. 1975) – reporter and novelist.

Bunda grew up in the region of Kashubia and graduated in social policy from the University of Warsaw. Initially she published in the press: journalism, which allowed her to be in touch with diverse people and acquaint herself with various situations, became an education in writing for her. In the years 2012-18 she ran the national section of the weekly “Polityka”.

Her literary debut was the novel “Nieczułość” (Unfeeling), a family saga set in Kashubia, for which she received the Gryfia Literary Award, the “Wiatr od Morza” (Onshore Wind) Pomeranian Literary Award, and, in 2018, nominations for the Nike Literary Award, the Conrad Award, and the Gdynia Literary Prize in the prose category. She received two nominations for the Grand Press award for her journalism. Kashubia is also the setting of her second novel, “Kot niebieski” (Blue Cat), which transports us to the medieval-era town of Kartuzy. The book earned her a nomination for the Literary Award of the Capital City of Warsaw in 2020. Her most recent novel, “Podwilcze”, is a story about a complex relationship between two women, about discovering one’s identity, about desire and the need for beauty.