Orhan Pamuk, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize for Literature, is Turkey's best known author. While still officially studying journalism, Pamuk immersed himself in the writing of novels, the best known of which are Snow and My Name is Red. Although he avoids direct confrontation with political issues in his work, in 2005 Pamuk was indicted on the charge of "insulting Turkishness" and faced imprisonment. In January 2006 the case was abruptly dropped on a technicality. Pamuk, who has received many prizes for his novels, has taught at Columbia University, been a fellow at the University of Iowa, and is currently writer in residence at Bard College.

Orhan Pamuk's photo courtesy of www.thessalonikibookfair.com/2006