Burhan Sönmez was born in Haymana in central Turkey. He completed his primary and secondary education in Polatlı. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Istanbul and worked for a time as a lawyer. He wrote for various newspapers and magazines on culture, politics and Islam.

He has spent several years in the UK, and now lives in Cambridge and Istanbul.

North is his first novel.

Sönmez is currently working on his second book.