Hungarian
First Language(s): Hungarian
Second Language(s):
English, Romanian
Réka Nyitrai is a spell, a sparrow, a lioness’s tongue — a bird nest in a pool of dusk. She is the recipient of a Touchstone Distinguished Books Award for 2020 for her debut haiku volume “While Dreaming Your Dreams” (Valencia Spain: Mono Ya Mono Books, 2020). Her prose poems have appeared in Otoliths, Unbroken Journal, Pithead Chapel, Heliosparrow Poetry Journal, NOON: journal of the short poem, Obliterat Journal, and others. Her debut full-length poetry collection will be out in September 2024 with Broken Sleep Books.
What was your favorite book as a child?
Before starting school I lived with my grandparents. My grandfather would tell me stories rather than read to me. When I started school, I moved in with my parents. To ease my longing for my grandfather, I read stories. My favourite book was Grimm’s Fairytales.
What was the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?
For years I thought about what language I should write in: Hungarian, my mother tongue, or Romanian, my second language? Eventually I started writing in English to improve my vocabulary and grammar. This developed into creative writing.
What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?
The most thrilling thing I have ever experienced was having my poetry manuscript accepted for publication by Broken Sleep Books. It will be on the market next year in September.
Do you listen to music while reading or writing?
For me silence is the most melodious music.
Poetry
Self-portrait with Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed
Issue Fall '23
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