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MEAA Update for August 2018
Introduction The MEAA (Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance) is the union for journalists and writers and I thought I should start doing this monthly so that whether you are a member or not, you were aware of what the union is trying to do to help journalism and journalists. It also helps you be more informed especially if you have ideas for how the union can do more. So I will tell you what I can tell you – sometimes there are awesome things I am dying to tell you about that I cannot because they are still in planning stage behind the scenes, so please do keep that in…
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Well at least the website is looking a bit snazzier
First of all, sorry about the radio silence on the website of late. The website was hacked and was down. It didn’t affect anyone who visits it – all it did was place pesky links all over the site. But it did take a while to sort out. I had to figure out exactly what had been tampered with. Right now, I am pretty sure I got everything but if you see anything strange, let me know. And then I decided to change the look of the site a bit more. I hope things are now easier to find on the site and that things are easier to read. So…
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Amanda Jay’s The Other One is a Fairway Literary Award finalist! Which means two of my authors have been shortlisted in a row.
Ok, first things first, who is Amanda Jay? Amanda Jay is a Sri Lankan writer – Amanda Jayatissa – who wrote a book titled The Other One. I edited it earlier this year and she decided to self publish it in both e-book and hard copy format. It’s not doing too badly sales wise. But yesterday she got the news that it was shortlisted for the Fairway Literary Awards in the English Language section. Guess who got shortlisted for the Fairway literary awards? One of my authors! @mandysillybob I’m very proud of you. I’m so excited. You better win so that we get two in a row! #srilankanauthors #srilankanliterature #theotherone…
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7 useful lessons I learnt from an unexpected laptopless week The experiment that I didn't exactly sign up for
A lesson can show up at the oddest moment. Over the Christmas break, my laptop died. It was eight years old and the battery stopped working and the power cord no longer functioned well when plugged in. After having upgraded the hinges, the battery, the memory and several other parts of the laptop over the years, I knew it was time to get a new one. I generally try to hold on to laptops and technology for as long as possible – I don’t want to waste by getting new stuff as it comes out for the sake of getting new stuff if you know what I mean. That’s just…
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BREAKING: Perth mosque targeted with car bomb attack Worshippers safe with no one injured
A suspected petrol bomb was left in a parked car outside the Thornlie Mosque and Australian Islamic College during the Perth Muslim community's prayer session earlier this evening.
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The writing plan for June
It’s June today. A June day, today, let’s say since June began the day before yesterday. On this June day my TBR is neither pile nor stack, it is a scatter instead, in bags, on shelves, across the floor, under laptops and beds. It’s also not To Be Read but rather like quantum, a mix between the two, some To Be Read but some also read already so To Be Reviewed. I need a plan.
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Week 4 or How to survive NYE week in Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka December 2015 – February 2015 Trip
It's been a weird week to say the least. It's been the kind of week where you think it has been a few days since something happened and in reality it was just 24 hours ago. Yeah, that kind of week. That's probably due to NYE being smack bang in the middle of the week and that driving everyone a little crazy but nevertheless it was rather odd.
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The Unconvential Guide to Freelance Journalism: Part 2 – setting up the business
So in Part 1 I explained why I wanted to answer the question of becoming a freelance journalist but also clarify exactly how difficult it can be to work as a freelance journalist. In this part I am going to tell you what, in Australia at least, you need in order to become a freelance journalist and to set up a business. Business type And the first thing you need to know is that yes, you are starting a business. And that you can be all by yourself as a sole trader, work with a couple of others in a partnership arrangement or set up a company with yourself working…
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The Unconvential Guide to Freelance Journalism: Part 1- demystifying the entire thing
A couple of weeks ago, a former university friend of mine (she was doing her BA, I was doing my MA) got in touch with me and asked me to meet her for coffee. I said “Sure!” And we did and she asked me a question: “How do I get into freelancing?” This was someone who has a job at a pretty top end publication but for whom it is a bit too stressful and not quite working out to be what she wants to write about. So I understand why she was asking me the question. I understand why she was considering the freelancing option. But I had to…
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Sri Lanka, December 2015 – February 2016
Destination: Colombo, Sri Lanka Duration: December 2015 – February 2016 Brief: I have crash landed in Colombo again, this time for two months and I will be taking on a bit of freelancing work as well as some work experience at a news organisation though as yet I am not entirely sure exactly what I will be doing so stay tuned. Follow the reportage/articles: Facebook / Twitter (I will update my website’s portfolio section when I can) Hire me to freelance for you: Email [email protected] / check out my website’s portfolio/Contently portfolio. Seriously, if you are a Sri Lankan organisation/publication or even an overseas one, make use of the fact…
