Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 06:50:21 -0400 (EDT) From: bhaatasari <gajjala+-AT-pitt.edu> Subject: so far - this is what we've done but it seems like some men may be interested in being a part of this, so maybe we'll modify some parts of this depending on suggestions i get...? Radhika SA-CYBORGS IS A LIST BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SPOON COLLECTIVE AND SUPERVISED BY THE SOUTH ASIAN WRITERS ONLINE COLLECTIVE this list is currently undergoing a transition. it is now a space for south asian writers to post their works online, and is being "watched over" by a south asian writers' collective online - we are volunteers interested in keeping this space a supportive, encouraging space for all kinds of south Asian writers. You can check our archives - after July 10th, 1996 or so to see how the transition came about. The main purpose of this list is to: 1. share creative works 2. discuss issues concerning writing and/or publishing 3. provide support, encouragement, and constructive criticism to writers 4. discuss issues that come up in different people's work--especially issues pertaining to "South Asian" women and identity. 5. Engage in collective exercises to unblock writer's block or just for fun such as collective poems, stories, and/or other forms of experimental writing while avoiding hierarchy, sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism, ethnocentrism, and any other oppressive, repulsive views. Other long term (and ambitious) goals may include: 1. setting up an archive of creative works. 2. from this archive, perhaps set up an editorial collective to put together an anthology which we can try to have published. 3. Network and outreach 4. provide a resource on how to go about publishing. To subscribe, send a message to majordomo-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu saying subscribe sa-cyborgs the digest option is also available to subscribe to the sa-cyborgs-digest, send a message to the majordomo-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu saying subscribe sa-cyborgs-digest. Currently the people actively moderating this list are Lakshmi Gopinathan Nair Rinita Mazumdar and Radhika Gajjala if you have questions, contact Radhika Gajjala at gajjala+-AT-pitt.edu or rxgst6+-AT-pitt.edu _________________________________________________________________________ Radhika's addendum- _____________________ A few cautionary points - 1)this is DEFINITELY a public space. 2) we cannot *protect* anyone from being flamed or from unjust/unwarranted criticism or accusations 3) sometimes posting your work online *may* affect your chances of getting published elsewhere, but so far it hasn't really affected mine. But that's mostly because I have not published - recently - in very mainstream United Statesian publications. 4) If you are a shy person - wait awhile and see how the list goes before you send out your writing. While I'm sure that the core group and most of the members on this list are not likely to be damaging in the way we criticise, our comments may touch on a very tender and/or vulnerable point and beginning writers do not always recover. They are more sensitive than the more established who eventually (no doubt) learn either to shut out criticism altogether or to examine the criticism and see what they can learn from it. 5) It is important to accept the compliments and praise as TRUE -as true as the criticism:-) or we will just be subjecting ourselves to ...whatever. Having said that, i'd like to say that posting online and finally having an audience that actually "talks back" can be exhilerating. And who knows, this forum may eventually lead us to publishers... possibilities, possibilities. but watch out for the stray rude person who has no qualms about attacking people online ... However, there are enough of us core members (i still have to get back to some of you one on one with the details...) to be able to try and crowd out any offensive intruder who we feel is being unnecessarily critical or just plain rude and disgusting. This does not of course mean that all of us core members do (or will) agree on all the how-tos and what-tos of creative writing:-)... if you are a "seasoned" online interactor, and have had your share of flame wars and not been completely silenced by arguments online, posting your creative work should n't be too hard. if someone does not respond to you on the list, but decides to pay you a compliment or advice off the list - that's quite nice of them. Although paying a compliment on the list is nice too. but there are some people who can send you nasty, humiliating and - what was that word?- vituperative - messages directly - off the list. this is not the fault of "the list" - however, if such harrassment occurs, we can discuss this online without necessarily naming names or forwarding personal email messages. the focus of this list will be our writing - those who post. this is not a place to discuss works pubd elsewhere - unless it has a direct relevance to one of the people's work or it is actually their work, pubd elsewhere and needs to be discussed in relation to what was/will be posted. I have partaken in interactive writing (sorta) on some other lists, and this can be fun too. So if someone decides to continue something that someone posts - i don't think we should be too startled or offended. It's a compliment, usually. i'm sure i have more - the good and bad of posting your creative work online. and most of it is based on experience. I have been almost compulsively posting my work online since March 1994 (approximately) and have had some of the experiences i am "cautioning" all of you about. A writer works hard at writing, and in writing s/he places hirself in a vulnerable position - exposing deep emotions and thoughts to a wide range of people known as "the audience" who react in various ways - very often they react in deeply personal/subjective ways, even when it is supposedly objective, academic criticism (but that's just my opinion;-)) - these reactions are not the "word of God" - it is up to the writer to decide what s/he wants to writer about and how s/he wants to do so, after considering what s/he wants from hir work. good luck, and please post. this is *your* list as much as it is ours, and it can exist only if you post your work, comments, feedback.... looking forward to a *great* list! Radhika homepage: http://www.pitt.edu/~rxgst6/jabberwocky.html
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