I’m Fidan Cheikosman — a writer, reader, and quiet observer who has always turned to stories to make sense of the world. I grew up reading Elif Shafak, Orhan Pamuk, Haruki Murakami, Donna Tartt, and Dostoevsky — voices that taught me how literature holds space for both chaos and clarity.
As I got older, reading became more than comfort. It became a way to ask questions — about identity, home, memory, and belonging. And with time, I found the courage to write back.
I studied Comparative Literature and French at UCLA, where I spent most days at Powell Library, slowly learning to read Zola and Balzac in their original French. After graduating, I moved to a small village in the Dijon region of France, where I deepened both the language and the literary world that had shaped me.
Later, I pursued a master’s in Publishing at NYU. There, I explored every part of the publishing process — from design and editing to leadership and book marketing. I interned at ELLE and L’Officiel USA, creating digital content for fashion and culture. My capstone project, Turkishness Uncensored, imagined a publishing platform that would protect creative voices often silenced by their governments.
In 2020, I moved to Edinburgh to begin my PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Edinburgh. Over four years, I researched how gender and identity are experienced in everyday Istanbul, through the works of Elif Shafak and Orhan Pamuk. I defended my dissertation — a 300-page study of literature, cityscapes, and cultural belonging — in 2024.
During this time, I was invited to speak at conferences in Turkey, Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Iceland. In 2022, I worked as an independent researcher at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, a city that continues to shape my writing and way of thinking.
Now, I work at Meta as a Data Labelling Analyst while continuing to write. My work has appeared in Inside Higher Ed, JSTOR Daily, and other literary and academic platforms.
At the center of it all — whether I’m writing, editing, or researching — is the belief that stories help us feel a little less alone, and a little more understood.
If you’re looking for someone who can think deeply, write thoughtfully, and bring clarity to complex ideas, I’d love to connect.
Writing and editorial expertise
in publishing and literary analysis.
Through creative content and literary pieces, including fashion features in L’Officiel USA, ELLE, Garnette Report, and her book blog.
Featured in Leading Literary
& Academic Platforms
Writing and editorial expertise in publishing and literary analysis.
Through creative content and literary pieces, including fashion features in L’Officiel USA, ELLE, Garnette Report, and her book blog.
Featured in Leading Literary
& Academic Platforms
With over 6 years of experience writing, editing, and researching across both academic and creative platforms, I’ve collaborated with publications, institutions, and literary spaces to explore the places where words meet culture.
Writing and editorial expertise
in publishing and literary analysis.
Through creative content and literary pieces, including fashion features in L’Officiel USA, ELLE, Garnette Report, and her book blog.
Featured in Leading Literary
& Academic Platforms
Grab a book, sip your favorite tea,
and let’s talk words, stories, and opportunities.
Curious About My Work? Let’s Explore.
I’m drawn to stories about identity, memory, culture, and belonging — especially the quiet ones that explore how we make sense of ourselves and the world around us.
You can find my writing in JSTOR Daily, Inside Higher Ed, ELLE, L’Officiel USA, and on my blog. A curated selection is also available here on my portfolio page.
Yes, absolutely. I’m available for editorial, creative, and academic writing projects — especially ones rooted in storytelling, culture, or thoughtful analysis. Feel free to reach out through the contact form. I’d love to hear more.
My academic work taught me to slow down and write with care — to think critically, but also emotionally. That mix of depth and clarity shows up in everything I write.
Yes. I occasionally work with writers on essays, personal reflections, and early drafts. I focus on giving thoughtful, honest feedback — especially for stories that explore identity or culture.
Absolutely! I’ve spoken at conferences and literary events in cities like Edinburgh, Istanbul, and Lisbon — and I’m always open to invitations for panels, talks, or workshops.
Copyright © Fidan Cheikosman | Website By Brandsquare
Copyright © Fidan Cheikosman | Website By Brandsquare
Copyright © Fidan Cheikosman • Website By Brandsquare