Penguin SEA Partners with UWRF to publish this groundbreaking book
Indonesia, 21 July 2025 – Penguin Random House Southeast Asia is proud to announce the publication of Stories from the Islands, its first bilingual short story anthology, that brings together ten emerging Indonesian writers selected as part of the prestigious Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) 2025.
Curated through UWRF’s Emerging Writers Program, the anthology features new literary voices from across Indonesia’s 17,000 islands—offering a unique window into the country’s richly layered cultures, languages, and communities. These ten writers reflect the vibrancy and multiplicity of Indonesia today, weaving stories that explore everything from local tradition and folklore to social change, identity, and contemporary life.
Published simultaneously in both English and Bahasa Indonesia, Stories from the Islands is a powerful testament to the creative energy of a new generation and a vital step toward making regional literature accessible to readers both within and beyond Indonesia. Whether you are a literature lover, traveller, or simply curious about the cultural heartbeats of Southeast Asia, this collection promises an unforgettable journey through the archipelago—told by those who live it.
Commenting on UWRF’s journey with the book and this partnership with Penguin, Janet DeNeefe, Festival Founder & Director says ‘As an Indonesian non-profit organization, we work hard to create new pathways to support young and brave voices from around the archipelago. With our Emerging Writers Program, we are proud to once again present ten remarkable writing talents to the literary world, and we are delighted to be partnering with Penguin Random House SEA this year to expand the impact for each of the selected finalists, offering a life-changing opportunity to learn and connect with established industry professionals at the annual Festival this October.’
Nora Nazerene Abu Bakar, Vice President and Publisher, Penguin SEA, says ‘We at Penguin SEA believe the most powerful literature often begins locally, and stories like these deserve to travel far. Each of these voices carries the weight of place, memory, and imagination, offering readers a glimpse into the lived realities of Indonesia’s many islands. The future of literature lies in elevating stories that are rooted in local truth but speak to universal themes. Stories from the Islands is a celebration of regional identity, and we are honoured to play a part in bringing these emerging talents to the global stage.’
Stories from the Islands will be available in bookstores and online across Southeast Asia this September.
You can find more information about the finalists in the annexure below*
About Penguin Random House SEA
Penguin Random House SEA was established in 2018 to discover and publish local and international voices across English-language adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction formats for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Myanmar. As part of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, the publishing house is also dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers. Headquartered in Singapore, Penguin Random House SEA brings the spotlight on local authors from the region and simultaneously open the Southeast Asian market to diverse international titles. It is home to several popular books, award-winning and bestselling, like The House of Little Sisters by Eva Wong Nava, The House on Calle Sombra: A Parable by Marga Ortigas, The American Boyfriend by Ivy Ngeow, Mistbound by Daryl Kho, My Lovely Skull and Othe Skeletons by Tunku Halim, The Heart of Summer by Danton Remoto, My Mother Pattu by Saras Manickam among others.
About Ubud Writers and Readers Festival
Held annually in Ubud, Bali’s cultural heartland, the festival is Southeast Asia’s flagship literary organization. Praised worldwide for its diverse and intimate program, the Ubud
Writers & Readers Festival gathers over 200 of the world’s most exciting writers, thinkers, and performers for five days of electrifying conversation, thoughtful debate, and joyful celebration of literary culture. Alongside author in-conversations and panel discussions, there is a wide-ranging offering of Indonesian dance and performance, literary lunches, guided tours of Ubud’s famous markets, temples, and rice fields, late-night comedy, musical and spoken word galas, as well as book launches, workshops, and events designed to enrich and inspire the imaginations of emerging writers and young people.
This year, the Festival will return from 29 October to 2 November 2025 to share stories and ideas under the banner of this year’s theme, Aham Brahmasmi – I am the Universe. Now in its twenty-third year, Southeast Asia’s leading festival for words and ideas will once again bring together writers, poets, and thinkers to Ubud, Bali’s cultural highland, for a exciting program featuring author talks, panel discussions, live music, spoken word, literary lunches, late-night readings, workshops, and much more.
With the 4-Day Early Bird Festival Pass on sale, the first lineup of speakers has been unveiled, featuring international literary sensations alongside outstanding Indonesian storytellers, including three International Booker Prize winners.
Visit www.ubudwritersfestival.com for more info.
Annexure
The finalists are, in alphabetical order by surname:
Alief El-Ichwan (Bandung, West Java)
Annisa Ivana (Jakarta)
Charlotte Diana (Semarang, Central Java)
Kukuh Yudha Karnanta (Surabaya, East Java)
Ridwan Malik (Garut, West Java)
Rie Arshaka (Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan)
Robbyan Abel Ramdhon (Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara)
Rosul Jaya Raya (Bangkalan, East Java)
Udiarti (Sragen, Central Java)
Wawan Kurniawan (Makassar, South Sulawesi)
***
MEDIA CONTACT-
Saumya Jha
+91 8369179047
