Our Story

IDWRITERS, A Home for Indonesian Writers

IDWRITERS was born out of a simple yet pressing need—Indonesian writers and their works lacked a dedicated space where they could be documented, celebrated, and made accessible to the world. On June 28, 2014, what started as a quiet initiative became a full-fledged platform, built to bridge cultures and amplify voices beyond borders.

Before its official launch, IDWRITERS began as a private beta in January 2014, a modest attempt to fill a gap in the literary landscape. With no centralized resource providing comprehensive information on Indonesian literature—especially in English—this platform set out to change that. Six months later, IDWRITERS formally emerged as an independent literary project, driven by a commitment to preserving, promoting, and connecting Indonesian literature with a global audience.

More Than a Website, a Literary Ecosystem

At its core, IDWRITERS is more than just a website. It is a living archive, a resource hub, and a literary sanctuary, offering a structured and ever-growing database of writers, books, publications, and literary activities. The Writer’s Directory stands as one of its key pillars, connecting authors with event organizers, publishers, librarians, booksellers, and readers worldwide. This directory does more than list names—it fosters a sense of community, creating a space where Indonesian literary voices can be discovered and appreciated.

The significance of this mission became even more evident in 2015, when Indonesia was honored as the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The international spotlight on Indonesian literature revealed an urgent gap: there was no single, easily accessible English-language source for those seeking to explore Indonesian books and authors. IDWRITERS stepped up to fill that void, ensuring that Indonesian literature had the visibility it deserved on the world stage.

Independent, Unbiased, and Community-Driven

From the very beginning, IDWRITERS has operated as a not-for-profit and self-funded initiative, free from affiliations with specific authors, publishers, government bodies, or literary agencies. This independence allows it to remain an unbiased and reliable source of information.

The content featured in IDWRITERS is curated with care, with details about books and writers primarily provided by the authors themselves or sourced from reputable platforms. Every entry is a step toward ensuring Indonesian literature is not only preserved but also continuously evolving in the global literary conversation.

A Commitment That Continues

On January 29, 2015, IDWRITERS was officially introduced to the public at Goethe-Institut Jakarta, marking a significant milestone. But this was not the conclusion of our journey—it was just the beginning.

Today, IDWRITERS continues to stand as a home for Indonesian writers, a place where their work is recognized and their voices are heard. The mission remains clear: to document, promote, and expand the reach of Indonesian literature.

Led by founding editor Valent Mustamin, IDWRITERS is a testament to the belief that literature should transcend language barriers, and that every story deserves its rightful place in the world. Through this platform, Indonesian literature finds not just documentation but a gateway to global appreciation—one writer, one book, one reader at a time.