Where does a new writer begin?
In the cut-throat, competitive world of publishing, hundreds fall by the wayside and vanish unnoticed whilst others soldier on and end up unhappy and unfulfilled, often settling for a vanity publishing offer and falling head-first into a bottomless pit… unless of course a Literary Mentor steps in and takes the new writer by the hand.
Literary Mentorship is as old as the hills. It helps new voices to find their own way of saying and reaching out to the world. As a mentor, I find that sharing the excitement of a new writer birthing a work is for me the most memorable creative experience I can think of, second only to giving expression to one’s own art.
Gyaan Adab has committed itself to providing Literary Mentorship to new and emerging young writers with the sole aim of helping them find their own voices, getting published and reaching out to a growing readership. Presently six writers, part of the GA Mentorship programme, are waiting in the wings to step out and present their work.
There’s Divya Soundararajan from Tamil Nadu, a Tour Manager by profession but a gypsy at heart… travelling, trekking and writing, who has an engaging narrative style as revealed in her travel essays. Then there’s Mamta Karnani from Kolkata, an avid R K Narayan and P G Wodehouse fan, writing about everyday life with a humorous warmth in her anecdotal collection. Samrat Rahi from Chattishrarh brings to the table a refreshingly original novel marked by a refined narrative skill along with sensitive insights into the human psyche.
Sudha Wadhwani from Vientiane, Laos, packs a terrific punch with her first novel, involving the reader in the intensely tumultuous life of her character at crossroads. From another corner comes Shobhit Gaur from New Delhi who dances ‘to the tunes of the morbid, the surreal and the soulful,’and is in the process of writing a series of seminal essays- according to him the essay series tries to ‘find out whether it was the education system that made him a rebel without a cause or his Haryanvi origins’.
Finally the very gifted Ritu Monjiri from Assam, who has been writing stunning short stories that are highlighted by powerful characters, heart-rending realism and sharp narrative clarity. The roots of her stories are shaped by her experiences of her homeland.
Six new writers from various parts of the country, settled in Pune, will come together for an unforgettable evening of literary fireworks – a specially curated event highlighted by an imaginative audio-visual presentation, readings and an interactive session – introducing lovers of literature to the world as they see it.
Mark 7 pm on September 9 in your diary and show up at Gyaan Adab to be part of the excitement… if you really believe its time new literary talent should take centrestage in our city.
- Randhir Khare: I am my own Competitor, says Sudipta Mukherjee - November 9, 2016
- Randhir Khare: Art is now a commodity - November 2, 2016
- Randhir Khare:A Curious Adventure - October 19, 2016
