MEET AJA WARSAW
Anna Jarota
Founder, CEO
Anna grew up in Poland and obtained a diploma in English philology and psychology from Lodz University. She left Lodz for Paris, where after having validated her Polish diploma in psychology at La Sorbonne University, she started working as a bookseller. It totally converted her into book business. She moved to London where she worked as an agent at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, then as foreign rights director at XO Editions. She later moved to Paris to set up the agency in 2008 and in 2014 decided to open a Warsaw office.
Izabela Cupiał
Foreign Rights Director
Iza graduated from the University of Warsaw with a Master’s Advanced degree in American Studies. She has been working in the publishing industry for more than nine years. She has worked with Foksal Publishing Group, Czarne Publishing House, and Filtry Publishing House. Before joining AJA as a Literary Agent in 2022, in previous years she worked at Agora Publishing, and as an editor of literary fiction at Proszynski Publishing House. Iza has introduced many authors to the Polish market, including Ta Nehisi-Coates, Jennette McCurdy, Coco Mellors, Rachel Yoder, Marilynne Robinson, Lydia Yuknavitch, Sarah M. Broom, and S.A. Cosby. Iza specializes in literary (race) and upmarket fiction and non-fiction (essays!). However, she admits that working on commercial titles gives her the biggest thrill. After hours, she compulsively reads and swims, attends literary festivals, and dreams of her next trip to NY and completing a marathon one day.
Adriana Mleczak
Head of Administration
Adriana graduated from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań with a degree in Polish literature and linguistics. She worked as a project manager and editorial secretary in Wydawnictwo Poznańskie Publishing House and Virtualo. Adriana is a picky bookworm. She always has at least ten books on her currently-reading shelve and mostly prefers non-fiction and Scandinavian novels. After work, she looks for a balance on yoga mat. She joined AJA in March 2022 and manages the administration of both the Warsaw and Paris offices.
Barbara Szablisty
Rights Assistant
Barbara Szablisty is a graduate of the Institute of Polish Culture at the University of Warsaw. Researcher of Jewish culture, mainly Yiddish culture. Lover of silent cinema, fashion, and Taylor Swift. Her main interests consists of Central and Eastern European literature, Italian women writers and critical essays. She likes to discover forgotten classics. Her inspirations are Walter Benjamin, and Miffy the bunny.
Małgorzata Kopeć
Administrative Specialist
Małgorzata handles administrative duties at the agency. She is a gradute of TV Journalism from Wroclaw University. Before joining AJA, Małgorzata gained experience on film sets, in festival production and as a project coordinator in the creative industry.
Julia Kusiak
Rights Assistant
Poet & flaneuse, clings to fictive little objects. A graduate of History of Art and Artistic Research (University of Aberdeen, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw). Julia worked at Tajfuny Publishing House as an Editorial Assistant for three years. Gets her kicks reading critical theory, someone else’s diaries, poetry and fiction. Avid fan of Lorrie Moore, Djuna Barnes, Lauren Elkin and New Narrative. Enjoys public transport and experimenting with film photography. In Warsaw co-runs the collective wcierka. Julia joined AJA Warsaw in June 2025 as a Rights Assistant.
Julia Łukaszewska
Junior Administrative Specialist
Julia graduated from the American Studies Center of the University of Warsaw. She particularly enjoys reading poetry and modernist novels. She joined the AJA team in September 2023 as an administrative assistant.
Ada Brzostek
Rights Coordinator
Ada is a graduate of Polish philology with an editing specialization from Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw. She is currently studying photography at the Warsaw Film School. She began her journey in the industry as a bookseller and was associated with the K.K. Baczyński Bookstore for many years. She has been actively participating in Warsaw's literary life – she organized many author meetings and volunteered at the Warsaw Book Fair. She most often reads literary fiction, feminist literature, and fantasy. She is a big fan of comics, especially the Sailor Moon series! In her free time, she can usually be found running around Warsaw with a camera or attending concerts. She joined AJA Warsaw in 2023 as a literary agent assistant.
Ewa Chodakowska
Co-agent for French rights
Ewa has degrees from the Université Paris-Dauphine and UCL (University College London). Born in London, with Polish origins, Ewa has a very international profile. She loves art, history, and literature, but her degree in economics and management ensures that she is able to reinforce the administration team in AJA Paris, where she has been working since November 2020. She joined AJA Warsaw in May 2024 as a co-agent representing French titles.
Cate Mleczak
Belly of Administration
Cate was born in Albania, but within the first few months of her life, she moved to Poland in search of better opportunities. She joined her mother, Adriana, first in Poznań and later in Warsaw. Cate has a passion for pigeons, hair ties, and corn puffs. At AJA, she manages the timekeeping records, oversees document circulation, and motivates the team. In the future, she aspires to become the head of the HR department.
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