Today on the show, Lauren welcomes Kavita Das.
Five years ago, Kavita transitioned from the world of social justice to the world of writing to tell the life story of Grammy-nominated Hindustani singer Lakshmi Shankar in her book Poignant Song: The Life and Music of Lakshmi Shankar.
Aside from her amazing essays and articles, she also enjoys writing about social and cultural issues and encouraging diversity to find their own voices in the writing space.
In this episode, Lauren and Kavita chat about systemic racism behind rejection and how it plays into the publishing world.
Kavita also shares what started her appetite for writing and specifically why she decided to write about someone else’s life.
She also highlights the importance of joining a writing community and how it can not only help you find inspiration and motivation but also serve as a constant reminder that other people share the same passion as well.
She tells all about her class – Writing About Social Issues, a 6-week non-fiction workshop that teaches how to write responsibly and ethically but also compellingly about social issues, and much more!
Connect with Kavita:
Facebook – Kavita Das
Twitter – @kavitamix
Thank you so much for tuning in today! If you haven’t listened to episode 34 where Lauren talks about how to become a better writer, then go back and check it out!
We want to know who you are and where you’ve been! Come hang out with Lauren in the Writers Squad Facebook group and over on Instagram @laurenmariefleming. We can’t wait to chat with you there!
You can also stay tuned for new weekly episodes @schoolforwriters, and if you want to spread the love even further, consider following, rating, and reviewing!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
-Get on the waitlist for The School For Writers Academy! A new program coming in June 2021. Spaces will be limited!
–Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
-Read Kavita’s essays here.
–Binders Full of Sensitivity Readers Facebook Group
Book recommendation of the week:
–My sister, the serial killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Love audiobooks? Listen on Libro.fm and support independent bookstores. Plus, use this link and we both get a free audiobook: http://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm116869
Wondering why we don’t link to Amazon? Check out Episode 2 of the Business School for Writers Podcast to hear all about how supporting independent bookstores helps you see more stories like yours out in the world.
About Kavita:
Kavita Das writes about culture, race, gender, and their intersections. Nominated for a 2016 Pushcart Prize, Kavita’s work has been published in CNN, Teen Vogue, Catapult, Fast Company, Tin House, Longreads, The Atlantic, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Washington Post, Kenyon Review, NBC News Asian America, Guernica, Quartz, The Rumpus, and elsewhere.
Her first book, Poignant Song: The Life and Music of Lakshmi Shankar (Harper Collins India), a biography about the Grammy-nominated Hindustani singer, was published in June 2019. Kavita is at work on her next book, Sparking Change on the Page: Lessons and Reflections on Writing About Social Issues (Beacon Press, Summer 2022). She lives in New York with her husband, baby daughter, and hound.
