2025 Emerging Writers Finalists Announced!

We are proud to announce the ten talented Indonesian writers selected for the Emerging Writers Program of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2025. Meet the finalists and learn how you can help us champion these voices of today into tomorrow's literary stars!

First launched in 2008, the Festival’s Emerging Writers Program has become a vital platform for the future of Indonesian storytelling by supporting young Indonesian literary talent and introducing them to both regional and international literary stages. Selected talents are invited to join a mentorship program and get their work published in the annual bilingual publication, the Festival’s Anthology, which represents a significant opportunity for emerging writers to have their work translated into English—opening doors to international opportunities for the first time.

This year, the program was open to Indonesian writing creatives who were keen to share work that responds to the complexities of contemporary Indonesia—from local issues and social challenges to history and the realities of the digital age. Between 10 December 2024 and 9 February 2025, 647 writers submitted their work, with entries from across the archipelago, including submissions from over 25 Indonesian provinces.

After detailed reading, conversation, debate, and a curators’ meeting to discuss the qualities of each work, the judges—which include famous Indonesian writer Ratih Kumala—have this year selected ten writers for the 2025 Program. They are, in alphabetical order by surname:


Alief El-Ichwan is from Tasikmalaya, a city in West Java. An alumnus of Unpad, he writes poetry, short stories, articles, and essays. As a journalist, he participated in the Kompas Short Story Class in 2017 and the Tempo Short Story Writing Class in 2024.

Annisa Ivana is from Jakarta and is a writer whose work spans several areas: fiction, reportage, and advertising writing. Outside of her busy schedule, he enjoys spending time imagining and exploring various places in Indonesia.

Charlotte Diana is from Semarang, the capital and largest city of Central Java province. She works as a private employee and writes as a form of healing. Her short story Humor Tentang Satu Dua Nol is featured in the anthology Decluttering Rasa by WR Publishing. Several of her other short stories have been published on the Ignite GKI website.

Kukuh Yudha Karnanta is from Surabaya, the capital city of East Java province. He teaches in the Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Airlangga University Surabaya, and has written several short stories, poems, essays, reviews, and journal articles.

Ridwan Malik is from Garut, a town in West Java. He studied English Literature at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta and is now active as an editor at the online media Hanya Wacana. He also manages a small publishing house, Maliré. His first novel is Ajengan Anjing.

Rie Arshaka was born in Banjarmasin, the largest city in South Kalimantan on the Indonesian side of Borneo. He is the Founder of the RL-5000 Charity Group. Several of his short stories have been included in anthology books, including '15 Best Short Stories ASKS 2023' and '14 Best Short Stories Piala H.B. Jassin 2024.

Robbyan Abel Ramdhon is from Lombok, an island in the West Nusa Tenggara province. He started writing actively in high school when he became involved in the Sanggar Budaya Pelangi school theater group and participated in the Akarpohon Community in Mataram.

Rosul Jaya Raya is from Bekasi of Madurese descent. He has won several short story writing competitions. A literature enthusiast, he is actively involved in various literary activities in Surabaya, the capital city of East Java province, where he is based. He has loved literature since his time at the Islamic boarding school.

Udiarti is from Sragen Regency in Central Java Province. She is the author of Rumah Kedua Ibu, published by Semut Api in 2021, and one of the Founders of Mirat Kolektif in Surakarta, where her theater scripts have been performed. An alumna of the Women's Thought School 2023, she is also actively involved in managing kalamsastra.id.

Wawan Kurniawan is from Makassar, a city on the eastern Indonesian island of Sulawesi. He writes poetry, short stories, essays, novels, and translates some of his favorite works. In 2021, he published a poetry collection titled Museum Kehilangan by GPU. In early 2025, he released a novel titled Seratus Tahun Kebisuan by Diva Press.

Become a Patron

All ten writers display exceptional talent and storytelling power. We invite you to support these emerging literary talents and help shape incredible careers as published authors while sustaining our community-building philosophy program. With your support, support funding for the publication of the 2025 Anthology, as well as airfares, accommodation, and honorarium.

More importantly, your meaningful gift will create a life-changing opportunity for a young person to learn, connect, and be inspired at our 2025 Festival, and help these fresh voices pave the way for future collaborations and exciting career opportunities through the universal language of literature.

Help us champion these voices of today into tomorrow's literary stars! Learn more at ubudwritersfestival.com/support



Help us champion these voices of today into tomorrow's literary stars!
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