Just wanted to commend you for publishing Mridu Khullar's article on a marriage bureau that brings people with HIV AIDS together. Ms. Khullar's article presents both the human story and the harsh statistics of the plight of HIV-positive widows and widowers. Before I read this, I hadn't even thought about their loneliness and isolation from what we take for granted as the 'normal life' of the family.

I applaud Ms. Khullar's work that shows us what a few people faced with such an enormous and imponderable problem can do to make things better.

- A. Folkart, in a letter to the editor, Women's eNews

***

What a wonderful piece of work. It reads well, but even better than that, is such a compelling story. It is obvious why you can't take any time off-- you were born to this work.

- J.

***

Hi, Mridu!

You have a gift for bringing strong women to life in the reader's mind.

- Barbara

***

Mridu,

What can I say. You have just perfectly described the life and loneliness of millions of people around the globe... praise for your wonderful way of digging inside yourself and coming up with a way to say what so many people feel.

- June

***

Gosh Mridu, this was great-- excellent writing, interesting content-- it carried me along all the way through. I loved every bit of it and especially the ending, which nicely wrapped up my only question about the concept of a ladies-only train.

***

Mridu- I liked this essay very much. No, I liked a lot. It had a  personal quality to it that made me feel as though I were one of your  friends who you were explaining a recent decision. There is  historical background to it as well as the modern, and changing India  for women. Well written. Brava. I wish you luck with this.

***

I've been on a spiritual path for the last thirty-five years hoping to achieve a full awakening (nirvana), and I appreciated your essay. I found it humorous, poking gentle fun where gentle fun needs to be poked. You are clearly willing to struggle with, and own your point of view.

- S.B.

***

This is extraordinary work. It blends the old with the new... and I like that in any life. Fine writing, I was anxious to read on. I liked what is, obviously, a non-fiction story that manages to include me somehow.

- Ross

***

Hi Mridu,

I think this is truly one of the most perfect essays I've ever read. It made me smile, terrified me and then made tears come to my eyes. I refuse to look for little nits. It's wonderful.

You inspire me, man!

- S.

***

Mridu - You're really out there, aren't you! I congratulate you, and after looking at your website, and reading the clips, I can see why.

You've done a great service for other writers both in the practical matters of writing and getting what we write out into the world and the emotional/spiritual aspect of listening to ourselves and communicating what we hear with the world.

Thank you and much joy with your writing.

- Alice

***

I used to be terribly jealous of Mridu Khullar's writing successes. Her byline appeared in all the publications I had been pursuing. It peaked when I found out she'd amassed more than 100 published pieces in less than a year.

I got over it by interviewing Khullar for my monthly Web column, Pump Up Your Prose. I learned she is a generous, energetic person who has worked very hard to achieve her many goals. Now we are friends instead of foes!

Every time I see a new credit of hers, it only spurs me to greater effort.

-- Shaunna Privratsky (in a letter to the editor, Writer magazine)

***

Here I am on a Sunday morning, waiting this coming week for a check from a client who is late again. My rent is due. I ask myself if I should simply go teach, counsel, or re-open my private practice. I have these thoughts, even after experiencing the most amazing  months on a ghostwriting project that was inspirational to me. I love my writing. I got paid well. And as soon as the rent is late, my mind starts on being real and practical.

After opening my e-mail to your wonderful story of choosing what feels right-- what you love-- how can I entertain anything less. You are my dose of the universe speaking to me this morning. Thank you.

-- Dr. Caron Goode, Author, Nurture Your Child's Gift, Inspired Parenting

***

Once again, I am completely blown away. Talent is one thing: people are born with it. Some use it, others don't. Skill can be acquired with some determination. But the ability to apply seat of pants to seat of chair combined with both talent and skill (and a wicked sense of humor) is a rare thing. Thank you so much for your sparklin' ebook. I'm loving it to bits.

Knocked off? My socks are missing!

Big thank you.

- Marie

***

Keep writing. I wish I had just a quarter of the technology knowledge that you have.

I looked at the globe in my room. Just to be sure. Sure enough, you are half a world away from me and I feel as if I know you.

Thanks for being you.

- Martha S.

***

I first heard about you in a writing class at UCLA. Our instructor recommended your book, which was great, by the way. I'm so impressed by all that you've accomplished. It's neat to think about you living on the other side of the planet and here you are being talked about in L.A.

- Liz

***

I just wanted to say a quick congratulations to you on your success. Your website and newsletter has been pure inspiration for me. I love the fact that you have accomplished so much from India. I was always under the impression that I had to be based out of the US, UK or Canada to get anything published (I work and live in Quito, Ecuador). Your advice and experience has convinced me that this isn't so. Keep up the good work!

- Kari Miller

***

Mridu,

You put me (and many other writers who live in AMERICA) to shame! No, let me rephrase that: You are SUCH an inspiration! If you can make a good living writing and publishing from ACROSS THE OCEAN, then I can surely do the same! THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXCELLENCE and wise counsel. I published quite a lot many years ago, then various major life changes have kept me distracted, but I'm getting back on the (MAGNIFICENT, ENERGETIC, PASSIONATE-BUT-COMING-UNDER-CONTROL) horse and riding BEYOND the sunset! (Hey, you even inspired me to work harder at creating that last sentence).

The LORD bless you!

- Tonja

***

Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing, especially for me who wants to be like you. My friends were conned off money thinking they were going to Canada. I sent them your article "Avoid Internet Scams" and they are very happy.

- Charles E.

***

Hi Mridu,

I am a huge admirer or yours, a regular visitor of your website and an avid reader of your newsletter. Congratulations on your truly excellent work.

P.S. In case you find my name a bit "outlandish," please note that I am from Dakar, Senegal, West Africa: so you see, you have fans from all over the world!

- A.M.S.

***

I just wanted to drop you a line to say thanks! I just got my first writing assignment from a local glossy magazine type publication in my town... the editor liked the samples I submitted even though I haven't been published yet and has just today given me an assignment for a 1,000-word article regarding an upcoming event. I am so excited, amazed (and kinda scared, too). Thanks for the tips you provided, hopefully I'm on my way to getting published now!

- Karen

***

Thank you so much for your inspiring words. Your words empowered me to continue on my journey of writing and publishing. Thank you for sharing your own disappointments and your honesty about your struggles. In some areas, I felt I could relate.

Happy trails to you.

- Christine

***

Hi Mridu,

I was actually surprised to see: Freelance journalist Mridu Khullar, 24
Could not help noticing your age and if you have not updated it. ;) Let me tell you, I really wonder how you have done so much at this age!

Great going!

 - Akila

***

Thanks for this update with its abundant information. You are a remarkable person and a great writer. I wish I knew you better, Dear Mridu.

Best wishes in your new and varied ventures.

- Gene

***

I am SOOO proud of you, Mridu. You just keep plugging away... growing and progressing.

You are AMAZING!

I pray that your Luck and Skill continue to grow exponentially each year, dear friend.

You are an inspiration to all of us who call ourselves 'writers'.

- Bob

***

I salute your determination to keep going!! As for me, my writing career has still not taken off. I want to keep going but it seems I'm at a dead-end. Reading your email has inspired me.

- Carnation

***

So glad to hear from you! I have been in a real funk without your cheery and helpful newsletter. Am looking forward to the next one!

- Barb

***

Hello Mridu,

It's good to meet you. I feel like I know you for some reason after reading a few of your articles and from reading your bio on your website. Maybe it's because I am also an Indian writer, well half-Indian. My father is from India...

... In any case, I am simply writing to you to say thank you for being an inspiration. It was your article that I read today in Freelance Daily that has put me back on track.

I sincerely admire your sheer will power and self motivation and simple honesty in what you do and how you write. It is a unique voice, unlike any I have read in nonfiction for a while. And the fact that you live in Delhi, that really impressed me that you can do so much international work from there. Although I was there as an NGO volunteer, I tried freelancing in Bombay for a city guide and did some work for Tinkle, and the connectivity was a challenge.

- Suchi

***

Your articles are always so helpful, I really look forward to receiving them. Your features have offered some wonderful advice. Just wanted to send my appreciation!

- Alicia T.

***

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for such a fantastic website!

There is so much helpful and informative content. Finding it has been an answer to a prayer.

- Suzanne S.

***

Dear Mridu,

For the second time in the space of a year, I'm inspired to actually hit the reply button to you. I should tell you that this is highly unusual for me. I don't normally let newsletter owners know that they are wonderful. And well, let's face it, normally they aren't.

You, I am happy to say, are a true exception to this rule. Not only are your market listings always full of exciting possibilities; your editorials are a true inspiration. You always write something I actually care to read from beginning to end. So for this portion of your work also-- thank you!!

Now my point, and the actual purpose for me writing: Congratulations on your new status as full-time writer! I don't know how anybody pulls it off. But you have arrived, and what a wonderful feeling that must be. I hope your career flourishes even more than it obviously has so far.

And my other point: thank you for keeping us posted on everything, and being helpful and inspiring at the same time. Keep up the excellent work and enjoy your full-time writer-hood. Well well done. And happy New Year to you too!

- Catherine

***

I just wanted to say how much I admire you. I've been a subscriber of your newsletters for quite some time, always appreciating what you've had to share.

I just looked at your profile out of curiosity, and from what I can tell you're around 23 years old? I'm amazed that you've gotten so far at your age! I'm not too far ahead, only 26, soon to be 27, but I look up to you and your success in freelancing and editing. I hope to get there someday, and you've now convinced me that I needn't believe that it wont' come about until I'm older, but I can work for it now! I dabbled in freelancing for the past two years, but only in the last few months have I really gotten serious about it, and little by little it is coming together. Thank you for helping me to believe that age doesn't matter-- that I can make it sooner, rather than later. You've truly inspired me.

- Julia Temlyn

***

Dear Mridu,

Thanks a ton for this information. Though we have not met personally, I appreciate your friendly tips and advice. Not everyone shares trade secrets and more so most are reluctant to share them with strangers.

Thank you once again.

- Anjali Thakur

***

Mridu,

I must say, I am very impressed, with several issues.

First, your e-course was great.
Second, I'm now devouring your query e-book, and loving it.
Third, I am impressed with your great personal character. If I sign up for newsletters or e-courses, etc, I typically (always) create a unique, free e-mail on yahoo, because I hate spam. Granted, when I purchase an e-book, I have it sent to my website address for tax purposes, but as I am sure you well know, once you sign up for anything, that address is generally sold, and spam comes in daily by the 1,000's. But you, my dear, are the only person that I have received mail from at this address, and for that I thank you. In my opinion, you have shown great character, and I thought you might like that little pat on the back. You deserve it!

- Sheila H.

***

I've really enjoyed working with you, Mridu. And even though I don't know you personally, I am quite proud of your progress. When I approached you for a column, I looked you up (checking your bio) and realized that you're a baby! You're just in your early twenties and already the editor of a respected writer's zine, and author of many published pieces and essays (and in GREAT markets.)

I'll be twenty-eight in January (I only started writing in 2001) and am nowhere near as prolific. You've shown me that this dream is not impossible, that I can do it! I only wish I'd known at twenty what I know now! I consider you an example, especially as a woman of color. You're fabulous.

- Stephanie

***

Dear friend, I am always amused when I get a letter such as yours. Here we have someone graciously giving free help to others still trying to find the path and YOU say thank you to ME?!

Let me give you a little present for helping me to start out my training.

There is an old Chinese curse that goes: 'May you live in interesting times.' We do.

- Robert

***

Just wanted to give you an update on my review of your absolutely hilarious, yet completely helpful e-book. Truly, I loved it! Thanks for writing such a great resource!

- Diane Sonntag

***

Mridu,

Using the techniques in your book I have already landed two assignments. This is amazing.

Jessica, a very grateful one.

***

Dear M,

Wonderful article, insightful, well-written, tell-it-as-it-is. Great job! I'm continually impressed with you!

- Erica

***

Thank you so much for the huge, splendid writer's markets book. It is definitely the best, most unexpected gift I have ever received through my inbox.

- Fran B.

***

Dear Mridu,

No compliment is sufficient for the Herculean task (no gender eyes, please!) you've done for your peers. It's moved me as I've not seen anyone from our country do this. This has made me a little bent on the activities of you and your site. I'd be glad if I, by any chance, prove useful to your endeavor.

- T.C.

***

GIRL, you inspired me. I read your PDF file in two hours flat coz the writing just moved me to do a jigdance of "move your butt and get those fingers typing."

- Lea

***

Hi Mridu,

Now that your article has made it to the cover, soon someone will have to do a cover story on you too. Great going! Read the piece, you've peppered it with so many student interviews, it sure makes for good authentic copy. Congrats!

- S. Goel

***

I want to tell you that I admire your work. I've been out of the freelancing game for a few years, and so I decided to do some reading to find out what's happened since I've been gone. Your articles are always informative and have such a friendly feel to them that I find myself automatically reading them-- even if I'm not interested in the topic!

- Abe

***

I wanted to drop a quick line to thank you for all the information and extremely helpful tips I found in your e-book. It's incredible what you've achieved in such a short time, but I must say I'm impressed!

I have been freelancing part-time for quite a while now, and struggling a fair bit on my own with not much advice or mentoring.

Your book has given me loads of ideas, and most importantly the inspiration to start writing full-time next year. If you can do all that from your desk in New Delhi, then I can certainly do it from Melbourne.

I appreciate the fact that you've given the sort of advice not many writers do-- the secrets, approaches and hints I've been searching for! I feel like I've stumbled across and amazing resource.

Sorry for this brief, inarticulate note, but I just wanted to convey my thanks.

Keep up the good work, and I look forward to your next  book offering!

- R. Stewart

***

Hi, I just wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate you and thank you for your wonderful book.

I have to say the free bit was great, really helpful and loads of information and whilst reading through the first three days I already came up with a couple of ideas (this I usually find very difficult), but then when I started reading the book... what can I say, every writer should have a copy.

I paid £249 for a writing course, which I have struggled with intensely and all but given up, I had begun to think it was just merely that I couldn't cut it, which I found depressing, as writing is a life long ambition. But now I feel totally liberated. I read the ideas chapter of your book today and now I have pages of stuff written down, it really is amazing.

Sorry to bang on about it, but praise where praise is due.

With kindest regards,

- Paula

***

Hi Mridu,

I finished reading your book this morning. I have to tell you this is one of the best books on freelancing and query letters that I have read-- including my own. How's that for an endorsement?? Oops, we don't want to let that get out, do we?

But really, girl friend, this book is great. I love your witty way of writing, your great ideas and advice and your self-confidence really shines through. As you know, I've been at this for over 30 years and I'm impressed with the knowledge and understanding you've gained in just a few years. You are a wise woman who will go far in this field.

- Patricia Fry