The Chinese-Indonesian-American author reflects on who gets to tell a story, what makes a 'real writer' and what fiction is really for. From government talking points and corporate brand campaigns to your wannabe influencer friend’s Instagram grid, stories dominate our lives. Speaking as a … [Read more...]
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Leila S Chudori, Writing Those Who Are Silenced
November 21, 2025 by
There are parts of Indonesian history that have been obscured or even forgotten. Stories whispered from mouth to mouth or memories passed down from one generation to the next. In that silent realm, Leila Chudori works, not as a historian, but as a writer who gives form to those who only exist on the … [Read more...]
In Ratih Kumala’s ‘Koloni’, the revolution is tiny and female
November 19, 2025 by
Inspired by national struggles and everyday exhaustion, the Cigarette Girl author writes a story about ants that feels deeply human. In a world still run by patriarchs, the writer behind Cigarette Girl turned to a tiny, underground matriarchal society to find feminist answers. Ratih Kumala’s … [Read more...]
Encourage writing among children: Indonesian author
November 19, 2025 by
Writing and reading is being human. Hence, even the juvenile, should be encouraged to explore their thoughts by way of their written expressions, according to an Indonesian author. Doing so, Reda Gaudiamo, further said, is an expression of respect to children, who “have their voice. They have the … [Read more...]
Letter from the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival
November 16, 2025 by
I spend nearly half the year in Indonesia, so the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival always feels like a homecoming, the one place I can sit with local authors, journalists and historians, swap ideas about books and the country’s latest turns, and catch up with friends I only see once a … [Read more...]