Zane Zusta

Zane Zusta is a writer, poet, screenwriter and journalist whose stories reach both children and adults. Her work places particular emphasis on the emotional world, relationships, and questions that help us better understand ourselves and others.

Zane made her literary debut in 2015 with the children’s book “Ucipuci meklē mājas” (Ucipuci’s Search for Home), introducing the curious little owl Ucipuci, who went on to become one of her best-known characters. Ucipuci’s stories have also been published internationally, including in Lithuania, Estonia, North Macedonia and China.

Zane’s books for adults – including “Tarakāni manā galvā” (Cockroaches in My Head), “Aiz durvīm” (Behind the Door), “Tauriņa spārnu vēzieni” (The Flutter of a Butterfly’s Wings), “Nepieradināts putns” (The Untamed Bird), and the poetry collection “Mīļākā melleņu mētra” (My Favourite Blueberry Sprig) – explore human relationships, choices, inner conflicts, and the uncomfortable yet important questions of life. Several of her books have become bestsellers, while “Ucipuci domā ārpus kastes” (Ucipuci Thinks Outside the Box) was nominated for the Annual Latvian Literature Award.

Zane writes not only books – she also develops her stories for theatre, radio, television and film, increasingly focusing on screenwriting and story development across different formats. Her characters and stories have already made their way onto both the stage and the screen.

Alongside her writing, Zane leads creative writing and storytelling workshops, meets readers in libraries and schools, and shares her experience of writing, developing ideas and crafting stories.

A good story does more than entertain. It can help us see the world differently, recognise ourselves, and feel that we are not alone.