Manasi S.
About me
| Manasi S. | |
| English and Related Literature | |
| Renaissance Literature 1500-1700 | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Wentworth | |
| 2009 | |
| India |
My employment
| Editor | |
| Karadi Tales Company | |
| India | |
| 2008 | |
| £300000 | |
| £537480 |
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A day in the life of a Editor in India
My career history
I am currently Editor at Karadi Tales, a children’s publishing house based in Chennai, India. I began working here in August 2008 as Junior Publishing Editor. I was promoted to the position of Editor in March 2009.
I simultaneously work as a freelance writer for several journals and publications, including The Asian Review of Books (Hong Kong), The Sunday Guardian (New Delhi), and Mint Lounge (New Delhi). I'm trying to pursue creative writing on the side as well.
Where I hope to be in 5 years
I'm keenly invested in the publishing industry, and I hope to progress into a larger, mainstream, international publishing house with an active role in commissioning and acquisitions.
My advice to students considering work
Network, network, network!
My advice about working in my industry
Finding a job in India right now is particularly easy because of the economy. Everyone's hiring, and everyone's interested in talented graduates! Depending on the kind of profession you're interested in, you could start by looking for online job forums and writing directly to people at the companies you're interested in working for. The thing about India (and the whole of Asia) is people skills. Companies, especially independents, place a lot of value on the human connection.
What I do
I work cross-functionally with writers, illustrators, musicians, voice artists, and designers. I also contribute as writer and lyricist. I help develop educational content, teaching modules and syllabi for developmental programmes for children. I manage and conduct book launches, storytelling sessions, workshops on theatre and creative writing. I represent the company's rights lists at international trade fairs (including New York, Frankfurt, London, Singapore, Kolkata, Delhi).
I have been closely involved with devising a 32-session module that uses storytelling and theatre to achieve developmental objectives among children. I’ve worked with pre-schools on how to use picture books as powerful multidimensional tools and I’m familiar with the basics of phonetic reading, sight reading, and early learning. I also work cross-functionally with a multimedia application development team that designs digital content based on picture books published by Karadi Tales. I’ve also come to note the advantages of digital technology, and I’m well-acquainted with the use of multimedia platforms in publishing and education.
Skills I use and how I developed them
My education in Literature at York is what has given me a strong academic background that is particularly useful in understanding and appreciating world literature, publishing trends and powerful writing.
Degree skills:
During my MA, I honed the invaluable skills of independent research, close-reading and analysis.
Extracurricular skills:
My interpersonal and persuasive skills have been my strong points at my current position, especially at international trade fairs. My communication skills were developed during my experiences as a student ambassador at the University of Pittsburgh’s Semester at Sea programme in 2005 and as a juror at the International Children’s Film Festival in 2002.
My creative writing skills, my experience in theatre, and my knowledge of phonetics have proved useful as well.
What I like most
Over the past three years, I developed a unique line of picture books that has performed extraordinarily well in India and internationally. I have attended the book fairs at London, New York, New Delhi, Frankfurt, and Singapore representing the list, and my exposure has given me a lot of insight, market awareness, and an international outlook.
My experience in a growing market has enabled me to grow in many ways – some that cannot be quantified. I have fought very hard for the books I believe in, worked under exceptionally tight budgets, and fallen very deeply in love with publishing. Working at a small, independent publishing house has ensured a steep learning curve.
What I like least
It's not very well-paid!
What would I change? I would try and gain more international work experience in publishing trade fiction for adults.
Next steps...
If you like the look of Manasi’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Manasi a message to find out more about their career journey.