Today we’d like to introduce you to Melodi Bac.
Melodi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I wrote my first book when I was just thirteen years old, becoming the youngest published novelist in Turkey. That early start wasn’t just a milestone: it was the beginning of a lifelong passion for storytelling. I’ve always been drawn to fantasy, the kind of stories that pull you into other worlds while helping you understand your place in your own.
Since then, I’ve published seven books in Turkish and one in English, Return of Anka, a YA fantasy novel that marks my entry into international publishing. My stories often explore timeless conflicts, identity, and the clash between fate and choice, all wrapped in richly imagined worlds.
Alongside writing, I studied Film and Television, then honed my storytelling craft further by studying Screenwriting at UCLA. I now live in San Diego, where I continue to write, adapt my books for the screen, and work on new fantasy projects.
This journey has been far from easy. I’ve faced countless rejections from publishers, questioned my path more times than I can count, and even though I am an established writer in Turkey, I had to start from the very beginning in a new country. The road was rocky, but I never stopped writing. And after years of persistence, I finally broke through. Still, I know this is just the beginning. My story is still unfolding, and I’m just getting started:)
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. I was very young when I started—just thirteen—and while I had the passion and the stories, I didn’t have the means or the know-how to navigate the publishing world. My mom stepped in and took on so much of the responsibility. Both my parents worked incredibly hard to support me: applying to publishers, hiring PR, and trying to find the right fit. But there was so much pushback. No one wants to take a risk on a kid, especially in such a competitive industry. Getting published for the first time was incredibly difficult.
And once the book is out, there’s this whole other challenge no one really warns you about: marketing. Writing is the part I love and can’t live without. However, reaching an audience, promoting your book, and promoting yourself is still something I struggle with to this day. It can feel overwhelming at times, especially when you’re more of a storyteller than a self-promoter.
But despite the challenges, I’ve come a long way. I’ve built a career across two countries, learned a lot about the industry, and I’m proud of the work I’ve done. I’m still learning, still growing, and most importantly, I’m still writing. And that, to me, is success in motion.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a fantasy author and screenwriter, and my work lives at the intersection of imagination and emotion. I specialize in building rich, layered worlds with complex characters and stories that feel both otherworldly and deeply human. My books often explore themes like power, destiny, sacrifice, and identity, always with a cinematic tone, likely influenced by my background in Film and TV and screenwriting studies at UCLA.
I’m most known for my fantasy series—especially the Anka Series—and for being one of the youngest published novelists in Turkey. I’ve published seven books in Turkish and recently released my first English-language novel, Return of Anka, a YA fantasy that introduces a new universe of immortal spirits and ancient thrones.
What I’m most proud of is staying true to my vision, even when it wasn’t easy. I write from a place of emotional truth, and I’ve always believed that fantasy can be just as raw and honest as real life, if not more. I also take pride in having grown my work internationally from scratch, as an independent young woman in a new country, with no roadmap but a deep love for storytelling.
What sets me apart is my voice and my inability to give up. I’ve never stopped believing in what I’m meant to achieve. Writing isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am. In a world where I’m not telling stories, I simply don’t exist. My work may be rooted in fantasy, but the emotions are deeply real. I don’t write just to entertain, I write to connect. I want readers to feel something true, even in the most magical of settings.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
This is a funny question because I don’t remember a time that I didn’t take a risk. From the moment I decided to write and publish a novel at thirteen, my entire life has revolved around risks: creative, personal, and professional. Writing itself is a risk. Sharing something that comes from such a vulnerable place and hoping it resonates with others takes a kind of courage that never really gets easier.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was moving to another country to pursue storytelling in a new language and market. I had no roadmap. I just had my voice and a deep belief that my stories had a place in the world. I’ve been rejected more times than I can count. I’ve had to start over, reintroduce myself, and rebuild from the ground up. But I always chose to bet on myself, even when it was terrifying.
I don’t think you need to be fearless to take risks, you just need to care deeply enough about something that you’re willing to try anyway. That’s how I see it. Writing is my life, and I’d rather take every risk imaginable than live without it.
Pricing:
- $16.99 paperback
- $0 Included in Amazon Kindle
- $6.09 for Kindle purchase
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melodibac.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodibac
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melodibackitaplari
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodibac95/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/melodibac
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Return-Anka-Melodi-Bac/dp/183543021X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
