Anya Amasova

Anya Amasova was born and raised in Saint Petersburg. She graduated from the Saint Petersburg University of Culture and Arts, Department of Book Studies and History of the Book.

From the age of 18, Anya worked at the publishing houses Nauka, Azbuka, Mim-Delta, and Astrel-SPb as a typesetter, advertising specialist, literary editor, and later chief editor.

From the age of 18, she worked at the publishing houses Nauka, Azbuka, Mim-Delta, and Astrel-SPb: as a typesetter, advertising specialist, literary editor, and then chief editor.

By the time her first children’s book was published, the author already had too many “adult” books to her name: ironic detective novels published under her maiden name, as well as editorial projects published under her real surname. This made it necessary to “separate” the new field of activity, so as not to confuse herself or her readers. The pseudonym became so firmly established that there was no longer any need for other surnames (and other fields of activity). Her best-known books are the Cat Sea Pirates series. The author herself considers the first part, To the Attack!, not the most successful, as it was created under the influence of a much-discussed film; however, this in no way affected its reissues. It is hard to say whether the “speaking” title is beneficial or, on the contrary, puts parents off. Nevertheless, since 2007 the total circulation of the first part has exceeded one hundred thousand. The fourth part, Captain Jen, was shortlisted for the Book of the Year 2012: Children Choose competition and was awarded the Best Children’s Book of 2012: Children’s Choice mark.

Anya Amasova is married to Viktor Zaparenko. She has a daughter from her first marriage. She also has a sister.