Indonesia faces a classic dilemma in the world of publishing. Over the past year 15,000 books have been published by 1,400 publishers, these numbers are relatively low for a population of 230 million.

Publishers struggle to exist in conditions where the cost of paper to print books and taxes continue to rise. They must carefully calculate the business end while choosing manuscripts for publishing. So it’s not surprising that we are experiencing a decline in the quality of literature published. Traditionally publishers enlighten and help to advance culture, this role must not be forgotten.

Have Indonesia’s publishers followed the path of blockbuster films in Hollywood, do they find it easier to publish manuscripts written by popular writers? Is there still a chance for new writers to break into the world of publishing, how? What can writers do to prepare themselves? It is important for writers to find the right publisher for their manuscripts.

All of this will be covered in the discussion this Wednesday night with Windy Ariestanty, author of Life Traveler. Windy has also published Tiara Lestari: Uncut Stories  Shit Happens: Gue Yang Ogah Kawin Kok Elo Yang Rese?!, Studying Abroad: Belajar Sambil Berpetualang di Negeri Orang. The discussion will not only be from a writer’s perspective, for Windy is also the editor in chief of GagasMedia and Bukune.

Discussion (Obral) 25 Januari 2012

Location: Danes Art Veranda, Jl Hayam Wuruk no 159 Denpasar

Time: 19.00 WITA

With every pregnancy and birth to bring new life into the world, we are also facing the risk of loss: the loss of a mother’s life. In Indonesia, maternal and infant mortality rates are still very high for Asia standards.

Midwives are the spearhead to improve the health of mothers and infants, and to reduce the mortality rates. In rural areas, it is midwives who are first contacted by community members when the pains of labor begin or if there are complications during delivery. One of these midwives is Robin Lim. Through the Bumi Sehat Clinic in Ubud, Bali, Robin Lim has assisted in providing free health services since 2003. “In the first 8 months of 2011 alone, Bumi Sehat has offered free healthcare services to over 20,500 patients and assisted in the delivery of almost 400 babies.” says Robin Lim.

Her social work has now received appreciation, Robin Lim has been nominated as a 2011 CNN Hero this past March. It takes nine months before the CNN Hero of the Year is announced, which will be this December 11th. Nine months, the same time it takes for an infant to grow in the womb.

To learn how to vote for Robin Lim, and to learn more about her work, visit:
Visit the Official CNN website to Vote for Robin Lim
akarumput.com/robinlim atau bumisehatbali.org
Facebook:Ibu Robin Lim
Twitter: @iburobin

Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 from 7-11pm.
Location: Danes Art Veranda, Jl. Hayam Wuruk 159, Denpasar, Bali (view map).