Unleash your inner storyteller and find your tribe at Beyond the Box, India’s vibrant online platform for passionate writers! Beyond mere stories, this thriving community offers engaging prompts, challenging competitions, insightful workshops, and a supportive network of wordsmiths to help you hone your craft, share your voice, and celebrate the magic of storytelling. Whether you’re a seasoned scribe or a pen-wielding newcomer, an adolescent or a kid, or parents Beyond the Box welcomes you with open arms and boundless inspiration. So, give your kids their favourite notebook, and encourage them to dive into the world of creative writing to discover possibilities beyond the box! You, too, can join in the fun with your children.
Life is a never-ending journey of self-discovery. A casual attempt at exploring mentoring in May 2017 was a life-changing experience for Anupama Dalmia, the Founder and Chief Mentor of Beyond the Box. Urged by some friends, she conducted a three-day creative writing summer workshop for 25 kids. During those three days, she realized that adults unwittingly force kids to imagine and express themselves in conformist ways, which curbs their imagination. An instant connection was established between the kids and her, and creativity and happiness thrived.
That is when Anupama decided to provide children with an environment where they could express themselves without being judged and bloom to their full potential comfortably. This led to regular classes, and soon, she was invited by schools, communities and corporations to conduct workshops on creative writing and communication. When horizons started expanding in this space, it was time to make it streamlined, and that is how ‘Beyond the Box’ took birth in January 2019.
Discovering the Delights
BTB believes that learning is fun when you make it fun. Anupama says, “Our mission is to help children and budding writers unbox the joy of writing and develop a love for the written word. Our vision is to empower children by encouraging them to own their thoughts and expression. We constantly strive to nurture kids’ creative writing skills and give them the stimulus to become more perceptive, observant and thoughtful individuals. With an all-embracing approach and unconventional methodologies and initiatives, in every session, we create magic using 26 letters of the English alphabet! We strongly believe that it is time we tell the kids that they do not have to be in the box or out of the box, but they need to look beyond these boxes and focus within.”
True to its name, BTB keeps coming up with numerous unique and first-of-its-kind creative initiatives and pursuits to keep the community engaged, excited, and enriched. Over the years, the team led by Anupama has also extended many of their projects and services to adult writers as well, “Though, at the core, it is always ‘children’ first for us,” she says.
Beyond the Box stands out in the competitive landscape by offering a comprehensive suite of services designed to foster creativity, enhance writing skills, and promote overall personal development in children. “Our offerings are not just limited to unconventional classes but extend to various engaging and enriching experiences. We do not call what we do as ‘services’. We have a unique mentoring style, and kids call our sessions a ‘creative party.”
Creative Writing Classes: Beyond the Box conducts regular creative writing classes that provide a free and non-judgemental learning environment for children to develop and hone their writing skills. The focus is not only on the technical aspects of writing but also on encouraging individual expression and creativity with a wholesome and holistic approach.
Workshops: BTB goes beyond traditional teaching methods by organizing workshops at schools, communities, libraries, bookstores, cafes and corporates. The aim is to delve into diverse aspects of creative writing, creative thinking, vocabulary building and communication. These workshops are designed to be interactive and inspiring, fostering a love for storytelling and self-expression.
Events with Authors: Beyond the Box organizes events featuring renowned authors to inspire and motivate young minds. This allows children to interact with established writers, learn from their experiences, and gain insights into the world of literature.
Book Projects: BTB actively engages children in book projects in various themes and formats, allowing them to contribute to the creation of tangible literary works. This hands-on experience instils a sense of accomplishment, encourages a deeper connection with the written word, and gives them a wonderful opportunity to showcase their skills and thoughts by sharing their voice with the world.
Storytelling Sessions: Recognizing the power of storytelling, Beyond the Box organizes fun storytelling sessions that captivate children’s imagination. These sessions go beyond mere entertainment, serving as a tool to enhance language skills and stimulate creativity.
Community Building: Beyond the Box places a strong emphasis on community building. “We organize events and discussions that bring together children and adult writers, parents, educators, and literary enthusiasts.” This collaborative approach fosters a supportive and encouraging environment for young writers to learn and grow.
Enrichment Programs: The programs at BTB extend beyond the confines of learning concepts, aiming to enrich children’s lives by encouraging them to explore different forms of creative expression or gain insights into subjects that can nurture them. This includes discussions, activities, and initiatives that promote critical thinking and self-discovery.
For example, BTB organized an informative session for the teens and parents with a certified career counsellor to help them understand the career avenues they can explore to use their writing skills. “Additionally, we also organize events to spread awareness around pertinent topics like mental wellness and mindfulness in children using the power of creative expression and reading,” says Anupama, who is a multiple award-winning blogger, author, digital content creator, serial entrepreneur and writing mentor, and has reached out to 5000+ kids across the globe through her classes and workshops. She is a Karmaveer Chakra Gold Medalist, a global civilian honour presented by the International Confederation of NGOs in association with the United Nations. She is among India’s most recognized parenting bloggers, and her blog posts across platforms have more than 30 million views. She has been featured in various reputed media platforms, magazines and newspapers among India’s top bloggers, influencers and entrepreneurs. Recently, she was featured among the Top 18 writing mentors across the globe by the coveted platform of The Himalayan Writing Retreat.
The Caring and Compassionate Leadership
Anupama, the driving force behind Beyond the Box, brings a wealth of experience, accolades, and a passion for nurturing creativity in children. Her industry journey and multifaceted achievements have played a pivotal role in making Beyond the Box excel in its niche. Her dedication to empowering children through creative expression, her global influence, and industry recognition positions Beyond the Box as a leader in creative writing solutions. Anupama possesses a rare ability to connect with children on a profound level. She understands their pulse, recognizing that each child has unique creative potential. Her child-led mentoring approach ensures that each individual’s creativity is nurtured, personalised, and meaningful. This approach goes beyond conventional methods, allowing children to explore their imaginations freely and at their own pace. She calls this a ‘co-learning’ experience, making the exchange of energies extremely beautiful at BTB. What also sets Anupama apart is her genuine love and warmth to every child at Beyond the Box. Her mentorship style is about imparting knowledge and creating a supportive and encouraging environment where kids feel valued and motivated. This emotional connection with her young learners fosters happiness, creativity, and a genuine love for writing.
As a serial entrepreneur, Anupama is not content with the status quo. She is a visionary who constantly seeks new and innovative ways to enhance the Beyond the Box experience. Her incisive and impact-driven approach ensures that each initiative, be it a new class, workshop, or event, contributes meaningfully to the growth and development of the entire BTB community. She embodies a go-getter spirit, evident in her relentless pursuit of excellence. She always seeks opportunities to elevate Beyond the Box to new heights. Her proactive mindset and determination to keep moving upwards drive the company’s dynamic and evolving nature.
An Avenue for Children to Understand Their Emotions
Sharing her inspiration behind venturing into the creative writing niche, Anupama says that in addition to what has been shared previously about how and why the journey of BTB began, the decision to venture into the creative writing niche was not just a business choice but a heartfelt response to the need for a paradigm shift in how children perceive and engage with the written word. Creative writing provides an avenue for children to explore and understand their emotions.
By expressing themselves through writing, they develop emotional intelligence, learning to empathize with others and navigate their feelings effectively. Creative writing also allows children to embrace their individuality. As they explore their unique voices, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, learning more about their interests, strengths, and growth areas. “In today’s world, we talk so much about EQ in children, and BTB recognizes the role that creative thinking and writing can play in raising an emotionally rich and mindful generation.”
Sharing the professional qualities and values admired by their clients, Anupama says they at Beyond the Box operate with the utmost integrity and transparency in all aspects of their interactions. The community appreciates their commitment to honesty, reliability, and openness. “From program or event details to communication about outcomes, we prioritize clear and truthful information, building trust and credibility.”
A cornerstone of Beyond the Box’s ethos is the value Anupama and her team place on their community members. They view them not only as participants or clients but as integral members of a larger family. This community-centric approach extends beyond business transactions; they genuinely care about the well-being and growth of each community member. Their commitment to community welfare is evident in their attitude and focus on positively impacting the lives of those associated with them. “Our inclusive approach ensures that every participant, regardless of background or skill level, feels valued and supported in their creative journey. We are propagators of ‘connections’ and take pride in having built a supportive and collaborative community for creativity to thrive,” says Anupama.
Of course, BTB is widely appreciated and known for its unique ideas and efforts to do justice to what it stands for!
Learn by Fun
Further, there are many immersive benefits BTB offers in terms of creative writing and educational games. BTB’s creative writing sessions are designed to be interactive and practical, ensuring that children actively participate in learning. Anupama says they believe that the best way to learn is by doing, and their sessions are crafted to encourage hands-on experiences that bring writing to life. Beyond the Box has introduced a range of unique and fun games that make learning enjoyable and enhance creative thinking. “Our exclusive and copyrighted games like Word Tambola, Word Uno and more have become favourites among our participants.” These games are carefully designed to seamlessly incorporate educational elements into the play, making the learning process entertaining and effective.
As pioneers in creative education, Beyond the Box proudly holds the world record for introducing the first audiobook series in the world literary market, which is created by kids, for kids. Anupama adds that this groundbreaking initiative showcases their dedication to pushing the boundaries of conventional learning and highlights the creative potential of the children they mentor. “Innovation is at the core of what we do.” Beyond the Box consistently introduces new and exciting initiatives to keep the learning experience fresh and inspiring. “Our commitment to continuous innovation ensures that our clients are always presented with novel and enriching opportunities for growth and creative exploration.”
According to Anupama, an innovative literary playground for children is crucial in shaping young minds and fostering a lifelong love for learning and creativity. Beyond the Box recognizes the significance of providing a dynamic and imaginative space for children to explore the world of literature. She says, “While we are working on numerous exciting initiatives, some of the advancements we are bringing are gamified learning adventures that seamlessly blend education with entertainment, storytelling podcasts, ‘What Kids Really Want’ video series which will give an open platform to kids to share without fear, and interactive literary quests and challenges.”
Beyond the Box plans to explore the concept of literary escape rooms to make learning an interactive and thrilling experience, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Imagine literary-themed escape rooms where children solve puzzles and unravel mysteries related to their favourite stories! Anupama adds that they are also extremely excited to introduce the first interactive travel book in India that focuses on creative thinking and vocabulary building, which kids can carry and indulge in when on the go.
When asked, in the age of social media, how you are diverting children to creative writing, reading and educational enhancements through literary adventures, Anupama says, “To be honest, we understand the impact of adult behaviour on children’s attitudes and habits. Before pointing at them, we need to check ourselves.”
The Journey of Unique Experiences
Beyond the Box encourages adults, whether parents, educators, or mentors, to lead by example. Demonstrating a genuine passion for reading, writing, and continuous learning sets a positive precedent and inspires children to follow suit. “Recognizing the pressures and distractions posed by social media, we approach children with empathy.” Beyond the Box creates a safe and supportive environment that acknowledges the challenges of navigating the digital world. “By understanding the social media pressures and pitfalls, we can better guide them towards meaningful and educational content,” says Anupama.
She furthers that they actively involve parents and caregivers in literary activities. Beyond the Box provides resources, tips, and guidance to parents on fostering a love for reading and writing at home. This collaborative approach ensures that literary adventures extend beyond the virtual realm and become integrated into the fabric of family life.
Beyond the Box advocates for the concept of positive screen time. Rather than resisting the influence of social media, Anupama and her team guide adults in curating a digital environment that promotes educational and enriching content, literary discussions, and creative writing platforms. Balancing online engagement with productive activities helps create a healthy relationship with technology.
They also encourage adults to view digital storytelling and participation as bonding activities. Collaborative writing projects, participating in writing challenges and other interesting initiatives, sharing favourite stories on social media, or participating in online book clubs fosters a sense of connection. This approach transforms social media from a potential distraction into a tool for shared learning experiences. “We have numerous online initiatives to use social media wisely, namely BTB Pick of the Week, BTB Voice of the Week, Online Poetry Slams, Monthly Writing Challenges and much more.”
Evolving Educational Strategies
Being an experienced leader, Anupama shares her opinion on how adopting modern technologies like AI and ML impacts the Creative writing and Virtual Educational space and how BTB adapts to the change. Adopting modern technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), has significantly impacted creative writing and virtual educational space. “In the context of Beyond the Box, we recognize these changes and actively adapt to leverage these technologies for enhanced learning experiences. While we strongly believe that nothing can replace the human mind and our creativity and that the connection with readers from human writing can never match the machine, we recognize that these tools can enable the research work at BTB. AI and ML generate valuable data insights that inform our teaching methodologies.”
Beyond the Box utilizes analytics to assess the effectiveness of different approaches, enabling it to refine its programs continuously. “This data-driven approach ensures that our educational strategies align with the evolving needs of our students,” says Anupama.
Also, AI contributes to creating adaptive learning materials that cater to diverse learning styles and abilities in terms of format and presentation. Team Beyond the Box embraces AI to enhance accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring their virtual educational initiatives are tailored to accommodate a wide range of learners.
Overcoming Challenges
When probed about what challenges they face and how they overcome them, Anupama says that while their proactive approach and commitment to innovation allows them to navigate and overcome most of their challenges effectively, balancing impact and monetisation is the prime challenge they face. The literary industry in India has undergone humungous changes and is not big in terms of money. “At the same time, we also want to reward writers in different ways. Hence, we try to balance creating a meaningful impact and achieving financial sustainability.”
To address this, Beyond the Box actively diversifies revenue streams. This involves exploring partnerships, offering a range of programs and services, and tapping into various market segments. By strategically expanding their offerings, Anupama says they ensure a robust financial foundation while staying true to their mission of promoting creative writing and the love for literature.
They follow the mantra of ‘collaboration over competition’ and foster associations with like-minded organizations and individuals. “By building a strong network of partners, sponsors, and supporters who share our vision, we amplify our impact and create opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborations that contribute to the financial sustainability of our endeavours.”
Additionally, recognizing the dynamic nature of the literary industry, they stay abreast of emerging trends and adapt their strategies accordingly. “Whether exploring new formats, embracing digital platforms, or capitalizing on niche opportunities, our adaptability ensures that we remain agile in the face of industry shifts.”
An Excellent Advice
With her vast experience and expertise, Anupama says, “Our advice to budding entrepreneurs aspiring to venture into the creative writing and educational space, particularly in light of the experiences we had during the COVID-19 era, encompasses a combination of creativity, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of innovation.”
*Embrace Creativity and Fresh Approaches: In a field where nurturing creativity is at the core, don’t shy away from being inventive and fresh. Think beyond traditional educational models and explore creative ways to engage your audience. Consider making learning a dynamic and enjoyable experience beyond conventional norms.
*Understand and Connect with Your Audience: Develop a deep understanding of your target audience. Connect with the needs, preferences, and challenges of the students, parents, and educators you aim to serve. Tailor your programs to address specific pain points and provide solutions that resonate with your audience’s aspirations.
*Foster a Culture of Innovation: Create an organizational culture that values innovation and encourages your team to think outside the box. Innovation is about technological advancements and finding novel ways to deliver educational content, engage learners, and make a positive impact. Encourage experimentation and learning from both successes and failures.
*Be Adaptable and Ready to Reinvent: The ability to adapt and reinvent is crucial, as demonstrated during the challenging times of the COVID-19 era. Be open to reevaluating your strategies, business models, and delivery methods. Embrace change as an opportunity for growth and improvement. A nimble and adaptive approach ensures resilience in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
*Leverage Technology Wisely: Incorporate technology as an enabler rather than a replacement for the human touch. Utilize digital tools and platforms to enhance the learning experience, provide accessibility, and facilitate engagement. Technology should complement and amplify your educational goals, fostering a blended approach that combines the best of both worlds.
*Build a Strong Community: A supportive community can be a powerful asset. Foster relationships with parents, educators, and other stakeholders who share your vision. Create opportunities for collaboration and networking, both within your organization and with external partners. A strong community can provide valuable insights, support, and advocacy.
*Prioritize the Well-being of Your Team: Recognize the importance of your team’s well-being. The success of your venture is intricately linked to the motivation and satisfaction of your team members. Create a positive work environment, encourage professional development, and foster a sense of purpose. A motivated team is more likely to contribute to innovative and impactful initiatives.
*Stay Committed to Your Mission: Amidst the challenges and uncertainties, stay committed to your mission. Keep the focus on the positive impact you aim to make in the lives of your audience. Your passion and commitment will be a driving force that sustains your venture through ups and downs.
Expanding Learnings Horizons
On envisioning scaling Beyond the Box’s operations and offerings in the future, Anupama divulges that a few things currently on their agenda and planning are –
*Geographic Expansion: Explore opportunities for geographic expansion by introducing Beyond the Box programs to new regions and markets. Collaborate with schools, educational institutions, and community organizations globally to make creative writing and educational enrichment accessible to a wider audience.
Last year, Anupama joined the coveted Himalayan Writing Retreat as a faculty member to conduct summer programs for kids and teens at the retreat. She informs, “We aim for more such interesting opportunities.”
*Diversification of Programs: Introduce new and diversified programs to cater to a broader range of age groups and learning needs. This may include specialized courses, workshops, mentorship programs for different educational levels, from early childhood to higher education, and tailored offerings for specific skill development.
*Strategic Partnerships: Forge strategic partnerships with educational institutions, publishing houses, and organizations that align with Beyond the Box’s mission. Collaborate on joint initiatives, co-create content, and tap into shared resources to amplify the impact and reach of our work.
*Customized Corporate Workshops: Extend offerings to corporate entities by introducing customized workshops to enhance communication skills, creative thinking, and storytelling. Tailor programs to meet the professional development needs of employees, fostering a creative and collaborative work environment.
*Continuous Research and Development: Invest in continuous research and development to stay ahead of literary trends and the evolving needs of writers, educators, parents and children. Regularly assess the effectiveness of existing programs and gather feedback from participants to inform the development of new and improved offerings.
*Global Literary Collaborations: Forge collaborations with global literary figures, authors, and creative writing experts. Offer exclusive events, workshops, and partnerships that bring international perspectives to Beyond the Box’s endeavours, creating a truly global literary community.
Success Testament
Giving an example of a testament to their success and popularity among the clients, Anupama says, “One of our most precious testimonials:”
“At first sight, when I met Anupama in 2017, I thought she was a blogger and into different activities, and I wondered how she could focus on kids in English Creative Writing. But to my surprise, she is awe-inspiring. I started the classes with the workshop, and I thought I would end up with the workshop only; we have continued with her since then and will continue until my son is a grown-up man. Frankly, my son will see my end if I stop the classes.
Thank you for your hard work in supporting my son as he develops. Your patience and commitment to supporting my child have meant a lot to our family. With your guidance, our son has grown into a confident and capable child. Thank you for being such an important part of our child’s development.
Your expertise in teaching has put our minds at ease. We are so grateful to have you as our child’s mentor. Initially, it was difficult for me to send him for group classes, and you have been a stable and supportive part of Srikar’s life through this time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. His vocabulary and creative writing skills, sentence formation, and grammar have considerably improved under your care. Thank you for helping him develop the skills and confidence he will carry forward for the rest of his life.
Every time after your class, he tells us stories about how fun it is to be in your class. Your creative approach is amazing! Thank you for instilling this love for learning into him.
We didn’t want a teacher who simply educates our child. We wanted someone who cares for our child. You taught him not only creative writing, but you helped him develop his social skills and feel confident in himself; you have been exactly what we were looking for. It’s great to see how visible and accessible you are whenever he needs you. We needed a teacher available for discussions about our child, and we’ve found that with you.
On a closing note, as you know, “Srikar doesn’t want to come back home from your classes; he wants to be with you all the time, day and night. Wishing he should not say that, “I want Anupama ma’am as my mother so that I can stay with her forever.” Thanks for being such a great mentor.”
Regards,
Pavani Ramya (Mother of Srikar Chitta).”
Many more testimonials and feedback messages can be found on the website, https://beyondthebox.in, Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/beyondthebox2019, and YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8IYFUHlkXM7vRoTVLbNHoQ.
Beyond the Box Completed the 5-Year Milestone On January 26th, 2024.
Some of its key achievements/accolades from this 5-year journey are listed below –
- The Founder and Chief Mentor, Anupama Dalmia, was awarded the Karmaveer Chakra Gold Medal in 2023 and Silver Medal in 2019 for her contribution to child development, amongst her other social endeavours and initiatives. This is a global civilian honour presented by the International Confederation of NGOs in association with the United Nations.
- The Founder and Chief Mentor, Anupama Dalmia, was recently featured among the Top 18 Writing Mentors and Coaches in the world by the coveted platform of the Himalayan Writing Retreat.
- BTB was declared the 1st Runner Up at Global Book Community Awards 2020 in the “Best Community for Children and Young Adults” category out of 1000+ participating communities based on jury selection and public voting.
- Beyond the Box website has been featured by Feedspot among the Top 100 Websites on the Web in the Writing Space.
- The Founder and Chief Mentor, Anupama Dalmia, was felicitated with the “Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Award 2020” for contributing to education and mentoring kids.
- The BTB annual awards – BTB Wordsmiths of the Year Awards – has completed four years and is one of the most wholesome literary events online. It has garnered an overall viewership of 40k+ across the seasons to date.
- Beyond the Box was featured among the emerging startups in India by Insights Success in February 2023
- At BTB, they have diverse book series to showcase the work of their amazing kids – Box of Tales series, an anthology of short stories; Beyond Verses, a collection of poems; and BTB Talkies, the audiobook anthology. “We are also coming up with a similar book series for non-fiction writings,” says Anupama.
- Anupama Dalmia was honoured with the “Educationist of the Year 2020” Award at the Inspire Beyond Motherhood Awards 2020
- Beyond the Box was featured by Outlook India among the nine businesses trying to transform the world with their leadership goals in their ‘Business Spotlight’ section in October 2022.
These are a few highlights and milestones from their journey. You can find more on their website, https://beyondthebox.in, Instagram handle, https://www.instagram.com/btb_diaries, and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/beyondthebox2019.
