Born in Ankara in 1986, Karabiyikoglu emerged as an author, academic and an activist and has since published five books. Her academic pursuits, including a Master’s in Turkish Language and Literature and another in Human Rights Politics, reflect her dedication to understanding and advocating for social issues. This education complemented her transition from corporate roles to a focus on literature and activism, where she addresses topics such as gender politics and migration. Facing political and gender oppression in Turkey, she catalyzed the Turkish #Metoo movement and advocated for political minorities within the Turkish publishing industry. As a result of her advocacy and publications exposing the ongoing sexual assault she and her colleagues were subjected to within the Turkish literary scene, she was exiled from the publishing community. Karabiyikoglu has received several awards for her writing and was invited to speak at many international literature festivals and completed various international writing residencies. She was the recipient of a fellowship from Pen Germany between 2021-2024, also awarded a spot in the Literary Residence program in Prague through UNESCO Creative City of Literature 2020. She drew the attention of the US literary scene with her latest novel, Elfiye. Her work can be found in The Los Angeles Review, The Asymptote, Circumference, Words Without Borders among other places.
Photography: Catherine Lieser