A very warm update

If you thought that semi-retirement involved late breakfasts, delicious lunches, siestas, shopping and dinner, you were right. That seems to be the schedule for the moment as we recuperate in Mumbai. We've taken July off while we get used to being back in India and let me tell you, it needs some adjusting.

Life in the UK changes the way you see things. Even after a few years out, it is hard to reconcile travelling by crowded public transport, walking on a mockery of footpaths (paved beautifully, but you need a stepladder to climb onto some of the new ones) and close your eyes to the filth and squalor on both sides of the road as you pass by.

The good news is that we are being fed, watered and taken care of. We're still waiting for the monsoons to hit us, but I guess we should be grateful (in some perverse way) for the lack of rain so we can walk around occasionally. The paucity of rain means a water shortage and it's back to bucket baths at scheduled times!

The writing, in the meantime, progresses. I'm technically on a break until August (when I start freelancing full-time), but I've just had an acceptance from a UK magazine for a reprint of an article. I also spotted a bridal mag on the stands here with my article in it - such a great feeling!

While we're having a holiday, we've been to see Mandira Bedi & Samir Soni perform in 'Anything but Love' (***/5) at Bandra's St.Andrews and saw Hancock (*** for the special effects) last night.

And oh yes, our shipment arrives sometime in August. It will be good to be reunited with our worldly possessions.

Woohoo!

Just received news of an acceptance from Writers Weekly.com

An Early Birthday Present

My essay, 'Greenery, Uninterrupted', appears in the Winter 2007 edition of the Countryside Tales

Woohoo! - 14

Lots of new stuff in print while I was away -

Articles in an Indian in-flight magazine - September (1), October (3)

The same magazine commissioned me, while on holiday, for the December cover story which I've submitted, hopefully to the editor's satisfaction.

Also submitted for the same mag, under request, were articles for the December 2007 and Jan 2008 edition as the mags are going to press early.

Then, Dignity Dialogue re-printed an article in their November 2007 issue.

And the Guardian emailed to inform me of an acceptance of an essay for the Guardian Abroad section.

A Monday Morning report

Mr. R and I've just returned from a 4 day personal trip to Berlin.

While I'm struggling to catch up with emails, writing deadlines, work and sleep, I'm elated that this blog made it to the Guardian Abroad blog listing. The news (and the very nice review left by 'Flic in England' ) was enough to make me forget the pounding in my head.

I'll go do some somersaults now.

Flic in England, a thousand kisses to you. May your summer be sunny and bright :) (That's really the best blessing you give to someone in the UK, I think!)

Woo hoo! - 13

This blog is now listed on the Guardian Abroad site.

Guardian Abroad Expat Blogs

Woohoo! -12

I had applied for the position of a 'guest blogger' in a new blogging network (similar to About.com / Suite 101). I've heard from them and they've offered me not just the guest blogger position, but an independent site on Reading and Writing!

The pay is revenue sharing, which means nothing at the moment, as the site is brand new and doesn't have the 'eyeballs' to generate lots of $$$$. It might grow enough to be a great source of income, or it could be the stepping stone to better blogging jobs.

I love blogging. So even though this foray may not be worth the effort in terms of income, I have a feeling it might be worth it in the long run.

Woohoo! - 11

I've been assigned a column on careers in an Indian in-flight magazine! Starting October, I will explore topics of interest on the subject. Articles are due on the 1st of every month; with all the holidays coming up, I'd better get cracking!

Woohoo! - 10

I recently entered my first ever writing competition for Park Publications 'Countryside Tales'. I'm delighted to report that my essay 'Greenery, Uninterrupted' was short-listed and will be published in a forthcoming issue!

Woohoo! - 9

A new article by yours truly has been accepted, paid for and published on one of the best known sites for writers.

Woohoo! - 8

Just received news of an acceptance of an article by writing-world.com, one of the best websites for writers on the planet.

Woohoo! - 7

an essay of mine was published in Releasing Times - the January 2007 issue.

A good start

My article on train travel was published in the Christian Science Monitor. I just received a cheque for $150.

More news...

A simple fundraising letter from me has generated £1000 from a Trust here in the UK for my charity...

news...

Just received an email from CSM that they are interested in publishing (purchasing) one of my articles...

Update at 2pm : Just signed an agreement for $150 (for one essay) to be paid on publication!

A quick Brag

A quick note to toot my own horn

I've been published in Woman's Era. A cheque for Rs.200 was sent to my home in Mumbai. Apparently an article has appeared in the 'Incident I cannot forget' section.

The only one ever submitted to WE was on the turning point in school which made me take up writing seriously. I'm guessing that was the one.

If any of you are WE readers, do let me know if you've read something lately about an 'Autobiography of a Pencil'.

Essay on Street Harrasment

One of my anthology submissions was returned to me with minor corrections by the editor compiling the stories. At the end, she made a comment- This is a great essay. Very strong.

That alone was enough to make me not feel bad about the changes she suggested :)

I'm looking forward to seeing this in print.Hopefully, the project will run its course, unlike other magazines which fold up quickly.

Woohoo-1

On the brighter side, my article was published in the local newspaper (the second one so far in this paper) complete with my photo and the pictures that I had taken to supplement the article.