Review: Substack Writer Meet-up London

The start of something special...

This image is ‘borrowed’ from Substack’s ‘Host a Meet-up’ page:

Last night was the Substack Writer Meet-up in London, and I must say, I have such a good feeling about this group. 

It feels like the start of something very special.

Substack Writer Meet-Up London

Obviously I arrived at London Waterloo about 50 mins too early, due to a plethora of fortuitous events. 

Firstly the train before my connecting train was running a couple of minutes late, so I managed to get on an even earlier train than planned. 

Which, those of you who have been paying attention will know, that would be the equivalent of two trains before the one I actually needed to get, to be there on time!

I hate being late.

Time to kill

Walking across the main concourse at Waterloo without a time-pressure is a curious thing. As an ex-commuter I struggle to walk slowly, and view anyone who does with the utmost suspicion. 

In fact, I used to have a hiring policy to never offer a job to anyone who didn’t walk quickly and with purpose.

Off on a Tangent

I once interviewed someone who practically dawdled to the meeting room table, that by the time we were both sat down, my only thought was:

“How can I get rid of her in the fastest possible time?”

Obviously I couldn’t possibly hire someone who acted like they had a moment to spare, such was my ‘Go, go, goooooo!’ attitude back then.

These days I’d probably try and engage them in a 10 minute debrief on Married at First Sight, as a starter for ten, while we took a leisurely stroll to the interview table. 

And if they agreed with my dislike of a naked ankle when teamed with a man’s suit, I’d offer them the job!

Back at Waterloo

A leisurely piss (yes, there was a queue, happy days!), followed by a fleeting thought to browse the sandwiches in Sainsbury’s. 

Not because I wanted one, but because I am obsessed with their obsession in getting all of them slightly but alarmingly wrong. 

I.e Chicken and stuffing on white? Seriously???

However, a rudimentary browse of their current sandwich offering on the website just now, has proved promising! 

Well done Sainsbury’s, you appear to have refreshed your sandwich range to the point where most of them actually look appetising!

Finally putting an end to wasted lunch hours for people staring incredulously into the chiller cabinets… and yet despite the dizzying array of choice, none of them looked appealing.

Or was it just me?

---

Foyles book shop, was looking good for a 10 minute browse, so headed in.

Just to be clear I only wanted a demi-browse, not a full-blown, due to the size of my very small handbag. So this resulted in a lot of book-back reading, and no more.

I usually try and tuck in to Chapter 1 if something takes my fancy, and then if it grabs me, I buy it, but obviously without the hand luggage to support the purchase I couldn’t take the risk.

---

After that, I continued to move slowly across the concourse, looking like a very strong entrant in the 100m Mosey, and trying not to arouse suspicion, but feeling very suspicious as everyone else is rushing past me, and I head up to The Victory Bar on the upper deck (is it really necessary to rub salt into the French wounds with the name, seems a bit petty?).

The place is heaving with the post-work crowd, good to see that tradition is still very much alive on a Wednesday. 

I secure a G&T and a seat at the bar around the edge, feeling very smug, this will be a lovely way to kill 20 minutes. 

G&T gone, Substack well and truly browsed and I resume my upper concourse amble… feeling very much like Robert Redford in the excellent film Sneakers, when he has to cross a room… very slowly… so as not to set-off the alarms (fabulous film, do see it if you haven’t, stellar cast, great plot).

By the way, crossing a room whilst trying not to spill the contents of a full’ish martini glass, always reminds me of that film reference too. 🍸

Obviously there’s a touch of self-loathing as I observe the coffee drinkers with envy, passing by Benugo’s. I bet they never turn up to an event half pissed already!? 

I genuinely thought I’d get into coffee in my later years, but I still find it abhorrent. 

I was even seriously caught out by a Frappé flavoured chocolate the other day! Who knew that basically means coffee flavoured?

Oh. Everyone except me. Sigh.

It’s about 6:40pm by now, the event starts at 7:00pm, it’s two stops on the Jubilee line, so am looking good. Hooray!

Can I just say a big thank you to our organisers

Michaella Parkes

and

Lex Hearth

for picking a venue near a London Landmark, in this case the Shard, so when faced with a myriad of tube exit choices I could just happily follow the signs for the Shard and not stress out about choosing the wrong one, such is my Geographical Dyslexia. Yay!

I locate the pub, Bunch of Grapes, no problem, head to the bar and find myself behind a young woman with poker straight blonde hair.

“Lex?” I proffered, gingerly, as I am British and have never met her before, and I could be totally wrong.

But much to my huge relief she spins around, smile beaming and greets me with a hug, like an old friend. What a welcome! 😃

From there we move to the reserved area in the pub and I meet co-organiser Michaella, and our fellow Substackers as they start to arrive.

Easy networking

I must admit this is the easiest networking event I have ever attended, it’s right up there with wedding chit-chat:

“How do you know Jack & Becca?”

“When did you start your Substack?”

“What do you write about?”

I can honestly say that everyone was lovely and interesting! Result!

There was only about 14 of us, so in-depth chats were happening all around as we got to know each other. Hot tips and strategies eagerly being shared amongst the collective.

Most people were meeting for the first time, and some had met at the previous event, so already knew each other. This was lovely to see, having returners is a great accolade.

I think the current plan is for them to co-host a London meet-up every two months or so, which I for one, am very much looking forward to.

I’m without doubt that over time, our little group will grow and some bonds will form for the long-term.

It’s amazing how effective ‘repeated turning up’ can be to build friendships. 

I’d like to send a very BIG thank you to our gorgeously welcoming hosts

Lex Hearth

and

Michaella Parkes

.

Great job and top marks on the venue! 👏

And a HUGE ‘great to meet you’ to my fellow Substackers

Michael

,

Stefan Lesser

,

Amar Patel

,

Tola Osundina

and

John Lumgair

.

I hope to see you all at the next one, please restack this post so others can be aware that it’s happening.

Good luck to those, who I met and have yet to launch their Substack, I wish you well and look forward to watching your progress and swapping notes at the next event.

See you all soon!

K8x 

PS: Be sure to follow Writers IRL to hear about new events.

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