Narrative Archive
About me
Creative Background
Writing and worldbuilding have been at the center of Esra Atalay’s creative journey since the age of twelve. At seventeen, a screenplay she wrote led her to receive creative education opportunities in the United States, further shaping her cinematic and narrative perspective.
With an academic background in Radio, Television, and Cinema, her work blends atmospheric storytelling, psychological tension, and emotionally driven worldbuilding across multiple genres. Alongside her native Turkish, she works in English and explores storytelling through multiple languages and cultural influences.
In addition to her original narrative projects, she has also worked in literary translation, including the publication of a mythology-focused book translation.
Education
-
English Language & Literature — Erciyes University
-
Radio, Television & Cinema — Istanbul University
-
Creative Language Studies — Gulf Language School, USA/TX
Experience
Screenwriter
Houston, TX, USA | 2015 – 2016
-
Wrote my first original screenplay, Unexpected, during a filmmaking and creative writing program in the United States.
Freelance Translator, Interpreter & Assistant Organizer
Istanbul / Ankara / İzmir, Turkey | June 2018 – September 2018
-
Worked as interpreter and translator during international workshops featuring foreign artists across multiple cities in Turkey, while also assisting with event coordination and organizational support throughout the program.
Literary Translator
Gece Publishing | June 2019 – November 2019
-
Translated Edward S. Ellis’ mythology-focused book 1000 Mythological Characters Explained from English into Turkish.
Media Translator
Aenbi Books | September 2021 – December 2021
-
Provided project-based English-to-Turkish translations for author Alis Yıldırım’s YouTube video content and media projects.
Content Writer & Editor
GG Esports Media | August 2021 – January 2023
-
Worked as content writer and editor, producing gaming and esports-related articles, news pieces, and editorial content.
Customer Relations Specialist
Turkish Airlines | April 2022 – June 2023
-
Collaborated with THY’s international support team, assisting global customers in English for over a year.
Graphic Designer & International Seller
Etsy | July 2023 – Present
-
Built and managed an independent international storefront focused on visual design, branding, and product storytelling for global audiences.
Narrative Writer & Worldbuilder
Independent Project | Ongoing
-
Currently developing The Boy & The Firefly, an atmospheric dark fairytale and narrative worldbuilding project planned for publication in both Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Languages
-
Turkish — Native
-
English — Fluent / C2
-
Korean — Intermediate (B1)
-
German — Basic Proficiency
-
Spanish — Elementary Proficiency (A2)
Visual Atmosphere
A curated collection of personal photography and visual inspirations reflecting the moods, textures, and atmospheres that influence my storytelling and worldbuilding.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)