ABOUT

Hey, I’m Can. I’m an editor, literary translator, and writer based in Istanbul.

After working as a freelance translator and editor in the early 2000s, I joined Istanbul Modern in 2013, where I served as the museum’s editor for nearly a decade, shaping all written content across exhibitions, publications, and institutional materials. From 2022 to 2025, I was Communications Manager at Columbia Global Center Istanbul, leading editorial strategy, curating public events, and supporting academic programming. In 2025, I returned to Istanbul Modern as Managing Editor, where I now oversee the museum’s editorial direction and continue to shape its public voice.

I’ve been translating literature since 2002. My most recent published translation is the first book of Dan Simmons’ Hyperion series. I’m currently working on David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest—a long-term project I tackle in my personal time.

I try not to brag, but I manage time well. I translate early in the mornings, do my full-time job during the day, and write at night. It’s a rhythm that’s demanding, but it keeps the work moving—and I like the quiet edges of the day.

In 2020, I published Tepemizdeki Gölge (The Shadow Above Us), a sci-fi novel in Turkish that received several awards. I also wrote the screenplay for Siren’s Call (2016), which premiered in the main competition of the Tokyo International Film Festival in 2018.

My latest book, the novella IDUK, was released in early 2024.

I’m open to collaboration—whether it’s editing, translation, or writing work. If you have a project in mind or just want to reach out, feel free to get in touch at cankantarci@gmail.com.

About the Language*

^{Yes, the site is in English. Yes, most of the content I share—books, articles, translations—is in Turkish. Why?} _{Because writing site copy in English (with a little help from you-know-who) is just smoother, faster, and honestly… better. Also, English keeps things open to a wider audience. And for anyone curious about the Turkish content, there’s always Google Translate—imperfect, but it’ll get you close enough to the fire.
So here we are: a bilingual life, a mostly-English site, and plenty of Turkish words just beneath the surface.}