Here, There (and Everywhere)

“… years ago, when I was involved in a literary festival, I am having trouble finding the full author information (in English). Probably, it’s there. But it’s hard to find. If only there’s a single web about Indonesian writers, then my job would be easier. So, if it’s hard for me to find, then probably it happens to others.” ~ Valent Mustamin

Today is our four years anniversary!

After years of many ups and downs, there is not much we can say, other than how grateful we are for just being here in the present moment. Because the fact is, in the four years following the launch of our website, we have yet to be where we would like to. We realized that there is more work to be done. Here, and there (and everywhere).

Not sure if you are aware of this or not, but as of now, our resource library “only” consists of approximately 428 writers, 488 books by 146 publishers, 412 contributing authors, 587 (207 coverages, 144 clippings, and 236 reviews) articles published in 194 media outlets, 48 works in translation, and 52 useful resources that we consider particularly worth noting.

Nevertheless, we are far from hitting the early target.

When we decided to develop and maintain this site, we sincerely set Frankfurt Book Fair 2015 as one of the milestones to measure our achievements. Considering the sheer size and magnitude of the fair, we set our goal for the website: to have at least 500 writers and 1000 book titles along with its English synopsis in the website before October 2015.

As a self-funded project and our shortsightedness on the steps, unfortunately, the path leading to the goal is still ahead of us. So even today.

But past years has taught us so many lessons. Taught us how to be strong despite all the hardships we face, only for a reason: A concern for the lack of initiatives like this. As spoken often enough, we noticed a lack of resources dedicated to the Indonesian literature, especially ones accessible to the international community.

So, if you love our work and would love to enjoy more content, please kindly consider becoming a supporter. We plan to leverage more features, curating up-to-date and relevant content as well as building an exceptionally reliable platform to provide comprehensive information about Indonesian writers-related updates that are also easily accessible to the international world, our English-speaking friends.

Last but not least, we invite you to show appreciation to all these generous friends (donors, sponsors, volunteers, content creators, translators, etc.), who helped and have contributed in this great work—including a contribution to our first-two print magazine editions, and for our literary project launch event on January 29, 2015: Advis Budiman, Afrizal Malna, Ananda Badudu, Andi Gunawan, Anggita Tampubolon, Dunia Manji, Anton Kurnia, Arman Dhani, Artanto Ishaam, Aulia Halimatussadiah, Brilliant Yotonega, Bunga Pertiwi, C Franciska, Damar Juniarto, Deasy Elsara, Dewi Anggraeny, Dian Mardikani, Dimas Aryo, Dimas Ramadhani, Ellen Kusuma, Eunice Ali, Gery Paulandika, Giri Lantria, Fitriani Septariana, Indrie Sorraya, Intan Paramaditha, Jun Joe Winanto, Kusmayanto Kadiman, Maria Dian, Mumu Aloha, Nina D.K, Ninus D. Andarnuswari, Nithin Coca, Oka Pratama, Okky Madasari, Ola Najla, Oming Putri, Puti Rahayu Fadila, Rain Chudori, Rara Sekar, Retna Karunia, Riri Satria, Ronny Agustinus, Sadikin Gani, Salman Faridi, Santirta Martendano, Seno Gumira Ajidarma, Sica Harum, Stania Puspawardhani, Tiffany Tsao, Titik Kartitiani, Tommy Chandra, Uswatul Chabibah, Wella Madjid, and Yudho Raharjo. These four years would not have been possible without them.

Thank you!