Oka Rusmini was born in Jakarta, July 11, 1967. She lives in Denpasar, Bali. She writes poetry, novel, and short story. Her published works are Monolog Pohon (1997), Tarian Bumi (2000), Sagra (2001), Kenanga (2003), Patiwangi (2003), Warna Kita (2007), Pandora (2008), Tempurung (2010), Akar Pule (2012), Saiban (2014). Her novel Tarian Bumi has been translated into foreign languages: Erdentanz (Deutsch edition, 2007), Jordens Dans (Svenska edition, 2009), Earth Dance (English edition, 2011), and La danza della terra (Italian edition, 2015). In the year 2002, she received the Best Poetry Award from Poetry Journal. In 2003, The Language Centre, Ministry of Education of the Republic of Indonesia, gave her the Literary Appreciation Award of Literary Works for her novel Tarian Bumi. In 2012, she received the Literary Appreciation Award from the Agency of Language Development and Cultivation, Ministry of Education of the Republic of Indonesia, and the South East Asian Write Award, Bangkok, Thailand, for her novel Tempurung. Her book of poems Saiban (2014) won the national literary award, “Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa 2013-2014”. She was invited to national and international events, such as Literary Festival Winternachten in Den Haag, Amsterdam, Netherland (2003), Singapore Writer Festival (2011), and OZ Festival, Adelaide, Australia (2013). She was also invited as guest writer in Hamburg University Germany (2003). Oka Rusmini can be contacted at Twitter: @okarus Email : tarianbumi@yahoo.com. Facebook Page: oka rusmini

Helvy Tiana Rosa is widely recognized for her works in Indonesian literary and for her relentless efforts to encourage people, especially the young, poor and women, to write and publish their own works. She was born in Medan, 2 April 1970 and had a bachelor and master degree of literature from Letters Faculty of University of Indonesia. She wrote more than 50 books, like Juragan Haji (The Juragan Hajj, 2014), Tanah Perempuan (The Woman’s Land, 2009), Segenggam Gumam (A Graps of Murmur, 2003), Mata Ketiga Cinta (The Third Eyes of Love, 2012) and Ketika Mas Gagah Pergi (When Mas Gagah Leaves, 1997). Some of her works were already translated in English, Japanese, Arabic, Swedish, German, French, and so forth. She was frequently invited to speak and read her works both in Indonesia and abroad, like Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Egypt, Turkey, and USA. In 1990 she established Teater Bening as a director and script writer for the play performances. She was the former editor and the Chief Editor of Annida Magazine and later she involved intensively to help the emergence of writers from different social backgrounds in many cities in Indonesia and abroad through Forum Lingkar Pena (FLP) which was founded by her in 1997. Koran Tempo named her as Lokomotif Penulis Muda, A Locomotive of Young Writers, and The Straits Times named her as a pioneer for contemporary Indonesia Islamic literature (2003). Helvy received more than 40 awards of national level in the field of writing and community empowerment, like A Literary Figure from Balai Pustaka and Majalah Sastra Horison (2013), A Figure of Books of IBF Award from IKAPI (2006), A Literary Figure of Nusantara Islamic Literary Festival (2016), A Literary Figure of Eramuslim Award (2006), Ummi Award (2004), Nova Award (2004), Kartini Award as one of The Most Inspiring Women in Indonesia (2009), and SheCAN! Award (2008). Her poem Fisabilillah was The Winner of Iqra Poetry Writing Competition of National Level in 1992, with the juries: HB Jassin, Sutardji Calzoum Bachri and Hamid Jabbar. Her short story Jaring-Jaring Merah was appointed as one of the best short stories of Sastra Horison Magazine in one decade between 1990 and 2000. Bukavu (LPPH 2008) was a nomination of Khatulistiwa Literary Award in 2008 and she became The Most Favourite Poet, and her work Mata Ketiga Cinta was chosen as as The Most Favourite Poetry Book of Indonesian’s Readers from Goodread Indonesia in 2012. She was arwaded an honour of Anugerah Karya Satya Lencana from the President of the Republic of Indonesia (2016). She became a member of Jakarta Arts Council (2003-2006) and as the Founder and the Advisor of Bengkel Sastra Jakarta and also as a Member of The Southeast Asia Board of Literature (2006-2014). Now, she is a vice chair of Islamic Culture and Art Development Commision, The Council of Islamic Scholars of Indonesia, and a Member Social and Art Commision, The Council of Islamic Women Scholars of Indonesia. Helvy then was listed in 33 Tokoh Sastra Paling Berpengaruh di Indonesia (33 People of The Most Influencial Literary Figures in Indonesia) written by Jamal D. Rahman et al (Gramedia, 2014). For nine years, from 2009 to 2017, She was also chosen out of 20 Indonesian people who were listed in 500 People of The Most Influencial Moslem Figures in the World, as research result conducted by Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, in Jordan with several high rank universities in the world. Recently, she took charge as a producer for two movies based on her novel 'Ketika Mas Gagah Pergi." The first movie was released in 2016 under the same name. The sequel 'Duka Sedalam Cinta' is planned to be released in 2017.

Nh. Dini (Nurhayati Sri Hardini Siti Nukatin) started writing since 1951. In 1953, her short stories can be found in most of national magazines like Kisah, Mimbar Indonesia, and Siasat. She also writes poems, radio play, and novel. Bibliography: * Padang Ilalang di Belakang Rumah * Dari Parangakik ke Kampuchea * Sebuah Lorong di Kotaku * Jepun Negerinya Hiroko * Langit dan Bumi Sahabat Kami * Namaku Hiroko * Tirai Menurun * Pertemuan Dua Hati * Sekayu * Pada Sebuah Kapal * Kemayoran * Keberangkatan * Kuncup Berseri * Dari Fontenay Ke Magallianes * La Grande Borne