Bridging worlds through language, culture, and knowledge. 

About Me

I am a Croatian-American author and creative professional living and working between Boston/Las Vegas and Zagreb.  An experienced instructor, I teach online language and literature courses. My publishing company, Perlina Press, promotes Croatian literature in the USA. I have collaborated with the Croatian Heritage Foundation and the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media.

I have received prestigious awards for my work, including the Order of the Croatian Interlace for advancing Croatia’s reputation and Boston Croatian community identity, and the Harvard Club of Boston Prize Book Friends of Education Award for my contributions to education.

My professional memberships include the Association of Croatian-American Professionals, Croatian Writers’ Association, Croatian Society of Writers for Children and Youth, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Matrix Croatica, and the Croatian Academy of America.

Full CV/BIO

Collaborations & Partnerships

Croatian Heritage Foundation

Association of Croatian American Professionals​

Croatian Society of Writers for Children and Youth

Croatian School
of Boston

​​Croatian Writers' Association 
​

Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media

What my partners & collaborators say...

Pavao Pavličić

She is an undeniable asset to
​Croatian literature.

Ivo Šoljan

Irena is a true maestro of poetic expression, imbuing her work with profound meaning and intrigue. Her dynamic and virtuoso lyrical variations are a significant contribution to Croatian poetry ​and culture as a whole.

Lada Žigo Španić

Irena’s poetry stands out in our often wistful and prosaic times. With remarkable linguistic dexterity ​and biting sarcasm, she captures the myriad facets of our whimsical civilization. ​While many can adopt a serious tone, few can combine seriousness with humor as effectively as Irena does. Her dual talent enriches
​not only Croatian poetry but the ​broader literary landscape.

Darija Žilić

Irena’s poetry showcases her impressive skill in versification and style, as she can write Elizabethan and Petrarchan sonnets, limericks, Petrarchan canzoni,
acrostics, bećarac, and epic poems. ​In each of ​these forms,
​she discovers ​​her ​​unique poetic voice.