Dear writers
Welcome to It's All Write 2.0. It's essentially the same – I have just created a new, secret account only for paid subscribers.
I have to say, I appreciate all the enthusiasm at the return of IAW, and all the kind messages you’ve sent me!
After a terrible May, June has turned out to be a good-ish month for me. I completed 12 years as a journalist (am officially a senior now!). I am back to pitching all over, and writing as much as possible. I also started a food publication on Medium (But First Food) with a friend - the very talented Krutika Behrawala - to tell our kind of food stories. This week, I will be on my first panel talking about freelancing during a pandemic: register here if interested. It’s my first time doing this and I am incredibly nervous about stuttering and making a fool of myself!
If you have just entered the world of freelancing, welcome. It is going to be a bumpy ride ahead. The good news is you have a lot of resources at your disposal, you just need to sort through the chaos and find what works for you. I wrote this handy (I hope) note - a starting guide to freelancing in India. In my earlier newsletters, I have mentioned people to follow, publications that share pitching guides and other advice - join writer’s groups, if you can; read others writers’ work; ensure you write every day - keep a journal if need be. And my two favourite rules: do not write for free, and just keep pitching.
Back to the newsletter. As I’ve said earlier, the paid version is more detailed and has a lot more information than the free. This paid edition has an interview with an editor at Firstpost (yes, they are still taking limited pitches), pitch calls with my notes (based on experience), some writing advice, job opportunities, and a reading guide. If you want to subscribe, send me a reply.
Else, continue reading.
READING GUIDE
(Articles that didn’t just stay open in my tabs)
This beautiful essay on Urdu and how the language can actually be a positive factor during these trying times.
Love Parle G or detest it (like me), this essay is worth a read. Alia Allana writes on how the biscuit tells the story of the pandemic in India.
Krupa Ge of Silver Screen India (she’s been interviewed here before) did extensive reportage and investigation to reveal the lyricist-poet Vairamuthu.
This profile of the women I wish was leading the country through this pandemic, Shailaja Teacher.
MISCELLANY
(Job links, #FF, and other news you can use)
#FF Project Anti-Caste Love, an Instagram account featuring stories, narratives, and conversations on caste, love and relationships in South Asia. It has beautiful, hand-written love letter from inter-caste couples.
Apply for a writer’s residency programme at Sangam House. You have to provide a writing sample, a letter of recommendation and details on what you intend to achieve at the residency. Deadline: June 30. More details, and to apply, go here.
Listen to The Food Covid Podcast. Writer Shirin Mehrotra is using her time during lockdown to talk about the broken food system and share stories of people trying to fix.
Until next time, stay safe, wash your hands and keep pitching.
Adiós