Latest news with #Writing
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Apple Launches New Mac Campaign for Students in India - Here's Everything You Need to Know
Apple's back with its second student-focused Mac campaign in India, titled 'Lessons.' This one follows last year's 'Work Is Worth It,' but shifts the focus to learning on your own terms — beyond just textbooks and by Ayappa, the film leans into the chaos and reality of college life, set against an original track made using typical advice students hear from parents, teachers, and well-meaning a quick look at Apple's AI in action too — a student uses the new 'Summarise in Writing Tools' to condense pages of notes into one clean bullet point. Another one juggles engineering apps like AutoCAD and Xcode on the new M4 MacBook Air without campaign's set to run across TV, social, and digital platforms during the back-to-school you're curious about Apple Intelligence, the 'Hands On' film covers tools like:Photo cleanup to remove unwanted stuff from your picsCustom GenmojisImage Playground for quick visual creationWriting Tools to tweak or summarise your textMail summaries for long threadsVisual lookups through the cameraBuilt-in ChatGPT access via Siri and writing featuresApple Intelligence works on iPhone 15 Pro and up, iPad and Mac with M1 or newer, and Vision Pro. More devices and languages are expected to be added is also expected to deliver a massive updates across MacOS and iOS next Monday on June 9th at WWDC 2025. For udpates from the event watch this space.
CNBC
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNBC
I published my first book at 38—here's exactly how I changed careers to make it happen
Once upon a time, before I ever gave any serious thought to becoming an author, I was a recruiter. Then I was an HR manager, resume writer, career advice columnist, and career coach. For the most part, I really enjoyed it. Helping others find jobs they love, or at least like, is incredibly rewarding. But at a certain point, I became determined to write a novel. My knowledge of books was limited to reading them. I had no idea where to begin. What I know how to do was execute a thoroughly researched career pivot. I'd been telling other people how to do that for years. Now it was my turn. Spoiler alert: It took about five years, but I made it happen. My first novel went to auction, where I landed a six-figure, two-book deal with HarperCollins and was able to start writing full-time. "Dear Dotty" was published last year, and my second novel, "Lucky Break," comes out in July. I'm currently hard at work on a draft of a third novel. Here's how I did it: This is the first thing I'd tell anyone considering a change. Look at job postings and LinkedIn profiles of people who have the jobs you want. How did they get there? What skills do they have that you need to cultivate? I had to learn things like how to write a novel, how a book gets published, what the word count of a manuscript should be, how to get an agent, and what an editor does. So, you know, everything. I started with Google. It led me to resources like "The Shit No One Tells You About Writing" and Susan Dennard's blog (now a Substack), which helped me understand what my career pivot would entail. I quickly realized that understanding the publishing industry wouldn't do anything for me if I didn't know how to write the story. So I enrolled in a part-time, two-year writing program. What drew me to the Stanford Continuing Studies Novel Writing Certificate was how it focused on guiding students through the process, from initial inspiration to writing to revision. Even better, we'd get feedback from teachers, all of whom were published authors themselves, and fellow students. I knew I needed to learn the craft and for me, this was the best option. I also wanted to get experience submitting work, implementing feedback, working with editors, and even getting rejected — all things needed to be comfortable with if I wanted to make this my career. So I wrote career advice articles for The Muse, some of which also ran on Forbes, Business Insider, and Fast Company; blogged about living aboard a 45-foot boat; and submitted a short story that was rejected about 10 times before Storyshares published it. Getting better at the craft of writing was so much fun. Getting better at taking in feedback and rejection? Less fun! But all necessary. Once I completed a draft of my manuscript, which took two years, I felt ready to learn more about how to get it published. Connecting with fellow writers at the Northern California Writers' Retreat provided both emotional support and practical knowledge. These peers became my first readers, accountability buddies, and partners in promoting my book. Meeting industry professionals taught me things that no amount of internet research could provide. However, I quickly learned an important truth: Connections can open doors and get your manuscript read faster, but this won't get you published if your writing isn't compelling. While networking is essential, continuously improving your craft is even more important. The closer I became to being ready to query (i.e., send my manuscript to agents I hoped would be interested in representing me), the more I focused on building my platform. I already had a website for my career advice articles and an Instagram about boat life, so I decided to repurpose them. I updated my website to include a section about my writing journey and upcoming novel. I shifted my Instagram content to include more behind-the-scenes glimpses of my writing process alongside the boat life posts. This gave me a foundation to build an author platform without starting completely from scratch. In the midst of this lengthy career pivot that came with absolutely no guarantees, I juggled a few freelance jobs: as a personal assistant, a real estate assistant, a career advice columnist, a freelance resume writer, and a contract career coach — sometimes all at once! Yes, I was tired. My sweet, supportive husband, Brian, worked full-time during this period, and we don't have children. None of this is one-size-fits-all. My "application" was my very polished manuscript and my query letter (which I was delighted to find wasn't too dissimilar from a cover letter). I spent months refining it, researching agents who represented books similar to mine, and personalizing each submission. Just like with job applications, I made sure my first impression was impeccable — no typos, proper formatting, and a compelling hook that would make agents want to read more. Publishing moves slowly. Some agents responded within days, others took months, and some never responded at all. It took nearly nine months before I finally received an offer of representation. While waiting to hear back, I started outlining my second novel and continued building relationships with other writers. This kept me sane and ensured I was developing my skills and expanding my network. When I eventually got interest from editors, they wanted to know what else I was working on. Because I hadn't stopped creating, I had multiple ideas to discuss, ultimately leading to a second book contract. I took into account feedback I received and made significant revisions to my manuscript. I saw firsthand how being flexible and willing to change your approach is often what separates successful authors from those who give up too soon. Having a growth mindset was key to my success. Pivoting from recruiter to novelist isn't exactly the same as changing careers from, say, accounting to customer service. But like any meaningful career change, it requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. Even with my second novel about to publish and a third in the works, I'm still learning every day.,
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Five Writers Awarded the Prestigious HWR Khozem Merchant Non-Fiction Fellowship
NAINITAL, India, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Himalayan Writing Retreat (HWR) announced the five recipients of the 2025 HWR Khozem Merchant Non-Fiction Fellowship, selected from a highly competitive pool of 183 applicants from across India. Following a rigorous two-stage review process, 25 writers were shortlisted earlier this year. After careful evaluation, the final five fellows were selected this week for their compelling proposals and potential to contribute meaningfully to the Indian non-fiction literary landscape. The selected fellows are: Anusuya Basu Anju Narayanan Jeff Joseph Paul Kadicheeni Radheshyam Jadhav Shirin Mehrotra "Given the number of excellent proposals we received, choosing the final five wasn't an easy task. It came down to the quality of the writing and the durability of the idea. In years to come, I am certain that the fellowship will likely inspire many excellent non-fiction works," said Karthik Venkatesh, Executive Editor at Penguin Random House India, and Jury member. "Each project aims to present a different shade of human experience and to explore, often through deeply personal narratives, what it means to overcome adversity. These are all works-in-progress, demonstrating great promise, but the winning entries seemed much closer to the finishing line as writing projects, both in terms of the writer's vision and intention," added Jury member Vineet Gill, also an editor at Penguin Random House India. Endowed by best-selling author Aparna Piramal Raje, Lata Gullapalli and Saumya Roy, the fellowship honors Khozem Merchant, a former Financial Times journalist and a mentor to many emerging writers. The initiative is designed to support writers working on long-form non-fiction centered on lived experience, personal narratives, history, memoir, and narrative journalism. Each fellow will participate in a five-day masterclass with acclaimed author Jerry Pinto in May, followed by a fully funded 21-day writing residency in the Himalayas in July. They will also receive a ₹50,000 grant upon completion of the residency and a ₹20,000 travel stipend. Fellows will submit their completed manuscripts to Penguin Random House India by April 30, 2026, for consideration. "The winning projects capture everything we want for the Fellowship: all writers with a lot of work under their belts who can take on challenging stories that may otherwise not have happened," said Aparna Piramal Raje." "I congratulate every single person who applied. It doesn't matter if you were shortlisted or selected – you have articulated an idea. If it matters to you, you should pursue and take it to completion," said Chetan Mahajan, co-founder of the Himalayan Writing Retreat. For more information, visit: Media Contact:info@ Photo: View original content to download multimedia:
Sharjah 24
16-04-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
‘Sharjah NYU SPS Exec. Pub. Prog.' explores global strategies
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), in collaboration with the Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media at the NYU School of Professional Studies (SPS), the program is being held at the American University of Sharjah empowering a global contingent of publishing leaders from 17 nations. Identifying global market trends in publishing A standout session in the four-day agenda was 'Global Market Trends and How to Craft a Global Strategy,' led by Chantal Restivo-Alessi, Chief Digital Officer and CEO of International Foreign Language at HarperCollins Publishers. In her session, Restivo-Alessi offered valuable insights on identifying and capitalizing on global market trends to shape impactful strategies for international expansion. 'Everything is global, and positioning accordingly is imperative. We must optimise the reach of every book by ensuring content resonates across cultural boundaries. A major expansion for HarperCollins was becoming a publisher in foreign languages, translating existing US and UK content into over 16 languages. But it's not just about exporting, it's a two-way flow and cultural exchange is multi-directional, identifying opportunities for international works to publish in English and vice versa. Publishers must adapt to new realities: digital transformed our industry, and now AI presents both challenges and opportunities we can't ignore,' Restivo-Alessi explained. This was complemented by her second session, 'Global Publishing, Consumer Trends, and Sources for Editorial Content,' which equipped participants with the knowledge to identify emerging consumer preferences and valuable sources for editorial content across diverse markets, saying, 'Digital formats are a growing part of the market today, and audiobooks are increasingly becoming a go-to for many segments, now making up 10% of the US market and still increasing. The ability to multitask while listening is a big driver for this. Younger consumers are voracious readers, and social media, especially TikTok, is essential for discovery. At the same time, competition has increased with a greater variety of players in the market.' 'Physical books are seen as affordable luxuries, but our data shows that 83% of consumers feel prices are too high, and 9% are putting off purchases. Interestingly, 49% of book purchases are driven by the desire to 'treat yourself.' Subscription models in digital formats are also becoming significant, providing recurring revenue streams for publishers. Meanwhile, graphic novels and manga's global explosion is no accident, driven by retail support as well as media synergy with film and gaming, and its multi-generational appeal,' Restivo-Alessi concluded. Harnessing the power of translation and global reach Another important session was 'Translators as Growth Partners: Words Without Borders' with Samantha Schnee, Founding Editor of Words Without Borders. Schnee emphasised the essential position translators have in bridging cultural gaps and facilitating the global exchange of literature, highlighting the importance of recognising translators as key collaborators in the publishing process. Building on this theme, Naveen Kishore, Founder of Seagull Books, and her Chief Editor/Senior Designer, Sunandini Banerjee, presented 'Publishing with a Global Purpose Harmonizing acquisitions, translation, and design for global growth.' Together they shared their experiences in integrating acquisition, translation, and design to create books that resonate with global audiences, emphasizing the power of cultural sensitivity and artistic vision. Participants were also able to explore expansion opportunities with Christie Henry, Director of Princeton University Press, through case studies and a role-play exercise. Inés ter Horst, Director of Intellectual Property, Princeton University Press, presented 'Powerful Partners Empower Publishing: A Case Study' in collaboration with Christie Henry, which highlighted the importance of intellectual property rights in global publishing. Carlo Carrenho, Publishing Consultant at Alpine Global Collective, discussed 'The Growth of Audio – What to Prepare for', focusing on preparations for the growing audio market, and Chantal Restivo-Alessi also held another session called 'Digital Sales and Digital Operations – Key Elements to Consider' where she shared Key Elements to consider in regards to digital operations. Another highlight was with Kelly Gallagher, Vice President, Content Acquisition, Ingram Content Group, who covered the changes in international print sales in the session 'What's Changing in International Print Sales?'
Emirates 24/7
15-04-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Sharjah hosts ‘Sharjah NYU SPS Executive Publishing Program'
The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) launched today the first edition of the Sharjah Executive Program for Publishing Professionals at the American University of Sharjah, in collaboration with the Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media at NYU School of Professional Studies, with the participation of over 50 publishers from 17 countries. The four-day program brings together professionals specialised in the publishing sector. Held for the first time outside the United States, the program is a specialised educational initiative that aims to provide advanced training for publishing professionals in key areas including business strategies, digital practices, leadership skills, and other topics aligned with the global standards and demands of the publishing industry. Mansour Al Hassani, General Coordinator of Professional Conferences at the Sharjah Book Authority, affirmed that under the directives of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA, the authority places great importance on training publishers and equipping them with the latest global knowledge and technologies. He pointed out that the rapid expansion in publishing tools and the transformation of the market into a highly competitive digital environment require cultural institutions and publishing companies to stay up to date through high-level training programs. He stressed the SBA's commitment to providing high-quality educational platforms that bring together Arab and international publishers with global publishing experts to enhance their competencies and open new horizons for innovation and expansion, especially in digital transformation, marketing strategies, and modern distribution channels. Andrea Chambers, Associate Dean of the Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media at NYU School of Professional Studies, described the program as a pioneering step to empower professionals in the publishing sector by providing them with best practices and strategies to enhance operational efficiency and sales. She highlighted that the program focuses on education and training as pillars for developing leadership skills and innovation, offering participants the opportunity to engage with leading thinkers and global experts, thereby broadening their horizons and strengthening their capacity to face challenges in the global publishing industry. Christie Henry, Director of Princeton University Press, led panel sessions sharing their experience in navigating market challenges, and discussed the opportunities and challenges of expanding into international markets, particularly the Chinese market. In a session titled 'The Power of Small Independent Publishers: The Princeton University Press Story,' Christie Henry affirmed that the success of publishing institutions does not rely solely on the quality of content, but also on building strategic relationships with readers, staff, and the wider community. She noted that reputation and loyalty are key to increasing revenue and achieving sustainable growth, and that publishing remains a risk-driven industry as it depends on ever-changing human behaviour, making data collection and analysis essential for understanding the market and making informed decisions. She explained that today's publishing industry requires a collaborative environment capable of adapting to rapid changes and adopting tools for positive engagement with readers, especially through partnerships with public libraries and schools to foster a love of reading from an early age. She emphasised that books have the power to shape the world we want to see. In the session 'Global Case Study: Princeton University Press in China,' Henry highlighted the opportunities offered by international publishing operations as well as the challenges they face, with a particular focus on the Chinese publishing market. The opening day also included networking and idea-sharing exercises for participants. Dan Hayter, Sales and Marketing Director at Glassboxx, delivered a session titled 'Telling Your Story: How a Website Can Attract Readers and Generate Revenue,' showcasing the importance of building a strong online presence in the digital age. The day's program also included a session titled 'Acquiring Titles for Global Audiences: What Works and Why,' led by Michael Reynolds, Editor-in-Chief of Europa Editions, who shared strategies for selecting titles suitable for diverse international readers. Inez Munsch, Managing Director at Abrams & Chronicle Books Ltd., presented a session titled 'Visualizing Global: Cover Design and Visual Appeal for International Audiences,' focusing on the visual elements that attract global readers. The program will continue over the next three days, discussing various topics including translation, global market trends, digital marketing, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the publishing industry, providing participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance their professional ambitions. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
