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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- Academic events, career
opportunities, notifications, anecdotes, updates, news etc related to Arts and
Humanities are welcome.
- Literary discussions
are always encouraged. Ads, promotions,
greetings etc are not allowed.
- Personal discussions
should be taken to the personal window rather than continuing with it in the
group.
- 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.
- 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.
