About Us
Since 1974, Gramedia Publishers Indonesia has been a home for hundreds of Indonesian authors, producing outstanding works in various genres, including children’s books, comics, adult fiction, and nonfiction. We have strong relationships with foreign publishers and agencies in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the US, and the UK, allowing us to publish our books in these regions.
Water Lily is a new division under Gramedia Marketing International that leads scouting and distribution. We guide global publishers in approaching Indonesian publishing houses and actively represent Indonesian publishers as they expand into international markets. Since 2024, we have expanded our business into imported books, bringing carefully curated international titles to Indonesian readers. Through this focus and selection, Water Lily has now become the leading distributor of imported books in Indonesia.
The Beginning
1963
Intisari published its first issue, marking the beginning of Kompas Gramedia
1965
KOMPAS newspaper was founded, shaping Indonesian journalism and becoming a trusted voice for generations.
1970
Gramedia Bookstore was founded, laying the foundation for Indonesia’s leading bookstore network.
ERA 1
Building The Publishing House
1974
Gramedia Pustaka Utama was founded, marking Gramedia’s deeper commitment to shaping Indonesia’s literary landscape.
1974
Karmila by Marga T. became Gramedia Pustaka Utama’s first publication, beginning a publishing journey that would bring generations of Indonesian stories to readers.
1985
Elex Media Komputindo was founded as a multimedia publisher, evolving from technology and entertainment into leading publisher of comic books, fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and more.
1990
Grasindo was founded, strengthening Gramedia’s presence in educational and general publishing
1992
Bhuana Ilmu Populer (BIP) was founded, becoming a leading name in children’s publishing and educational content.
1996
Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia (KPG) was founded, creating a home for distinctive works that connect literature, culture, and modern science.
2000
- Prince Claus Award
Saman
Saman by Ayu Utami received the Prince Claus Award, being translated to more than 7 languages worldwide
2003
m&c! was founded, expanding Gramedia’s publishing universe into comics, popular culture, and stories for a new generation of readers.
2007
- Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award
Dan Hujan Pun Berhenti
Dan Hujan Pun Berhenti by Farida Susanty won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award.
ERA 2
Expanding Beyond Books
2008
Gramedia International was founded, championing Indonesian works on the global stage.
2009
Gramedia launched gramedia.com, taking Indonesia’s bookstore experience online and making books more accessible than ever.
2010
- Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award
Rahasia Selma
Rahasia Selma by Linda Christanty won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award.
2011
- IKAPI Writer of the Year
Ahmad Fuadi
Ahmad Fuadi was named IKAPI Writer of the Year
2012
- Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award
Maryam
Maryam by Okky Madasari won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award.
2012
- SEA Write Award
Tempurung
Tempurung by Oka Rusmini received the SEA Write Award.
2014
- Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award
Semua Untuk Hindia
Semua untuk Hindia by Iksaka Banu won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award.
2016
- Man Booker International Prize
Lelaki Harimau
Lelaki Harimau by Eka Kurniawan was longlisted for the Man Booker International Prize.
2018
- Prince Claus Award
Eka Kurniawan
Eka Kurniawan received the Prince Claus Award for his body of work.
2019
Rekata Studio was founded, expanding Gramedia’s storytelling into film and earning international recognition, including a Busan premiere and 12 Citra Awards for Penyalin Cahaya
2019
- Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award
Teh dan Pengkhianat
Teh dan Pengkhianat by Iksaka Banu won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award.
2020
- SEA Write Award
Laut Bercerita
Laut Bercerita by Leila S. Chudori received the SEA Write Award.
2020
- Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award
Empedu Tanah
Empedu Tanah by Inggit Putria Marga won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award.
2021
- Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award
Haniyah dan Ala di Rumah Teteruga
Haniyah dan Ala di Rumah Teteruga by Erni Aladjai won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award.
2021
- Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award
Mengapa Luka Tidak Memaafkan Pisau
Mengapa Luka Tidak Memaafkan Pisau by M. Aan Mansyur won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award.
2022
Gramedia Writing Project (GWP) evolved into a writing platform under Gramedia Pustaka Utama, creating new pathways for aspiring writers and emerging stories.
2022
Gramedia Edukasi Nusantara was founded, expanding Gramedia’s mission into education through content, technology, and innovative learning solutions.
ERA 3
Transformative Ecosystem
2022
Phoenix Gramedia Indonesia (PGI) was founded through a joint venture with KADOKAWA, bringing Japanese IP and a new dimension of manga and light novels to Indonesian readers.
2022
- International Booker Prize
Happy Stories, Mostly
Happy Stories, Mostly by Norman Erikson Pasaribu was longlisted for the International Booker Prize.
2023
Water Lily Literary was founded under Gramedia International as a rights scouting agency and distributor of imported books, connecting publishers globally and bringing international titles to Indonesian readers.
2024
Smart Lib was founded by Gramedia Digital to support libraries across Indonesia.
2024
Sekolah Murid Merdeka began its collaboration with Gramedia, expanding the company’s role in creating new possibilities for learning beyond the traditional classroom.
2024
- IKAPI Book of the Year
Seorang Pria yang Melalui Duka dengan Mencuci Piring
Seorang Pria yang Melalui Duka dengan Mencuci Piring by dr. Andreas Kurniawan was named IKAPI’s Book of the Year.
2024
- IKAPI Writer of the Year
JS Khairen
JS Khairen won the IKAPI Writer of the Year award.
2025
Makarya was founded as Gramedia’s response to a changing bookstore landscape, reimagining the bookstore as a space for discovery, creativity, and connection.
2025
Gramedia Jalma was launched in Jakarta and expanded to Semarang in 2026, transforming the bookstore into a living cultural third-space where books, ideas, creativity, and community meet.
2025
Prose & Petals opened as Gramedia’s first import bookstore, bringing Water Lily Literary’s curated selection of international books to Indonesian readers.
2025
- IKAPI Writer of the Year
Valerie Patkar
Valerie Patkar won the IKAPI Writer of the Year award.
2025
- Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award
Duri dan Kutuk
Duri dan Kutuk by Cicilia Oday won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award.
2026
- Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award
Ikhtiar yang Tak Benar-Benar
Ikhtiar yang Tak Benar-Benar by Nukila Amal won the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Award.
2026
- IBBY Honour List
Creepy Case Club: Kasus Hantu Panggung
Creepy Case Club: Kasus Hantu Panggung by Rizal Iwan made the IBBY Honour List.
