Nenden Lilis A. is an Indonesian poet, born in Garut, West Java, Indonesia. She writes poetry, short stories, and essays that have appeared in various national and international media outlets. Many of her works have been published in major anthologies of Indonesian literature. Her writings have received several awards, including the 2005 Language Center Award for her short story collection Ruang Belakang (Back Room, Kompas Book Publisher). Her poems—such as those in her solo collection Negeri Sihir (The Land of Magic)—as well as her short stories, have been translated into English, German, Dutch, Korean, and Mandarin.
Nenden has frequently been invited to read her works and speak at literary events, including the ASEAN Literary Council Short Story Workshop, the Winternachten Festival in The Hague, poetry readings and discussions at the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) and INALCO in Paris, the International Poetry Festival at Teater Utan Kayu Jakarta, the Indonesian International Poetry Festival, poetry discussions and readings at the Perak Arts Foundation in Ipoh, Malaysia, seminars at IPG Malaysia, the 3rd Schamrock Festival of Women Poets in Germany, the Korean International Literature Symposium, and the Manhae Festival in South Korea, among others.
In addition to fiction, she has published several nonfiction books. Nenden is also active as a literary translator. Her translation works include Langit, Angin, Bintang, dan Puisi (Sky, Wind, Stars, and Poetry), a collection of poems and prose by Korean poet Yun Dong-ju, translated in collaboration with Prof. Shin Young Duk, Ph.D. (Pustaka Obor, 2018); Orang Suci, Pohon Kelapa (The Saint and the Coconut Tree) by Choi Jun (KPG, 2019); Apa yang Diharapkan Rel Kereta Api (What the Railway Tracks Hope For) by Moon Changgil (KPG, 2021); and Ikan Adalah Pertapa (The Fish Is a Hermit) by Ko Hyeong Ryeol (KPG, 2023).
Her most recent poetry collection is titled Maskumambang Buat Ibu (Maskumambang for Mother). Nenden currently teaches at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) in Bandung. She also serves as poetry editor for the South Korean literary magazine Changjak 21, as Chairperson of the Setanggi Literary Community, and as Secretary of the Dewi Sartika Literary Community.
