Chad and Svetlana Zimmerman

Our Journey

Beresta Literary Press was born in the quiet hush of the 2020 lockdowns, a spark of magic in a time of uncertainty. What began as a simple desire—to share the beauty of language and culture—quickly transformed into something far greater. We uncovered forgotten fairytales, whispered from the past, and gave them new voices in English, Russian, and Japanese. Over the years, our little press has grown like an enchanted forest, branching into poetry, theology, philosophy, coloring books, children’s stories, and even language-learning guides. In 2024, our stories carried us to unexpected heights, making us best-selling authors. Yet, at its heart, Beresta remains what it has always been: a gateway to worlds unseen, where ancient words find new life, and every book is a spell cast in ink.

About Chad

Chad spent nine years wandering the streets of Japan, not just learning the language but becoming a storyteller of its life and culture, sharing its wonders with millions on YouTube. His formal study of Japanese began at GenkiJACS in Fukuoka, and his love of language deepened from there — leading him to study Greek and theology at the American Lutheran Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he earned his Master of Divinity. These studies drew him deeper into theology, history, and philosophy. Then the world paused. In that stillness, he met his wife Svetlana, who opened a door to a world even more magical than he had imagined — Russian fairytales. Their strange beauty and haunting wonder captivated him, and together they embarked on their first translation: Marvelous Miracles and Somber Stories. That journey led him to study Russian at RUDN University in Moscow, and together they began publishing these works to open this remarkable door — the one that had so inspired them — to as many people as possible.

About Svetlana

Svetlana has been gifted with a natural talent for art and design since childhood, always drawn to notebooks and pens to express her creativity. A talented oil painter, her work carries the depth and warmth of the Russian artistic tradition. Her designs have been featured at the World Fair in Dubai, and her illustrations have graced the covers of bestselling books on Amazon. Her love for art and culture extends into translation and illustration of cultural works from her homeland and beyond, and through it all she continues to bridge worlds — bringing diverse stories and aesthetics to life.