Turkish writer and editor Cem Akaş, 58, has died, days after his son. His legacy includes literary experimentation and translations of global authors.
Cem Akaş dies at 58
Cem Akaş, a Turkish writer, editor, and translator, died on October 28, 2026, at the age of 58. He had been the editorial director of Can Yayınları, a prominent publishing house, since 2018. His death came nine days after that of his 19-year-old son, Can Akaş, who died suddenly of cardiac failure.Early life and education
Cem Akaş was born on March 10, 1968, in Mannheim, Germany. His family moved to Turkey in 1974. He studied chemical engineering at Bosphorus University before pursuing political science, notably at Columbia University in New York, where he earned a doctorate in 2004 focused on Turkish political history.Career in publishing and literature
Akaş began his literary career in 1987 with a short story published in the magazine Gergedan. He worked at Yapı Kredi Yayınları, one of Turkey's major publishing houses, and later founded G Yayın Grubu. He also directed several influential magazines and taught creative writing at Sabancı University.Editorial leadership and publishing legacy
In 2018, Akaş became the editorial director of Can Yayınları, a publishing house known for its international and Turkish literary catalog. He remained in that role until his death, overseeing the publication of works by authors such as Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Gabriel García Márquez.A writer of experimental fiction
Akaş's literary work spanned genres, blending fantasy, satire, and political reflection. His novel 7 (1992) marked his rise, followed by works such as Gizli Hava Müzesi and Olgunluk Çağı Üçlemesi, which explored radical transformations of society. His later works, such as Y (2018) and Zamanın En Kısa Hali (2020), challenged readers to engage deeply with language and memory.Influence of literary experimentation
Akaş's writing was influenced by the Oulipo, a French literary group known for constrained writing. His work with forms, omissions, and reader participation placed him in the same tradition as writers like Enis Batur and Ferit Edgü. He translated works by Harry Mathews, Susan Sontag, and others, introducing them to Turkish readers.Recent works and recognition
In 2025, Akaş published Sözcüklerin Anlamı, a novel exploring themes of language and intimacy. His last novel won the Yusuf Atılgan Award in 2026, an honor he received too ill to attend. He had been undergoing cancer treatment for five years before his death.Censorship and restrictions in Turkish publishing
Akaş was aware of the challenges facing free expression in Turkey. His novel Zamanın En Kısa Hali was banned for minors in 2025, a move criticized by the Union of Turkish Publishers for its vague criteria. The organization highlights growing concerns about censorship, including economic pressures and self-censorship.Broader context of freedom of expression
The situation for publishers and writers in Turkey remains tense. In 2025, the European Court of Human Rights ordered the release of publisher Osman Kavala, whose life sentence was deemed invalid. The court also condemned Turkey for restricting access to certain books in prisons, highlighting ongoing issues with freedom of expression and access to literature.
