Ayu was born in Bogor and raised in Jakarta.  She studied in the Department of Cultural Studies (majoring in Russian Literature). As a journalist during the New Order, she took part in establishing the Alliance for Independent Journalists (AJI).  She was also one of the founders of Komunitas Utan Kayu.  Ayu was a member of the Literary Committee of the Jakarta Arts Council (2006-2009).  Her first novel, Saman, received the Jakarta Arts Council’s best novel award in 1998, and has now been published in six other languages.  For her role in expanding the horizon of Indonesian literature, Ayu received the Prince Claus Award from the Netherlands (2000) and recognition from the Southeast Asian Literary Board (2008).  Her newest novel, Bilangan Fu, won the Equator Literary Award 2008. Her other works include the novel Larung (2001), a collection of columns Si Parasit Lajang (2003), and the theater script Sidang Susila (2008). Ayu is literary curator for Komunitas Salihara.

Email: utami.ayu@gmail.com