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Pilipiuk, Andrzej

Entry updated 1 December 2025. Tagged: Author.

(1974-    ) Prolific Polish author of Fantastika who trained as an archaeologist and occasionally uses the pseudonym Tomasz Olszakowski.

Pilipiuk debuted with the short story "Hiena" ["Hyena"] (February 1996 Fenix), which introduced his most famous creation: Jakub Wędrowycz, a boorish, moonshine-brewing poacher peasant and amateur exorcist (in reality, an absurdly powerful user of Psi Powers). Wędrowycz features exclusively in many Humorous short stories (not counting occasional cameos in Pilipiuk's other works), nearly 150 as of 2025, collected in eleven volumes of the Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza ["Chronicles of Jakub Wędrowycz"] series (2001-2025). The Wędrowycz tales satirize post-Communist provincialism through Comic Inferno situations and grotesque slapstick, often employing various sf tropes, from the expected vanquishing of all manner of Monsters and Supernatural Creatures to encounters with UFOs and Time Travel. A dedicated fan convention, Dni Jakuba Wedrowycza ["The Days of Jakub Wędrowycz"] has taken place yearly since 2007; a (short-lived) Collectible Card Game was released in 2011, and a three-metre-tall statue of him was unveiled in the mid-2010s. Wędrowycz's popularity makes him arguably the second most famous Hero (or Antihero) of Polish fantastika after Sapkowski's Geralt of Rivia, the famous Witcher.

Early in his career, Pilipiuk wrote as by Tomasz Olszakowski, authoring 19 adventure novels in 1999-2005 that continued the popular youth series Pan Samochodzik ["Mr Car"] (originally by Zbigniew Nienacki). This series follows the titular museum curator-detective on treasure-hunting escapades. These were formulaic adventure-mysteries published as work-for-hire, with occasional nods to Fantastika, from Secret Masters (Templars being a popular reference) to the gadget-filled vehicle in which the protagonist travels. Notably, the Pan Samochodzik i sekret alchemika Sędziwoja ["Mr Car and the Secrets of the Alchemist Sędziwój"] (2001) and Pan Samochodzik i wynalazek inżyniera Rychnowskiego ["Mr Car and the Invention of Engineer Rychnowski"] instalments featured a crossover with Pilipiuk's urban fantasy cycle Kuzynki ["The Cousins"] (2002-2014), which properly debuted with "Kuzynki" ["Cousins"] (July 2002 Science Fiction), and won him that year's Janusz A Zajdel Award in the short story category. The story was expanded into a novel of the same title the following year, and continued with Księżniczka ["The Princess"] (2004), Dziedziczki ["The Heiresses"] (2005) and Zaginiona ["The Lost One"] (2014). The cycle follows three extraordinary women – a 1000-year-old Vampire eternally stuck in a teenager's body, a 300-year-old Immortal alchemist noblewoman, and her contemporary relative, a former Polish intelligence agent – who band together on adventures that juxtapose folklore and historical lore with secret societies, espionage intrigue, and high-tech threats. The series' action-packed, Pulp sensibilities were popular with fans, though some critics derided later instalments as formulaic.

In mid-2010s Pilipiuk published his first true standalone sf novel, Operacja Dzień Wskrzeszenia ["Operation: Resurrection Day"] (2006), a Time-Travel thriller that opens in a post-apocalyptic (see Post-Holocaust) twenty-first century and sends its heroes on missions to nineteenth- and seventeenth-century Poland. In a plot echoing The Terminator (1984), four youths must prevent the birth of a future tyrant who caused a nuclear war by traveling to the past.

The Norweski dziennik trilogy ["Norwegian Diary"] (2005-2007) – Ucieczka ["Escape"] (2005), Obce ścieżki ["Foreign Paths"] (2006), and Północne wiatry ["Northern Winds"] (2007) – is a political Alternate History aimed at young readers, set in the Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza universe. It follows Tomasz Paczenko, a distressed Polish teenager with supernatural abilities who seeks refuge in Norway. After finishing the Norwegian trilogy, Pilipiuk began a similar series, again aimed at the young readers: the seven-volume Time-Travel odyssey Oko Jelenia ["The Eye of the Deer"] (2008-2015). Here, two contemporary Polish youths are whisked by Aliens back in time to sixteenth-century Northern Europe. The fifth volume of the series, Triumf Lisa Reinicke ["Fox Reineke's Tryumph"] (2010) won that year's Nautilus Award.

The 2010s saw another small series, Wampir z ... ["Vampire from ..."] (2011-2018). It began with the Wampir z M-3 ["Vampire from a Two-Bedroom Apartment"] (coll 2011), a quirky Horror-comedy novel set in the 1980s Polish People's Republic. Followed by sequels Wampir z MO ["Vampire from Citizens Militia"] (2013) and Wampir z KC ["Vampire from Central Committee"] (2018), the series imagines the struggles of a Vampire trying to cope with life under communist austerity – a satirical inversion of classic vampire tropes in a Soviet-bloc milieu, while affectionately parodying the propaganda and pop culture of late communist-era Poland.

2019 saw the author's arguably most original work, Przeszłość dla przyszłości ["The Past for the Future"] (2019). It is a non-fictionalized history textbook for elementary school in an Alternate History reality where Poland is a major world power. Accompanied by numerous photos as well as supporting materials, alleged accounts of events, diaries, letters, and chronicles, it is a fascinating literary experiment, resembling an in-depth supplement for a nonexistent Role Playing Game; for similar content, see for example GURPS Infinite Worlds (2005 SJG).

The 2020s saw Pilipiuk venturing into Post-Holocaust sf. His new duology – Przetaina ["The Fell-Cut"] (2022) and Okiść ["The Weight of Snow"] (2024) – is set in a frozen, post-apocalyptic world.

A final cycle os Światy Pilipiuka ["The Worlds of Pilipiuk"] (2005-2024) an ongoing series of short story collections with several recurring characters. Similar in scope to his Wędrowycz series, it comprises, as of 2025, 15 volumes encompassing over a hundred of short stories. These Fantastika tales commonly range across horror, sf, alternate history, and urban fantasy, typically focusing on the intersection of Pilipiuk's favorite motifs: Polish (Slavic) history, folklore, and forgotten science. Recurring characters include Paweł Skórzewski and Robert Storm. Skórzewski, a scholarly doctor-adventurer from the turn of the nineteenth/twentieth centuries, appears in multiple Medicine-themed historical horror tales, encountering everything from supernatural plagues to lost civilizations (see Lost Races) in stories evoking the spirit of Conan Doyle or Jules Verne. Storm, by contrast, is a present-day antiques hunter and amateur sleuth who stumbles upon historical mysteries and occult relics, functioning as a modern Fantastika pulp detective. Skórzewski's stories were also collected in a dedicated volume, Dzieje Doktora Skórzewskiego. Traktat o higienie ["The History of Doctor Skórzewski: A Treatise on Hygiene"] (coll 2025). The tone of the stories ranges from comedic to eerie or thought-provoking, and they showcase Pilipiuk's populist storytelling flair; they have also received more positive critical reviews than his novels.

Pilipiuk also scripted three Graphic Novels, two featuring Wędrowycz: Dobić dziada ["Finish the Geezer"] (graph 2011), Krasnoludy ["The Dwarves"] (graph 2014) and Zabójca ["The Killer"] (graph 2014) One of his short stories was adapted into a stage drama, and this and another were made into short movies: Poddasze ["The Attic"] (2015) and Czerwona gorączka ["Red Fever"] (2021); an eight-part YouTube series of shorts Zatruty czwartek ["Poisoned Thursday"] was also released (2012). Pilipiukalso writes essays on Fantastika for Fahrenheit.

Pilipiuk is an influential figure in twenty-first-century Polish speculative fiction. He is immensely popular with readers: his books frequently top Polish SF bestseller lists, and he has been nominated for the fandom-voted Zajdel Award nine times (winning once). Fans appreciate his accessible, fast-paced storytelling and the colorful, mythic characters he has added to the Polish fantastika pantheon. Pilipiuk helped popularize humorous Fantastika in Poland at a time when more serious, stylized fiction (such as the works of Dukaj or Sapkowski) often dominated critical discourse. Indeed, the author proudly identifies as a writer of "entertainment Fantastika", even humorously dubbing himself a "Great Graphomaniac" (Wielki Grafoman) to acknowledge his pulpy output. His critical reception has been mixed: while acknowledging his creativity and the "sheer fun" of his tales, many critics fault Pilipiuk for formulaic plots and Clichés. Regardless, he is undoubtedly one of the most popular and prolific authors of modern Polish fantastika, particularly in the field of short stories. [PKo]

Andrzej Pilipiuk

born Warsaw, Poland: 20 March 1974

works

series

Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza ["Chronicles of Jakub Wędrowycz"]

  • Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza ["The Chronicles of Jakub Wędrowycz"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2001) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Czarownik Iwanow ["Ivanov the Warlock"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2002) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Weźmisz czarno kure ... ["Thou Shall Take a Black Hen ..."] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2002) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Zagadka Kuby Rozpruwacza ["The Riddle of Kuba the Ripper"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2004) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Wieszać każdy może ["Anyone Can Hang Someone"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2006) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Homo bimbrownikus ["Homo Moonshinerus"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2009) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Trucizna ["Poison"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2012) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Konan destylator ["Conan the Distiller"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2016) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Karpie bijem ["Carp Diem (We Beat the Carp)"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2019) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Faceci w gumofilcach ["Guys in Wellies"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2022) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Wojsławicka masakra kosą łańcuchową ["Wojsławice Scythe Saw Massacre"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2025) [coll: Kroniki Jakuba Wędrowycza: pb/Andrzej Łaski]

Światy Pilipiuka ["The Worlds of Pilipiuk"]

  • 2586 kroków ["2586 Steps"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2005) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/Maciej Dębski]
  • Czerwona gorączka ["Red Fever"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2007) [coll: pbŚwiaty Pilipiuka: pb/]
  • Rzeźnik drzew ["Tree-Butcher"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2009) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/Piotr Cieśliński]
  • Aparatus (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2011) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/Paweł Zaręba]
  • Szewc z Lichtenrade ["The Cobbler of Lichtenrade"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2011) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/]
  • Carska manierka ["The Imperial Canteen Flask"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2013) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/Piotr Dismas Zdanowicz]
  • Reputacja ["Reputation"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2015) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/Szymon Wójciak]
  • Litr ciekłego ołowiu ["A Litre of Liquid Lead"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2016) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/Szymon Wójciak]
  • Wilcze leże ["Wolf's Den"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2017) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/]
  • Zły las ["The Wicked Woods"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2019) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/Szymon Wójciak]
  • Przyjaciel człowieka ["Man's Friend"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2020) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/Szymon Wójciak]
  • Czarna góra ["Black Mountain"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2021) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/Szymon Wójciak]
  • Zło ze wschodu ["Evil from the East"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2023) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/Szymon Wójciak]
  • Czasy, które nadejdą ["Times Yet to Come"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2024) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/]
  • Dzieje Doktora Skórzewskiego. Traktat o higienie ["The History of Doctor Skórzewski: A Treatise on Hygiene"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2024) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/]
  • Drogi przez morze ["Roads Across the Sea"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2025) [coll: Światy Pilipiuka: pb/]

Kuzynki ["The Cousins"]

  • Kuzynki ["Cousins"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2003) [Kuzynki: pb/Katarzyna Oleska]
  • Księżniczka ["The Princess"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2004) [Kuzynki: pb/Katarzyna Oleska]
  • Dziedziczki ["The Heiresses"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2005) [Kuzynki: pb/Katarzyna Oleska]
  • Zaginiona ["The Lost One"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2014) [Kuzynki: pb/Anna Mutwil]

Oko Jelenia ["The Eye of the Deer"]

  • Droga do Nidaros ["The Road to Nidaros"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2008) [Oko Jelenia: pb/Paweł Zaremba]
  • Srebrna Łania z Visby ["The Silver Doe of Visby"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2008) [Oko Jelenia: pb/Paweł Zaremba]
  • Drewniana twierdza ["The Wooden Fortress"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2008) [Oko Jelenia: pb/Paweł Zaremba]
  • Pan Wilków ["Lord of Wolves"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2009) [Oko Jelenia: pb/Paweł Zaremba]
  • Triumf Lisa Reinicke ["Fox Reineke's Tryumph"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2010) [Oko Jelenia: pb/Paweł Zaremba]
  • Sfera Armilarna ["The Armillary Sphere"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2011) [Oko Jelenia: pb/Paweł Zaremba]
  • Sowie zwierciadło ["The Owl's Mirror"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2015) [Oko Jelenia: pb/Paweł Zaremba]

Wampir z ... ["Vampire from ..."]

  • Wampir z M-3 ["Vampire from a Two-Bedroom Apartment"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2011) [coll: Wampir z ...: pb/]
  • Wampir z MO ["Vampire from Citizens Militia"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2013) [Wampir z ...: pb/]
  • Wampir z KC ["Vampire from Central Committee"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2018) [Wampir z ...: pb/Andrzej Łaski]

Norweski dziennik ["Norwegian Diary"]

  • Ucieczka ["Escape"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2005) [Norweski dziennik: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Obce ścieżki ["Foreign Paths"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2006) [Norweski dziennik: pb/Andrzej Łaski]
  • Północne wiatry ["Northern Winds"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2007) [Norweski dziennik: pb/Andrzej Łaski]

Przetaina

  • Przetaina ["The Fell-Cut"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2022) [Przetaina: pb/Piotr Cieśliński]
  • Okiść ["The Weight of Snow"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2024) [Przetaina: pb/Paweł Zaręba]

Pan Samochodzik ["Mr. Car"]

individual titles

  • Operacja Dzień Wskrzeszenia ["Operation: Resurrection Day"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2006) [pb/Grzegorz Domaradzki, Krzysztof Domaradzki]
  • Przeszłość dla przyszłości ["The Past for the Future"] (Katowice, Poland: Stowarzyszenie Pokolenie, 2019) [pb/]
  • Upiór w ruderze ["The Phantom in the Ruined House"] (Lublin, Poland: Fabryka Słów, 2020) [pb/Andrzej Łaski]

links

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