Nonfiction Writing Lab
The Nonfiction Writing Lab is for aspiring writers, journalists and photojournalists, who want to work on a novel under the guidance of an expert to tell a true story as it is.
BLACKLINE
CREATION LABS
About The Lab
Objectives
The Nonfiction Writing Lab is for promising writers, journalists and photojournalists, who want to work on a novel under the guidance of an expert to tell a true story as it is.
Unlike the “Nonfiction to Fiction Lab”, this Lab takes little to no creative liberty in telling a true story. The commitment is to researching an important event or person and writing a journalistic analysis of its/their social impact.
During the Lab, fellows will work under the guidance of supervisors who would help the research, approve drafts and act as your editor, ensuring support and accountability.
The finished novel will be distributed and published by Studio Blackline under the participant’s name as the author.
Practical Details
Location
Anywhere
Dates
All year round
No. of Participants
Max 5 per year
Mode of Attendance
Online (1-on-1)
Creative Theme
The Creative Theme for the upcoming Lab is “Biography”. As the name suggests, the final project will revolve around capturing the interesting moments of a person’s life and publishing them in the form of a novel. The person chosen would be an accomplished person whose life’s work has had an impact on thousands of people, or someone whose journey to success came through many trials and tribulations.
Deliverables
As part of the Lab, the fellows under the guidance of the Expert will be required to submit the following for successful completion of the Lab:
1. A 90,000 word nonfiction novel
2. About the Author
3. Foreword
4. Back Cover Material
5. Release Form from the subject
Timelines
The Lab is divided into 3 phases, each 2 months long:
Part 1: Research
Part 2: Interviews and Data Collection
Part 3: Writing and Editing
Creative Guidelines
Lab Inclusions
Fees
Rs. 30,000 per fellow. (Fee waivers available for exceptional talent.)
Majority of the funding is borne by Studio Blackline and its partners. The Lab Fees we charge the participants go towards funding the cost of the program partially. Studio Blackline provides the following facilities to the fellows:
1. Expert Counselling Sessions.
2. Legal Costs of Subject Story Rights.
3. One year access to writing and design softwares.
4. Travel costs for research (if required and approved).
5. Publication and Distribution expenses.
Studio Blackline makes no profit from these Fees. The experts and the Studio earn their fees from sales of the novels afterwards, sharing the profits with the fellows.
Costs Included
The Fees does not include the following costs:
1. Any living or accommodation costs.
2. Any travel costs within the city or outside the city (other than those approved for project’s requirements).
3. Any technology (computers, laptops, mobile phones, etc).
Not Included in the Costs
Next Deadline
Midnight, 30th June 2024
What will I need in order to apply?
Applicants should prepare the following documents for a successful application:
1. Resume with work experience, educational qualifications and interests.
2. Cover Letter (up to 2000 words) describing (a) why the Creative Theme interests them, (b) how this Lab would help their career ambitions , and (c) why they should be selected for this Lab over other applicants.
3. Writing Sample (any length but similar to the Creative Theme they are applying for)
4. Fee Waiver application outlining why you should be given a fee waiver. Please note, these are merit based Fee Waivers and the applicants should highlight only their merit in the field of screenwriting to avail these.
What happens after I apply?
Our team will go through the applications and schedule a call with shortlisted participants for a video interview. After that, the chosen participants will be given 15 days to make the payment. The start date of the program will be set as per the fellow’s and expert ’s convenience.
Eligibility
1. Proven track record in writing, with at least 5 short content pieces published on online platforms. OR
2. Proven track record in journalism, with at least 5 pieces published on news platforms.
3. Genuine interest in the Creative Theme for the Lab they are applying to.
4. Fellows joining the programme should be willing to make a commitment to the Lab for 6 months.
5. Ability to pay the Fees before the start of the program.
FAQs
For further questions, please go to the FAQs page.
