Author • Turkish literature

Gürsen Özen

She was born in 1949 in Susurluk, Balıkesir. She graduated from the Turkology Department of İstanbul University. Özen began her teaching career in Şavşat, Artvin and continued for many years at Fethiye High School, later working in private, and preparatory schools. Alongside her work as a literature teacher, she actively contributed to social and cultural projects focused on children and young people. Özen brought together stories of childhood in all its forms in her book, Hopping Stories (Seke Seke Uçtu Öyküler, 2015). The Table of Delights (Lokumlu Masa, 2020), a book inspired by the rich, sparkling world of children, was followed by What’s-That Planet (O-Ne-O Gezegeni, 2025), which tells the stories of those who grow up without losing their spark. Özen lives in Fethiye with her husband and has two children.