Apologies for the lack of updates but we’ve been busy at the Lounge, what with the polls going up and all. This half promises to be chock full of a lot of poetry; writers seem to be a dying breed, and what few there are, are either suffering through massive writers’ blocks or are in between pieces or finally, just plain lazy to put up their most recent work. We hate you all! 🙂

Our present reading series, being held in Islamabad, will be concluding in March 2009 (coming full circle), and we’ll probably have two more readings before then. As to whether or not we’ll continue the series remains to be seen. One of the moderators and key organizers of the reading, will be moving to Karachi on a permanent basis, so it’s a case of the ‘ifs and maybes’ for now. We’ll keep this space updated, however, as things progress.

Meanwhile, polls are going up with an expiration date of September 30. The date by which new pieces will be considered for inclusion into the fourth issue, is September 15. The interim two weeks will then be plenty of time for the bulk of our membership who chooses to mass-vote at the end.

Questions, comments etc? You know where to put ’em!

– TPTB

September 15. That’s when you can no longer submit your work for the ‘zine. Why? Keep reading.

September 30. That’s the date when all polls on pieces (from December 6, 2007 onwards) close.

The interim two weeks give our members enough time to comb through pieces and vote for whether they think the selected should be among those who represent the site for the next issue. We’ve chopped down our issues from three to two (from quarterly, to biannually) and increased the editing period.

Whereas previously, our e-mentors and associated writers only had a month to shape up the material, now they have two. More time, more chances of spotting mistakes and less reason for me to cut whole pieces out of the running, before going to publication.

See? This way it works out for everyone!

If you’re interested in having your work considered for inclusion, and you’re not a member, register and start putting stuff up. You only have till September 15, after all! And then September 30, all polls close.

Confusions, questions, comments? Post em!

– TPTB

We turn four today (August 6) and as a community, we have come incredibly far. The present Orkut Desi Writers community is merely a ghost of what it used to be ye olde glory days. When we said goodbye, it turned more into a platform for advertisement as opposed to a place where serious writing could be done. Almost all of the present Desi Writers Lounge veterans are no longer affiliated with Orkut, and though our allegiance to the brand that is Desi Writers remains in tact, our loyalty to the community as it stands now, with nothing but our posts to prove we were once there, is questionable. And yet, without it we wouldn’t have forged the relationships we built during those formative years. It was our home for a year, before we realized it was destined only to be temporary, and then another year before we finally moved. Desi Writers Lounge itself, is a little over three years old since it became a domain name, about two when it became an identity.

When we turn five, we’re thinking of doing something extra special. After all, we’ll have been together for half a decade. Surely that merits some kind of response, right? Ideas for the bash are welcome.

Meanwhile, the planning for the grand international meeting/reading continue, as a tribute to incorporate our members stationed out of Pakistan and who can’t physically participate. In the end of course, it’ll be up to “the administrator” to make it happen. But it will happen. Admin’s committed to it, see. The last time that happened, the Desi Writers Lounge was born. Pretty decent track record, dontcha think?

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.

We’ll be scoping out The Academy of Letters’ Writers House today for a chance to see what it’d be like if we had our reading there. Aside from the fact that it’s a little farther away from the mostly central locations of our previous readings, (it’s in the Shifa Hospital area), it might be an excellent place. To answer the “might”s, we’re making our way there.

In other news, the mass marketing campaign mentioned much, much earlier is moving towards a green light. We’re drafting action plans for that process, thinking about advertising our website as well as our readings and generally subdividing responsibilities in the forum. While as currently, our moderators are responsible for the entire forums, they’ll be responsible for specific forums, where their word will be law (no, no I jest. My word will still be law! :D). But you get the gist of it.

Again, we’re asking local designers out there, or who know other locals, to please email us in (my email address is in the profile) and let us know whether or not they’d be interested. I have an international guy, but since we don’t know the current going price, I can’t be sure whether it’s perfect or overpriced. So come on, peeps! Show us that creativity you have holed within you!

Not much else going on. Reading’s in July. The email went out yesterday. If you’re interested in sending in your work, member or not, please do so to readings@desiwriterslounge.net . Surprise me! 🙂

– TPTB

Not only did it go through without a hitch, it was a smashing success! We had twelve writers in attendance, and four pieces to go through. Unlike before, where it took so much time focusing on just one piece, we made it through each, and even introduced two new members into our fold. The full details are up here, so go ahead and check ’em out.

Next reading’s planned for July (primarily because a few won’t be available in August), with a possible venue set for The Writers House in the Academy of Letters; the Editor of the English section was in attendance at our reading. But read the whole thing at the link above.

Because we’re adopting the whole open door philosophy when it comes to submission of pieces to the reading, we’d appreciate if you could keep those pieces coming and they’ll make it to the reading on a first come, first serve basis. Do not fear: each piece sent in will have its say. As always, material must be sent in to readings@desiwriterslounge.net.

That’s it.

– TPTB