Head of Zeus signs Turkish author Defne Suman in two-book deal

Defne Suman's English-language debut, The Silence of Scheherazade, transatled by Elizabeth Goksel, will be published by Head of Zeus in 2021. 

Editorial director Madeleine O’Shea acquired world English language rights in two books from Nermin Mollaoglu on behalf of the Kalem Agency. The first title will be published in hardback, export trade paperback, e-book and audio in September 2021, with the second book to follow in 2022.

The Silence of Scheherazade is set in the ancient city of Smyrna during the early 20th century, and follows the intertwining fates of a Levantine, a Greek, a Turkish and an Armenian family as their peaceful, multicultural city is ripped apart by the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. 

O’Shea said: "As soon as I started reading The Silence of Scheherazade I felt transported to a time and place beyond my imagining. This is a period of history I know only vaguely from rather dull history lessons at school, but by bringing character, colour, smells, sights and sounds to the facts, Defne has opened up a whole world to me. She is a very special writer and I am delighted to welcome her to Head of Zeus."

Suman commented: "I am honoured, very excited and looking forward to working with the team at Head of Zeus. Having my books available for the English speaking readers has been a long term dream of mine. I lived in Oregon many years and walked in the aisles of bookstores dreaming one day my name will be among the shelves. I can’t think of any better place than Head of Zeus (Daphne is from Greek mythology after all!) for making this dream come true."