Asia Publishers Week
Participant
Teguh Afandi
Country : Indonesia
Company : Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia (KPG)
Job Title : Literary Editor
E-mail : teguh@penerbitkpg.id
Work Experience in Publishing
I have been working as a literary book editor since 2016. My first assignment involved the editorial rejuvenation of several legendary Indonesian literary works, including those by Budi Darma, Kuntowijoyo, Bondan Winarno, and Iwan Simatupang. These reissues were important as literary oases amidst the increasingly distracted reading culture of Gen-Z audiences. One of the most notable titles I worked on was Orang-Orang Bloomington (Noura Books, 2016), which received strong attentions. And, it was later translated by Tiffany Tsao as People from Bloomington (Penguin Classics, 2022). These English edition went on to win the 2023 PEN Translation Prize.
Since 2018, I have continued my work at Kompas Gramedia Group; first in Gramedia Pustaka Utama (GPU), and now in Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia (KPG), where I serve as a literary editor and also take part in talent scouting. Especially discovering and mentoring young emerging writers. Some of these writers, including Panji Sukma, Raisa Kamila, Adia Puja, and Cicilia Oday, have since attracted significant public interest.
In 2021, I edited Kita Pergi Hari Ini (KPHI), a novel by Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie. This book became an unexpected phenomenon during the difficult pandemic time in Indonesia because of Covid 19. (When it was pandemic, Publishers just printed 1000 exemplars for first edition). KPHI was sold out 3,000 copies during pre-order and reached 13,000 copies in its first year. KPHI developed a cult following among young readers, who found something fresh and emotionally resonant in its pages.
Ziggy has now become one of Indonesia’s bestselling young authors, known for her distinctive storytelling style and focus on sensitive issues such as child abuse, psychological trauma, and emotional resilience. The Jakarta Post once compared her to Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl, stating: “However, behind the innocent narratives were heavy and dark subjects such as gender stigma, animal abuse and class disparity.” The novel also gained international attention when it was nominated for the English PEN award.
Source: https://www.englishpen.org/translation/pen-presents/books/take-care-noisy-lane/
The sequel, Mari Pergi Lebih Jauh, became a bestseller as well, selling 10,000 copies within a few months of release. It was named Tempo Magazine’s Best Book of 2024 and was longlisted for the 2025 Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa, the most prestigious literary prize in Indonesia.
Several other books I have edited have also received national literary recognition in Indonesia. Lebih Senyap dari Bisikan by Andina Dwifatma was selected as Tempo Magazine’s Best Book of 2021 (The chapbook can read in the Asymptote Journal: https://www.asymptotejournal.com/special-feature/quieter-than-a-whisper-andina-dwifatma/ ); Kuda by Panji Sukma won the 2024 Language Agency Award for the novel category; Duri dan Kutub by Cicilia Oday won the 2025 Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa; and Inyik Balang by Andre Septiawan received the 2025 RASA Ayu Utami Literary Award.
As an editor, I have always been interested in literature that addresses gender, violence, marginalised communities, and elements of magical realism. I apply this perspective both when working on original Indonesian manuscripts and when scouting translated works. Although English is not my first language, I engage actively with global literary discussions and contribute to the international circulation of Southeast Asian voices.
Current Projects
This year, I was trusted to handle the acquisition of several foreign literary titles. I am especially interested in works that aren’t originally written in English. I believe it is important to broaden the reading experience, reading journey, also the readers perspective. KPG always try not to just provides a single story especially from US dan Europe, but also another voices from another regions. This effort is also my way of participating in the larger Global South conversation, which has become more relevant in Indonesia’s current literary and cultural landscape.
One of the books I have acquired is Greek Lessons by Han Kang, a Nobel Prize-winning author. The Indonesian edition is scheduled to be published in October 2025. This novel offers a different reading experience compared to her previous books that have already been translated into Bahasa Indonesia. I also acquired a novel by Mo Yan, the 2012 Nobel Laureate in Literature. I believe that while many readers today are enjoying light and cozy fiction, it is still important to continue publishing serious literary works that talk about human struggles, political issues, history (colonial), and collective memories. The works of Han Kang and Mo Yan, for example, feel close to my country’s experience right now, with violence and power. Literature reminds us how excessive use of force often creates deeper conflict. Books can serve as witnesses and as voices that defend human dignity. In Indonesian literary tradition, we often say, “When journalism is silenced, literature speaks.”
In addition to Nobel laureates, I also pay attention to strong and daring new voices in literature. One title I have recently acquired for Indonesian translation is Tongueless by Lau Yee-Wa, a young and progressive female writer from Hong Kong. Her novel talks about life under dictatorship in a powerful and emotional way. I believe it reflects issues that are still very relevant in many parts of Asia, including Indonesia.
At this moment, I am also reviewing several contemporary Korean novels. Some of them include Broccoli Punch (original title: 브로콜리 펀치) by Lee Yuri, The Midnight Shift (original title: 밤에 찾아오는 구원자) by Cheon Seon-ran, and Bloody Murdo(rh) by Kim Bohyun. These titles offer fresh stories and I hope they can bring new energy to Indonesian readers.
Main Interest
As an editor and also as a reader, this year, I began to feel overwhelmed by the rise of cozy fiction in Indonesia. These books are very popular among Indonesian readers, widely loved, and often become instant bestsellers. (In Indonesia, the best-seller book is when its sold 3000–5000 for 3 months since publication date.) Many publishers are compete to translate them as many as the can, because they sell quickly and attract a broad audience. While I understand the appeal, I also feel that this trend has reached a saturation point. Some readers, including myself, are starting to look for something different. As an editor (and also as a reader), I always try to find books that speak about humanity, identity, resistance, and memory.
That moment came when I discovered Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung. It was refreshing to read a book that blends horror, science fiction, and satire to deliver social critique. It made me realize that there are other ways literature can speak to readers, not only by comforting them but also by challenging their thoughts, giving another overview. After that, I started exploring more science fiction, speculative fiction, and books with bold and complex themes. These genres are still unfamiliar to many Indonesian readers, especially when the books come from non-English-speaking countries. But I believe Indonesian readers are ready. They have long been exposed to science fiction from the United States and the UK. It is time we bring in stories from other regions, especially Asia, where the narratives often feel closer to everyday life in this part of the world.
One novel I really hope to translate into Indonesian is Tower (탑) by Bae Myung-hoon. It offers a critical look at social class systems through a futuristic story. This social issues raised in this novel are also happening in Indonesia, where class divisions can cause tension and inequality. The Tower will help us think about these problems through a different lens.
I am also passionate about books that explore gender and feminist issues. I admire works like Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park, Concerning My Daughter by Kim Hye-Jin, and Another Person by Kang Hwagil. These stories are intimate, honest, and powerful. They reflect social challenges that are now becoming more widely discussed among Indonesian readers, especially younger generations who are more open to those kind of topics.
As an editor, I feel responsible for helping introduce bold, brave stories to my community. I want to keep looking for voices that are honest, brave, and relevant. I believe literature can open up important conversations, challenge dominant narratives, and connect people across cultures. That is the conversation I will continue exploring in my work.
Experience Related to This Year’s Topic
work as the editor of Rio Johan, a young and queer author from Indonesia who is currently based in Paris. His works often combine science fiction, speculative fiction, fairy tale elements, and queer
themes. Even though his books are not bestsellers and not yet popular among the mainstream readers, his books have received important recognition. Aksara Amananunna was chosen as Tempo Magazine’s Best Book, and Ibu Susu won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa, one of presticious literary award.
Writers like Rio, and the stories he wrote, are important for the future of Indonesian literature. They bring new perspectives, new voices, and help create more space in the book industry for different kinds of stories. Literatures are not a single story. I believe literature should be inclusive. Books should be a safe place where many topics and identities can be explored without fear or limits.
Beside an editor I am also a writer. In 2024, I published a short story titled “Perjumpaan Singkat untuk Malam yang Panjang” as part of an anthology Museum Teman Baik, and its sold more than 10.000 since July 2024. The story focuses on how queer people live in Jakarta, a city that looks modern but still holds very traditional values. This contradiction is reflected through a conversation between the main character and ChatGPT. People often find themselves in between two worlds, modern and traditional. I think speculative fiction can be a powerful way to talk about this kind of reality.
What would you like to discuss related to this year’s topic?
One of the biggest trends in Indonesian publishing right now is cozy fiction, especially translated titles from South Korea and Japan. These kind books usually focus on simple daily life, often set in bookstores, coffee shops, or pottery studios. During the pandemic, stories like these felt like a warm hug. People were looking for hope, comfort, and something light to escape the uncertainty around them. That’s why many Indonesian publishers followed the trend, and cozy fiction became everywhere.
But now, I feel like this trend is reaching its limit. Many readers are starting to feel tired of it. There are just too many titles with similar vibes and moods. Some of readers said, “It’s just another version with different setting.” I think this is a good opportunity to offer something new to readers in Indonesia.
I believe warm and emotional feelings in a story do not only come from cozy spaces like a café or a quiet library. A powerful story can come from any situation, even from something uncomfortable. What really matters is the human side of the story. The conflicts, the emotions, the questions it brings. These are the things that stay in our minds after we finish reading.
I still remember how I felt after reading Bora Chung’s short story The Head. It was scary and strange, but also meaningful. It made me stop and think. For a few days, I even felt uneasy whenever I used the toilet. That story gave me something different. It showed me that sometimes, comfort can come from stories that are not comfortable at all.
That is why I feel it is risky to only focus on cozy fiction when translating books into Indonesian. If we always choose the same kind of story, we might end up creating what people call a “single story.” It gives the impression that only one type of story is worth reading, when in fact, there are many important and powerful stories out there. Translating books with a wide range of genres and themes is one way to keep literature diverse and exciting.
Please name any Korean writers, books and publishing companies that you are familiar with.
1. Love in the Big City, by Sang Young Park,
2. Whale, by Myeong-kwan Cheon
3. The Midnight Shift by Cheon Seon-ran
4. Capitalists Must Starve by Park Seolyeon
Your reasons for applying to the Asian Publishers Week 2025.
KPG (Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia) focuses on publishing Indonesian authors, with historical fiction as one of our main themes. Our mega-best seller that this July already reached the 100th
edition, Laut Bercerita by Leila S Chudori tells about Indonesia darkest period during New Order.
That is why Asian Publishers Week feels exciting to me. It gives a chance to learn more about how historical fiction is growing, especially in South Korea. There are two historical fiction novels that I would really love to acquire the translation rights for: Whale and Mater 2-10. Both titles carry the kind of spirit and storytelling that fits very well with KPG’s vision.
Your Company Profile Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia (KPG)
Company Name: Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia (KPG)
Company Address: Gedung Kompas Gramedia Blok 1 Lantai 5, Jl. Palmerah Barat no. 29-37, Jakarta 10270
Number of Employees: 30
Specialty: Fiction (Historical Fiction, Science fiction, Speculative Fiction) and Popular Science.
Founded in 1996, Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia (KPG) is a book publisher based in Jakarta, Indonesia, under Gramedia Group, the largest publishing group in Indonesia. KPG specializes in fiction and popular nonfiction books, by local authors as well as translations of international works.
KPG’s active imprints include KPG (mainstream fiction and nonfiction books), Kiddo (children’s books), Pop and Icecube (young adult fiction and nonfiction).
Indonesian authors published by KPG includes award winners Ayu Utami and Leila S. Chudori, as well as bestselling authors Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie, Iksaka Banu, Naela Ali, and Marchella FP. KPG is also home to some prominent new authors including Faisal Oddang, Muna Masyari, Juli Sastrawan, Ruhaeni Intan, Eko Darmoko and Adeste Adipriyanti. In resisting the peril that single stories pose within Indonesian literature as well as ensuring continuity for literary tradition, these voices emerging in literature are vital.
KPG publishes the Indonesian translations of some world-famous titles such as Sapiens (Yuval Noah Harari), The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down (Haemin Sunim), The Power of Habit (Charles Duhigg), Norwegian Wood (Haruki Murakami), and Cosmos (Carl Sagan). KPG has also published books by National Geographic since 2011. In 2025, KPG will publish Indonesian edition from Mo Yan and Han Kang works.