Talks
She regularly speak at panels, literary festivals, and academic events on topics ranging from hope, resilience, and queer writing to the digital transformation of literature and the role of storytelling in navigating crisis. Her talks often center around the emotional and political dimensions of literature, with a focus on women's voices, spatial perception in texts, and the act of writing in challenging times. Whether in bookstores, universities, or cultural institutions, she engages in conversations that explore how literature shapes — and is shaped by — the world we live in.
Recent talks
“Turning Today Upside Down with Dystopias and Utopias”, 4th Science Fiction Days, Özgen Berkol Doğan Science Fiction Library, Istanbul, December 2025
“Yazar Hande Ortaç ile sohbet ve imza (Talk with writer Hande Ortaç)”, moderated by Dursaliye Şahan, İngiltere Alevi Kültür Merkezi ve Cemevi, London, December 2025
“IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD (and we feel fine) - Why We Love Queer Dystopian Fiction”, Panel member together with Chi Tai-Wei, moderated by So Mayer, Outburst Queer Arts Festival, Belfast, November 2025
“How to Build Hope Through Literature”, guest speaker of Dört Ayaklı Şehir NGO, Istanbul, March 2025
Conversation about Sakinler, Vinyet Bookstore, İstanbul, February 2025
“The Experience of Writing Queer”, Panel member, 22nd International Ankara Short Story Days, Ankara, February 2025
Keynote speaker at ENKA School’s literature symposium Exploring the Human Essence Through Literary Texts, Sakarya, January 2025
“Hope and Happiness in Dark Times”, Conversation with Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Uysal & Asst. Prof. Dr. Olcay Akyıldız, Bu Festival Bizim (This Festival is Ours), Istanbul, November 2024
Conversation about Sakinler, Mülkiyeliler Birliği, Ankara, June 2024
Keynote speaker at ENKA School’s literature symposium Perception of Spaces in Texts, Sakarya, December 2023
Conversation about Sakinler moderated by editor Tuğba Çelik, Frankeştayn Bookstore, Istanbul, November 2023
Keynote, organised by Publishers Cooperative Kadıköy Branch, Istanbul, November 2021
Yazan Kadın Söyleşisi (Conversation with Women Writers), Boğaziçi University Nazım Hikmet Culture and Arts Center, March 2022
Writing in Hard Times, panel member, organised by Çankaya Municipality within the Women Writers’ Week, March 2020
Ayizi Publishing archive handover, Panel member, The Women’s Library and Information Centre Foundation, April 2019
The Digital Space of Literature , Panel member, 37th Tüyap Book Fair, Istanbul, October 2018
Women Stories and Experiences, panel member, Sakarya University, March 2018
The Digital Space of Literature, Conversations with Ayizi Women”, Panel member, French Institute, Istanbul, March 2018
Crime Fiction in Agatha’s Room, conversation with writers Murat Gülsoy and Ahmet Ümit, organised by Boğaziçi Magazine, 2013
Literature and Publishing in Turkey, Panel member, organised by British Council in Turkey, 2012
Get in touch with Hande Ortaç through social media channels below or via hande@handeortac.com.