'Pinzellati'
Author: Trevor Żahra
Publisher: Merlin Publishers / 2025
Pages: 728
Merlin Publishers is delighted to announce the release of Pinzellati, an extraordinary new collection from the veteran and much-loved author Trevor Żahra.
Pinzellati is the fruit of a literary experiment like no other: an entire year during which Żahra committed himself to writing something every single day, come what may, without exception. The result is a substantial collection of hundreds of pieces - including stories, anecdotes, and reflections - that reveal the discipline, dedication, and creative range of one of Malta's most celebrated authors.
"These writings, many of them short stories, were an exercise in discipline... a full year during which I kept a promise to myself to write every day!" Żahra explains. "Whatever the circumstances, I sat at my computer and devoted myself to writing. In the art of writing, there is more discipline than muse, more firm will than inspiration."
The collection explores a variety of themes and narratives, united by a common thread: the surprises of life and the mysterious paths our existence can take, often shaped by combinations of events and circumstances. The pieces range from stories about characters trying to control their destiny only to discover life has other plans, to stories that reveal the subtle signs life sends us that we often overlook. In this way, Pinzellati offers readers a magnificent mosaic of the human experience, crafted and conveyed through Żahra's distinctive voice.
Earlier this year, Merlin Publishers gave readers a taste of this ambitious project through the digital series Il-Qabar tal-Kaj ... u aktar, which included four carefully selected short stories from Pinzellati, offering a preview of what was to come. Now, the complete work is available in print format, allowing readers to experience the full scope of the creative commitment Żahra undertook over the course of a year.
Trevor Żahra is a writer and illustrator in a class of his own, enchanting and inspiring generations of Maltese readers with his stories and characters since the 1970s. Over his extraordinary career, he has written and illustrated more than 130 books of all kinds, spanning every genre and age group. He has won the National Book Prize no fewer than 18 times, and several of his books have been translated and published in other languages and countries.
Pinzellati was officially launched in a packed hall at Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan in Santa Venera on Friday 21 November. The launch event featured the author himself, as well as established actors Joseph Galea, Antonella Galea Loffreda, and Joe Pace.
Like several other of Żahra's substantial works, Pinzellati is published in a limited edition with a hardback cover. Despite exceeding 700 pages, the book remains comfortable to handle as it has been printed on specialised lightweight paper. The stunning cover, designed by artist Pierre Portelli, uses vibrant colours and the idea of fluid movement to represent the freedom of creative expression. It is worth noting that the author's name does not appear on the front cover; only the initials TŻ are displayed, sufficient to signal to Maltese readers that this is the work of an author who needs no introduction.
Pinzellati is not only a significant addition to Żahra's impressive literary output but also a testament to the power of discipline and dedication in the creative process. With this work, Żahra challenges the romantic notion of the writer waiting for inspiration to strike, reminding us that true artistry requires commitment, perseverance, and relentless practice.
Pinzellati is available in local bookshops and online at www.merlinpublishers.com.