As a writer gets closer to writing ‘The End’, the next preoccupation becomes: How do I get my work published?
Increasingly as publishers prefer to read manuscripts vetted by literary agents, the role of a literary agent becomes pivotal in the career of a writer and so to talk to Season 4 Writers at Anita’s Attic, who better than star agent Jayapriya Vasudevan of The Jacaranda Press?
Commercial Fiction is the Shylock of the literary world: more sinned against than actually a sinner.
And so to answer the query of what is commercial fiction, who better than Deepthi Talwar, the Chief Editor of Westland Books, publishers of bestselling authors like Amish, Preeti Shenoy and Anuja Chauhan.
Thank you Deepthi for speaking to the Season 4 Writers at Anita’s Attic.
Delighted that Anita’s Attic Season 1 writer Krupa Ge who is represented by the Jacaranda Agency has been awarded the Toto-Sangam Residency Fellowship 2016. She was shortlisted for the Toto Awards for Creative Writing (English) this year.
Nothing makes me happier than to see my writers go forth and shine.
Congratulations Krupa !
It’s important for a writer to keep faith in one’s ability and work. Sometimes only a writer can make another find that faith through the story of their journey this far. And so the first writer to visit Anita’s Attic during Season 4 was R. Sreeram, author of Kalyug published by Westland Books.
Sreeram isn’t a literary fiction writer but his words of advise would fit any genre, any kind of writer.
Sample this:
– Your genre is important but it’s not a deal breaker.
– Anytime your spirit’s sagging, show it to your near & dear ones but it’s important to get an impartial opinion.
Thank you Sreeram.
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I am : From Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Presently biding my time : As a Product Manager in an exciting start-up
As I secretly follow my dreams of : Becoming a writer, a compelling storyteller
Part of the : Creative Writing Mentorship Program from 17th March – 30th April, 2016
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Before joining the workshop, I neither had the discipline to write regularly, nor the skill and confidence needed to craft a full length novel. Most of my longer narratives had fizzled out and been abandoned after a few thousand words.
Enter Anita Nair.
I went to her with a bunch of story ideas, and she helped me identify which one held the most promise as a novel. Week after week she offered feedback on our writing and advice on structure, craft, scene construction and dialogue. The feedback was often individual, and tailored to the specific novel that I was writing. She was kind, but did not hesitate to point out parts of the narrative that don’t work. Over the ten weeks, with Anita’s help and mentoring, the story has grown from a simple premise to a book-in-progress.
We also had guest lectures from published authors who spoke about their journey and challenges as a writer, and agents and editors who gave us insight and advice on how to break into the industry, to get our work noticed.
I now hope to continue working on the novel, and complete it in the coming months.
Ramprakash is currently residing in Bangalore with his family. As a child, his parents forced him to read, until he discovered that he liked reading and no longer required forcing. He likes any fiction that is fast paced and entertaining, and loves those that also manage to be memorable. He is currently working on his first novel.
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I am : A journalist and a writer
Presently biding my time : Writing articles for newspapers and magazines, creating content for fashion websites, studying French and learning to play the piano
As I secretly follow my dreams of : Writing a book that will find a place in the heart of a global audience
Part of the : Creative Writing Mentorship Program from 17th March – 30th April, 2016
My Blogs : I write at AshaChowdary2013 & LookingGorgeous
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I loved being part of a team of dedicated writers. Week after week, we shared our thoughts, our doubts, our aspirations and even our favourite books with each other and over time, we grew into a small family working towards a singular goal. With our brilliant mentor, Anita Nair at the helm, we embarked on an exciting voyage of pure creativity and intelligent innovation.
Asha Chowdary is an independent journalist and blogger based in Bangalore. She has worked for several years as an editor and correspondent in national newspapers like The Times of India, The Asian Age and DNA. Her last job was with News 9 TV where she worked as a senior producer in the Features division. She is passionate about the study of life and spirituality. She has earned accolades for her articles on celebrities, trends and fashion and lifestyle stories.
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I am : A writer. A storyteller. A wordsmith !
Presently biding my time : Writing, rewriting and then writing again!
As I secretly follow my dreams of : I want my writing to travel far and wide.
Part of the : Creative Writing Mentorship Program from 17th March – 30th April, 2016
My website : I write at Book of Hoopoe
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What goes behind a book making?
How do literary writers plan?
How do commercial writers think?
Is it just me or other writers also who go through similar phases of self-doubt?
This mentorship program was an answer to all those questions and many more.
The weekly guidance by Anita Ma’am : word by word, sentence by sentence assistance was an enriching experience.
And there was nothing like that only one style of writing was encouraged. The nine of us wrote different and all were welcomed, encouraged and celebrated.
At the end of the day, you get a clear picture of what you are doing and where your writing is heading.
The real catch is even after the course is completed, Anita Ma’am stays in touch with her mentees. So in a way it’s not just a twelve week training program but a lifelong commitment. Commendable!
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I am : learning and trying to be the best I can be
Presently biding my time : interning as a copywriter in an advertising agency
As I secretly follow my dreams of : making a good, happy life of my own
As good as : the best story tellers who found some magic in the most everyday stories evoking such beautiful feeling in their readers
Part of the : Creative Writing Mentorship Program from 17th March – 30th April, 2016
My website : I write at Number251
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I never imagined I would be picked by Anita Nair to be mentored. She was one of my favourite writers and still remains so and to be recognised by her as a writer is a dream come true. I could never complete a story before this course and now I try to write one every day. This came at the most perfect time for me and I consider myself blessed for these three months. Thank You so much for this.
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I am : A dreamer. A writer. A mad hatter. Sometimes all at once
Presently biding my time : Training corporates, learning and teaching French, writing when the whim takes me, but mostly when a deadline strangles me
As I secretly follow my dreams of : Writing a book that will become a bestseller. Or at least a family heirloom
Part of the : Creative Writing Mentorship Program from 17th March – 30th April, 2016
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Like many people, I have a bucket list. And “Become a published author” sits atop that list. But like most people, I had relegated that list to the back of my mind. Actually, to a forgotten folder on my laptoplabelled “Miscellaneous”.
At Anita’s Attic, I dusted off that list, and got down to working on it. The weekly writing task helped me internalise the process of writing regularly, and as a consequence more easily. Most importantly, I learned to take joy in writing, and revel in the ability to create worlds out of nothing but pen and paper. The Attic continues to help me hone that ability.
Meghana Rajeshwar is a corporate trainer and freelance writer based in Bangalore. She enjoys learning languages and is currently teaching herself to read and write Malayalam. She is addicted to travelling and is a nomad at heart.She has published travel pieces in the online edition of The Week and has also produced a coffee table book called Threads of Harmony for an establishment of the Indian Army.
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[symple_social icon=”twitter” url=”https://twitter.com/ammunme” title=”Follow Me” target=”self” rel=””]
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I am : A dreamer who wishes to travel the world
Presently biding my time : Reading, writing, dreaming and loving everything that’s beautiful; all the while trying to make peace with my day job
As I secretly follow my dreams of : Being a writer, remembered by the readers long after I am gone
As good as : My idol
Part of the : Creative Writing Mentorship Program from 17th March – 30th April, 2016
My Blog: My Days and Dreams
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I read about Anita’s Attic just after the first season had started. Though I never imagined I would ever have the confidence to apply, I did send my entry, though it was a bit delayed. And lo and behold, in the third season, I was accepted which was totally unbelievable for me.
Being accepted into the programme came as a big surprise, as I never counted myself as a writer. Except for my occasional blog posts and the very few journals, I never wrote, though stories ran through my mind. This was a positive turning point in my life.
Anita gave me the confidence that I can write beyond the blogs, even if it may take several rewritings. I was surprised to see a story unfolding within me, as I started writing it, and Anita was right there, to give me that little push and guidance when I felt lost.
12 weeks, lot of discussions, speakers including editors, agents, and writers; we could not have asked for more. This was the place that showed me the nitty-gritties of the literary world, the end to end process of writing to publishing and beyond.
Life had been presenting me with a platter of experiences and little did I expect that I would ever have this opportunity.
I long to be a writer, but I started as an addictive reader. Currently writing my first story of Ammu.
