Divya Ghelani
Writer, Editor, & Workshop Leader
Berlin
Summary
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
4
4
Languages
Work History
Wasafiri Magazine Editorial Intern
Wasafiri Magazine (CHASE-funded PhD Placement)
12.2024 - Current
- Managed submissions portal, encompassing evaluation and selection of submissions, collaborating with Deputy Editor to cultivate relationships with contributors and peer reviewers, and in communication with diverse stakeholders. I also expanded my personal network of arts practitioners and researchers.
- Assisted Deputy Editor in overseeing Essay Prize entries, alongside driving promotional efforts for the prize.
- Participated in strategic discussions for magazine and website content during Editorial and Associate Editor meetings, alongside broader organisational strategy.
- Assisted Reviews Editor by liaising with publicists and reviewers as needed.
- Curated and built my own series, entitled Writing the Self, Writing Berlin, using personal essays, filmed interview, illustrations, and interviews. I wrote my own personal essay on creativity as part of this.
Tuition in Literature and Creative Writing
Self-Employed
01.2014 - 01.2022
- I have writers of all ages. I have also taught English GCSE and A-Level students in both UK and Hong Kong, offering them lessons in both curriculum-related English Studies texts, and Creative Writing. Nowadays I offer ad hoc mentoring services in creative writing and am particularly adept at partnering with writers/students on developmental edits for their fiction or essays, final edits, and building confidence.
Freelance Editor and Copywriter
Self-Employed
07.2011 - 01.2023
- Earned accredited PTC training in proofreading, rewriting, and editing. Edited art house and academic books for publishers including The Reader Berlin and Faber Publishing House. Acquired editing qualification from London College of Communication. Contributed as writer and editor for BBC magazines, enhancing editorial quality. Produced copy for major brands like Nokia, Unilever, and Oxfam. Created promotional content for BBC World News and ITV across various platforms. Developed marketing materials such as leaflets and EDMs for BBC.
Editorial Assistant/Staff Writer
BBC Worldwide – Gardens Illustrated Magazine
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Worked directly for the magazine editor, planning her schedule. Wrote numerous articles and features.
- Organized and partook in photo shoots and reader events. Liaised with the BBC marketing team on sales figures and attended regular brainstorms on how to boost magazine sales.
Education
Ph.D. - Literature And Creative Writing
University of East Anglia
Norwich, England 04.2001 -
Master of Arts -
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong 04.2001 -
Master of Arts -
The University of East Anglia
Norwich, England 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts -
The University of Hull
Hull, England 04.2001 -
Skills
Writing and Editing
Teamwork and collaboration
Friendly, positive attitude
Problem-solving
Organization and time management
Excellent communication
Supervision and Leadership
Dependable and Responsible
Websites
References
- Andrew, Cowan, Director of Creative Writing, a.cowan@uea.ac.uk, (0) 1630 59 3531, The University of East Anglia, Norwich, England
- Victoria, Gosling, Director and Founder, mailto:victoria@thereaderberlin.com, (030) 8547 6688, The Reader Berlin, Kottbusser Damm 70, Berlin, Germany, 10967
- Cathy, Galvin, Director and Founder, mailto:cathy@thewordfactory.tv, The Word Factory UK
Selected Stories/Articles Published (for more visit www.divyaghelani.com)
- 2023: My latest commissioned short story, 'The Golden Egg Method', was aired on BBC Radio 4 in July.
- 2022: My essay, 'Thoughts on a Pandemic Book Club' (about reading BIPOC authors in lockdown) was published in Wasafiri Magazine.
- 2021: 'The M & Ms', my story about a British superhero, was published by Comma Press.
- 2020: I recorded a talk on 'Black Teacher', a forgotten memoir by Beryl Gilroy for feminist podcast The Dead Ladies Show.
- 2020: Short story 'Heart Skips' was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 for 'Short Works' and read by actress Indira Varma.
- 'Necessary Stutterings' in Unbound, article about 'Finding a Voice' by Amrit Wilson.
- 'There are only the deliberately silent or the preferably unheard', an article on the Grenfell Tower fire published on mediadiversified.
Timeline
Wasafiri Magazine Editorial Intern
Wasafiri Magazine (CHASE-funded PhD Placement)
12.2024 - Current
Tuition in Literature and Creative Writing
Self-Employed
01.2014 - 01.2022
Freelance Editor and Copywriter
Self-Employed
07.2011 - 01.2023
Editorial Assistant/Staff Writer
BBC Worldwide – Gardens Illustrated Magazine
01.2004 - 01.2006
Ph.D. - Literature And Creative Writing
University of East Anglia
04.2001 -
Master of Arts -
The University of Hong Kong
04.2001 -
Master of Arts -
The University of East Anglia
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts -
The University of Hull
04.2001 -