Atefeh Behsam

About Me

I've loved stories since childhood and explored different story models; when I was seventeen, I decided to pursue storytelling professionally so that I could share my stories all over the world. However, access to international and professional writing methods was very difficult, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. After years of training and effort, I was finally able to establish the International Storytelling Institute and start teaching professional storytelling and creative writing in both Persian and English; from writing novels and screenplays to game stories, manga and comics, short stories, literary texts, and even essays. I became a mentor in various international writing programs such as PitchWars in the US and the International Young Writers Program, taught creative writing to students from different countries, became the editor of Milkan Publishing's novels, and was able to write professional training programs in both Persian and English using international methods so that my students can present their stories in the best possible way wherever they are. I believe that stories are important and powerful, whether we write them for ourselves or to present to the world, and ultimately it is the writers who can change the fate of many.

Teaching Method

The latest international storytelling methods, based on the student's needs, in basic, intermediate and advanced levels, as well as in the specialization of writing, plot and process, characterization and psychology of character, etc. Specialized training for different mediums (novel, film, game, manga, comics, short story, writing) in Persian and English. Developing a special training and exercise program for each student.

Experience

-Founder and director of the "International Storytelling Institute" since 2016, with nearly four hundred students -Instructor of international writing programs such as PitchWars, QueeryFest, TYWI since 2018 -Editor of young adult and adult novels at Milkan Publishing since 2023 -Instructor of characterization and character relationships workshops at the US National Library, 2021 -Instructor of workshops and courses on "International Storytelling" for Alzahra University, Iran National Game Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Cultural and Artistic Applied Sciences University, Imam Khomeini Applied Sciences University, and the Editors Institute, since 2015 -Graduate of American and European writing courses (Susan Lakin, Michael Hyatt, Chris Vogler, Jessica Brody, Lisa Cron,...) -Bachelor's degree in "English Translation", Master's student in "Culture and Ancient Iranian Languages", Shahid Beheshti University