Natasha
Hertanto
Natasha Hertanto is a Chinese-Indonesian storyteller, youth advocate, and dog-mom. She's based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.
Upcoming Writing:
Her short story, The Airlangga, is part of Kill Your Darlings' anthology, New Australian Fiction 2023, which can be pre-ordered now.
Upcoming Event:
An interview with Natasha and a snippet of her novel will be shared at Next Wave's Ubuntu Digital Magazine launch on the 3rd of August. Tickets sold here.
Latest Writing:
'What BTS' Military Service Tells Us About Soft Power,' Kill Your Darlings.
Her short story, The Blue Hole, is part of Ultimo Press' Everything All At Once anthology, which can be purchased in bookstores near you.
Latest Speaking:
She was a panelist for Minus18's 2023 Queer Careers Panel as an author and youth advocate, speaking alongside Ange Barry (CEO of Joy Media), Micah Scott (CEO of Minus18).
At the moment, she is:
- drafting her debut novel: a historical fiction YA about the daughter of a gang lord in 1960s Jogjakarta. She works closely with her wonderful agent, Annabel Barker. The manuscript recently received a high commendation from the Kat Muscat Fellowship. Read an excerpt here.
- teaching at Melbourne University (Creative Writing: Non-Fiction & New Media)
- running Namjoon Club with curator, writer, and lecturer, Sophia Cai. It is a bi-monthly gathering of ARMYs and non to read and discuss books from Kim Namjoon's (RM of BTS) reading list, explore nature and art galleries, and indulge in creative workshops.
Subject matters that fascinate her include mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, cultural diaspora, and female empowerment.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing & English Lit) from University of Melbourne, and a Master of International Development (Children & Gender Focus).