Editing Concludes...Selection Begins

Now that the editors are wrapping up on the work of their mentees, putting any last minute touches on whatever's left and sending it forward to the Chief Ed, the real work of wading through all the shortlisted work (taking care of the respective editor's thoughts on the piece) and final selection begins. If, for whatever reason, your work doesn't make the cut please note: it's nothing personal and you were warned earlier on that no piece was final, even after going through the grueling editing period.

It's never easy to go through each piece and decide on what should or shouldn't make the cut despite all the work that's gone in, but it has to be done. Of course, "quality" is relative and very subjective but in this instance (as in the past), I'm afraid the final word still rests with the Editor-in-Chief.

So...no more apologies. Good luck, everyone!

:)

- TPTB

Crossing Borders

Well, it happened and while it mayn't have been everything hoped for (for one, we couldn't get the visual stuff to work unfortunately!), it was still a kick ass meeting! At the peak of things, we were on three continents, spanning six cities all across the globe and we got to hear the voices of the participants. Not to mention, we talked about everything under the sun. A small clip might be uploaded or not, depending on what we're willing to disclose.

Meanwhile, the chat log will be uploaded on the forums relatively uncensored. We managed to record a portion of the teleconference so there may be something for posterity (the audio part, that is--the chat log was separate).

But yes, this was one for history and the search for the elusive and perfect videoconferencing software continues. We may have to invest in something on a later date if this becomes a permanent fixture.

Here's to a new year full of new possibilities!

:)

Who We Are

We've had a recent influx of members lately.

The best thing about Desi Writers Lounge, is the quality we demand from our members and the utmost confidence we place in them to achieve it. Compliments really are a writer's enemy as is unfounded criticism, but helpful critique...yes, that's useful and I would like to think we provide just that, aside from sharing a healthy camaraderie with one another. It doesn't take too long for a new member to join the circle of friends and writers that Desi Writers Lounge is made of. It's just nice to know we've accomplished that.

Another good thing about the Lounge (we're feeling particularly immodest today!) is the fact that we don't encourage censorship considering the variety of material and subjects our writers write on and are accepted into publication. True freedom of expression, and that's a tremendous accomplishment on our part. Look at Chowk; they never published "Snow Angels", which is on the lighter side of the spectrum as far as "out there" stories go. Considered a test on our part to gauge their reaction, the result makes us feel prouder of what we've accomplished as a collective.

There might be a lesser number of members, but we're damned if the posters aren't extremely talented or at least, haven't been brought out of their shells and begun to reach their truest potential. That's what you get when you're a Desi Writer, I guess. Everything else comes hand in hand.

Here's to a brilliant surge of creativity in 2009!

New Year's Eve

Just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all our readers and members a happy new year! Hope you hold true to whatever resolutions (if any) you make on the cusp of 2009.

- TPTB

Kapow! Bam! Splat! Introducing the Millenials...

From what started as a casual discussion of impending milestones for our members approaching 1,000 posts and a suited name for them (we settled on the "Millenials", courtesy of one of our only members who's reached the coveted spot, JC), and an elaborate comicbook type plot perpetuated by the aforementioned member, the idea has taken root and is now blooming into a full fledged comic strip idea, to be featured on our website once the characters have been sketched out.

For now, there are just two three four in the Millenial gang - Justice Jalal, the Mpress, Sahylar and Darth Noor (a shoutout to Star Wars fans everywhere!) - however, they will soon be joined by Imaginary and clarice - the purple princess. Our members have been alarmingly good sports about this, and have accepted their "millenial" names as their forum personas.

So while the Millenials mayn't be making their first official appearance until after the E-Zine debuts in mid-late Jan, 2009 they will be seen sometime after that.

What do you guys think about the idea? Interested, curious or turned off entirely at the idea of literary superheroes battling it out with the worst enemies of writers everywhere? Comment away!

Edited: To include S and DN, our latest Millenial(s).

Readings on hiatus until New Year

Due to the combined workload of the e-zine editing and coordinating the first transcontinental, Internet meeting, any subsequent readings held in either Islamabad or Karachi have been pushed back to somewhere in 2009.

As always, if you're interested, send in the material to readings@desiwriterslounge.net and it will be featured on a first come, first serve basis.

That's it.

- TPTB

Look, Ma! I'm here...and here...AND here! Ain't life grand?

Planning is moving forward for the first international meet of Desi Writers Lounge, pushing back boundaries of distance and geographic location and spanning continents, this is by far one of the most elaborate meetings ever. Getting everyone to the location is a Herculean task in of itself, everything else will (hopefully) fall into place.

Meanwhile, polls have started going up for the next e-zine issue, planned for July, 2009 with polls ending on April 15, 2009. January and July seem to be our publication points. It goes without saying that the editing process has been streamlined to incorporate the varying times and availabilities of our editors and their accompanying wards.

Publication is slated for mid January of the new year.

As for the much touted transcontinental meet, it comes to be December 25 on man's greatest invention: cyberspace.

We'll let you know how that goes!

- TPTB