WhatsApp Group for English Students Teachers and Researchers

Pickwick Papers WhatsApp Group

Opportunity to Join the Best WhatsApp Community in India for English Language, Literature & Research

A Literary and Academic Group Dedicated to Arts/ Humanities in General and English Language / Literature / Research in Particular

What is Pickwick Papers?

Pickwick Papers is a platform for those from a Language & Literature background, to stay in the loop, updated & correctly informed about the literary scene & the academia. The idea behind the group is to provide our members with authentic and trustworthy information on matters connected with courses, events, vacancies, research opportunities, publishing, journals, and all such issues that concern writers, students, teachers or researchers from an Arts or Humanities background. Everyone can make posts in the group, but the admins make sure that the information provided is accurate and updated.

Now there are 8 WhatsApp groups under the Pickwick Umbrella. They host a number of activities like charity funds for the financially needy among members (Fund for Friends), lectures on literature and poetry (Pickwick Lectures), research assistance for MA/MPhil/PhD students (Pickwick Mentors), Scholarships for deserving students/ scholars, free NTA NET English coaching, and publishing assistance for aspiring authors (Pickwick Publishing), with recommendations and feedback from poets, editors and writers who are part of Pickwick Papers.

Pickwick Papers as a WhatsApp group was born in 2019, founded by a coterie of literature enthusiasts and now they are around 4500 members strong. In the group there are students, youngsters, literature enthusiasts and budding writers, rubbing shoulders with seasoned and renowned artists, teachers, writers, editors, poets, critics, research guides and publishing experts.

Who can be members?

Usually, anyone interested in literature, Arts, poetry, authors, readers, students (usually from a literary or humanities background), editors, translators – basically anyone who has an artistic or literary bend of mind. (The eligibility criteria says anyone who is pursuing or has completed an MA in Language/ Literature is eligible. Exemptions are given in special circumstances).They don't want people who live to advertise, or who look for cheap popularity; they don't tolerate spammers. They don't entertain promotions, paid or otherwise. They clearly  don't want narrow minded people who will try to use this group to promote political, religious, regional, gender-biased or any such parochial views.

To join, fill and submit the Google form: https://forms.gle/Y1Zrv2NG85cayKW17

Those who click to join from here must mention "Aifest Portal" as reference. Once the details are received, the request will be scrutinized and if you are found eligible, you will be added to the group. Pickwick Papers is a big literary family. Feel at home, keep this home tidy and sweet. Those who already members must not apply again.

Group Ethics

1. We don't wish to have rules imposed on anyone, because all of us are mature individuals who know how to behave in a group.
2. The language of the group is English, not because English is greater or better, but simply and only because it is the language that everyone in the group understands.
3. There is no compulsion to post anything ever. It is perfectly fine to be a silent participant. Silence is beautiful; spamming and unnecessary forwards can spoil the ambience and waste everyone's time.
4. When we make a post, we all make sure it contributes in some ways to the group, and also that it is in keeping with the purpose of the group.
5. We agree that it’s difficult to join the group, because we are selective, not based on any narrow considerations, but taking into account (and scrutinizing) the interests and intentions of the aspirants.
6. Quality matters more than quantity at Pickwick Papers. We don't share the joining link publicly or add everyone to this group because of this reason.
7. Anyone can leave the group anytime, but once you leave, you won’t be added back (unless you leave the group accidentally. We understand such problems).
8. Academic events, career opportunities, notifications, anecdotes, updates, news etc related to Arts and Humanities are welcome.
9. Literary discussions are always encouraged. Ads, promotions, greetings etc are not allowed.
10. Personal discussions should be taken to the personal window rather than continuing with it in the group.
11. Anything that violates the common rules of propriety, or posts that are repeatedly promotional or advertising in nature, can lead to expulsion from the group.
12. We don't live for rules, and we don't want to worry much about rules, as long as everyone respects each other's privacy, time and situation.