Israeli Author 'Te' Reveals Identity After 15 Years of Anonymity

After 15 years of writing under the pen name "Te," Israeli author Tomer Neuman has publicly revealed his identity for the first time. Over the years, Neuman published eight books, including three bestsellers, and amassed a readership of tens of thousands without ever showing his face. Known for his distinctive brown hat that concealed his identity, Neuman maintained strict privacy, avoiding public exposure and hiding his face in photos.

The pen name "Te" originated during Neuman's time living in Japan, where locals called him "Ti." He began writing online around 2010, initially on X (formerly Twitter), then expanding to Facebook and Instagram. His style of short literary pieces quickly attracted a large online audience before he published physical books. Neuman became a pioneer of self-publishing and online literature in Israel, independently selling thousands of copies and inspiring other independent authors.

To mark the release of his new book, "My Name is Te," Neuman held a launch event attended by colleagues and friends, including authors Assif Elkayam, Moshik Gilman, Marcel Mosseri, and Nir Berger. In 2022, Neuman co-founded the Israeli Authors Festival with Elkayam, which rapidly grew to host hundreds of writers and thousands of visitors, further supporting the independent literary community in Israel.