Dear writers,
Greetings for the festive season.
I hope you are enjoying a safe, and eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi. I am grateful that the noise has lessened this year although in Mumbai, it doesn’t really feel like there’s a pandemic. The streets are full of people and it makes me despair about whether we will ever come out of this situation.
Moving on to more positive news. This week’s paid newsletter has an interview with 101Reporters - the Bengaluru-based start-up invites story ideas from reporters, polishes them and then pitches them to publishers. They are still accepting freelance pitches. I’ve introduced a new section dedicated to you, my subscribers, and your feedback and questions. And there’s pitch calls, a few grants/fellowships, and job links. If interested in subscribing, email itsallwrite@outlook.in or reply to this.
The free version has a glimpse of how the Subscriber section will shape up, some job opps, and grants.
Ready? Let’s begin.
SUBSCRIBER SPEAK
(Feedback, questions and other notes from you, my subscribers)
This is a new section I’ve introduced to answer all the questions, and share notes/ suggestions that land in my inbox. Please keep them coming!
Let’s start with a #bylinebrag. Monika Mondal got a piece published in Mongabay, writing about the challenges of the Indian bio-fuel sector.
This is an anonymous account from a subscriber about ShethePeople. They take copy from writers but are currently not paying for it. If pitching them, please be sure to check on payment before sending your story.
Here, I attempt to answer a question from one of my subscribers, Jaishree Kumar.
For recent graduates, what would you recommend: a full-time job in a newsroom or freelance journalism?
If you’re a recent graduate, it would make sense to get a full-time job. It ensures a fixed income and a chance to get steady bylines. Editors are less inclined to take ideas form a complete newbie, unless you have pitched a brilliant story (there are exceptions but those are few). Having said this, the situation at the moment isn’t normal, so you choose what works for you. I believe newsroom experience is vital to any journalist; it teaches you things you cannot learn working from home.
How does one go about freelancing for newspapers, and are the rates different from websites? From what little I know, newspapers are reluctant to take freelancers since they have staff writers already.
At the moment, you will find it difficult getting a pitch approved by a newspaper – many have laid off their staff and are working on reduced budgets and pages. Otherwise, freelancing for a newspaper is like that of a magazine/ website. You get in touch with the editor of a relevant section, introduce yourself and offer your writing services. Send a Letter of Introduction first unless you are certain they are open to pitches. You have to tell them you have a good idea and why you are the best person to write it. The rates definitely differ from websites but it isn’t fixed: some websites pay better than newspapers. Most Indian newspapers do not pay well.
Have you ever had a pitch ‘stolen’ from you? I pitched an idea to a super popular liberal media outlet that has a global reach, didn't receive a response even after multiple follow-ups. A week later, there was a piece with my idea on their website with a staff writers byline on it. Do media outlets do this often to save themselves from paying freelancers? How does one exactly deal with this?
How do you prove that someone has stolen your pitch? You have to understand that most of our ideas aren’t that path-breaking. It is likely that the publication was working on a similar idea beforehand and hence didn’t approve your pitch. It’s equally likely that they stole your idea and had a staff writer work on it. In such a case, all I can say is be wary of approaching them again and add the publication to the whisper network (so you can warn other writers). I wouldn’t recommend confronting the publication because there’s no way to prove they stole the idea.
It has not happened to me, but as I said earlier, I know that my ideas are not that novel.
MISCELLANY
(Job links, grants, links to good reads, and other news you can use)
Workshop: Vaishnavi Prasad is organising a resume writing workshop on August (4pm to 5pm). This is for anyone who needs to update their resume and want guidance. Fee: Rs 500. Email vaishnavi.create@gmail.com
Grant: The Gender Bender Festival invites invite applications from artists and individuals working in the field of arts to create new and original work around the idea of gender. Deadline: September 15, 2020. Pay: A maximum grant amount of Rs 50,000 towards the creation of the work, and an additional Rs 5,000 for documentation. More details, here.
Research fellowship: The Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy (CSIP) at Ashoka University is launching a research fellowship related to Indian philanthropy and giving trends. This 2020-2021 Research Fellowship will be conducted digitally. Fellowship stipend: INR 1,00,000/month per fellowship. More details, here. Email csip@ashoka.edu.in
Job: Verloopio is looking for someone with experience of 3 years and more, in front end web development, and with working knowledge of developing using WordPress standards. Remote till December 2020. Email disha@verloop.io
Job: InterMiles (Jet Privilege Pvt Ltd) wants a full-time senior content manager. More details, here.
If you’ve noticed, I have published any links to good articles because I haven’t really read too many in these past weeks. I’m going through one of those phases where I cannot find much motivation to work. This month has been a less productive month for me. But, it is alright. We are in the midst on an unprecedented situation and there’s no right or wrong way to approach work. I’ve often said that freelancing is a roller-coaster ride and you have to accept the highs and the lows.
Here’s something of a personal nature. I am helping out some friends with their website, Goa.me. It’s an online community, sharing stories of the state’s culture, history, events and the lives of people who’ve made Goa their home. We’re just started to revamp the content and move away from touristy to-dos or politics to focus on telling more compelling narratives. At the moment, we are looking to build a database of writers/ photographers/illustrators we can approach for stories so send in a letter of introduction. And, if you have a strong pitch, send that across too. It is preferable if you are Goan or live in Goa; or have a strong network, and understanding of the state. Rate: Rs 5k. We aren’t using ads as yet so this payment is coming out of my friend’s pocket. Email goa@goa.me and address it to Ruth, and me.
If you have any questions, want to vent, rant, or offer feedback, do email me. I enjoy hearing from subscribers.
In September, I plan on conducting a (paid) session/discussion on pitching (I approached this subject in some detail in the last two paid newsletters), hopefully with some other stellar writers. Is this something you would be interested in attending? If so, do let me know the topics we can address.
Until next time then, keep writing, check in on your loved ones, stay safe, and wash your hands.
Adios.