GONCA ÖZMEN

Gonca Özmen was born in Burdur, Turkey, in 1982. She graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Letters, Department of English Language and Literature. Recognized for her works in poetry, literary criticism, and translation, Özmen has emerged as a distinct and powerful voice in contemporary Turkish poetry, particularly among the post-2000 generation of writers.

Having published her early poems in various literary magazines during her youth, she released her debut poetry collection, “Aşkın Güz Kırıkları” (Autumn Fractures of Love), in 2004. The book received widespread critical acclaim and was awarded the prestigious Behçet Aysan Poetry Prize. Her second collection, “Bile İsteye” (Wittingly/Willfully), followed in 2011. In her poetry, she explores individual sensitivities, the alienation brought by modern urban life, and the depths of the human psyche through a lyrical and resonant diction.

Her poems and essays have been published in prominent Turkish literary periodicals such as Varlık, Yasak Meyve, and Kitap-lık. In addition to her original writing, she is known for her literary and poetic translations from English into Turkish. Özmen’s works have been translated into several languages, and she has represented Turkey at numerous international poetry festivals and literary gatherings. She is a member of PEN Turkey and continues her literary pursuits in Istanbul.