Dear writers,
Welcome to another edition of your friendly neighbourhood freelancing newsletter.
We appear to be in the second wave of COVID, especially here in Mumbai. The thought of another lockdown, compounded by people’s behaviour (how difficult is it to wear a mask when outside?) isn’t sitting well in my head. Predictably, I am throwing myself into work. I’ve been pitching a lot in the last two weeks — eight pitches and counting. After seven rejections (they don’t bother me as much anymore), getting that once acceptance was quite the thrill.
Reiterating the newest offshoot of this newsletter. I had two sessions last week and spoke a lot, so understand that the time limit isn’t strict.
Ask Jo
A 20 minute conversation on different aspects of freelancing; you could give me a pitch to review or we could discuss and condense a story from an idea, or work on finding the right publication for your story. I will share successful pitches, links to helpful articles, writing groups, suggestions on finding editor’s contacts and more.
Rs 450 for the first session, a follow up for Rs 350.
The session will be on Zoom or Google Hangouts.
I can do two such sessions a week. I am willing to work out comped rates. Founding members, this is free for you.
The paid version of the newsletter, OUT TOMORROW has an interview with the editor of The Bastion — a digital magazine covering India’s development journey + a pitch clinic where I tackle an older unsuccessful pitch and talk about how to make it better + pitch calls + job opportunities + a guide to courses and classes to improve your writing + a portfolio suggestion.
Note: As of this year, IAW is NO LONGER accepting yearly subscriptions. It will still show up in Substack, but at Rs 399, you will only get two months. Those who are paying monthly, nothing changes for you. If you would like to subscribe off Substack, or discuss three-month or six-month plans, email itsallwrite@outlook.in
This free version of the newsletter has a reading guide, some job links, some miscellaneous information, a sneak peek at the Pocket Guide section offering resources and writing advice.
Ready? Let’s begin.
MISCELLANY
PITCH: Suno India are looking for independent journalists to report from/on upcoming elections in Assam & TN. Paid. Email hello@sunoindia.in
PITCH: We Work is looking for freelance writers who write about real estate/work life/small business; and also ghost-writers and product writers. Rate: $800 per story. Email anjie.zheng@wework.com
WORKSHOP: Author and digital content creator, Puspanjalee Das Dutta is conducting an SEO Writing workshop that will teach you search intent, keyword research, keyword tools, choosing profitable keywords, content strategy, how to optimise your article for search engines, and how to update old content. Date: April 3, 3pm. Three hours with a Q&A. Details, here.
JOB: The Opinions/Edit team of Financial Express has an opening. The role involves participating in daily editorial meetings to pitch and choose the news stories on which the editorial is to be written, engaging in debates on the same, editing the opinion pieces that come in from contributors, soliciting opinion articles, as well as some page designing and layout. Email sunil.jain@expressindia.com, thesuniljain@gmail.com, and sarthak.ray@expressindia.com
JOB: Kutuki is looking for native language speakers to translate + record their voice for children’s stories and songs. This is specifically for Hindi, Telugu, Bengali and Gujarati. Applicants must be able to read, write and speak the language impeccably well, must translate content in the native language script, and must have a simple recording set up at home (e.g. a mic, laptop, recording software). Interested? Share translated work, voice over samples and an introduction to joinus@kutuki.in
FELLOWSHIP: Harita - The Green Footprint Fellowship is an initiative by Project Mumbai in collaboration with Ministry of Mumbai Magic. This 3 month fellowship is an opportunity for Mumbai youth to join Project Mumbai team, and learn from experts specialising in urban planning, landscape management, communications and sustainability as well as learn aspects of urban governance. Open to Mumbai residents, 18 to 30 years of age, with an interest in mapping, urban planning and governance. Apply, here.
POCKET GUIDE
This is a new section in which I intend to share useful resources that may not be related to writing. Or, have some tenuous link to it.
I.
If you want a second pairs of eyes to look over your writing, here’s a good, FREE resource. The Internet Writing Workshop is a set of mailing lists (groups) that communicate in English by email. They are a community where writers can submit and critique written works, a forum to discuss and get help on all aspects of writing, and a public service educational organization, staffed by volunteers and free of charge. The Workshop is open to all styles and genres of writing: literary fiction, genre fiction, poetry, children's writing, essays, newspaper articles, scripts.
STORY LIBRARY
This thrilling story — even Netflix is interested in adapting it to screen — about a food influencer and con artist in London who fooled people from Hollywood to Indonesia.
Kamala Thiagarajan writes about a small radio station in Pamban Island that is changing the lives of fishermen and their families in the area.
Chitrangada Chowdhury profiles HidmeMarkam, a former school cook who joined agitations to free Adivasi prisoners and stop a government-owned iron ore mine to be run by the Adani group on a sacred mountain in Congress-run Chhattisgarh. Her arrest — police called her ‘a Maoist with Rs-1-lakh bounty’ — speaks of the decades-old conflict in the region.
I end with some advice:
Remember, do get in touch (reply here or email itsallwrite@outlook.in) if you want those one-on-one sessions, or have any query or feedback about the newsletter.
Until next time, stay safe, wear your masks, and wash your hands.
Adios.