Sylva Lauerova

Education and personal life

Sylva Lauerová studied at Masarykova univerzita in Brno and graduated with a JD, although she chose not to practise law. She is married to a German architect specialising in tropical residential architecture. Since 1997, she has mostly resided in the Seychelles.

Literary style

Her work varies between purely commercial literature and artistic projects. The main features of her literary works are a suggestive style, characterized by a dynamic, modern, and very distinctive approach to language, including aspects of authenticity, openness when describing intimate scenes, and insights into the psyche of the main characters. Her style draws the reader into the story and allows them to be an interested, silent observer, sharing the same perspective as the main characters in the story.

Bondye i lanmour (2005)

Seychellois Creole and English meditation CD.

The Toy (2007)

A commercial erotic novel, The Toy has appeared twice in the Top 10 list of bestselling books in the Czech Republic. ISBN 978-80-254-0394-5

Michael2007 (2008)

A philosophical-religious riddle, it combines prose and poetry while considering the real and immaterial world. In the prose section entitled 'Manual for large feathered friends', Lauerová introduces readers to the 'theory' – the principle of Angelic beings here on earth. The second part contrasts with this through the theory of 'practice'; two stories written in verse leave space for readers to put together the whole puzzle – hinted at in the poems – by themselves. The book became the inspiration for the Michael2007 project, an exhibition of works of art which took place in September 2008 in the former "Thamova" factory in Karlin, Prague. Seven young artists, most of whom went on to be masters in their field, exhibited their pieces of art inspired by the nine poems from the book. ISBN 978-80-254-2340-0

The Slave (2009)

An intimate psychological BDSM drama in which the desire to control others is mixed with the desire to be dominated and humiliated. ISBN 978-80-254-5275-2

The Queens of Blackberries and Tears (2010)

“44 poets, 421 poems, one love" Compiled by Sylva Lauerová. A collection of Czech female love poetry for the 21st century, it is one of the most comprehensive publications (560 pages) of contemporary poetry written by women, both professionals and amateurs, to appear in the last decade in the Czech Republic. ISBN 978-80-254-7069-5

Jumaroro (2011)

A mystical novel combines elements of a detective story and travelogue. The exotic environment of the Amazon Basin features in this mystical story with a surprising culmination; Jumaroro combines suspense, exoticism and mystery. As the plot develops, the book poses numerous questions; the reader's imagination, curiosity, and expectations are aroused, as well as a feeling of something unexplainable, right up until the dramatic ending, when the answers to the above take the reader's breath away. Jumaroro is credited as the novel that introduced Lauerová's work to a wider audience. ISBN 978-80-904933-0-8

A Harsh Ovation (2012)

This second poetry collection is a selection of poems from 2010 to 2012. The paradoxical title itself suggests the direction and content of the verses, which include painful and depressing themes. In her poems, Lauerová deliberately ignores superficial and earthly subjects; the focus of her poetry is the human soul and, as in the first collection of poems Michael2007, there are deep spiritual overtones. The poems are accompanied by full-colour illustrations by Monica Sedlářová, a talented young Czech artist currently living in England. This edition is limited to 1000 copies and each one has been personally signed by the author. ISBN 978-80-904933-2-2

The Lurker (2012)

A chamber thriller partly set in Prague's underground Metro system which offers the delicate, chilling yet human story of a mysterious and ugly man without a past. As usual, the dénouement is surprising and readers will again be confronted with the author's fascination with the depths of the human mind and an empathetic insight into the feelings of others. Lauerová retains her authentic literary style, enriched by a new, increasingly dark poetic flavour that gives The Lurker a completely unique touch. ISBN 978-80-904933-3-9

Media, projects

Sylva Lauerová is a regular contributor to Czech journals (e.g. Marianne, Psychology Today), presents and hosts artistic events (Shooting Fashion Stars, Fatamorgana – Brussels Dream), and is the founder and supporter of a wide range of artistic projects (exhibitions, happenings, experimental fashion shows, etc.).