My name is Deniz. I write films, shows, novels, and scripts of all kinds. I also produce nonfiction stories as a journalist.
A still from my romcom short, FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (2025)
I teach writing at The Second City in New York City.
Satire, parody, sketch, late night writing, screenplays, fiction: I teach all. I give private lessons for groups and individuals, too.
I’ve produced for award-winning talent.
As a producer at The Problem with Jon Stewart, I got to dip my toe in everything. And I really mean everything: Studio, field, development, editorial. I traveled to Brussels to produce a genre-breaking episode on U.S. foreign policy. I worked with the host on his viral interviews with powerful figures, including former Secretary of Treasury, Larry Summers.
P.S.: This photo was my Carrie Bradshaw moment in front of the cover story I wrote.
My romcom pilot, 60 DAYS, placed at the 2023 Austin Film Festival.
If I’m a sucker for one thing, it’s romantic comedies. And I don’t simply watch them: I also write them. A stage-reading for 60 DAYS was a Time Out NYC favorite.
My writing includes:
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS, a romcom proof-of-concept, fully shot and produced.
HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN, a feature romcom, loosely based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion (see: MY FAIR LADY).
THE DEFECTOR (Captain Marvel x U.S. imperialism), a high-concept sci-fi pilot.
Strangers & Revisions (Book Lovers x Normal People x Americanah), my debut novel.
Work in Progress (Novel #2), a multigenerational story in a magical realism world.
My literary work is represented by Ariele Fredman and Laurie-Maude Chenard at United Talent Agency.
In December 2022, Jon and I talked about the U.S. immigration system and the group of kids known as Documented Dreamers who have to self-deport because they have no path to permanent residency.
You can catch me talking about the stock market on the first season of The Problem.
Prior to joining TV, I was a reporter at Forbes Magazine, where I covered some of the most powerful people in the world. In October 2020, I wrote Forbes’ cover of its issue celebrating the top women entrepreneurs in America. My story—which featured designer Tory Burch—appeared on billboards on Fifth Avenue.
Dozens of my stories were featured on Forbes.com as the cover story of the day.
The list includes a 2018 investigation which looked at the sales of Women Who Work, Ivanka Trump’s memoir/self-guide book, published right before she joined the White House as a special advisor.