Why do you write?
Some write to boost their creativity. Some, to express themselves. Some, to be able to present their ideas better. Some, to understand themselves.
Whatever you write for, it all begins with a story. Once you can write a good story, you understand how to present a narrative - and once you know that, you can write everything better.
On Storysurf, you learn to write stories.
The Creative Writing Program
If you struggle to come up with ideas for your work, business, or side hustle, it's time to make changes. You could be a first-time writer learning to be more creative with your writing, or a copywriter churning out clever captions or someone who’s simply trying to fight off writer’s block. No matter your background, you can write better. Play with formats, explore styles, try new structures, learn rhythm in writing and so much more!
That's What They Said
Storysurfers do very well - be it as writers, designers, actors, directors - the program helps people in every craft and every profession!
Saee Kanade, Sr. Copywriter
From building characters to mounting narratives, from exploring genres to creating structures, saying something in 200 words to saying the same in 5. Storysurf has taught me it all. Not only did it help me grow as a writer, but also as a thinker. Having my writing published gave a boost of confidence, to build stories for brands
Priya Shrivastava, Data Analyst
I always wanted to write but couldn't. I believed that my hectic schedule was my hindrance. However, only when I started writing with my Storysurf mentor, I realised it was not time but structure that was lacking. Storysurf allowed my thoughts to be bound for a free flow. The regular prompts let me think beyond and write deeply.
Payal Khurana, Actor
Omkar, Storysurf founder asked me to write. With some hesitation I said... "Oh, I can try".
So that's how the journey of writing began. I got weekly prompts, and feedback. The process helped me alot in other aspects of my life as well. It helped me to think creatively and present myself gracefully.
Nupur Bhalla, Graphic Designer
As a designer in marketing, the ability to write makes me express and pitch my ideas better. I am not very regular and lack discipline, but with Omkar's mentorship I want to push myself to write more. He's not just collecting stories. He's finding great talent and mentoring them through and through with weekly feedbacks and new prompts.
The Entrance Exam Program
Applying for communication schools or post-grad? Writing plays an important role in the entrance tests of India’s best colleges. Improve writing skills and ace the tests! Omkar Sane, the Founder and Mentor of the writing course is a faculty at XIC for 14 years and is a guest speaker at various prestigious institutes. The better your written, the higher your chances of getting through. After all, admissions are an aggregate of everything!
That's What They Said
Storysurfers do very well - across colleges in India! (The students below were trained after they get through, not as part of the entrance. It is while working with them that the course was developed.)
Abhineet Agarwal, Student,
Christ University
Writing for Storysurf has not only been fun and stress-busting, but also instructive and informative. The prompt-based exercises have helped me a lot. It's basically guidance that tells you how to write and what to write, so say goodbye to writer's block! Prompts range from bizarre, funny, and political to magical, spicy, and emotional – so get ready to expand your imagination.
Vidushi Agarwal, Student,
IIM Raipur
I resonated with the concept of writing and improving. Highlight of my week used to be interactions with Omkar Sir where he and I would discuss the stories I wrote. In retrospect I realise how cathartic that feeling was to collect all your thoughts from all blankness of your mind and create something constructive out of it.
Rishika Bhattacharya, Student,
Kristu Jayanti College
When I joined Storysurf, I was a school student and it was really fun to get your writing published and moreover I realized that there is more to writing - from formats to structures to styles. Thanks to Storysurf, now I know it. Learn something new every week. Join Storysurf :)
Gail D’Souza, Student,
XIC
I’ve always been someone who didn’t believe that I could write. Each prompt on Storysurf made me put my thinking cap on and enabled me to explore a part of myself I didn’t know existed. It taught me to think creatively and to think better. For anyone who believes they can’t write or if they simply want to improve, Storysurf is the place for you :)
The Self-Discovery Program
As much as writing is about communicating to others, it begins with self-reflection. Some write to make peace with things they cannot control; some to discover, others to uncover. Writing is a deep innate ability that we all share as humans. It's linked to our memories, our experiences and our understanding of who we truly are. However, like many other things about ourselves, we need to learn the techniques to access it. Find our own unique voice and discover our style and expressions of communication. We all breathe. Then some learn to breathe mindfully and activate the calmness of the mind. It's the same with writing. It becomes your ally in your life's journey. Who doesn't need one?
The Kids Writing Program
We are all born creative. Trouble is staying creative. Schools, exams, curriculum, grades - life turns into a race. How about exploring something new? How about stories? Help your child discover styles and structures of stories, build their portfolio of published stories, sharpen their skills - from thinking, writing to presenting. All of it goes a long way to take your child a long way!
Omkar Sane, Writing Mentor
Omkar Sane is an alumnus of J J School of Art and has been a writer for brands and advertising for 18 years. He is a teacher at India’s #1 Mass Communication course - Xaviers Institute of Communication - for 14 years.
He is the author of bestselling books, a featured author at London Book Fair, and a Crossword Best Debut Shortlist. He is a screenwriter of award-winning feature films. He has won two Cannes awards, 18 ProMaxes, and has been instrumental in building some one India’s top brands - from Flipkart to Natures Basket to The Taj to Cleartrip .
He's mentored over 100 writers to make ocean of 5K+ stories.
Sumira Roy, Mentor, Self-Discovery
Indie Filmmaker | Published Poet | Advertising Guru | Entrepreneur | Guest Lecturer
Experienced in different formats of storytelling, Sumira's passion lies in changing mindsets, provoking reflection and fuelling imagination. Her first boss taught her to fall in love with writing. Not only to write an advertising campaign, but to write for writing’s sake, for the fear it brings, for the joy it gives, for the failed drafts, for the jostle with words, for the unexpected idea that seems to saunter into your head while you are writing. She believes that you 'write what you live' and helps bring it out in writers she works with.
How is Storysurf Different?
Omkar Sane is a teacher and a writer first, an entrepreneur later. Storysurf is not a venture dreaming to be a unicorn. It is a place to nurture young writers. It is born from a desire to help writers grow their thinking and writing skills. Most publishers either reject or accept a manuscript. Storysurf trains with an aim to publish. It's a school-meets-publishing house. Enrol today!
Storysurf is making waves
How it Works (a recap):
Storysurf is a personalised writing program. Writers on Storysurf get original prompts, personalised feedback and then get published.
Writers get an individual google doc. Every weekend, they get an original prompt. They write 5 stories per prompt. They get personalised feedback on their docs. And the next prompt.
Writers do not commit to any frequency of stories.
Writers are free to leave and resume writing any time.
Publishers either reject or accept manuscripts. Storysurf does not do either. We teach writing with an aim to publish.
Write to the founder, omkar@storysurf.app to start your publishing journey! He has mentored over 100 writers so far.
Details that Matter
Here are some other things you need to know when you apply.
- Storysurf Writing Program is a paid program. 12K for 12 weeks. 8K for 8 weeks. 4K for 4 weeks.
- After the first two weeks, if the writing mentor feels the writer is not the right fit or not at the right stage to begin their publishing journey on Storysurf, the writer shall be informed in writing. If this is the case, the writer shall be refunded the money.
- The fees are payable upfront and in full. If the writer drops out or stops writing, the fees are non-refundable.
- The Writer does not commit to any frequency of stories. If a writer does not write a particular week, they do not get the next prompt.
- Writer can be inactive for a period of four weeks and can re-submit stories if and when the writer wishes to resume writing. Writer is not expected to give any reasons for the same; though Writer has to inform Storysurf via email about the break.
- Storysurf holds the rights to not publish any stories if the writer leaves mid-way.
- Storysurf shall wait for the write to resume for a maximum of 4 weeks before archiving the document.
- The writer understands that not all stories the writer writes shall be published.
- Writer will submit Content for review and eventual possible acceptance for publishing on any of its products, including but not limited to Storysurf .
- Storysurf may reject stories without any suggested changes or ascribing any reasons for rejection, in which case the story will not be accepted or published.
- The Writer understands their story can be translated into multiple Indian and foreign languages. If it is, the story will not carry the writer's name in any of those languages.
- Storysurf will not pay any fees, royalties, stipend, remuneration to Writer for licence to publish on Storysurf app and website or use Content elsewhere in other forms like Merchandise.
- Storysurf will agree to accept Content with or without changes, or reject Content, at its sole discretion. Storysurf will publish Content for any period and duration as per its sole discretion. It may publish, remove from publication or re-publish any Content for any period, without assigning any reason to Writer or without informing Writer. Storysurf may use Content on Merchandise, at its sole discretion.
- If the writer sends it to multiple platforms and gets a reply from some other publishing platform before Storysurf publishes their story, the Writer is supposed to inform Storysurf. Storysurf then reserves the right to reject or accept the story. Writer is solely responsible for ensuring that Content is not published simultaneously on multiple platforms/publications without the knowledge of Storysurf.
- Stories will be published under the Writer’s own name or a chosen pen-name or pseudonym as desired by the Writer. Once chosen, a writer can change the name under which they are published at a later stage too.
- The Writer agrees that Content is original creative output, and is not a reproduction or adaptation of any prior art created by any other entity.
- Storysurf may suggest changes which the Writer and Storysurf will discuss (over email). If mutual agreement is reached on the changes, Storysurf may accept the changed story. If mutual agreement is not reached for changes, Writer and Storysurf may withdraw the submission and not proceed to publish on Storysurf.
- If a story has been published in some other medium, publication, channel or social media platform in the past, then the Writer will mention full details of prior publications in his submission. Storysurf reserves the right to reject such Content on a case-by-case basis due to the fact of prior publication alone.
- Storysurf does not work with writers to improve their grammar, spellings or English ability. Any improvement in language flair is an outcome of writing, not a direct goal.
- All stories Writer writes will be the intellectual property of Writer. Storysurf will hold an irrevocable licence to publish Content on Service.
- Storysurf only holds a licence to stories which it accepts, not to stories it rejects.
- The writer gets a certificate (apart from being published) upon completion of the program.
- Writer agrees to write Content and submit them to Storysurf for publication on app and any other use on Merchandise.
- This agreement will remain active unless explicitly terminated by either party.Either party may choose to terminate Agreement by giving 90 days written notice. Storysurf will maintain a copy of Content for perpetuity on its internal computer systems for compliance, audit or any other internal business purposes, but will not make Content available for reading by its readers.
- Storysurf will retain licence to sell any Merchandise which carries Content for perpetuity.
Limitation of Liability
- Writer agrees that he will provide Content which does not infringe on intellectual property ownership of any third party, nor violates any contract Writer has with any third party. Writer will indemnify Storysurf from any claims arising from third parties for such infringement or violation of their contracts with Writer.
- Storysurf will not be liable for damages to Writer, including any general, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the publication of Content on Service or other licensed uses of Content, even if Storysurf has been advised of the possibility of such damages, except in cases required by applicable law.
Miscellaneous
Independent contractors
- The relationship between Storysurf and Writer under Agreement is that of independent contractors and not partners, joint venturers, or co-owners as participants. Neither party has authority to contract for or bind the other.
Notices
- Any notice under Agreement shall be in writing and shall be registered, certified, or Express mail, or reliable overnight courier (such as but not limited to Fedex, DHL, IMS Speed Post) addressed to the addresses in Agreement, or by email. Notice shall be deemed to be given upon the earlier of actual receipt or 3 (three) days after it has been sent, properly addressed and with postage prepaid. Either party may change its address for notice by means of notice to the other party given in accordance with this Section.
Jointly Drafted
- Agreement represents the joint drafting efforts of both parties and shall not be construed more strictly against one party than the other, by reason of the fact that it was drafted by one particular party.
Assignment
- Writer may not assign Agreement, in whole or part, either voluntarily or by operation of law, and any attempt to do so shall be void and a default of these terms.
Governing Law
- Agreement shall be governed and interpreted according to the internal laws of the state of Maharashtra of the Republic of India. For all disputes arising out of or related to Agreement, the parties irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court of India.
Advertising
- Storysurf may include Writer’s name and a brief synopsis or bio-sketch in directories of its published writers for the purpose of promoting the use of Service. Storysurf will not use Writer’s name or other identifying information in any other advertising or promotional material without the prior written consent of Writer, which may not be unreasonably withheld.
Indemnification
- Writer shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Storysurf from and against all liabilities, judgments, claims, damages, settlements, expenses and costs (including reasonable attorneys’s fees and litigation expenses) arising out of or relating to any breach of Agreement by Writer. Writer and Storysurf will promptly notify each other upon receipt of any third party claim or legal action arising out of or relating to Agreement. (take from Reliance)
Entire Agreement and Waiver
- Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Storysurf and Writer with respect to the subject matter stated here. All prior agreements, representations, and statements with respect to such subject matter are superseded. Any failure of either party to exercise or enforce its rights under Agreement shall not act as a waiver of subsequent breaches.
Modification
These terms may be modified only by a further writing.
Storysurf for Kids
Storysurf loves to work with kids and young adults between 9 - 17. Their creativity and imagination really takes even seasoned writing mentors by surprise. But kids are kids and there are some extra things to know for that.
- If the writer is under 18, they need written consent from their parents over email to be eligible for the program.
- Parents understand and accept that they will not have access to the google doc their child writes in.
- Storysurf shall inform parents in case the story contains sensitive information regarding the child's feelings, mental health or emotions. The child shall stop writing immediately at that point till the parents and Storysurf discuss the same. Sensitive words include words such as but not limited to: 'suicide', 'killing', 'parents fighting', 'abuse', 'touch'.
- Storysurf shall not publish any stories before
- Storysurf is in no way to be held responsible for dealing with or handling sensitive emotions. Storysurf is simply a writing program, not a child-counselling program. That is outside the purview of Storysurf.
- Storysurf is not an English-improvement program. It does not work with writers to improve a child's grammar, spellings or basic English ability. Any improvement in language flair is an outcome of writing, not a direct goal.
- Storysurf is not an academic program. It will help a child improve their thinking, writing and narrative skills. Storysurf does not provide any guidance with school subjects.
If you have more questions, write to the founder at omkar@storysurf.app and set up a chat.
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