Yasmin Zaher is a Palestinian author born in 1991 in Jerusalem. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Yale University, but her love for literature and storytelling was a lifelong passion. Like many from traditional backgrounds, Zaher initially believed that pursuing a career in writing or the arts was too risky. However, in her mid-20s, she decided to follow her creative instincts and completed a Creative Writing program at The New School in New York, marking the start of her professional journey as a writer.
Her debut novel, The Coin, was met with critical acclaim, earning her the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize for young writers and quickly establishing her as a distinctive voice in contemporary literature. The novel has resonated with readers worldwide, leading to translations in French, Italian, German, Korean, and Turkish, and demonstrating the universal appeal of her storytelling.
Zaher’s work is celebrated for its lyrical prose, emotional depth, and the way it explores identity, memory, and cultural heritage. Drawing on her Palestinian roots, she crafts narratives that are both deeply personal and profoundly resonant across cultures. Currently based in Paris, Zaher continues to write and engage with the literary world, balancing her scientific background with a bold and compelling literary vision.
For more stories of art and culture, music, fashion and more, visit our dedicated archives and follow us on Instagram.
