The Carpet Merchant of Konstantiniyya Vol 1

Award-nominated graphic novel set in historical Istanbul. Depicted with culturally-relevant aesthetics, from colour palette to full-bleed page layouts. Originally self-published as a webcomic in 2016, and published in hardcover by Unbound UK in 2020.

  • 2018 Eisner Award nominee for Best Digital Comic
  • 2019 Dwayne Mcduffie Award for Diversity finalist
  • ALA Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List 2020

“Yee’s graphic novel is multifaceted. At once, it serves as a love letter to carpets and Turkish miniature, a rebuttal to and dissection of Orientalism from the eighteenth century to the present, a lesson on how to tell stories set in cultures and times that are not one’s own, and a reminder that we are always capable of rewriting our own stories.” ML Kejera, reviewer, Strange Horizons

Cover illustration and design

Title treatment, artwork, layout and embellishments are designed by me. The cover makes nods to the art of the Ottoman Muslims. The backpanel is a synthesis of Quran illuminated manuscipt and Ushak carpet motifs; the florals are inspired by Ottoman metallic thread embroidery; the front cover artwork borrows visual elements of Ottoman-style illumination, hinting at the art direction of the interiors.

More information and artwork about The Carpet Merchant of Konstantiniyya, including where to purchase a copy, is found in the link below.

Genre: Literary, historical fiction, magic realist