Natasha
Hertanto
Natasha Hertanto is a Chinese-Indonesian storyteller, youth advocate, and dog-mom. She's based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.
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Upcoming Writing:
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Her short story, The Airlangga, is part of Kill Your Darlings' anthology, New Australian Fiction 2023, which can be pre-ordered now.
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Upcoming Event:
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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.
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Latest Writing:
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'What BTS' Military Service Tells Us About Soft Power,' Kill Your Darlings.
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Her short story, The Blue Hole, is part of Ultimo Press' Everything All At Once anthology, which can be purchased in bookstores near you.​
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Latest Speaking:
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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).
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At the moment, she is:
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- 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.
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- teaching at Melbourne University (Creative Writing: Non-Fiction & New Media)
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- 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.
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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).