Minal Hajratwala's Blog, page 11
September 25, 2009
Debunking the 'poor author' myth
As my nearest and dearest know, I'm the most annoying person to sit near while trying to read a newspaper. I obviously haven't gotten over my past life as a daily newspaper journalist, because more things irritate me per page than you would think possible.
So, as an experiment, I'm going to start using this blog for some media criticism. Feel free to let me know what you think, and crit my crits (ooh that sounds kind of naughty) if you like!
This week the Washington Post ran an article...
September 14, 2009
Experienced writer's companion seeks new home, short- or long-term
*guest blog by Little Clarence*
Experienced writer's companion seeks new home, short- or long-term
My person is off to travel overseas for a while, so I am looking for a temporary cuddle partner and feeder in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dates flexible but approximately Nov 1 - Jan 15. Possibly longer-term if we get along really well (i.e. you do everything I want)!
About me: Grey short-haired mestizo, approximately 5 years old, formerly wild, cleans up well, cross-eyed, pleasantly plump...
August 27, 2009
Special Offer: Book Giveaway
My publisher has kindly agreed to provide a limited number of giveaway books for silent auctions, raffles, and contests benefiting nonprofit organizations. If your nonprofit is holding an event and would like to offer Leaving India as one of the prizes, please email the following to contact@minalhajratwala.com :
- Your name
- Organization name
- Address to which the book should be mailed
- Date of the event (IMPORTANT: We need at least one month in advance, because the books are mailed at the bulk m
August 20, 2009
Gay press reports FIA apology over India Day Parade
Wednesday Aug 19, 2009 — A gay online news site reported today that an executive of the group that organizes the annual India Day Parade in Manhattan apologized for the exclusion of a gay and lesbian organization from the parade.
Nirav Mehta, executive vice president of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), told a reporter for EDGE that the exclusion of the South Asian Lesbian Gay Association (SALGA) was due to a volunteer's clerical error.
"We apologize," Mehta told the reporter. "There wa
August 16, 2009
"Gay Hind": NY India Day Parade Draws Protesters
Photos in this post were taken Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009 by Roopa Singh: www.politicalpoet.wordpress.com
By Minal Hajratwala
Sunday, August 16, 2009– Lesbian and gay Indo-Americans and their allies marched and demonstrated along the route of Manhattan's annual India Day Parade today, with signs reading "Gay Hind," "Indian Gay Proud," and "Shame Shame FIA, Homophobia is so last year."
The demonstrators were protesting the decision by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) to bar the South Asian Les
August 14, 2009
Gays barred from NY India Day Parade: Resource list
The Federation of Indian Associations has barred the South Asian Lesbian Gay Association from the huge annual India Day Parade in Manhattan, upcoming on Sunday August 16. This is a roundup of community statements and developments on this breaking-news controversy, intended for use by journalists, activists, and interested community members.
What's happening:
The gay lesbian group SALGA and its allies fought a long battle in the 1990s for inclusion in the India Day Parade , which draws more than 50,
August 11, 2009
Creative Process
I always find it fascinating to see how other artists create their work. Here are three things that have inspired me recently.
(If you're reading this on Facebook or elsewhere and can't see the videos, please go to my blog and it'll all be clear.)
• A short video of cartoonist Alison Bechdel talking about how she created each scene in her beautiful graphic novel Fun Home (which you should read immediately, if you haven't already done so). Her process is simply amazing:
• A thoughtful blog post b
August 6, 2009
Building the Buzz: Marketing Ourselves As Artists
This is a marketing resource list for writers/performers, particularly those of South Asian descent. It was created for the "Building Our Buzz" workshop at the Kriti Festival, organized by DesiLit in Chicago, June 10-14, 2009. I instigated this panel because, as I said in an email to the participants:
I would like to make this a really productive brainstorming session, as marketing is a huge issue that all of us work on all the time and I think we can really help each other as well as the attende
July 20, 2009
The Book Writing & Publishing Blueprint Workshop
Are you ready to transform your ideas, chapter drafts, and research notes into a powerful blueprint for a published book? Published author Minal Hajratwala will lead a two-day intensive book-writing workshop Saturday October 10th and Sunday October 11th, 2009. The workshop will give participants a writing toolkit to develop and finish a book AND a business strategy to publish a book. Minal's recent publication and success of Leaving India: My Family's Journey from
Help for writers
I love to coach other writers through various stages of the writing process, and I love to read and critique manuscripts. Now that the busiest part of my book launch is over, I am pleased to be able to take on a few new clients for book proposal and manuscript coaching! I am also beginning to schedule writing workshops for fall 2009 and spring 2010, so if your organization or institution is interested in inviting me to teach, please do contact me soon. Please feel free to share this informati
