Uthaya Sankar SB is a Malaysian writer who writes in Bahasa Malaysia. He grew up in a village (Aulong Lama in Taiping, Perak). This trilingual writer shifted to Klang, Selangor in 1991 before settling in Shah Alam, Selangor in 2000. He studied in SRK Convent Aulong, SM Darul Ridwan, SM King Edward VII, Jabatan Pengajian Media, Universiti Malaya (UM) and Jabatan Persuratan Melayu, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Uthaya lectured Bahasa Malaysia, Moral Education and Malaysian Studies in various colleges from 1999 to 2008, including in International College of Music (ICOM), HELP Institute, Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology(LICT), The One Academy, Yamaha Academy of Arts & Music, Prime College USJ, MSC International College, Summit International College, SEGi College Subang Jaya, SIT International College and Optima College. Between 1996 and 2009, he was also attached to Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) as Bahasa Malaysia news editor, newscaster, newspaper reviewer and coordinator of the RTM Disaster Unit. He was also appointed news content editor at Bernama Radio24 in 2008. In February 2010, Uthaya joined Kumpulan Media Karangkraf in Shah Alam, Selangor before becoming a freelancer in March 2011 and founded Uthaya's Media, Motivation and Publication Consultancy. He has won many awards, namely Hadiah Sastera Siswa-Bank Rakyat (1992), Hadiah Cerpen Maybank-DBP (1992, 1993 & 1996), Hadiah Sastera Utusan-Public Bank (1993), Hadiah Cerpen Esso-Gapena (1996), Hadiah Sastera Perdana Malaysia (1996/97 & 1998/99) and Hadiah Sastera Kumpulan Utusan-ExxonMobil (2003). His short story compilations are Orang Dimensi (DBP: 1994), Siru Kambam (DBP: 1996 & 1997), Yang Aneh-aneh (Sasbadi: 1997), Surat dari Madras (DBP: 1999), Nayagi (JPMUM: 2000), Sasterawan Pulau Cinta (USSB: 2001), Rudra Avatara (USSB: 2008) and Kathakali (USSB: 2009). Uthaya edited Vanakam (USSB: 2002), an anthology of Bahasa Malaysia short stories by Malaysian Indian writers. He has also written two novels: Hanuman: Potret Diri (DBP: 1996) and Panchayat (USSB: 2002). His children stories are compiled in Koleksi Cerita Ikan (Maselga: 1997), Cerita Rakyat Asia Co-mel (Percetakan Nasional: 1997), Nari! Nari! (DBP: 1995 & 2000) and Munis dengan Harimau (Fajar Bakti: 1996). Uthaya is the founder president of Kumpulan Sasterawan Kavyan (Kavyan Writers’ Group) since August 1999. Kavyan set a record in The Malaysia Book of Records in 2003 through Baca Cerpen Kavyan, a non-stop Bahasa Malaysia short story recital for 96 hours and 32 minutes. Kavyan was also awarded Anugerah Budayawan Selangor in 2005. He blogs at www.uthayasb.blogspot.com on a regular basis; mostly in Bahasa Malaysia. -

Mantan Minggu Penulis Remaja 2000 dan Pengasas/Ketua Penasihat Grup Karyawan Luar Negara. Pernah menulis dan mengarahkan teater 'Mencari Jalan Pulang' di Dublin pada tahun 2005. Menulis dalam genre puisi, cerpen, dan artikel yang tersiar dalam pelbagai media cetak dalam dan luar negara serta termuat dalam lebih 30 antologi bersama. Puisinya 'Al Andalus Menangis' terpilih salah satu teks sastera elektif SPM 2010. Memenangi beberapa anugerah sastera seperti Hadiah Sastera Siswa, Hadiah Sastera Kumpulan Utusan, dan Hadiah Sastera Perdana Malaysia.

Author of 23 novels, 11 novellas, 3 collection of short stories, 2 poetry collections and a nonfiction. Shortlisted for Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2019. In 2024, he had been awarded "Anugerah Penulis Harapan Sarawak" for "Anugerah Sastera Sarawak ke-11". His short stories had won awards such as Hadiah Sastera Selangor 2019 and Hadiah Sastera Penulis Sarawak 2019 & 2020. His short stories entitled "Jam Menanggalkan Jarumnya Lalu Menghitung..." "Selimut", "Masjid" & "Tiga Cerita Tentang Bahasa" had been awarded Main Prize for Short Story in Hadiah Sastera Selangor 2021, Hadiah Sastera Penulis Sarawak 2022 & 2024 and Hadiah Sastera Perdana Malaysia 2019/2020 respectively. He writes short stories on weekly basis and had his short stories featured in local literature magazines, newspaper and portal such as Dewan Sastera, Cukaria, SelangorKini, Berita Harian and Mingguan Malaysia.

A Malaysian short-story writer and novelist, Rebecca also writes literary essays and travel articles. A bilingual, she translates to/from Malay and English, and is currently learning Korean with an interest in East Asian literature. Rebecca graduated from the National University of Malaysia with a Master of Art in Malay Letters and a Bachelor of Science (Petroleum Engineering) from Colorado School of Mines, USA.

Ridhwan Saidi is a Malaysian writer, theatre practitioner, and filmmaker known for his interdisciplinary experimentation with language and his fearless exploration of taboo subjects, with his trademark mix of ‘art berat’ and ‘art ringan’, dry humour, and esoteric discourse. In 2011, Ridhwan penned his first novel, “Cekik,” followed by “Amerika” in the same year. Since then, he has authored “Mautopia” (2012), “Stereo Genmai” (2012), “Babyrina” (2014), and “Brazil” (2015). Each of these works delves into a wide array of themes and courageously challenges conventional storytelling. However, his examination of the darker aspects of human existence has elicited both admiration and concerns regarding its moral implications. In addition to his association with Moka Mocha Ink, Ridhwan’s enthusiasm for theatre and the performing arts led him to establish Ensembel Teater Kaos Nol. Through this collective, he nurtures artistic talent, encourages conversations, and addresses important issues through artistic means. “Our aim is to be open and inclusive when it comes to diverse modern art forms and traditional craft. When you have a thirst for knowledge, value historical understanding, and have a sense of humour, things will fall into place.” –Ridhwan Saidi (Moka Mocha Ink, an indie publisher, is making strides in literature and theatre circles. The Star, 20 July 2019) Ridhwan has made contributions to the field of theatre performance through his works in Teater Modular and Teater Normcore. Teater Modular employs a system of independent modules, creating an ever-changing and interactive experience for the audience. On the other hand, Teater Normcore explores the intricacies of the creator-creation relationship in “Stereo Genmai,” delves into the roles we assume in both private and public spaces in “Masam Manis,” and examines the human condition within urban settings through productions like “Hamlet Fansuri,” “Karaoke Medea,” and “Tahun-Tahun Seorang Novelis.” His approach remains firmly rooted in unconventional and grassroots theatre. In his film “Tiada Cinta Selama Muda” (No Love for the Young), Ridhwan blends body movements, documentary footage, and poetry, creating a peculiar audiovisual experience. He welcomes spontaneity while filming on-site and fosters a sense of collective creativity. Apart from his own projects, Ridhwan actively collaborates with others and works as a dramaturg in productions such as “Tidur Lambak” (2022), an immersive performance exploring communal sleeping, and Lau Beh Chin’s “Beyond Moving with Artisans” (2021-2024), a choreography exploring fading crafts.

Berasal dari Chemor, Perak. Lulusan sarjana muda Seni Gunaan dari Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Pembabitan dalam penulisan bermula sejak belasan tahun dan pernah mengikuti Minggu Penulis Remaja anjuran Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka pada tahun 1994. Antara novel yang dihasilkan; Noktah di Hujung Rindu (2005), Kala Hujan Menitis (2007), Andainya kukembali (2009), Sehiris Bulan (2011), Deru Angin (2012), Lelaki Januari (2014), Nan Yang (2014) dan antologi cerpen Ayam Patah Kepak (2013). Antara pencapaian dalam penulisan termasuklah Hadiah Sastera Siswa Bank Rakyat 1993 dan 1995, Hadiah Karyanet 2004, Hadiah Sastera Berunsur Islam 2005 dan 2011, Hadiah Sastera Kumpulan Utusan 2009, 2011 dan 2013, Sayembara Fiksyen Sains UTM-Utusan 2011, Anugerah Buku RTM-PNM 2012. Hafizah Iszahanid pernah mewakili Malaysia untuk mengikuti Bengkel Mastera (Novel) pada 2011 di Bogor, Indonesia.