The guest of this episode of Eylül Aşkın İle (With Eylül Aşkın), hosted by Eylül Aşkın and filmed at Bohem Art Gallery on Lüleci Hendek Street, was writer Zeynep Bugay, now known by her new name, Pia. She is the daughter of Umur Bugay—a renowned screenwriter, actor, director, dramaturge, and writer behind successful works such as Hababam Sınıfı and Bizimkiler.

About her father, Umur Bugay:

“My father was a very reserved man.”

“I think I was a bit of a lonely and loveless child.”

“You can’t thrive in the shadow of such great trees.”

“Trying to walk the same path as a person as successful as him is a disadvantage.”

In these statements, Pia explained that being the child of a successful writer is not as advantageous as it seems from the outside. On the contrary, it created significant anxiety about achieving success and took her time to discover herself. Pia stated that the only skill she gained from working at her father’s company was strategic storytelling. She added, “I think I use that ability in my stories. Social skills aren’t really my strong suit in life.”

“I started writing stories to make myself laugh.”

Pia revealed that she turned to writing to relieve the stress she experienced while working in the advertising industry, which caused her physical ailments like eczema and palpitations. This process also led her to discover her talent for writing. “The first book I wrote was a comedy. I also experiment with different styles in my career,” she said.

About her latest book, “The Orphan Girl”:
“I believe all Turkish women are very lonely.”

Pia explained that during a two-year period when she wasn’t producing, focused on motherhood, and turned inward, she developed a story centered on her daughter, her daughter’s childhood, her own childhood, loneliness, and lovelessness. The book emerged as “the story of a girl who feels displaced and out of place within her family.” Referring to societal issues, she added, “A little girl, Narin, is being torn apart. People just talk, but it doesn’t lead anywhere. This is also an example of loneliness.” She concluded with a poignant observation: “All the women living on this land exist biologically, but their presence is not truly acknowledged.”

Her New Name: Pia!

The author, who released her book “The Lost Girl” under the name Pia, has officially changed her name from Zeynep Bugay to Pia through a legal process. Sharing heartfelt details about her decision, Pia explained:
“My name was Seher Zeynep Bugay. Seher was my grandmother’s name. She didn’t like us; she preferred boys. I hate the name Seher; it doesn’t sit well with me. I also believe that Zeyneps face tough fates. This year, I made a radical decision, went to my mother, and said, ‘I’ve instructed my lawyer; I’m changing my name.’”

Why Pia?

When asked by Eylül Aşkın, “Why Pia?” she responded:
“Pia means meticulous, respectable, and devout in one’s work. From now on, I don’t want to use the Bugay surname in any of my works. I no longer want to feel the pressure of Umur Bugay’s success on me.”

Known to readers as Zeynep Bugay, Pia added with a smile:
“No one actually calls me Pia, which frustrates me a lot.” She humorously encouraged her close circle and readers to embrace her new name.

Coming in 2025 with New Projects!

For February 14th, Pia revealed plans to release an updated version of her first book “How to Find a Lover,” originally published under the name Zeynep Bugay, which will once again meet readers after seven years. She shared, “This time, I’ll make sure it brings joy even to those without a partner, and it will be published by my current publisher, Alfa.” Pia also mentioned her desire to host an “anti-Valentine’s Day party” on the book’s release day, February 14th, with various celebrity guests expected to attend.

In addition, Pia teased two more exciting releases for later in the year: “Chubby”, a book that reflects on her childhood struggles with weight, set to be launched in mid-April, and “Without Marriage”, which will be available in November. After taking a two-year break, Pia is gearing up for a year filled with intense creative work.