Idwriters Launches Other Maps, an Indonesian Literary Journal for the World

Idwriters, a grassroots Indonesian literary community, officially introduced Other Maps. The independent literary platform and triannual English-language journal is dedicated to bringing Indonesian writers’ works before a global readership. Other Maps’ arrival serves as an oasis for local writers who aspire to transcend geographic boundaries through translated works. Interestingly, the platform operates independently, without reliance on bureaucratic frameworks or formal government programs. Idwriters founder Valent Mustamin explained that Other Maps is an expansion of a database of Indonesian authors he has built over 12 years. The announcement was made during a literacy discussion at the fourth anniversary of the reading space “Baca di Tebet” in Jakarta. “Other Maps can be described as the ‘child’ of Idwriters. The hope is for the platform to spawn many journals or online magazines by Indonesian writers translated into foreign languages. This is a tangible form of introducing Indonesian writers to the world,” Valent said in a statement, Saturday (7 March 2026). More than just a publication platform, Other Maps carries a strong philosophical mission. Valent emphasised his commitment to a geography of literature that is not centered on the dominant language or the established cultural centers that have long dictated universal literary standards. In Other Maps’ vision, the translation process is not merely a technical language transfer, but a reorientation of the world view. Indonesian literature is positioned as a plural field with its own authority, not just a complement. “We do not want to fix the map that already exists; we want to create new maps. We invite international readers to explore the world via alternate routes shaped by local history,” Valent asserted. Idwriters’ journey of managing the author database has been conducted independently for more than a decade. Currently, the effort is being strengthened by the support of volunteers and the Indonesian diaspora across the world. To date, around 700 authors from various genres—from pure literature to cross-disciplinary figures—have been catalogued at Idwriters. As part of ensuring ecosystem sustainability, Other Maps will implement a subscription model for international readers. “The aim is to enable communication and exchange of ideas. Ideally, Indonesian authors’ works can be translated into international languages so that global societies can enjoy them,” he concluded. Through Other Maps, Indonesia now has a primary gateway for a global audience to engage critically with a local perspective rooted in Nusantara’s history and cultural wealth.