PUBLISHING CLIMATE
If you're lucky to get any editor or agent to read your work, the one thing you can expect from him or her is a short rejection letter couched in cliched language ( "not right for me" etc). These people usually disconnect after that,and would never give you any response even if you ask them any sensible question.
But Sam Humphreys, editor Picador India, seems to be a bit different. In response to my formal "thanks for reading my work", he sends me a personal and insightful e-mail.
"I imagine it's of little consolation, but I think the response you've met with is caused by the current publishing climate --which makes it increasingly difficult to take on new writers and be sure of establishing a place for them in the market --rather than any lack of flair or talent in terms of your writing. You may well be right that small publishing houses are likely to be the most receptive, and I
hope you succeed in finding a home for THE DANGLING MAN."
MRINAL BOSE
Friday, May 21, 2004
REJECTION BLUE
For the past four years as a struggling novelist I have been getting my share of rejection letters from agents and editors who care to read through the ms of my debut novel THE DANGLING MAN --partial or full. Her's the latest one from a biggie.
"I think there's much to recommend your novel (or at least what I've seen of it) in terms of subject matter and indeed, the strength of your writing, but in the end, I don't feel it would be quite right for Picador - it just didn't strike me as quite innovative or distinctive enough..Sam Humphreys, Picador Editorial, Pan Macmillan.
Now, do you find any inconsistency in it? Or is it plain corny?
MRINAL BOSE
For the past four years as a struggling novelist I have been getting my share of rejection letters from agents and editors who care to read through the ms of my debut novel THE DANGLING MAN --partial or full. Her's the latest one from a biggie.
"I think there's much to recommend your novel (or at least what I've seen of it) in terms of subject matter and indeed, the strength of your writing, but in the end, I don't feel it would be quite right for Picador - it just didn't strike me as quite innovative or distinctive enough..Sam Humphreys, Picador Editorial, Pan Macmillan.
Now, do you find any inconsistency in it? Or is it plain corny?
MRINAL BOSE
Thursday, May 13, 2004
PEOPLE'S MANDATE
It must be a great moment for Indian democracy. The people this time had a wonderful mandate against the powers-that-be: it has worked steadfastly across the country to throw out the regime run by a bunch of self-seeking, laptop-savvy crooks. It is really one such moment when you feel like believing in the power of the silent masses.
But this was really what nobody had even imagined. Take our media people or even smarter psephologists who are supposed to be in direct contact with the people. All of them predicted a clear edge, if not absolute majority,of the NDA alliance. The NDA alliance comes second, getting seats far below the 200-mark. Now, what do you think of the quailty of our media persons or psephologists? These are another bunch of smart-alecs with little thinking power or prescience. Stop reading papers if you can. And never believe an exit poll.
So the Congress has once again emerged as the biggest political party,
though on an anti-incumbency vote. Now the Congress will form the government with help from the Marxists who have gained in strength(about sixty seats). But who'll be the Prime Minister this time? Though Mrs. Sonia Gandhi publicly says she does nor hanker after the primeministership, she will prove to the biggest deterrant to some one else, like Monomohon Singh, being the Prime Minister.And in the end, given her large circle of sychophants and Ganndhi-family link, she will in all probablity head the new regime.
But is she capable of running such a large and complex country as India? Has she got the requisite qualification? Has she got the minimum education, knowledge, insight and wisdom to be at the helm of a country?
She as Prime Minister will sure be a liabilty for the country. And it may herald another bad spell for the democracy.
MRINAL BOSE
It must be a great moment for Indian democracy. The people this time had a wonderful mandate against the powers-that-be: it has worked steadfastly across the country to throw out the regime run by a bunch of self-seeking, laptop-savvy crooks. It is really one such moment when you feel like believing in the power of the silent masses.
But this was really what nobody had even imagined. Take our media people or even smarter psephologists who are supposed to be in direct contact with the people. All of them predicted a clear edge, if not absolute majority,of the NDA alliance. The NDA alliance comes second, getting seats far below the 200-mark. Now, what do you think of the quailty of our media persons or psephologists? These are another bunch of smart-alecs with little thinking power or prescience. Stop reading papers if you can. And never believe an exit poll.
So the Congress has once again emerged as the biggest political party,
though on an anti-incumbency vote. Now the Congress will form the government with help from the Marxists who have gained in strength(about sixty seats). But who'll be the Prime Minister this time? Though Mrs. Sonia Gandhi publicly says she does nor hanker after the primeministership, she will prove to the biggest deterrant to some one else, like Monomohon Singh, being the Prime Minister.And in the end, given her large circle of sychophants and Ganndhi-family link, she will in all probablity head the new regime.
But is she capable of running such a large and complex country as India? Has she got the requisite qualification? Has she got the minimum education, knowledge, insight and wisdom to be at the helm of a country?
She as Prime Minister will sure be a liabilty for the country. And it may herald another bad spell for the democracy.
MRINAL BOSE
Saturday, May 01, 2004
CRIMINALS IN INDIAN DEMOCRACY
"Jailbirds belong in jail, not House: HC",screams a newspaper headline.
It refers to a landmark judgement by Patna High Court which orders that criminals behind bars must not contest the elections. It also asks the Election Commission of India to countermand the elections if necessary "wherever such persons have contested seats for the 14th Lok Sabha."
Now, this judgement is going to ruffle many feathers. Every political party worth its salt has criminals in its fold, and most of our netas have criminal nexus. It is almost impossible to win an Indian election these days without muscle power.
Ever since the independence, our netas have relentlessly used the criminals though in a sneaking, almost unobtrusive way, to meet their ends. As only expected, the criminals have emerged as an open and formidable force over the years. No wonder now that mafia dons like Pappu Jadav or Babloo Srivastab or Md. Shahabuddin have long been contesting the elections, some are MPs even, with direct patronage from our leaders and main political parties.
So will the Election Commission heed to the High Court's order? You can never say for sure, because Indian poticians are a very wily and unprincipled breed, and they know how to flout a court order.
MRINAL BOSE
"Jailbirds belong in jail, not House: HC",screams a newspaper headline.
It refers to a landmark judgement by Patna High Court which orders that criminals behind bars must not contest the elections. It also asks the Election Commission of India to countermand the elections if necessary "wherever such persons have contested seats for the 14th Lok Sabha."
Now, this judgement is going to ruffle many feathers. Every political party worth its salt has criminals in its fold, and most of our netas have criminal nexus. It is almost impossible to win an Indian election these days without muscle power.
Ever since the independence, our netas have relentlessly used the criminals though in a sneaking, almost unobtrusive way, to meet their ends. As only expected, the criminals have emerged as an open and formidable force over the years. No wonder now that mafia dons like Pappu Jadav or Babloo Srivastab or Md. Shahabuddin have long been contesting the elections, some are MPs even, with direct patronage from our leaders and main political parties.
So will the Election Commission heed to the High Court's order? You can never say for sure, because Indian poticians are a very wily and unprincipled breed, and they know how to flout a court order.
MRINAL BOSE
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