Salar Abdoh

Salar Abdoh is a Professor and Director of Undergraduate Creative Writing at the City University of New York (CUNY), specifically at the City College campus in Harlem. His expertise spans Literary Fiction, Personal Essay, War & Combat Journalism, and Literary Translation, with a focus on cultural narratives from contemporary Iran and broader Middle Eastern contexts.

Abdoh's recent novel, A Nearby Country Called Love (Viking Penguin, 2023), received critical acclaim for its exploration of gender roles and contemporary Iranian society. His earlier works, such as Out of Mesopotamia and Tehran Noir, have been recognized as significant contributions to modern war literature and noir fiction. He divides his time between New York City and Tehran, frequently publishing essays, translations, and short stories globally.

Notable recognitions include:

• Shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing
• Selected as a Buzz Book of 2023 by Publishers Marketplace

Abdoh teaches in the English Department’s MFA program, emphasizing creative writing workshops and mentorship. His work bridges cultural divides between East and West, offering nuanced portrayals of identity, conflict, and belonging.