Shiv Ramdas

Hello all, My name is Shiv Ramdas. I'm an Indian (Tamilian and Sikh) writer with short stories in&nbsp;<a href="http://strangehorizons.com/fiction/and-now-his-lordship-is-laughing/">Strange Horizons</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://firesidefiction.com/guardian">Fireside Fiction</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://podcastle.org/2019/09/24/podcastle-593-balloon-man/">Podcastle</a> and others.&nbsp; My work has been nominated for several awards including Hugo, Nebula and Ignyte awards. I also published India's first mainstream cyberpunk science fiction novel (Domechild).&nbsp;I write in a variety of speculative fiction genres (sci fi, horror, fantasy) as well as mystery, humour, and an occasional column for FirstPost. I also take on freelance work in writing and editing.&nbsp; I'm currently working on a new novel set in Delhi that combines different genres to create a comedic noir-paranormal-mythological (mythonormal?) detective story, and a few other projects, including a couple of short stories, a novelette, and an editing/organising project I'm VERY excited for and will be telling you all about rather soon! I periodically do interviews and panels (with outlets in both India and the US), which will be listed on my&nbsp;<a href="https://shivramdas.net">personal page</a>.&nbsp; My personal interests include reading, sports, politics, TV shows, animals, space, video games and various random factoids and trivia, all of which I spend time screaming into the void on Twitter at @nameshiv.&nbsp; This Patreon exists to fulfill a few different purposes. In 2016 I attended Clarion West Writers Workshop in Seattle, and it was while I was here that I met my wife and moved here to join her later that year. While I love living in Seattle (seriously, it's great and the PNW summer may be the best kept secret in the USA) moving to a new continent as a writer is challenging. I set aside a robust freelance career in India and started again from scratch in a new country. As a result, I spend a lot of my time seeking out a wide variety of freelance jobs, time that might be better spent focusing on my fiction. I also love mentoring writers who are starting out, and adore discussing writing theory and craft with anyone and everyone. I'd like to try and use this space to share my own thoughts and theories about the writing process, as well as various other things like retrospective looks at TV shows, games, a review or two, essays, and of course, stories! I'm hoping together we can build a little community of Extreme Nerdery here, where we can discuss all of the above, as well as writing excerpts, reading recommendations, and the occasional post about the life of a transplanted mixed-background Indian in the United States. And for a special incentive for you to stick around, I'll even provide pictures of my highly photogenic cats.&nbsp;

Free

My fortnightly newsletter which will feature some of the following: some thoughts on writing, the business of writing, craft tips and theory, a general topic of interest or two, reading, TV and video game recommendations! Oh, and cat pictures.

Cross my palm with silver

Everything from previous tiers as well as excerpts from my current works in progress and exclusive short story, TV and game reviews that you won't find anywhere else!

Both palms if you please

In addition to the items available at the other tier levels, you have now unlocked a monthly video of me talking about various writing subjects, including more genre specific tips and tricks, and yes, you may also suggest topics to be covered. 

I need more palms

At this level, you unlock everything that everyone else gets, as well as the chance to name one of my stories and a personalised critique of the first 5 pages of whatever you'd like. And of course, more gratitude than you'll know what to do with. 

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