What
we Are
StraightForward Foundation is a European non-profit organization supporting uncensored documentary projects about Russia. Currently, SFF operates in two directions:
we help conceive and write non-fiction books that depict what is happening in contemporary Russia and how it became possible;
we ensure these books reach the international market and are published in various languages.
Our VISION
We only take on projects that are impossible to release in Russia due to repressive laws and military censorship. As of 2024, independent writers and journalists are perceived in Russia as foreign agents, and their books are confiscated from stores and libraries. Human rights, the war in Ukraine, corruption, abuses of power, oppression of minorities and political history are all topics that are currently tightly controlled by officials and law enforcement. Publishing a truthful book on any of these topics in Russia means risking one's own safety and freedom. We help books find readers bypassing censorship.
How We Work
We collect applications from anyone interested in creating a non-fiction book that can help understand what is happening in Russia. You can fill out such an application here. (In Russian)
The foundation's Editorial Team selects the most compelling applications, based on a combination of criteria (relevance of the idea, clarity of the proposed structure, availability of materials for the book, author's experience and style, production deadlines, etc.).
The Editorial Board reviews selected applications and makes a final decision on their support by the foundation.
If an application is approved, we provide authors with a grant and editorial support.
Through collaborative efforts, we turn an application into a finished book.
We help authors to find publishers for the manuscript in different languages and to negotiate with them.
Currently, we only support non-fiction literature.
The process
All proceeds from book publications go to their authors, who also retain all rights to the manuscripts. In Russia, all our books will be available for free, and we will use all possible means to reach readers there.
A grant for book creation
An editor who can accompany the author from the inception of the idea
A fact-checker (in collaboration with Provereno.Media)
A fact-checker (in collaboration with Provereno.Media)
Assistance in negotiations with publishers
Assistance in book promotion
Our Funding
All proceeds from book publications go to their authors, who also retain all rights to the manuscripts. In Russia, all our books will be available for free, and we will use all possible means to reach readers there.
We are a non-profit organization and operate through donations and institutional support.
If you would like to donate money to the activities of the StraightForward Foundation, please contact us or visit our donation page.
who
we are
StraightForward Foundation is a team of journalists, publishers, and editors with extensive experience in creating books, podcasts, films, and other documentary projects that resonate with hundreds of thousands of people. Experts from six countries assist in selecting projects for StraightForward Foundation: sociologists, journalists, human rights activists, literary agents, and writers.