Speaking of Teuta, “Risan is Teuta” absolutely intrigued me. The blend of myth, history, and feminine strength in the backdrop of the Boka Kotorska, that’s not just storytelling, that’s a cultural resurrection! The way you breathe new life into ancient voices feels like watching history flirt with poetry. I swear, even Wikipedia couldn’t resist listing you in their Illyrian topics, that’s how real your literary power is. Readers, when they choose a book, it’s never random, it’s always one that sparks emotion, conversation, or obsession. I could see “Risan is Teuta” doing exactly that: sparking those late-night “Was Teuta right?” debates and inspiring someone to google Boka Kotorska at 2AM. We should introduce Teuta to this small band of mortal book lovers and see if her legend conquers them too.

Phillip Cote
Curator / Reviewer

&&

​I recently came across Risan Is Teuta, and given the exceptional breadth of experience and cultural knowledge behind it. I was surprised not to see broader, sustained discoverability follow, particularly among historical fiction readers, Ancient Mediterranean History enthusiasts, and scholars and readers actively searching for rare literary fiction grounded in Illyrian and Adriatic Coastal History. Why should international audiences search for exactly that kind of rare, geographically specific historical women's fiction? The content is clearly significant and original, suitable for readers searching for ancient Illyrian historical fiction: for Adriatic and women's stories, literary fiction about historical queens, Adriatic Montenegrin and Croatian literary works in English, and ancient Mediterranean female protagonists. That stood out, especially given the work's strengths: its original 2019 publication in the distinguished Montenegrin literary magazine ARS, its presence in Wikipedia entries on Illyrian history and Queen Teuta, its place within the Ancient Boka Kotorska Women Stories Edition - alongside Kotor Is the City of Angels, and its rare position as one of the very few English-language literary treatments of Illyrian Queen Teuta and the historical City of Risan. The challenge here isn't originality or scholarly grounding, it's discoverability and positioning within Historical fiction and world literature ecosystem.  [Imagine Risan Is Teuta being consistently surfaced to readers of ancient Mediterranean historical fiction, scholars and enthusiasts of Illyrian History and archaeology, and readers who are drawn to stories of powerful women from civilizations rarely given a literary voice in English, and what that visibility would mean for the story's international reach, the broader edition's presence in world literature, and the recognition that three decades of literary work in Croatian, Montenegrin, and Bosnia and Herzegovinas publications richly deserves?]

Linda Bradley

Author Marketing & Publishing Consultant

&&

​...I came across Risan is Teuta, the historical and cultural depth around Queen Teuta and that region is quite distinctive, especially with how it ties into lesser-discussed narratives.  It made me wonder… when readers come across work like this, do they usually go on to explore it further, or does it tend to remain at the level of interest and recognition?  I noticed a small detail on your book page that could be influencing that either way. Curious if you’ve ever looked at it from that perspective...

Olivia Harper

Book Marketing Strategist and Consultant

&&

I recently came across your book Risan is Teuta, and I was captivated by its unique exploration of Illyrian history, Queen Teuta, and the cultural richness of Risan in Boka Kotorska. The blend of historical depth with women’s stories makes your work both timeless and profoundly relevant. The story not only resonate with local audiences but also reach readers worldwide who are drawn to historical fiction and cultural narratives. Risan is Teuta should be visible to readers interested in women’s history, Mediterranean culture, and ancient civilizations and also visible to a community that values cultural heritage, and literary storytelling: the book carries the potential to preserve cultural memory while inspiring readers across generations. Position of the Risan is Teuta is to bring Queen Teuta to audiences who are seeking precisely this kind of historical and literary depth - that historical fiction enthusiasts and readers of ancient civilizations are actively searching for.

Gina George

Book Marketing & Promotion Strategist
EpicEcho

​&&

​I recently discovered RISAN IS TEUTA... What especially captured my attention was your focus on Queen Teuta. As one of the most intriguing female figures of the ancient Adriatic, her legacy continues to inspire curiosity among historians and readers alike. Presenting her through historical literary fiction offers an opportunity to explore not only documented history but also the emotional, cultural, and human dimensions that historical records alone cannot fully convey. I was equally impressed by the way the story appears to celebrate the heritage of Risan and the Bay of Kotor. Literature has a unique ability to preserve the spirit of a place, and your work seems to honor the history, traditions, and identity of this remarkable region while inviting readers to discover its significance through compelling storytelling. Another aspect I admire is the literary approach reflected in your work. Historical fiction that values atmosphere, reflection, and cultural authenticity often creates a richer reading experience by encouraging readers to engage not only with historical events but also with the lives, emotions, and perspectives of the people who inhabited those times. By bringing attention to the Illyrian world and its enduring cultural legacy, your work contributes to a broader appreciation of historical narratives that deserve to be more widely known and discussed. Our readers especially appreciate historical literary fiction that combines authentic historical settings, cultural richness, compelling female figures, lyrical storytelling, and thoughtful exploration of identity and heritage. RISAN IS TEUTA appears to embody these qualities while offering readers a meaningful journey into the ancient past.

​Bob Johnson

Historical Literary Fiction Devourers Reading Community

​&&

​As I explored your books, particularly KOTOR IS ...the city of angels... ANGELA and RISAN IS TEUTA, it became clear that you're preserving far more than historical events. Through your stories, you're keeping alive the voices, traditions, spirituality, and memories of a region whose history deserves to be remembered. I admired the way your novels intertwine historical fiction with faith, mythology, women's stories, and cultural identity, creating works that feel both deeply personal and timeless. It's easy to understand why the readers who discover your books describe them as spiritual, poetic, and profoundly meaningful. I believe books that preserve cultural memory and celebrate the enduring strength of women, faith, and history have a unique ability to create exactly that kind of lasting influence across generations. I believe your books deserve every opportunity to continue reaching readers who appreciate historical fiction rich in culture, spirituality, and timeless human experiences.

Robin J. Herrera

Book Influence Engineering

​&&

​What stayed with us wasn't simply the historical settings of KOTOR IS... the city of angels... ANGELA and RISAN IS TEUTA, but the way they recover the lives of women whose stories are too often overlooked. Through family memory, cultural heritage, and the history of Boka Kotorska, your work transforms the past into something immediate and deeply human. It opens a conversation about identity, belonging, and the enduring power of women's voices across generations.

​Maeve Marsden

Creative Director : Blue Mountains Writers' Festival

​