U.S. journal to publish Indonesian literature

U.S. journal to publish Indonesian literature

JAKARTA (JP): An American literary journal has announced that
it will devote its year 2000 summer issue to literature from
Indonesia with John H. McGlynn, editor-in-chief of the Lontar
Foundation of Jakarta, serving as the journal's guest editor.

Manoa, which is published by the University of Hawaii Press,
and its guest editor have chosen "Silent Voices, Muted
Expressions" as the theme for the issue. They will use the issue
to demonstrate the effect that political repression and social
constraints have on the development of literature.

According to the journal's announcement, Manoa intends to show
an international readership examples of Indonesian literature
that have not made it into print because of censorship or because
of fear of repercussions by authors and publishers.

The journal will also consider including previously-published
stories that were expurgated of sensitive subject matter prior to
their publication.

"In an era of purported 'openness' it is surprising what
doesn't make it into print in this country," says McGlynn. "Manoa
wants to show the wealth of materials that readers are missing
out on as a result of censorship and repression."

As to what kind of subject matter Manoa would like to cover,
McGlynn says "any topic is possible but we are especially looking
for literary pieces that focus on real-life issues: unjust
imprisonment, freedom of speech, ethnic and religious
marginalization, land rights, erotica, homosexuality, labor
relations, the role of the military, women's issues, crime and so
on.

"We would also like to see an example or two of reportage of
high literary quality something on the death of Syafruddin, the
Bernas reporter, for example."

"But in the end it will be the quality of writing that
determines our choice of selection," he added.

Writers whose submissions are chosen for inclusion in the
journal are to receive cash honoraria. "The amount will depend on
the length of the submission, but for a short story Manoa might
pay around US$250 to $450."

Writers are invited to send their submissions in the form of
diskette and/or hard copy, along with a short biographical piece
on themselves, to John McGlynn at The Lontar Foundation, Jl.
Danau Maninjau No. 90, Jakarta 10210. The deadline for
submissions is the end of the year, "but the sooner I receive a
piece," McGlynn says, "the better are its chances of being
selected."

In conjunction with the publication of this issue of Manoa,
the Lontar Foundation intends to host a series of literary
readings and discussions.