Dear writers,
Welcome to another edition of your friendly neighbourhood freelancing newsletter.
Has October been a productive month for you? It has for me. I’ve written ten stories and two newsletters, sent four pitches and three invoices. After a slow SLOW September, I am glad there’s been a shift in productivity. #FreelancingIsARollercoaster.
On the subject, I welcome you all to share your writing successes with me. I am always ready to hype someone else’s victories.
This edition’s paid newsletter has inputs from Kamala Thiagarajan – she writes on how to find ideas for stories and shares the example of how one stone landed her three big international bylines. It’s such a fascinating read. I’ve shared part II of the notes from the pitching session I attended last month, and some advice from editors. There are a dozen job opps, pitch calls and other information. This version has a reading guide, job opps, and a sneak peek of the writing advice section.
Paid version is out tomorrow. Click to subscribe (or email itsallwrite@outlook.in)
Ready? Let’s begin.
GET IT WRITE
(Writing advice from the experts)
This is a part of what will go in this section. The other part is notes from How to Pitch like a Pro, a session on pitching conducted by Tim Herrera of NYT and The Writers’ Co-op.
Journalist Almara Abgarian recently did a thread on editors’ pet peeves. I am sharing some of her observations here. Much of it will be familiar to long-time subscribers because every editor has mentioned it.
Don’t be overly familiar with an editor unless you have established that type of relationship.
Don’t pitch five stories at once. Quality over quantity please.
Get our [ editors’] names right.
If you get a no from an editor, don’t pitch a new story five minutes later – give it a day and then go back.
Don’t send lengthy paragraphs – a great story doesn’t need them.
Don’t chase up same day unless it’s time-sensitive.
Always, ALWAYS put time-sensitive in the subject line if it indeed is time-sensitive.
Look at our publication before you pitch – see what the latest stories are so that you don’t pitch the same thing.
NEED A JOB?
There’s a full time opening for full stack developer (React, Node) with 2+ years of experience. Company is based out of Bangalore but currently encouraging WFH. DM Nandita.
IndieFolio Network is hiring a Lead Generation Specialist. You will be responsible for overall lead generation of their LOBs. Knowledge of Email sequencing, drip campaigns and boolean searches is preferable. Email abhirami@indiefolio.com
Advertising agency The Glitch is hiring interns for design, brand strategy (copy), and account planning and management. Email namrata.salian@theglitch.com
Consulting company Raaha is looking for an intern to work on brand awareness and content strategy. This is a remote only, paid internship available for a duration of 10-12 weeks. Email raaha.founders@gmail.com
Slam Out Loud is hiring for two full-time roles: Specialist: Curriculum and Digital Pedagogy, and Operations Associate. Deadline: October 30. More details about the job roles and salary, here.
READING GUIDE
I have friends who are obsessed with Vicks Vaporub and cannot sleep without it. For me, it’s always been the go-to for a runny nose. In this essay, Andie Millares explores how the brand became a cure-all for brown people.
I’ve always found that people use the phrase couple goals too loosely. If there was one couple that were #goal, it would be the late couple, Marty and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. This story tell you why.
MISCELLANY
(News you can use)
Fellowship: Internews and InOld.news have launched a journalism. The three month programme will cover how to shoot and edit on the phone, as well as digital and physical safety, and verification and fact checking. All fellows will receive mobile journalism kits and will have the opportunity to apply for a story grant. They will be expected to attend 1-2 hours of webinar per week. Deadline: October 26. Apply, here.
Volunteer: Mapping of micro-clusters for homeless across #Mumbai by team Khaana Chahiye began on Sunday across arterial roads. They need volunteers to help with this weekly mission. DM Ruben
Workshop: Yoda Press’ All the Words in the World is a three-day poetry workshop (November 5-7) with author and poet Fiona Bolger. There are no language requirements, however familiarity with a language other than English would be helpful. Email info@yodapress.co.in
A big thank you to everyone who subscribed to the newsletter. I thought the increase in rates might discourage people, but I am overwhelmed by the support. A shout-out to my ‘founding members’ (people who paid over and above the yearly subscription) Akhila, Subha and Suchitra, for their faith in me and my work.
If you tried to subscribe and are facing issues, please email me and we will work out a solution. Substack, I’ve been told, only accepts international debit/credit cards and that could be a reason for the glitches. Email me if you want to subscribe, or reply here.
Before I end, here’s some interesting advice. What do you think?
Until next time…stay safe + wear a mask + wash your hands (off propaganda marketed as news).
Adios.