Dear writers,
Welcome to a new month in lockdown (or as India would rather call it, Unlock 4.0).
Before we get into the newsletter, I have exciting news! As promised, I am doing a virtual session on pitching – The Pitch Club – this weekend. I aim to make this an event that answers many of your questions about the pitching process. I managed to get a stellar group of panellists for the event – all women, and all outstanding journalists. There’s Kamala Thiagarajan, whom I’ve quoted many times in this newsletter. She is one of my freelancing role models, a wonderful writer with a stellar body of work, and she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with her. I’ve been in awe of Rituparna Chatterjee’s work – her #Sisterhood thread on Twitter, her work for the #MeToo movement, her brilliant columns and her honest writing. Neha Dara was the former travel editor at Mint Lounge and we’ve worked together on a couple of stories. I found her to be an understanding editor, quick with praise, honest, open with feedback and she always responded to pitches.
I will be the moderator, though I don’t intend to speak too much. There will be a 20 minute Q&A session at the end. It will be a paid session; I intend to compensate these ladies for their time, talent and expertise. If you are struggling with finances and the amount is too much, get in touch and we will figure out something.
Also, there’s a little surprise for all the participants. It is related to the session and it will be worth your while, I promise.
Back to the newsletter. This time, I thought of taking a break from editors’ interviews and spoke to a writer, instead. Vidya Balachander is one of those writers I admire for her mastery over the language and for telling compelling stories, especially focussed on food. She’s shared an example of a successful pitch, too. This is in the paid version. There’s the routine pitch calls, some grants and contests, a few job opportunities and a reading guide. The free version has a reading guide, some job links and helpful info.
To subscribe to the paid version, email itsallwrite@outlook.in or reply here.
Ready? Let’s begin.
MISCELLANY
(Job links, grants, links to good reads, and other news you can use)
Subscribe: One of IAW’s subscribers and supporters, Deepak ‘Chuck’ Gopalakrishnan has curated a helpful list of podcasts and newsletters to follow. While at it, check out his two newsletters, The Third Slip (a news round-up) and Things of the Internet (all things digital; paid).
Participate: Artist and illustrator Indu Harikumar has a new project, Love, Sex and Tech, which aims to document how gender-based violence in intimate relationships leads to a shrinkage of the space womxn occupy online. She is seeking subjects and stories. Share them (with appropriate trigger warnings) on bodyofstories17@gmail.com
Job: Karishma Khemlani is looking to hire BD and strategy specialists, with three years of experience. This is for a digital marketing company. Immediate joining. Email karishma@filtercoffeco.com
Job: Gig alert for Mumbai for young directors, editors and motion-graphics artists with 2-4 years of experience (preferably in ads). This is for a 6 month full-time engagement on some revolutionary short-form brand films. DM Kashyap Swaroop.
Competition: Women’s Web hosts a monthly short story contest. Every month has a new theme. This month it is, “There are no mistakes, only opportunities.” Five winners receive a Rs 500 shopping voucher; their stories will be published on the site and in their annual year-end e-book. Details, here.
READING CORNER
(Articles I actually read and which didn’t stay open in my tabs)
This is a IAW #bylinebrag! Subscriber Huzan Tata wrote this lovely little story offering insight into the world of Parsi matchmakers.
This Medium piece on surge capacity and how to deal with a ‘new normal’ that’s changing all the time, struck a chord.
Vittles is easily my favourite newsletter. They publish food stories that are diverse, interesting, wholesome and go beyond just what’s on the plate. Am sharing two recent stories that I liked: this one by Sharanya Deepak talks about the North Eastern restaurants in Delhi, and Zinara Rathnayake writes on her love for thambili (coconut).
I hope to see some of you this Sunday at The Pitch Club. Please come with questions! This is my first time as moderator and I am excited but quite nervous, so please forgive any mistakes or muck-ups during the session.
On the subject of pitches, here’s a good guide – a shorter version of what I covered in Chapters 17 & 18 – on how to pitch.
Until next time, stay safe and wash your hands.
Adios.