About Seyma

Seyma Bayram is a versatile editor, writer, award-winning journalist, and educator with over a decade of experience. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism — her alma mater — where she teaches reporting essentials to graduate students.

Seyma’s passion for nurturing writers began in 2013 when she took on the role of editor for various book projects. As Publications Editor at BAK, basis voor actuele kunst — a leading European contemporary art institution — she collaborated with renowned writers and thinkers worldwide and oversaw the publication of seven essay collections.

Seyma excels at translating complex topics for mass audiences, a skill she attributes to her extensive experience in journalism. As a journalist, she has published more than 200 bylines across local, national, and international media,  including National Public Radio. Her reporting spans a wide array of subjects — ranging from race and visual art to climate change and global conflicts. While at NPR, Seyma honed her skill for writing for the ear, a skill she believes is invaluable for all writers.

Seyma holds degrees in comparative literature (B.A., M.A.), teaching (M.A.), and journalism (M.S.). In 2023, she returned to Columbia University as a Spencer Education Fellow to spend a year developing a longform investigative reporting project. During her fellowship, she was fortunate to study under Sam Freedman in his renowned book writing seminar, refining her narrative writing skills and mastering the art of crafting a book proposal.

In 2025, Seyma launched Writing With Seyma, a consulting initiative born from her desire to help writers bring their creative visions to life. With an empathetic and patient approach, Seyma welcomes writers of all levels, backgrounds, and genres, offering expert guidance and unwavering support to help them succeed.

If you have further questions or would like to discuss your work, please contact Seyma. (link “contact Seyma” to Contact Page).