The characters in 10 Things to Ask Yourself in Warsaw and Other Stories are obstinately bound to the places they inhabit. Whether these worlds involve soccer fanatics, graffiti artists, or robotic teddy bears, the protagonists are violently thrust into situations where they can no longer play the spectator. The collection is edgy and urban, but the spectre of family also tugs at the characters across continents. Stories from this book have appeared in the Journey Prize anthology, ComingAttractions, Prism International and other leading journals.

Barbara Romanik's profile page

Barbara Romanik is a Polish-Canadian from Edmonton who now resides in Winnipeg. Several of her stories have been published in Canadian literary magazines including Descant and Prism International. Her story "Seven Ways Into Chandigarh" was a 2005 finalist for the Journey Prize. She is currently working on a novel while she pursues a PhD at University of Manitoba.

"These stories are restless, sexy, delightful and weird - mirage-like tales, yet utterly convincing. . . " - Mark Anthony Jarman

"Romanik subverts expectation in a way that feels at first like plain quirkiness; then you start to get it. She's entering worlds that are real, but rarely explored." - Globe & Mail

"This a brash, abrupt, challenging book. . . it is also genuinely bold and intriguing." - Winnipeg Free Press

"Whether you're getting bored with the English language or you're looking for a story that will kick you in the shins and go through your pockets for change, 10 Things to Ask Yourself in Warsaw will be a worthwhile read." - Uniter

". . . while Romanik's stories are short, they are rarely simple. And they most certainly aren't easily forgotten." - Edmonton Journal

"A manically, maniacally inventive book. . . an emphatic, striking debut." - The Fiddlehead