Sunset Conversations: Unveiling the World of Alternative Publishing
Last Sunday, we were honored to speak at the Magelang Book Week, organized by Melek Huruf. The discussion, moderated by Ranting Mangga, centered on alternative publishing. Abraham Herdyanto from baNANA shared insights on their publication Mancis, while Daud Sihombing from Petrikor Books discussed their experimental approach to publishing. The session explored the courage and creativity driving alternative publishing and addressed its role alongside mainstream practices.
Hariara Sitepu
Last Sunday, on the 11th of August, we were honoured to be invited to the Pekan Buku Magelang, an event initiated by Melek Huruf. This marked the third instalment of their program. We were invited as speakers to participate in a discussion on the practice of alternative publishing. Alongside us was Abraham Herdyanto from baNANA, who also shared his insights. The session was skilfully moderated by Ranting Mangga, a crafter and passionate advocate of journaling.
The afternoon in Magelang felt serene and intimate, with a gentle breeze weaving through the gathered guests at Melek Huruf. The discussion began with Ranting Mangga offering her views and posing thoughtful questions about the nature of alternative publishing. She noted that courage is one of the vital lenses through which the experimentation inherent in alternative publishing must be viewed.
Abraham shared the creative process behind a publication titled Mancis, released by baNANA. The publication stood out, offering a fresh perspective amidst the existing titles from baNANA, both in concept, format, and artistic approach. Meanwhile, Daud Sihombing, representing Petrikor Books, conveyed that the works released by Petrikor Books are largely the result of internal team initiatives, characterised by bold speculation and creative experimentation.
The audience engaged with the speakers, posing questions about strategies for distributing alternative publications and the evolving role of publishers in a world where production tools and information sources are increasingly accessible and affordable.
Petrikor Books emphasised that alternative publishing often strips away the many layers that dominate mainstream publishing practices, making space for a diverse array of thoughts and artistic explorations. Yet, they acknowledged that this practice exists in a different realm and does not seek to replace traditional publishing houses.
As the sun dipped further westward, the discussion came to a close. However, the conversations lingered, flowing freely even after the formal session had ended. We continued to chat in a more casual atmosphere, accompanied by the last sips of coffee and traditional snacks, prolonging the warmth of the gathering.
