Natasha
Hertanto
Natasha Hertanto is a Chinese-Indonesian storyteller, youth advocate, and dog-mom. She's based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.
Latest Writing:
'What BTS' Military Service Tells Us About Soft Power,' Kill Your Darlings.
This was also presented as a lecture for Project 8 Gallery's public program, Recreation.
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 one of VicHealth's panelists for the 2022 Australian Association for Adolescent Mental Health Conference, exploring ethical youth engagement in Australia's health sector.
She was a panelist for Minus18's 2022 IDAHOBIT celebration, alongside Nevo Zisin & Matisse Laida.
At the moment, she is;
- drafting her debut novel: a historical fiction YA about the daughter of a gang lord in 1970s 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.
- 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).