Dear writers
It’s time for another edition of your friendly neighbourhood freelancing newsletter.
To everyone who downloaded the paid version, thank you for the support. I do hope you enjoyed my attempt at creating what I think is a mini-newspaper (it is something I always wanted to do)! Thank you also for the feedback you’ve sent over email and on social media.
As I had mentioned last time, the paid version of this newsletter is packed with more information and data, interviews and contacts. This week’s paid edition has interviews with the editors of two Indian markets, and a sample pitch for each (yes, I heard your requests!). There are writing workshop – one paid and one free; guides – a written and a visual one – on how to maximise your #WFH. Finally, because it is lean season for pitches – everything is rightfully focussed on COVID-19 – I have included a whole page of pitch calls. The free version has pitch calls, a reading guide, and a #WFH set of resources.
To download the paid version, click here.
If you’ve noticed, I include a lot of women editors/ writers/ artists/ freelancers in my newsletter. It’s because I firmly believing in supporting other women, especially the ones who are doing exceptional work. Disclaimer: most of them are social media friends and I truly believe in them and their work.
Before I sign off, I have news. This week, I will be a doing a Twitter Live (my first!) linked to a food story published in Verve (link below). Follow me and Verve if you have any questions.
#WFH RESOURCES
If you are working from home, here are some ways to occupy your time.
Read Juggernaut's catalogue of books, for free, on their app.
Fellowship of Children's Literature World is organising #ThodaReadingCorona where they have authors reading out children's literature every day. Visit Reading Raccoons.
Nerdist has curated a list of 100 free comics to read.
Here is a list of 380 free, online Ivy League Courses.
Here is a list of full-length musicals to watch on YouTube
Artist Tom Brown (known for his miniatures) is doing a 14-day creativity challenge where he teaches you how to make something simple every day. Check out his Insta videos.
Musician Yo Yo Ma is sharing some of the music that gives him comfort under #SongsofComfort
Illustrator Janine Shroff has created a free printable artwork (with kitties) to colour in digitally.
Illustrator and artist Grace Lin is posting drawing tutorials and readings on Youtube.
If you need some background music while working at home, check out Studio Ghibli's relaxing jazz music.
Reroll Board games are offering people a chance to socialise online playing Dungeons and Dragons (for beginners too).
This is a thread of live animal cams (yes, there are pandas too)
· Chef Sanjana Patel (of La Folie) is sharing easy recipes on her Insta; as is chef Seefah.
Indian publication Morning Context is doing a series of articles on COVID-19 and they are all free to read.
Tour some of the world's best museums from your home.
HAVE AN IDEA? GO PITCH
Dazed’s fashion section wants new writers to pitch stories about a weird trend, a deep dive into the secret history of some obscure subculture’s aesthetic, or opinions on the industry goings-on. Email emma.davidson@dazedmedia.com
VICE UK wants reported features, trend pieces & thoughtful essays on music, film & TV (no op-eds or Q&As) for their culture section. Focus is on UK and Ireland centric pieces but, also open to pitches on sex, dating, general funny stuff. Email emma.garland@vice.com
Volunteer-run Jamhoor.org wants to explore the impact of the climate crisis across South Asia for their next issue. They accept pitches or full submissions in the form of commentaries, essays, reviews, short stories, poetry, photography, short films, etc. Deadline: April 1. Rate: $50 stipend. Email contact@jamhoor.org
Gen Mag wants pop-culture driven pitches that use culture as a lens to thoughtfully examine something greater. Email hanif.abdurraqib@medium.com
Well+Good wants writers who cover the intersection of personal finance and health. Rates: Start at $150. Email samantha.leal@wellandgood.com
Business Insider wants personal finance pitches, stories on life/disability insurance, using high-yield savings accounts, retirement savings & refinancing loans. Rate: $200. Email shallett@businessinsider.com
Mic is accepting pitches on anything sustainability/tech/environment related. Particularly looking for timely pieces on how coronavirus intersects with those things! Email jonathan.smith@team.mic.com
Coda Story’s inaugural Bruno Fellowship is a nine-month reporting grant ($16,000 grant) opportunity for an early to mid-career journalist. Eligibility: Applicants in the early to mid-stage of their career, with at least 5 years’ reporting experience. Must have excellent written and spoken English skills. To apply for the fellowship (details here), please fill in this Google Form. If you do not have a Google account, email your files to isobel@codastory.com using the subject line BrunoFellow_Lastname. Deadline: Sunday, 29 March. Email isobel@codastory.com for any questions about the process.
READING CORNER
Pallavi Siddhanta has been following my newsletter from the beginning and been supportive of it. And so, I feel like a proud mama hen boasting about an article she says is because of this newsletter. She got published in Arre talking about an important issue: what happens to those who don’t have the option do follow social distancing?
This piece by Vivek Durai was open in my tabs for weeks before I got down to reading it. If you haven’t read it yet, this is the strange case of the Maruti van lawyer. It has a twist ending too! Someone turn this into a movie, please!
NYT has done a stellar piece exposing how Dior, Saint Laurent and other luxury fashion brands have been quietly using/exploiting Indian embroiderers.
Atlantic printed a story about how to distance ourselves physically but not emotionally during lock-down.
Virginia Woolf's diary, published in the New Yorker, has the most truthful record of what a writer’s life is actually like.
Allow me a byline brag. I visited Mumbai's Blue Synagogue and wrote about the experience. It's one of those rare stories that I am proud of, and which my editor also appreciated.
I also humbly request all of you to stay at home, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and tell everyone you know to do the same. Also, donate to the less fortunate. In the absence of a concrete plan to tackle this virus, the onus is on us. We don't want to burden an already overburdened healthcare system. And if you have to thank doctors, message them, donate (click here) to buy them equipment, or just say a prayer for their well-being.
Until next time, then. Stay safe, and stay at home.