Jesse Q. Sutanto is a Chinese-Indonesian author. As of 2023, she has published nine novels for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers. She is most famous for her novel Dial A for Aunties, which won the 2021 Comedy Women in Print Prize and has been optioned for a film by Netflix.
Jesse Q Sutanto | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Education | Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Oxford University (2009) |
| Occupation | Author |
| Notable work | "Dial A for Aunties" (2021) |
| Awards | 2021 Comedy Women in Print Prize (UK) |
Personal life edit
Sutanto grew up in a Chinese-Indonesian family, living in Singapore, Indonesia, and Oxford.[1] She speaks Mandarin, Indonesian, and English with her family.[1] She currently lives in Jakarta with her husband, who is English, and their two children.[1][2][3]
Writing career edit
Sutanto received her MFA in creative writing from Oxford University in 2009 and has been writing ever since.[4][5] She published her first book in 2021 and as of 2023, she has published nine books for readers of all ages.
Dial A for Aunties edit
In 2021, Sutanto published her hit novel, Dial A for Aunties. For this book, Sutanto became the first writer of colour to win the United Kingdom's Comedy Women in Print Prize.[1] The novel, which is a blend of romantic comedy and murder mystery, features Chinese-Indonesian culture through the lens of a girl, her mother and four aunts.[6]
In 2020, before Dial A for Aunties was even published, the film rights were bought by Netflix as a result of a bidding war.[7][5] It will be directed by Nahnatchka Khan who is famous for creating the sitcom Fresh off the Boat and produced by Fierce Baby Productions and Davis Entertainment.[7][5] Sutanto will executive produce the film.[7]
Published works edit
- Dial A for Aunties (2021)
- The Obsession (2021)
- Four Aunties and a Wedding (2022) (sequel to Dial A for Aunties)
- The New Girl (2022)
- Well, That Was Unexpected (2022)
- Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit (2022)
- Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (2023)[8][9]
- I'm Not Done With You Yet (2023)
- Theo Tan and the Iron Fan (2023)
- Didn't See That Coming (2023) (sequel to Well, That Was Unexpected)
- The Good, the Bad and the Aunties (2024)
- You Will Never Be Me (to be published in 2024)
References edit
- ^ a b c d Watkins, Emily (9 November 2021). "Jesse Sutanto: 'I'm grateful to women of colour who paved the way'". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Flood, Alison (8 November 2021). "'Delicious caper' by Jesse Sutanto wins Comedy women in print award". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "On murderous blind dates and aiming low as a writer: Jesse Q. Sutanto's literary voice". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Shoenberger, Elisa (15 November 2022). "Where To Get Started Reading Jesse Q. Sutanto's Books". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ a b c Kit, Borys (18 June 2020). "Nahnatchka Khan, Netflix Team for Romantic Comedy 'Dial A for Aunties' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "'Well, That Was Unexpected': A novel filled with charm, wit and growing pains". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "How Asian film is making moves to take over from Hollywood". BBC News. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Maxi Duncan. "'Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers' Review: A Refreshing Take on the Female Sleuth". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ Sutanto, Jesse Q., Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders Narrated by Eunice Wong. Books on Tape.(2024). 2024 RUSA Listen List Revealed. American Library Association, January 20, 2024.