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.