Iman Mersal is an Egyptian poet distinguished by her evocative works that skillfully intertwine elements of Western and Eastern cultures. Born on November 30, 1966, in Mit 'Adlan, Dakahlia, Egypt, Mersal's poetic journey began with the publication of her first book of poems, Ittisafat (Characterisations), in 1990. She continued to captivate the literary world with subsequent collections such as Mamarr Mu‘tim Yasluh li Ta‘allum al-Raqs (A Dark Alley Suitable for Dance Lessons) in 1995, al-Mashy Atwal Waqt Mumkin (Walking As Long As Possible) in 1997, and Jughrafia Badila (Alternative Geography) in 2006.

Before her move to North America, Mersal contributed significantly to the cultural and literary scene in Egypt as an editor for the reviews Bint al-Ard and Adab wa Naqd. In 1998, she relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and later settled in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. There, she resides with her husband, the ethnomusicologist Michael Frishkopf, and their two sons.

Iman Mersal has been an influential figure in the Arabic literary community, now serving as an assistant professor of Arabic literature. Her reluctance to categorize herself as an 'exile' and preference for the term 'immigrant' reflects a nuanced perspective on identity and belonging. Her work continues to explore the synthesis between different cultural realms, resonating with readers around the globe.