Esteemed London-based author Julia Zolotova hosted a thought-provoking literary evening on 2 July, transforming the Principal Tower sky-lounge into a reflective space for readers and creatives ahead of her upcoming UK book launch.
Part of her Stories & Surfaces salon series, the session titled “Evening with Julia Zolotova: From Concept to Publication” offered guests a rare opportunity to engage with the author’s evolving universe. Zolotova read paired extracts from her novels Eastern Empire, a layered narrative blending art and tech, and Omnichannel Hearts, a tale rooted in the digital intimacy of modern romance.
Attendees discussed themes such as writing in multiple languages, integrating AR maps into fiction, and the emotional weight of messages marked “seen-at-09:17.” Towering between East London’s gritty art quarters and the glass giants of the financial district, the venue proved a fitting metaphor for her narrative range.
Recent media reaction framed the debate. A four‑page feature in Glamour Bulgaria praised Eastern Empire as “layered and unflinching,” while UK portal Arts & Culture offered “a measured critique of the novel’s ambitious ideas about transparency.”
“Opposite readings mean the book is alive,” Zolotova told the audience. “A story should change shape in every new lens.”
Zolotova’s newest satire, The Influencer’s Canvas, has just landed on the virtual shelves of Britain’s two flagship booksellers — Waterstones and Hatchards. The dual listing marks the author’s first nationwide bricks‑and‑mortar availability.
UK paperback editions of Eastern Empire and Omnichannel Hearts publish October–November 2025, each with a reader’s guide and Shoreditch‑to‑Shanghai AR city‑maps.
Zolotova’s accolades include the Creativitys UK Award (2024) and the Stein Arts Award (2025) for innovative narrative craft.
A virtual Q&A for editors and booksellers is set for 4 July, 11:00 BST; registration available on request.
“Principal Tower let us test big ideas against a 360‑degree view of London,” Zolotova said. “Stories need altitude — and argument.”
