Singapore, October 19, 2024 — Penguin Random House Southeast Asia (PRH SEA) is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival for its highly anticipated 2024 edition, a prestigious literary gathering that draws renowned writers, thinkers, and book lovers from across the globe. Set to take place in Ubud, Bali in Indonesia from October 23 to 27, 2024, the festival promises a rich lineup of conversations, book launches, and thought-provoking panels.
Commenting on the partnership, Vice President and Publisher, Nora Nazerene Abu Bakar, says, ‘This collaboration underscores PRH SEA’s mission to spotlight Southeast Asian voices on the global stage. As the publishing industry in the region evolves, this partnership signals a significant commitment to amplifying diverse narratives that reflect the unique cultural and social landscape of Southeast Asia.’
PRH SEA’s authors will take part in a wide range of discussions, delving into timely and relevant topics such as women’s rights, mental health, speculative fiction, cultural coexistence, and genre-shifting literature. Participating authors include several award-winning and bestselling authors like Marga Ortigas, Aneeta Sundararaj, Felix Cheong, Jin Young Lim, Ong Chin Huat, and Tay Guan Hin—representing some of the region’s most innovative and inspiring literary voices.
Apart from sessions and panels, PRH SEA is also jointly launching two books – Claire Betita De Guzman’s Hue City and Melly Sutjitro’s Cheese Donuts Are Most Definitely Not Subpar in the session titled Donuts, Drama, and Destination Dreams. Moderated by two-time Carlos Palanca Award winner, Mica De Leon, the event will also feature her latest release, Veins of Power, the second book in her Seedmage Cycle trilogy along with the first book, Winds of War and Love On The Second Read.
Taking a lead role in shaping Southeast Asia’s evolving publishing landscape, PRH SEA is also sharing insights about the world of publishing with readers and the festival at large. Vice President and Publisher, Nora Nazerene Abu Bakar will discuss challenges like limited distribution channels, language diversity, and balancing cultural authenticity with commercial viability at a panel while Chaitanya Srivastava, Senior Executive – Publicity and Marketing from PRH SEA, will lead an exclusive masterclass at The Westin Resort and Spa, Ubud, in collaboration with the festival where he will share insights on the best practices for book marketing and publicity in today’s changing dynamic market space. These in-depth sessions are designed to empower authors and those aspiring to be published first-hand information and experience from a leading publisher in the region.
Janet DeNeefe, Founder and Director of Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, says: ‘It is a privilege for us, as Southeast Asia’s premier festival of words and ideas, to showcase some of PRH SEA’s finest authors in Ubud between 23 and 27 October. This is an important and exciting collaboration for us, and we’re honored to invite these talented voices not only to reflect on our festival theme, ‘Satyam Vada Dharmam Chara: Speak the Truth, Practice Kindness,’ but also to experience Ubud, its storytelling, and its culture. We very much look forward to hearing their stories and to presenting the rich diversity of the literary culture of this region through over 250 exciting programs.’
The festival highlights would also be captured on PRH SEA’s digital platforms across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for those who are away from the festivities and would like to stay updated with what went on ground. These real-time updates, contests, and giveaways can be found at @penguinbookssea on Instagram.
This partnership not only highlights PRH SEA’s commitment to nurturing literary talent in the region but also marks a significant milestone in fostering long-term collaborations with the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. Together, they are paving the way for more Southeast Asian authors to achieve international recognition, creating a platform for their voices to resonate on a global scale.
All books by PRH SEA authors are available for purchase at the festival bookstore, Periplus.
About the Penguin Random House SEA:
Website: https://www.penguin.sg/
Penguin Random House SEA was established in 2018 to discover and publish local and international voices across English-language adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction formats for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Myanmar. As part of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, the publishing house is also dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers. Headquartered in Singapore, Penguin Random House SEA brings the spotlight on local authors from the region and simultaneously open the Southeast Asian market to diverse international titles. It is home to several popular books, award-winning and bestselling, like The House of Little Sisters by Eva Wong Nava, The House on Calle Sombra: A Parable by Marga Ortigas, The American Boyfriend by Ivy Ngeow, Mistbound by Daryl Kho, My Lovely Skull and Othe Skeletons by Tunku Halim, The Heart of Summer by Danton Remoto, My Mother Pattu by Saras Manickam among others.
About Ubud Writers & Readers Festival:
Website: www.ubudwritersfestival.com
Held annually in Ubud, Bali’s cultural heartland, the Festival is Southeast Asia’s flagship literary organization. Praised worldwide for its diverse and intimate program, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival gathers over 150 of the world’s most exciting writers, thinkers, and performers for five days of electrifying conversation, thoughtful debate, and joyful celebration of literary culture. Alongside author in-conversations and panel discussions, the festival offers a wide range of Indonesian dance and performances, literary lunches, guided tours of Ubud’s famous markets, temples, and rice fields, late-night comedy, musical and spoken word galas, as well as book launches, workshops, and events designed to enrich and inspire the imaginations of emerging writers and young people.
This year, the Festival returns with its 21st edition from 23-27 October 2024, exploring the theme ‘Satyam Vada Dharmam Chara: Speak the Truth, Practice Kindness’ and will gather some of the best writers and thinkers in the world in Ubud, including award-winning Indian author Amitav Ghosh; 2021 Filipino Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient Maria Ressa; Vietnamese-born Australian writer, Nam Le; 2022 International Booker Prize nominee, Bora Chung; Maltese award-winning journalist Paul Caruana Galizia; bestselling non-fiction author Sathnam Sanghera; sustainability travel editor Juliet Kinsman; UK’s top BookTuber and most-followed person on Goodreads, Jack Edwards, and many more—all in friendly, relaxed, and beautiful tropical surroundings.
For media and press queries, please contact:
Chaitanya Srivastava
Senior Exec – Publicity & Marketing
Penguin Random House India & SEA
Email: csrivastava@penguinrandomhouse.in
Mobile: (+91) 8777493125
Nicola Walpen
Head of Marketing & Communications
Ubud Writers and Readers Festival
Email: nicola@yayasansaraswati.org
Mobile: (+41) 795127300
