My experience with getting published in The Times of India

November 29, 2007

If you are here looking for information on how to get published in The Times of India, then you are in for a disappointment. I’ve spent every waking second trying to get information on how to make an edit page submission to The Times.

Alright, here’s the deal. I am very new to this writing game and I am not familiar with the unwritten rules; so I play by the book and deal in black and white. Now, you know how it works in India; until you’ve tried a zillion times for anything, success is not guaranteed.

I’ve had success in getting my work published to wherever I’ve sent so far. So, why The Times now, you might ask? Every evening when my husband returns from work, he looks at my distraught face knowing what I’ve been up to and asks, “Again? today, too? Why? Why just The Times? There is Mint, DNA, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle and rattles the list.” I sigh; if you have to ask you wouldn’t understand. Call it my obsession or whatever you want. My morning starts with this paper everyday; it has been that way for the past 7 years of my life which makes it difficult to just turn away and give up in a day. Getting a work published in the edit section of Times of India is my dream, even if it’s just for once. I know what you’re thinking - very ambitious indeed for a person who started writing just a few months back. So what, I’ve had no rejections so far. I have a piece ready to be submitted to Times and my gut says, it wouldn’t get rejected. I’ve closely observed and analysed every single column submitted in the past five months and I feel I am ready to try it.

Most of my writing ideas are inspired by day-to-day events and some occur in the middle of the night. Very few of these ideas transform from thoughts to articles.

Back to the Times of India story, I started this exercise of getting the editorial contacts a week back. During this period, my list of disappointment from the largest publishing house in India with a readership of 68.28 Lakh, has just grown and grown. Sample this : they have a few phone numbers listed at the back of the print edition. Since I live in Pune, these are local numbers. On calling them, I am told that the edit page articles are published from Delhi and I would have to get in touch with someone there - no information available about the Delhi contact numbers. That should be easy I thought - look up their website for the Contact Us page and just get the numbers. But, that was not meant to be. All the pages in TOI have only the Indiatimes numbers. An Indian lady with a fake westernised accent trying to pretend she didn’t have a second in the world to spare was kind enough to give me the Times of India office number.

Did you know the editorial section in a newspaper office is different from the edit page section? I didn’t: dumb schmuck. I thanked my stars when I spoke to a gentleman from the editorial section who promptly directed me to the edit page section..I’ve been trying to get through to someone for the past 3 hours while my long distance phone bill keeps increasing.

On a closing note, I’ve not given up; atleast not yet, just a little disillusioned right now as to why our publishing houses can’t be more organized and give sufficient information on their websites or bloggers/writers/journalists in India who can put up this information such as this one.

What I would like to see are:

Editorial/ submission guidelines like the one for New York Times
Editorial Contacts such as this one at LA Times
This is stretching it a bit too far citing reasons for rejection, but wouldn’t it be nice.
A rough time line before which you would get back for promising articles

I don’t have stats to compare the readership of Times of India with New York Times; but what I do know is that it doesn’t hurt anyone to be organized and give information right away without wasting your time and ours thereby inviting opinions at e-mail addresses which were not meant for this purpose. Time to think people!

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Comments

35 Responses to “My experience with getting published in The Times of India”

Divya Menon on February 7th, 2008 11:07 am

Lakshmi - You said it!!!!!

For the last two months or so, I have been trying to get an article published in any one of India’s leading newspapers and/or magazines and I echo your thoughts.

My point however is not just that our newspapers and magazines do not lay out the guidelines for submissions but the cold truth that our papers don’t even cast a glance at freelancers. They are unwilling to even SAMPLE new writers.

Like you, I too am in the habit of pursuing our publications on the phone and have been led from pillar to post only to be told in the end, “sorry maam, we don’t accept freelancers”. And, if I want to write on a pen name, it is even worse - sorry, we don’t accept unsolicited works

I have already spent a good 5000 or more bucks on international phone calls to editorial departments in India, that wont speak and might at times do so most rudely. I have allowed hopes and expectations to fly high but with my very last tryst with an editor of one India’s leading magazines, I am seriously thinking of calling OFF the entire idea.

While I toy with the decision, I must say that I am relieved to know that there are others like me.

Wish you good luck with The Times of India!

I suppose it is the same story in every field. Take Malayalam film music world for instance - apart from the usual Yesudas, Chitra or M.G. Sreekumar - very rarely does one get to hear a newer voice. It probably makes our film music industry pretty much insipid but our directors and producers couldn’t care less.
robin on February 10th, 2008 1:37 pm

did ur aticles got published in the TOI..can you pls link me to that cause i find ur articles interesting. If yes how did u got it published?
lakshminl on February 22nd, 2008 5:27 pm

Divya:

So, after all I’m not alone I’ve just given up on TOI for now and am focusing all that energy on other publications in India. I’m positive TOI will publish one day when there is substantial work in credits that they just can’t overlook.

Good luck to you and let’s keep it going!

Robin: Not yet. Whatever gets published, I do a post linking the same here.
Subodh on April 11th, 2009 5:38 am

Hi,

Good to see this write-up. Even I have developed some interest in writing for the past few months and was wondering how to get something published in TOI (like you, even I have been reading it for past so many years). Naturally, it is anybody’s dream to see their article published in TOI.

I was searching TOI’s website for the past hour or so but could not find any email address where I can post my write-ups. Can you let me know a couple of things through email (nair.subodh@gmail.com):
- How to contact (phone / letter / email) TOI for a publication?
- Which newspaper / magazines are genuinely interested in publishing amateur writings?

Thanks in advance!
Subodh.
Colin on September 3rd, 2009 10:44 am

So, I’m not the only one! I find seeking out editorial contacts in Indian publications like searching for a needle in a haystack. It’s true - many top newspapers in the UK and US have all contacts listed on their websites and they tell you how to submit. Apart from a couple of newspapers that were very approachable, it feels like a closed shop in India.Can’t help thinking that perhaps its a case of who you know… personal contacts and all that.

From what I’ve heard, TOI is a tough nut to crack. And a freelance photographer that I knew and who was published in that publication was not paid - he was told that the status of being published was reward enough!
Divya on September 6th, 2009 1:36 pm

HI…
Like you people, I also have a dream of getting my article published in the TOI. So can you please forward me the information as in whom to contact and what all to do, for getting an article published?
Please forward the info on

Thanks n wish u luck in ur endeavours…
amaan on October 7th, 2009 11:05 am

so can anyone tell me how to get my article published in TOI or any other newspaper?????????
Virat on October 24th, 2009 8:12 am

Guys,
Guys as writer your first motive is to publicize your thoughts. Books are the best option. Self publish it & why dont you yourself market it. Remember as you know that writing has strength at least 1 lac people of 68 lacs. I am sure your book would too..
Jaky Astik on December 18th, 2009 5:26 am

Tell you something? You words have applauded me with courage. I want to get published too and I am also writing a blog presently.

I am still thinking how it’s going to happen but I am sure it will. Want to read you soon!
Debojit Dutta on January 30th, 2010 8:00 pm

http://www.publishaletter.com/

You may check this out, i just tried sending 2 articles to two different newspapers, hope it works.
If it works for you, please do let me know.

**Keeping my fingers crossed**
Sneha on February 28th, 2010 9:40 pm

An Indian Lady with fake westernised accent part is awesome I keep plotting such indiscretions to get someone hearing myself. Needless to say, ya I’ve been trying to get published too. But not in the edit section. I’m still in the hopes that one I find THE story, it would be a breeze. Hope it works out! Fingers crossed for both of us
KETAN RINDANI on March 13th, 2010 9:49 am

I wrote an article to the TOI last year on Good Friday. No response from them. I realised, I should have sent a query letter first. This time, I’m writing the query letter and have changed the focus from Good Friday to Easter. Let’s see if it helps! In fact, I know an established Gujarati features writer who earns a living freelancing for Gujarati papers and gets invites from TOI too. He told me that without a recommendation, editors won’t even look at your samples. So see if you know anyone in this field.

Your writing, I must say, is quite good. I am a student of The Writer’s Bureau, UK, and they recomment getting the Writer’s and Artistes’ Yearbook. Haven’t got it yet, though. Also check out Worldwide Freelance Writer’s market database.These foreign publications have great guidelines, as you say.
Reeja on July 8th, 2010 5:46 am

u’ve written just what was going on in my mind for long. Like u, every waking sec and specially at night, beautiful sentences flow in my mind. next morn its all forgotton and v few come on paper. nice to know there are many more like me.
amit on September 7th, 2010 10:25 am

Guess what? I tried so hard with all i have to get my article published in TOI but am still waiting to get my chance.
upasana on September 20th, 2010 3:46 am

So there are many (same) disappointed souls like me, who dream to get published in TOI!!I am not happy that u ppl too stand where i..but i feel pity for the national dailies who are missing a lot of gud worked by us.. its a wait n watch situation…but the issue is that evry body is not born with patience…
paras ram on September 22nd, 2010 11:11 am

it is bad and hurting not to be heard from to wrt work one send for publish let god give us manners and feelings to appreciate others
Dr. David M. Domingo on October 9th, 2010 4:54 pm

Even I do agree to the fact madam that it seems that free lancers are unwelcome at any given place these days. Insecurity on part of those already there or call it crab mentality. May be the number of mails that they receive daily might be mind boggling which might have led them to adopt that behavioral trait. But I wonder what does it take to become a Shobha De ? Didn’t find anything extraordinary she pens. I guess your’s was better. Nevertheless I pray destiny carries you somewhere better. Good Luck.
deeksha on November 9th, 2010 6:49 pm

for couple of months now i have been pushing myself to get some perspective and give my bent towards writing a fair shot . tonight i sat on my computer with only one good intention that was to walk towards that goal. that intention brought me to this link …. and left me speechless i figured if i want to get published i need to start with some kind of media.. when i reached here.. i saw a million ants trying to adjust in what i can only call a 1bhk to ant world … it hasnt discouraged me but merely introduced me to reality … all i would like to say is “wassup reality”
cavita on April 26th, 2011 6:25 am

hi

i have dreamed all my childhood, about my works being published in newspapers, never tried though, now listening about you people i never thought it was this difficult.
well i suppose first thing is to make your writings up to the mark, i have been writing all these years….poems and such things… i think starting a blog is a good idea, and as for writing read more and more to get a glimpse and a world view. i recommend reading some modern hindi writers, well they are different and thought provoking.
Aftab on July 6th, 2011 3:11 pm

hey
is any one here whose article have got publish in times of india ?
or is it possible to be on the page of the newspaper with some very important an dintresting stuff?????????
i think everyone is wondering like me …lets b together and have our own newspaper ..
wats say guys
blogu on August 26th, 2011 9:15 am

I agree with u Aftab …yess we all should make a group and have our own magzine ….
R Muthukumar on September 16th, 2011 6:37 am

Now that it is more than 3 years - hope you have succeeded in get a hit on the edit page. regards
If yes then do forward a copy.

regards

Muthu
Niraj Kumar on October 6th, 2011 5:19 pm

I saw one of my article cleverly edited and published on their website.
Jank on October 7th, 2011 2:40 pm

Rightly said. I get terribly annoyed when im not able to search a way out for this trouble….
viral on October 12th, 2011 3:26 am

what the procedure for giving an article to toi…
kaushambee on November 5th, 2011 5:07 am

dear,
i am a 15 yrs old girl.i am like u……….i also want to get my article published in the TOI but i have no links. my father is a news reporter and photographer in many local Gujarati newspapers but then also i am not getting any help in getting my article printed. i write good and true on many social and psychological issues but i can’t any road yo my destination……could u help me?
debabrata roy on November 28th, 2011 8:20 am

Splendid!i really feel splendid to have associated with the legendary daily the Times of India to wich i am a regular reader and now made my mind to make others read my writing. I already have started with all your well wishes.
thanks
debabrata
09436557886
ankita on December 1st, 2011 7:33 am

its like…………………life has become a chance game…………people say run 4 ur love and ambitiob but …………….just running is not enough……….
their is so much competition of even to breathe
Sosha on December 23rd, 2011 5:53 pm

Everyone who’s commented here is dying to write for Times, so well, that answers your questions, doesn’t it? If the paper already has so many contributors waiting to accept their stories, why will they bother with giving any phone number, and increasing their load of pitches to go through?

Best tip: Quit wasting time and effort in chasing this one paper. Enjoy your other bylines. Seriously, guys.
megha on February 2nd, 2012 1:23 pm

I have just joined this rat race i guess..Really disappointed to read that so many accomplished writers are struggling in their own ways…and here I am!Just a novice,with no milestones in writing so far,my dreams have already started dying their natural death..LOL
praveen sakhuja on February 29th, 2012 7:03 am

gone through the publication and enthuasim of the person. I am slo interested to get on articl publsihed kindly provide details of contact person

regards

Praveen sakhuja
amit kotwal on April 22nd, 2012 5:38 pm

i can gauge the frustration of all inquisitive minds at work.Don’t just give up guys and glas,lets see who can make it!!
amit kotwal on April 22nd, 2012 5:39 pm

i can gauge the frustration of all inquisitive minds at work.Don’t just give up guys and gals,lets see who can make it!!
Sharoon on May 9th, 2012 2:40 am

Great writing! That said, why would you diminish it by wanting to get published in the TOI. Such crassness and editorial guffaws make me want to throw up. I cannot believe this paper can be as widely read as it is. I suppose tabloids sell and sell very well.

I’ve sent articles to various newspapers at the same time and surprisingly one of them published it without telling me that they did. I heard about it from a friend. So as a principle I’ve stopped sending stuff to newspapers because they do not have something as simple as ethical journalism going for them.

Keep writing, your writing is brilliant.
Madhavi on December 16th, 2012 7:36 am

Hi,
Am a writer too and believe me am having a hard time finding work(freelance)too…Only one suggestion….from my experience; i would like to tell you one thing, stop running behind these publications, only and only concentrate on your craft-writing….work will soon follow. Dont get stuck with just TOI(i understand why it should be your dream I too had a similar dream for years, i still have it) its just that I havent given up on finding work, am open for some other doors of opportunity to open up for me.
So this way you will divert all your energy towards better and better productivity and one day your real dream will come true!
All the best,
Madhavi