INDONESIA FOCUS: Q+A Laksmi Pamuntjak

Indonesia is the country of focus at the London Book Fair this year and recently at Frankfurt - to what extent do you think Indonesian literature is finally having it's moment in the spotlight? I cannot say for certain what these one-off ‘spotlights’ on Indonesian literature would mean for Indonesian literature in the long term. But it is an encouraging sign; the relatively short three-and-a-half-year gap between Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF) 2015 and London Book Fair (LBF) 2019 means we are still—or possibly even more—interesting to the publishing industry. And while I wish more Indonesian writers are being translated into English—and translated well—some of us are starting to break through internationally. It always takes one or two to pave the way. For me personally, FBF was a game changer in many ways. Before that we didn’t have the publishing infrastructure necessary with which to promote our literature abroad. We didn’t have literary agents – in fact I only knew of one, and he used to work for my Indonesian publisher Gramedia. It was he who took a chance on the English version of my first novel, Amba/The Question of Red, and brought it to Frankfurt Book Fair in 2013, where the novel was picked up by Ullstein Verlag and published in Germany in 2015, ahead of the FBF.  So I was very fortunate. A few months later, I landed a literary agent in New York, through whom I managed to sell world rights to other European markets. Later this year, I signed up with another literary... Continue reading at 'British Council global'

[ British Council global | 2019-02-08 10:06:53 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "INDONESIA FOCUS: Q+A Laksmi Pamuntjak"


The Most Popular Publishing News of the Week

New Harper Lee short stories coming this fall, a day in the life of an audiobook narrator, the It Books of March, and more news. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-03-09 15:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


‘Something magical is happening’: sales boom for children’s comics creating young readers of the future

Publishers and analysts say popularity of genres like manga and superhero comics is a gateway into readingThe best route to learning to love words in print could well be pictures. This, at least, is the hope of the publishing industry this spring, as it welcomes news that sales of children’s... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2025-03-09 14:00:11 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Shubha Sunder on Writing an Immigrant Story Through the Lens of a Visa Year

In this land of opportunities, being an immigrant can often feel like playing a round of Twister. A certain contortion of mind, language, and will power seems written into the script; a lot of territory remains untouchable.  Shubha Sunder’s debut novel Optional Practical Training is named after... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2025-03-07 12:05:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Kathryn Stockett, Who Wrote ‘The Help,’ Has a Second Novel

Fifteen years ago, Kathryn Stockett’s debut novel became a best seller, but was also heavily criticized for its portrayal of Black characters. Now, she has written second novel, “The Calamity Club.” Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2025-03-07 10:04:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this


In “Woodworking,” A Trans Teen and a Closeted Teacher Forge A Bond in Rural America

Emily St. James’s debut novel Woodworking chronicles the developing friendship between a 16-year-old trans girl and her recently-out-to-herself English teacher in Mitchell, South Dakota in the months leading up to the 2016 election. In a town like Mitchell, secrets are few and far between,... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2025-03-06 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Unseen Harper Lee stories set in New York and Alabama to be published

Eight unpublished stories by the To Kill a Mockingbird author will be issued later this year as The Land of Sweet ForeverNever-before-seen short stories by Harper Lee will be published later this year, it has been announced.Eight short stories written before the author started the novel that... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2025-03-04 16:09:02 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Harper Lee’s Early Short Stories to Be Published for the First Time

Before she published “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Lee had written short stories in which she explored some of its themes and characters. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2025-03-04 14:43:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Exclusive Cover Reveal of “These Memories Do Not Belong to Us” by Yiming Ma

Electric Literature is pleased to reveal the cover of These Memories Do Not Belong to Us, the highly-anticipated debut novel by Yiming Ma, which will be published by Mariner Books in the US and McClelland & Stewart in Canada on August 12, 2025. You can pre-order here in US or here in Canada.... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2025-03-04 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


COEXISTENCE by Billy-Ray Belcourt

Fall in love with this collection of short stories centering Indigenous love and what it is to make a relationship. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-02-28 13:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Rockstar Games Cofounder Novelizes Popular Podcast for New Imprint

Dan Houser will publish his debut novel A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath, an adaptation of his hit podcast, this fall. The book is the first title from the new publishing arm of his entertainment company, Absurd Ventures. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Here is the Longlist for the International Booker Prize 2025

The longlist for the International Booker Prize 2025 “celebrates the best works of long-form fiction or collections of short stories ... Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-02-25 18:01:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Richard Charkin: Approaching London Book Fair

Richard Charkin looks ahead to 'magic bullets' that may be offered to the book business at London Book Fair. The post Richard Charkin: Approaching London Book Fair appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-02-24 22:47:06 UTC ]
More news stories like this


'We Were the Lucky Ones' author revisits WWII Europe with less satisfying results

Georgia Hunter's debut novel about a Polish Jewish family that survived the Holocaust was turned into a Hulu series. Her second novel, 'One Good Thing,' revisits WWII Europe but is a more conventional work. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2025-02-24 11:00:28 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Erin Murphy Literary Agents Join Aevitas

The agents of Windham, Maine–based children's book agency Erin Murphy Literary Agency have joined Aevitas Creative Management, including founder Erin Murphy, who has been named a partner at Aevitas. The EMLA backlist will remain under the EMLA umbrella and Murphy's supervision. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-02-24 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


12 Poems and Short Stories by Black Writers to Read For Free Online

Every week, our weekly magazine The Commuter publishes a new work of flash fiction, poetry, and graphic narrative. For Black History Month, we’re looking to the archives for some of our favorite poetry and stories by Black writers, all available to read for free online. From Tara Campbell’s... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2025-02-21 12:05:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


London Book Fair’s International Rights Center 2025

This year's London Book Fair International Rights Center will be on a single floor and 10 percent larger, Adam Ridgway says. The post London Book Fair’s International Rights Center 2025 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-02-14 23:11:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this


London Book Fair 2025: Seminar Series Highlights

London Book Fair releases highlights in its more-than 100 seminar programs, which address copyright, licensing, film, and reading habits. The post London Book Fair 2025: Seminar Series Highlights appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-02-05 22:32:41 UTC ]
More news stories like this


In “The Edge of Water,” A Prophecy Unravels a Nigerian Family’s Pursuit of the American Dream

Olufunke Grace Bankole’s debut novel The Edge of Water opens with a prophecy: “A storm is coming.” The order of things, the Iyanifa tells us, will be disrupted by a soul who defies her fate.  What follows is the story of three generations of Nigerian and Nigerian American women: Esther, who... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2025-02-04 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this