Merry Riana and Alva Tjenderasa, graduate students at the George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, co-authored The Mentor: 9 Full Moons by SBY's Side, published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama.
Riana studies Public Relations and Communications, while Tjenderasa studies Political Management; both expect to graduate in 2027. The book draws on nine months of direct observation, interviews and conversations with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesia’s sixth president. It explores leadership through integrity, resilience, service, love, legacy and hope.
The authors conducted research and interviews and led the book’s narrative development, leadership analysis and publication coordination. Yudhoyono created the original cover painting, Light of Hope, and later gifted the artwork to Riana and Tjenderasa at the book’s launch at Ayana Midplaza in Jakarta. Yudhoyono also delivered remarks at the event, which was attended by leaders from politics, business, academia and the media.
According to a publisher sales report, the book sold thousands of copies within its first month and achieved best-seller status.