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Farkhondeh Hajizadeh فرخنده حاجی زاده is an Iranian writer, poet, publisher, a member of the Writers’ Association of Iran since 1990, and its board of directors from (2007-2014). She was, in 2003, the first winner of the Jeri Laber's International Freedom to Publish Award granted by the Association of American Publishers in recognition of her courage and commitment to excellence in publishing books.

Life
Hajizadeh was born in a hamlet fringing Kerman, Iran.

She was a bride at thirteen and a mother at fourteen. After bearing her second child at eighteen, she resumed her education and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Persian Literature from the University of Tehran.

Career
She launched her literary career by composing Ghazals. In 1974, she joined the Khajavi Literary Association in Kerman and began to write prose. In 1975, her first Op-ed appeared in the Ayandeghan newspaper.

In 1978, she began to teach. In 1980, she was employed as a librarian at Kerman University. In 1986, she was tasked with founding and managing the Department of Persian Literature's library. During her stint, she wrote an anthology on religions and mythology. In 1988, she wrote her first short story, The Green Illusion, challenging the established beliefs. In 1989, she began working as a librarian at the University of Tehran.

Workshops
She participated in the poetry and fiction workshops taught by Reza Barahani, a contemporary Iranian academic, literary theorist, writer, and poet, authoring more than 60 books of literary criticism, fiction, and poetry.

Endeavors
The following include some of her literary endeavors: Founder of Vistar Publishing - Founder of the Publisher Association's library - Member of Children's Book Association - Member of the Book Distribution Association - Editor of Baya Magazine - Editor of Ghal o Maghal Magazine - Co-founder of the Association of Women Publishers - Co-founder of Association of Literary Women.

Conferences
In 2003, invited by Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Khorrammi, an Iranologist academic, Hajizadeh delivered a speech on Contemporary Persian Literature at New York University, followed by another speech at Columbia University. She completed her North American tour with the following appearances: Nima Literary Association in Chicago - Shahrvand Newspaper in Toronto - Barabari TV in Vancouver - Hafteh Journal in Montreal. Other conferences she has attended include a conference on post-revolution Persian prose at the Odeon Theatre in Paris - a three-night seminar titled "Open the Door, Neighbor" at DOĞAN TAŞDELEN Contemporary Arts Center in Ankara - a three-night seminar at Istanbul University.

Murder of Hajizadeh's brother, Hamid, and nephew, Karun
Hajizadeh's brother and nephew, Hamid (a teacher and poet) and Karun, were murdered as a part of the chain of murders in Iran (1998) intended to silence the writers and poets challenging the Iranian government.

Closure of Vistar Publishing House
In 2006, Vistar, Hajizadeh's Publishing House was shut down by the Iranian government authorities.