Alenka's Books
In 2018, Amalietti Publishing House published my debut novel. The story was created in an incredible creative frenzy – I started writing it on February 8th and by March 31st the book was finished. It all happened like a beautiful dream. This book has become an important key; it opens wide the door to my magical world of creativity, which today is bubbling like a cauldron of magic. Something magical comes to life with every page you turn and with every step you take in the fairy-tale world of Aunt Malja and her magical friends.
Vilinska kri ali tovarišice prav posebne sorte - 2018
"Fairy blood or the companions of a very special kind"
The book about traditional witchcraft – folk witchcraft was published in September 2018 by Amalietti Publishing House.
It's a story about the power of female connection, the victory of love over hate, and playfulness, which is good to maintain even in the most difficult moments in life. In this story, I have delicately woven my deep love for Istrian land, mythological traditions, and its people.
I invite you to enter the world of Aunt Malja and her witch friends and relive a bit of Istrian magic with them.
About the book:
Alenka Kranjac's fantasy novel is a parable of the Sun, which constantly sends light and warmth into the cosmic cold to its children: planets, moons and little moons... and awakens life in them in all possible and miraculous forms and contents. The novel, as well as the Sun, are absolute optimists. Belief in the victory of love and all that is good is invincible. The novel contains the female principle of living power. And it confirms that most evil is born from fears, which are the godfathers of all wrong judgments. There is no limit to the joy of life in this work.
- MarT
Mara, vilinska kraljična - 2019
"Mara, the fairy princess"
A novel about awakening to the power of magic and a romantic story with an unexpected twist.
The book explores the inner world of a sensitive teenager who encounters Istrian water fairies and ancient beliefs, long preserved in remote areas of Istria, the Soča region and some regions of Friuli and Resia.
The story of Mara is a real gem – it was so special that publisher Peter Amalietti opened a new book collection specifically for her, called the Čira Čara Collection.
About the book:
On the cliff above the Bay of Koper, in the shelter of mighty pine trees, stood a small gray castle. Mara loved the night and the pine grove offered dark shade even on the brightest days. It was her refuge, her favorite corner under the sun.
In this novel, I take you once again to the magical world of Istrian fairies and the secrets of the dark depths of the human soul. As a continuation of the story from "Vilinska kri" (Fairy Blood), I take you back in time, far into the 17th century, where fairy tradition is vividly intertwined with human lives, taking deep roots in it.
Mara is a sixteen-year-old fiery princess, dark and misterious, who, through a series of coincidences, finds herself in the safe embrace of the Istrian water fairies. Through shocking realizations, unhappy love and death, she is guided by the force that people have called the "Great Mother" since time immemorial and to which they have always safely surrendered themselves, saying: "Here you have us, Nikrmana!"
Vrnitev domov - 2025
"Returning home"
The novel touches on broader and deeper personal themes and brings a story about finding one's own inner strength.
The story follows a young woman, Manja, through whom I delicately intertwine many challenging life themes. Among them are complicated family relationships, alcoholism, abuse, feelings of guilt and difficulties in setting personal boundaries. Manja is a woman who finds herself in a relationship where she gradually loses herself.
An important support in her life since childhood has been her grandmother, who later leaves her a small Istrian house. This house does not only become her new home, but a safe haven and a starting point for her true return home - to herself.
About the book:
The story is not easy, but it is honest, courageous and important. It reminded us that home is not always a safe place, that wounds can be hidden for a long time and that silence often hurts more than words. At the same time, the book also speaks to us with hope. Understanding brings relief and the journey to oneself can begin at any stage of life while the past, although we cannot change it, can be given a new meaning.
- University for the Third Age of Koper – UNI3 Koper
Ribič Livio - Livio il pescatore - 2022
"Livio the Fisherman"
A bilingual picture book for children in Slovenian and Italian. A wonderful fairy tale about a fisherman and a beautiful mermaid, dedicated to Izola.
"When the sun's rays gently touch the surface of the sea, the underwater kingdom begins to awaken in the depths of our bay. That's when miraculous things happen to fishermen! And when dolphins swim in our bay... Oh! Do you know who you might meet then?"
This picture book is special to me, because it closely intertwines both of my creative paths. For this story, I hand-crocheted the entire cast of dolls depicting the main characters. Through soft threads, the fisherman Livio, the mermaid and other creatures came to life in three-dimensional form and carried the fairy tale straight into children's hands.
About the book:
The book was published by the Izola City Library with the valuable support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia and the Italian Self-governing National Community of Izola. The publication of this picture book was also warmly supported by numerous donors and my esteemed friends.
I wrote the fairy tale over my morning coffee, with a view of the sea and the dreamlike image of a boat rocking on the waves. Its pages are adorned with beautiful photographs of crocheted dolls that were created under my fingers. The idea for the translation into Italian and for the book to be adorned with photographs of my crocheted characters instead of illustrations was given by the then library director Marina Hrs.
An exceptional team participated in the creation of this book magic:
- Translation: Mirjana Kramarič Francé beautifully translated it into Italian using authentic dialect words.
- Photography: Zdenko Bombek took care of the professional photographs of the crocheted dolls in the ambience.
- Design: The picture book was designed into an aesthetic whole by Irena Kresevič
From the background of the stories:
🌿What is a Fairy Faith?
Fairy faith is synonymous with European ancient religion. It is a living faith and lifestyle, deeply connected to nature and representing the pre-Christian religion of ancient Europe. In Istria, Posočje and nearby Friuli, it was kept alive for centuries mainly by older people, who secretly worshipped the forces of nature and performed rituals in the forests and caves. This hidden world of ancient wisdom and rituals represents the main driving force and inspiration for my literary and craft work.
🌿Who is Nikrmana?
Nikrmana is "The Great Mother" of the Old Religion. She represents the omnipotent power of Nature and the universal life force - the endless cycle of life, death and rebirth. She is worshipped in the form of Woman and Mother, bringing light at birth and offering a safe, warm embrace at departure.
🌿Recommended literature:
If you are interested in ancient religions, natural faiths, and the worship of the Great Goddess (Mother Goddess), we highly recommend exploring the works of these renowned Slovenian and international authors:
- Marija Gimbutas – anthropology, the culture of Old Europe, and archaeomythology
- Pavel Medvešček – invaluable research into Slovenian ancient faith and old beliefs (focusing on the Soča Valley)
- Carlo Ginzburg – the history of folk beliefs, microhistory, and the study of witchcraft
- Uršula Lipovec Čebron – contemporary anthropological studies, traditional healing, and research into folk beliefs
- Marko Pogačnik – geomancy and earth acupuncture (landscape acupuncture)
🐈⬛ The cat of Vilinska kri and my Logo
The cover for my debut book "Vilinska kri" was designed by Dušan Jovanovič, (Jovanovic Visuals) a dear friend and former neighbor to me and my husband, Marino. During the design process, he drew inspiration from a local black cat that frequently visited his garden. Although the cat on the cover is black, in my world, it represents all cats—the most iconic, mystical companions and beloved familiars of witches.
The magic behind creating my first book brought together people and friends who combined their energies to help me be born as an author. See? I told you this story holds a special key, capable of unlocking many doors of creativity. There is still so much more to explore and discover. Step boldly into my literary world, where this invisible doorway between waking reality and the realm of dreams opens wide to magical experiences.
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