Interviews
The National Book Award Interviews: Intan Paramaditha, Stephen Epstein, and Tiffany Tsao
Words Without Borders, The National Book Award Interviews, October 21, 2026
“Stephen and I have worked together for many years, since Apple and Knife and The Wandering. Tiffany and I have collaborated before too, on the chapbook Deviant Disciples, which I edited for Tilted Axis Press’s Translating Feminisms series. So there is a lot of trust between us. I answered questions when they came and read the final versions, but I didn’t want to control them too much. After all, a translation is a creative work in and of itself."
In honour of the International Day of the Girl, Dr Intan Paramaditha shares her own journey of finding her voice
Macquarie University Lighthouse, October 8, 2026
"For me, writing and resisting have always been intertwined. I don't think I ever drew a clean line between the two.”
“In my own country, learning about women writers from the past, especially the leftist ones, requires a long, collective process of digging the graves."
The more Indonesian her stories are, the further they travel
The Jakarta Post, The Weekender, March 26, 2026
"I started the novel in 2018, when the bombings in Surabaya happened. A wealthy enough family who brought their children along perpetrated it. That disturbed me greatly.”
“In truth, violence can be planted by families. Families aren't innocent from all of this. They're potentially toxic and discriminative.”
Intan Paramaditha’s novel breaks new ground on the US literary stage
The Jakarta Post, November 4, 2026
“These milestones do not mean that our books are exceptional and the rest of Indonesian literature is not. They mean that our literature has been treated as minor."
“I wanted to turn the mirror towards our own comfort zones. It’s an Indonesian story, but the questions are for everyone.”
"... the book is built around four voices that contradict one another, weaving together fairy tales, diary fragments, newspaper clippings and a story within the story, with a plot that moves forward and backward in time.”
Travel, Literature & Identity with Intan Paramaditha
The Creative Process podcast, April 25, 2024
“Whenever I encounter beauty, it's immediately disrupted. For instance, whenever I go to Bali, going to the beach and looking at the sunset, I'm reminded of the structures of global inequalities that make tourism possible. It's the same here in Sydney where I'm reminded this is a settler colonial country. But maybe it's important to appreciate the beauty of nature around you, but then be constantly disrupted by all these thoughts and questions.”
“new ways of imagining”: An Interview with Writer & Academic Intan Paramaditha
Black Warrior Review, August 15, 2024
"The politics of writing is important. Why do you write? What kind of landscape is your writing located, and what intervention do you wish to make? I always recommend Gloria Anzaldua’s essay, “Speaking in Tongues: A Letter to 3rd World Women Writers,” written in 1979 and published in the anthology This Bridge Called My Back. Addressed to women of colour, it shows that the condition of writing for women of colour is very different and that they are often excluded from a literary scene that privileges middle-class, educated white men. The letter urges the readers to reclaim writing by considering race, gender, class, and sexuality as part of their embodied experiences. Anzaldua has a very powerful reason of why she writes: to fight erasure and rewrite stories."
The New Indonesian Regime & Revitalizing the Decolonial Critique
Speaking Out of Place podcast, with Michael Vann, October 20, 2024
"It's important to talk about how "images" are manipulated. I think we would see the continuity of that manipulation of images, especially if we look at Prabowo's technique. He was really inspired by the Soeharto's regime, which is good at regulating, limiting, and also manipulating images and narratives with films, with museums, and textbooks at schools...."
Intan paramaditha: THE WANDERING
Sydney Writers Festival Podcast, May 14, 2020
"Even though now we have more women travelers writing their experiences about their travels to different places, it’s still a celebration of individualism within the neoliberal frame. It’s really about the self — discovering the self, and the world is basically your oyster. And you achieve that through consumption. You consume these places, but the places don’t matter. They simply serve as a backdrop.”
Don the Devil's shoes and pick your own path
The Straits Times, May 12, 2020
"The novel lays out parallel realities where you can see different versions of yourself making decisions. It gives the sense of freedom, but you're not really free - all these options have been made for you by the author. It's the same thing when we travel. Our options are already predetermined by certain structures such as class, nationality, passport and whether you are travelling as a woman or a man."
INTAN PARAMADITHA: WE ARE ALWAYS HAUNTED BY THE ROADS NOT TAKEN
The Guardian, March 6, 2020
Paramaditha’s travellers in The Wandering are not just privileged globetrotters, but undocumented migrants living in New York, refugees in Europe, people wandering the spice routes. “It’s a different trajectory from the version of cosmopolitanism that’s dominant in the media, where it’s all about exposure to other cultures through consumption,” she says.
‘The Wandering’: Intan Paramaditha’s magical red shoes
The Jakarta Post, April 12, 2020
In the global age, Intan says, the world seems small and connected, but for whom?
“Not everyone has the privilege to perceive the world that way,” she says. “For some, even domestic travel is a luxury. For undocumented migrants who have traveled, the world still feels disconnected and their mobility is limited because they cannot go abroad or return home.”
SENSE OF PLACE: INTAN PARAMADITHA
ABC Radio National Blueprint for Living, November 9, 2019
“Looking back at my own traveling experience… This is really not the kind of privileged, glamorous cosmopolitanism. It’s more precarious than glamorous. “
FIve Questions with Intan Paramaditha
Liminal, November 4, 2019
“Decolonising feminism examines the terrain of power relations, questioning whose voice represents the other and whose knowledge is deemed legitimate. It’s important to see this not just as a theory but a practice in everyday life. We need to question our ways of doing things. How do we connect with others, especially women? Are we aware of unequal distribution of power and knowledge?”
The new wave: emerging female writers push the boundaries
Sydney Morning Herald, May 4, 2018
"I feel like, in a way, it is really great we have more women writers and these women writers write feminist stories. But I do think it is important to see all these movements – women's movements – within the long history of feminism and looking at them in relation to the diversity of feminist practices."
Intan Paramaditha | 'I wanted to explore sexuality in a grotesque way'
The Bookseller, March 13, 2019
“There were a lot of new women writers at that time who wrote about sex and sexuality, because women’s sexuality had been controlled and repressed. When I started writing, I wanted to do something different: to explore bodies and sexuality in a more grotesque way, looking at the horrific and ugly.”
Q&A INTAN PARAMADITHA
WITH ELLIE STEEL
The British Council, February 21, 2019
“Some of us are privileged with platforms to articulate our resistance, through writing, organizing, or even navigating office politics. For some others, resistance can be very different. They might find tactics that are subtle and almost invisible, or they might choose chaos because order fails them. Disobedience is about unruliness and disruption. I am interested in the conditions that cause women to disobey, to make trouble, and become monsters.”
Elaine Chiew Converses with Indonesian Feminist Gothic Writer Intan Paramaditha
Asian Books Blog, 2 February 2019
“When I started publishing my work, feminism was a bad word. People used the label 'women writers' a lot and many writers I know refused being called 'women writers', let alone 'feminist'. Indonesian media and critics framed 'women writers' as writers who focused on ‘women’s issues’ – God knows what. As a result, women’s works were discussed only within specific discourses, such as the body, experience, or autobiography, whereas men’s works were framed as ‘experiments'.”
WORKING WITH WORDS
The Wheeler Centre, May 2018
“‘Do not write short stories because they do not sell well’ – that’s the worst advice I’ve received about writing.
The advice is not wrong at all, it’s just bad. Everything is a market and everyone is a brand in our neoliberal world. Of course we all negotiate with the market logic, but letting the market dictate what you can and can not do in that tiny space called writing is demoralising.”
'A FEMINIST REFRAMING: AN INTERVIEW WITH INTAN PARAMADITHA' BY NORMAN ERIKSON PASARIBU
The Lifted Brow, 24 April 2018
“Horror disrupts our assumptions of reality and what we believe as ‘normal.’ Feminism is a perspective that interrogates the structures of patriarchy and how they are intertwined state politics, capitalism and religion. I do believe that the juxtaposition of both could be really exciting because of their tendencies to challenge and disturb.”
Interviews (English)
“https://www.thejakartapost.com/culture/2026/11/04/intan-paramadithas-novel-breaks-new-ground-on-the-us-literary-stage” The Jakarta Post, November 4, 2026.
“In honour of the International Day of the Girl, Dr Intan Paramaditha shares her own journey of finding her voice,” Macquarie University Lighthouse, October 8, 2026.
“The more Indonesian her stories are, the further they travel,” The Jakarta Post, The Weekender, March 26, 2026.
“The New Indonesian Regime & Revitalizing the Decolonial Critique,” Speaking Out of Place podcast, with Michael Vann, October 20, 2024.
“‘new ways of imagining’: An Interview with Writer & Academic Intan Paramaditha,” Black Warrior Review, August 15, 2024.
“Travel, Literature & Identity with Intan Paramaditha,” The Creative Process podcast, April 25, 2024.
“Book Release with Intan Paramaditha: Malam Seribu Jahanam,” SEA Today News, June 27, 2023.
“In a year without travel, this Indonesian author lets you choose your own adventure,” ABC News, March 24, 2021.
Bagri Foundation’s “The Bottom Drawer with Intan Paramaditha,” September 30, 2020.
“By the Book: Intan Paramaditha on The Wandering,” BFM Radio, August 11, 2020.
“Women in Translation,” Shut Up She’s Talking podcast, August 10, 2020.
“The Wandering: Intan Paramaditha in conversation with Shameem Black,” Jaipur Literary Festival Brave New World, August 7, 2020.
“Indonesian travel novel a tribute to open borders,” Nikkei Asian Review, July 31, 2020.
“Books that Changed Me: Intan Paramaditha,” Sydney Morning Herald, May 30, 2020.
“Intan Paramaditha: The Wandering” (podcast, in conversation with Shirley Le), Sydney Writers Festival, May 14, 2020.
“Don the Devil’s Shoes and Pick Your Own Path,” The Straits Times, May 12, 2020.
“Author Q&A: Intan Paramaditha explores displacement, feminism and the road not taken in her choose-your-own adventure debut novel,” The Edge, May 12, 2020.
“The Wandering with Author Intan Paramaditha,” Two Book Nerds Talking, April 15, 2020.
“The Wandering: Intan Paramaditha’s Magical Red Shoes,” The Jakarta Post, April 12, 2020.
“Fairy Tales and Fiction Collide,” ABC Radio National (The Book Show), March 30, 2020.
“Intan Paramaditha: ‘We are always Haunted by the Road not Taken,” The Guardian, March 5, 2020.
“Author Q&A: Intan Paramaditha, The Wandering,” Asia House, March 5, 2020.
”Writing about Indonesian Women, Adventures, and Choices: A Conversation with Intan Paramaditha,” Jaipur Bytes, November 14, 2019.
“Sense of Place: Intan Paramaditha,” ABC Radio National, November 9, 2019.
“Five Questions with Intan Paramaditha,” Liminal Magazine, November 4, 2019.
“4 Indonesian Women Writers Talk about Finding Their Voice and Pushing Boundaries,” South China Morning Post, 9 May, 2019.
“Intan Paramaditha: A Bold and Courageous Voice of Indonesian Literature,” Now Jakarta, April 2, 2019.
Interview with Mariella Frostrup, BBC Radio 4 Open Book, March 17, 2019.
“Intan Paramaditha: I wanted to explore sexuality in a grotesque way,” The Bookseller, March 13, 2019.
“Interview: Intan Paramaditha,” Buah Zine, March 8, 2019.
“Indonesia Focus: Q+A Intan Paramaditha,” British Council Literature, February 21, 2019.
“Elaine Chiew Converses with Indonesian Feminist Gothic Writer Intan Paramaditha,” Asian Books Blog, February 2, 2019.
“Rewriting the Female Narrative,” China Daily, November 2, 2018.
“Apple and Knife, Feminism, and Horror.” BFM Radio, October 24, 2018.
“Coffee Time with Intan Paramaditha, PPI Australia, October 7, 2018.
“Five Questions with Intan Paramaditha,” Peril Magazine, September 9, 2018.
“Backstory.” 3RRRFM. June 13, 2018.
“Intan Paramaditha is the Feminist Author Who Scares Patriarchy Away,” Globetrotter, June 6, 2018.
“Working with Words: Intan Paramaditha,” The Wheeler Centre, May 7, 2018.
“Intan Paramaditha, a scholar, an author who loves horror,” SBS Radio, May 5, 2018.
“The New Wave: Emerging Female Writers Push the Boundaries,” Sydney Morning Herald, May 4, 2018.
“A Feminist Reframing: An Interview with Intan Paramaditha by Norman Erikson Pasaribu,” The Lifted Brow, April 24, 2018.
“Translating the Darkness,” Radio New Zealand, January 7, 2018.
“When Wandering the Globe is a Feminist-Choose-Your Own Adventure.” Vice Indonesia, Oct 25, 2017.
"Women, Gender, and Activism." University of Melbourne Talking Indonesia Podcast, April 27, 2017.
“I am a Slave to Narrative,” The Margins (Asian American Writers Workshop,” December 10, 2015.
“Intan Paramaditha: In Between Two Worlds,” The Jakarta Post, September 15, 2014.
"Bookworm: Intan Paramaditha, Escaping Her Comfort Zone,"The Jakarta Post, November 10, 2014
"Intan Paramaditha, Feminism Through Literature," HighEnd, June 2012.
"The Obsessive Twist Coming Your Way," The Jakarta Post, March 24, 2012.
"Meet Intan Paramaditha: Cinema Studies Doctoral Candidate," American Association of University Women (www.aauw.org), March 31, 2010.
“Sono sempre le ‘sorellastre brutte’ a cominciare le rivoluzioni: l’intervista a Intan Paramaditha,” Il Libraio / add editore, June 22, 2026.
“Capire l’Indonesia attraverso le lenti del femminismo gotico,” Sky TG24, April 11, 2026.
Interviews (Italian)
Wawancara (Bahasa Indonesia)
“Penulis Perempuan Keturunan Indonesia Pertanyakan Ruang Domestik,” SBS Bahasa Indonesia, 21 September 2026.
“Intan Paramaditha dalam Ranah Fiksi dan Akademi,” Narabahasa, Senin dengan Ivan Lanin #19, 17 Agustus 2026.
“Cerita Intan Paramaditha Tulis Novel ‘Malam Seribu Jahanam’ dari Nol,” detikPop, 11 Februari 2026.
“3 Kunci Proses Riset Menulis ala Intan Paramaditha,” detikPop, 10 Februari 2026.
“Intan Paramaditha Merawat Isu Feminisme Lewat Karya Fiksi,” detikPop, 9 Februari 2026.
“Novelis Intan Paramaditha Bincang Kreatif di Kantor detikcom,” detikPop, 8 Februari 2026.
“Intan Paramaditha dan Buku-buku untuk Perempuan,” detikSore, 6 Februari 2026.
“Dua Dekade Sihir Perempuan: Dari Horor Feminis hingga Sekolah Pemikiran Perempuan,” Magdalene, 4 Februari 2026.
“Horor, Tubuh, dan Perempuan: Dua Jam Bersama Intan Paramaditha,” Magdalene, 15 Januari 2026.
“Gunakan Privilesemu dengan Benar feat. Intan Paramaditha,” Podcast Main Mata: Podluck Podcast Collective (Noice) ft. UWRF, 17 Februari 2024.
“Intan Paramaditha: Rajutan Petualangan dan Horor Perempuan Kritis,” WARN!NG, 24 Januari 2018.
“New York, Cewek Bandel, dan Dongeng,” Majalah TEMPO, Liputan Khusus, 14-21 Januari 2018.
“Intan Paramaditha: Kadang Perlu Ditampar,” Kompas, 24 Desember 2017.
"Intan Paramaditha Ajak Pembaca 'Gentayangan'", AntaraNews, 29 Oktober 2017
"Kisah Perempuan Bandel Bergentayangan Keliling Dunia", Vice Indonesia (Indonesian version of "When Wandering the Globe," 25 October 2017.
"Mengolah sudut pandang dan berbicara sastra Indonesia bersama Intan Paramaditha," Rappler, 23 Oktober 2017.
"Hasrat dan Kreasi bersama Intan Paramaditha" Whiteboard Journal, 18 Oktober 2017.
Anak Muda dan Partisipasi Politik (Pamflet Newsletter)
Wawancara Cinema Poetica tentang ARKIPEL FIlm Festival: "Arkipel, Forum Lenteng, dan Eksperimentasi Sinema,"Cinema Poetica, 3 September 2013.
"Intan Paramaditha: Cerpennya Menggoyang Panggung Teater," Femina no. 30/XL, 28 Juli-3 Agustus, 2012.
"Intan Paramaditha, Dari tulisan hingga Film," Area Magazine, 20 April 2010.
"Angkat Isu Perempuan dalam Sastra," Koran Jakarta, 20 Februari, 2010.
"Abdullah Harahap Memperkaya Diskusi Horor," Koran Tempo, 17 Februari 2010.
"V Film Festival 2010 dan Wawancara dengan Intan Paramaditha," Jurnal Footage, 24 April 2010.
"Sihir Intan Paramaditha," Matabaca vol. 4/no.1, September 2005.