Élif Shafak is a renowned author, columnist, and speaker, known as the most popular female novelist in Turkey. Born in Strasbourg, France, Shafak is the daughter of a diplomat and a philosopher. After her parents' separation, she was primarily raised by her mother, which greatly influenced her writing and work. She has incorporated her mother's first name, Safak, as a middle name in many of her works to pay tribute to her.
Shafak has written over 10 novels and 5 non-fiction works, publishing in both Turkish and English. Her writing combines Eastern and Western storytelling traditions, reflecting her diverse literary inspirations, including cultural politics, oral culture, Sufism, philosophy, and history. In 2010, she received the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and she is a member of the Weforum Global Agenda Council on Creative Economy, a speaker at TED Global, and a founder of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). Shafak is an advocate for women's rights, LGBT rights, and freedom of speech, often contributing to major publications around the world.
Shafak holds a PhD in political science and has taught at various universities in Turkey, the US, and the UK, including St Anne's College, Oxford University, where she is an honorary fellow. She has also received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Bard College. Shafak is a Fellow and a Vice President of the Royal Society of Literature. Her work has been translated into 55 languages, and she has published 19 books, 12 of which are novels. Some of her most notable works include "The Island of Missing Trees," "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World," "The Forty Rules of Love," and "The Architect's Apprentice." She has received numerous awards and accolades, including the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and being chosen by Politico as one of the twelve people who would make the world better in 2017. Shafak is also an inspiring public speaker and has judged numerous literary prizes, including the PEN Nabokov prize and the Wellcome Prize.