Writers IRL: My First Substack Meetup

How it went + a 2025 media & publishing events calendar for you. [#177]

It’s 2.06 pm, and I’m pegging it down the hill as fast as I can in my Ganni boots. My first Substack meetup started six minutes ago. I open the door and peek behind the curtain. People are here! Three cancelled this week, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Rewind an hour: I was still at my laptop, trying to finish my tax return on deadline day. You need to leave, or you’re going to be late. Yes, I know. But I need to get this done so I can relax. 2 pm is the middle of the day. What was I thinking? I’m not ready.

I hit send. The Grim Reaper doesn’t hesitate: Tax due: £7,500. Bugger. I’d forgotten about paying tax on account. 2023/24 was a good year, but still, that’s a lot to magic up by midnight.

No time to dwell on it – I grab my coat, spray on more deodorant, and run out of the door. I’ll pay it later. First: the meetup. If you’d done it earlier, you’d know how much you owe and could have paid it.

Yeah, well, I didn’t, so here we are. Not helpful, Nancy.

Stephanie has set up a big table for us by the radiator and deli bits in my usual spot. Glyn is sitting in my seat, so I head in and sit opposite him. Well, that’s your fault for being late.

I apologise for my lateness and explain about the tax return. “I’ll download the HMRC app when I get back – I think it might be quicker than paying online.”

Glyn: “It would be good if we could go round and introduce ourselves.”

Me: “Yes, I was about to do that.”

I introduce myself, and we go round the table. Here they are:

Amanda Thomas Photography

We get to Lucy Pappas , aka Granny on the Luce (love that), and the coffee machine splutters. She pauses and waits for it to stop. I lean forward so I can hear what she’s saying.

It’s the lunchtime rush. My friend Dannie-Lu is sitting behind us with her poodle, Shirley, chatting with her friend. The owner, Stephanie, is bustling around checking everyone’s happy like she always does.

My seat feels hard and uncomfortable. I need a cushion. It’s also a bit chilly in here. I pull my scarf closer and sip my coffee, trying to warm up so I can concentrate on what she’s saying.

Enid Williams has a fascinating backstory – her band, music, astrology – and she likes to talk. I let her run with it and listen. Glyn shifts in his seat, then sighs.

I’ve had enough of this. I came here to learn about Substack [not listen to life stories]. It’s already 3 - can we move on. I’d like to hear what the next person has to say.

There’s an awkward pause, which Enid rushes to fill, apologising for going on a bit. I’m annoyed with him for being rude but more at myself for not taking charge and setting boundaries. I turn towards her,“Well, I’m interested in hearing your story.”

He’s right, though. You need to set a time limit on intros and keep it on topic to keep the energy up - so everyone has a chance to speak.

Nuts and bolts. Men like to get to the point. I try to explain that your story is a big part of your Substack. It’s about YOU – and your stories are what people connect with—a mix of personal and professional. There’s a culture on Substack; if you’re not on there, that’s not obvious.

Amanda Thomas is a fashion and portrait photographer who’s just moved here from Bristol. (I find that fascinating – she likes the light and big skies and didn’t have that living in central Bristol).

She tells us a bit about lighting and colour and its impact on mood. Shares some tips on how to take flattering photos and set up your desk and home Hygge. Good stuff. I’m looking forward to reading her newsletter, as I’ve not seen many people talking about this subject.

It’s after 4 pm, so we wrap up, and I say I’ll set up another one. Graze has emptied, so it’s just me, and I sit there for a bit, watching the fairy lights twinkle over the art and wine. The radiators are coming on, and it feels cosier now. This would have been a better time to start.

Five people, one table, and lots of good ideas flying around. Glyn said he’d not thought about having a newsletter for his personal writing, so I hope this inspired him to get started.

There’s nothing like eye contact, conversation and energy – and bringing people together IRL around a shared interest and journey. It makes me feel more connected to where I’m living, too.

What I’ll do differently

• Timing – 2 pm is too early – lunchtime rush, and we weren’t eating. I could’ve said drinks only, but I didn’t in case people wanted to eat, so there was cutlery on the table, which felt formal. I like the dusk jazzy vibe, post-lunch & pre-dinner, so I’ll try 4–6 pm next time.

• Venue – Love Graze, but it’s food-focused and noisy at lunchtime. Barnaby’s Lounge has a cosy upstairs nook - good for readings, coworking, and a mailing list for promo, which helps.

• Seasons – trial a 3-6 month run. Keeps it structured. Reduces my fear of commitment ;)

• Co-host – I love hosting events, but it’s not as relaxing as going to someone else’s. I feel responsible. Is everyone enjoying themselves? Am I being a good host? Will I be landed with the bill? A co-host is a good idea if I want to do this long term.

• Name – Call it ‘Writers IRL: Hastings’ to attract people who are publishing on other platforms. Glyn’s publication is on Ghost, and he emailed to ask if it was okay to come. Of course. People, over platforms – it’s not a competition and we can learn from each other.

✍️Next Writers IRL: Hastings, February 28, 4-6 pm.

If you’re in 1066 Country, come join us! Similar format (readings, books, mags), different venue, later time.

Barnaby: “We’d love to host your event. Heads up: There’s a bit of a mad band on at five on the last Friday of the month.”

Me: “Okay, see how we go. We can always change the day.”

But I like Friday get-togethers – a nice way to end the week. I like a mad band, too - wonder if they have a newsletter??

Great to see Katie Lee has signed up. A screenwriter with a top secret project on Substack. She’s doing a talk on owning your own media - the nitty gritty on Substack, Ghost & beyond and real-world community building at Barnaby’s this week, so I’ll go to that.

Two newsletter events in one week. More people are looking beyond socials for real connections. Substack is a social platform now – just a bit more ‘earnest’, as People vs Algorithms put it.

I downloaded the HMRC app when I got back and paid my tax. Very easy and quick to set up, as it syncs with my bank. Press transfer, and poof – off it goes! I had a slight panic about fraud, so double-checked all the account numbers before I pressed send.

I said thank you for the work and the money as I did it. 2023-24 was a good year for me, and I’m grateful for that.

Cheers, Nika

PS: I’ve put together a 2025 media & publishing events calendar (online & in-person) - a curated list of events for writers, creatives and media folk. I keep finding things I’d like to go to, so figured it would be useful.

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