Looks like our Karachi chapter has begun its activity. Our members in the city met up for dinner and drinks at Ciao. A full account of how things went, is available here. Great stuff, and an impressive crowd. Seems the readings have build up something of a buzz about the site, which was admittedly, something we were looking for.

The city’s first ever reading will be taking place on August 3. Details follow:

When: August 3, 2008 at 7.00 pm

Where: DHA Club, Phase 2

Who’s Invited: Anyone who likes to read and write, and a) wouldn’t mind critiquing the work of others, b) would like to read out their own material or c) just wants to participate.

Reading Deadline (by which pieces must be received): August 1-2, 2008. No later, because it’ll naturally be a scramble.

Contact: readings@desiwriterslounge.net

Please note: This might well become a permanent thing in the city, and while we can’t guarantee anything, if your piece doesn’t make it for the deadline, it might be addressed in the next reading. We’re still following the “no piece goes unread” policy.

So note the information above, and start sending in your stuff. We’re hoping our Lahore chapter opens up soon, too. Then it’ll really be a party!

🙂

– TPTB

Our third reading was a scramble in some bits, but went through without a hitch in most parts. We had no short stories at all this time, and between three poems and one very highly charged political piece, which was debated at length, our reading hit a new high.

An attendance ranging from some old established reading participants to some newbies to a new introduction altogether, we had a good time.

There are two more events I’d like to announce, however. The first is a play by one of our moderators: Osman Khalid Butt, who we’ve referred to here as Obi in the past. He’s directing a play entitled Superstar, Avatar and if the buzz around is any indicator, it’s the best play done so far. Show starts at 7.30 pm (last one’s on July 26).
Tickets available at both the Islamabad Club (where it’s being staged) and Illusions.

The second event is a meeting for the Karachiites. At long last, we’ve generated some buzz of our own around the readings and the other cities have begun waking up. Although not an “official” reading, I can’t guarantee that no reading will be done. Consider it an informal get together / meeting of the minds. Details below:

Where: Ciao on Zamzama

When: July 25 @ 7pm

RSVP: readings@desiwriterslounge.net

At best, you’ll get to hear never-before-seen stuff of our members. At worst, you’ll get to meet our members in Karachi.

No harm, right?

What: Desi Writers Lounge Reading Series – #3

When: July 20, 2008 — 5pm sharp

Where: Cafe Incantare (basement Pizza Hut, F-10 Markaz, Islamabad)

Who’s Invited: Anyone who writes, reads and is willing to offer a bit of feedback on someone else’s work, or present their own.

RSVP: readings@desiwriterslounge.net

Reading (Pieces) Deadline: July 16, 2008 11.59pm

Note: Bring along a friend if they’re interested. Pieces must be emailed in to the above address by the deadline. If sent a minute later, it’s fodder for Reading #4. Questions or comments? Post away.

We did take a trip down to the Academy of Letters. However, for now, at least until peak heat summer time dies down in Islamabad, and generators aren’t so much a necessity, we’re looking for alternative venues. We’d decided on Cinnamon Cafe’s Cigar Lounge but were thrown off when they told us they closed after lunch and reopened at 7.30pm, which is usually when our readings end. We can’t have our readings running on especially since Monday’s a work day for a lot of our attendees.

So now it’s a toss up between Civil Junction or Khiva, both of which we’ll scope out tomorrow to see the lay of the land. We’ve usually held our Islamabad meets at CJ, but due to its recent closing for redecoration purposes, haven’t had the chance to poke our heads in there. Hotspot’s out of the question, if it were ever in the question, because we’d have to take it outside, and it’s far too hot to be sitting out there. 5pm on the new time means 4pm by the old time, and if memory serves, waay too hot.

So we’re evaluating our options.

However, the deadline’s still withstanding our indecisiveness and if you’re interested to read out your stuff, mail it in to readings@desiwriterslounge.net. We’re serving pieces up on a first come, first serve basis and if you send in your stuff before the July 16, 2008 deadline, you’ll secure your place in this reading.

Realizing this is a series, I’m wondering when the first series should end. I’m thinking some time at the end of this year (November/Decemberish). We should plan things differently for the next series, or series in the plural. If we average about one every two months, we’re looking at around 1-2 more by year’s end. Meaning we’ll have done about 4-5 readings. Not bad. Not bad at all.

The E-Zine selection process will also be starting soon, with the polls going up on all pieces. This time around, we’ll be dedicating two months for editing to take into consideration the time of both our editors and their writers. Look for them in the next few weeks. A tentative e-zine publication date’s been set for October/November around the time our first reading series ends.

If you’d like to take a look at our last e-zine (Vol 3), check it out here and if you’d like to be included but aren’t a member, register here.

That’s it!

– TPTB

I think we’ve successfully managed to prove that we here at the Desi Writers Lounge are dedicated to this reading series. Our next in line will be held on July 20, 2008.

Interested writers must send in their material no later than July 16, 2008 to have their material featured in this session. Material received after this date, will be featured in our next session instead, for which dates and timings will be confirmed after July 20.

All material must be mailed in to readings@desiwriterslounge.net and remember to forward this address to anyone you think may be interested. We are particularly interested in members reading out their original, never before seen, pieces.

Watch this space for venue confirmations.