This may well be the post that finally makes you say she lost her mind. I feel a bit insane even considering pressing publish on this one. But I’m going to, because this wonderful little community has welcomed and inspired me more than I can describe, so I’m standing up and saying ‘I’ll do it.’
This is an open invite…
How many of us have said we would love to meet each other? I’ve said it countless times. We spend hours of our time, talking, supporting and encouraging each other. We become friends, colleagues, fans and sometimes tutors of each others work (Esther). We beta read, critique and promote each others work, yet we remain friends from a distance, stuck behind a 2d computer screen with no concept of what we are like in real life.
A couple of things led me to actually publishing this post.
1. Geoff posted a video of his bungee jump the other day, and I heard his voice, I sat bolt upright at my computer and realised he was actually a person! A real one with a voice he doesn’t just squirrel away behind a computer screen like a robot.
2. Dylan and Graeme mentioned the other day that they had already met each other. The idea to organise this has been floating in my mind for a while, hearing that they had actually met each other gave me the courage to know this was actually possible…. I think.
What am I actually blithering on about?
Ok, I’m saying, no, I’m volunteering to organise a meeting, a get together, a social, fuck it, a rave if you really want… But I’m putting my hand up and saying I’ll do it.
I will research, find a venue, organise dates, whatever else needs doing and I will figure out a way for us all to get together. An Annual Bloggers Bash. Ok, maybe not annual, I’m not brave enough to commit to that, yet, and you might all be axe murderers…
Maybe we will all descend on Hugh for a summer day out on Brighton beach, or maybe we will all descend on the Big Smoke stand on a stage and read our work out, maybe we wait till winter and November for NaNo and all sit in silence for a write in! I don’t know.
If this is a terrible idea then stop me now I don’t want to be sat in the corner of some pub eating my sunday roast dateless, stood up because none of you wanted to meet up.
But what of our wonderful international friends: Charli, Norah, Ula, Rachel, Ali, Ronovan and Keith to name just a few. Unless you are planning a trip to the UK anytime soon in which case I am happy to organise around you, then I think there are enough of us with phones, laptops, iPads and tablets to set up countless Skype and FaceTime streams simultaneously, or some other craziness.
This is a totally open invite, just because I haven’t mentioned you specifically on here, doesn’t mean you’re not invited, you absolutely are… hey if there’s enough pressure, we might even coax the ever elusive but wonderfully furry story reading ape down from his rainforest office.
The party specifics? I have no idea, until I know how many people are up for this, then I don’t know what to suggest. For now, drop me a line, share the post, spread the invitation…
If you read to the end of this post, then there must be a hint of enthusiasm for this… so leave me a comment, heck if you’re feeling generous offer me some help to plan this!
Sounds like a wonderful idea. I truly wish I had a trip planned for the UK. I’m here in the good ol’ USA.
What part of the US? I will see what I can do in terms of a teleconference 🙂
I live in the western US – lots of time zones away, lol 😀
Lots of people do im going to have a job trying to work out how to do this!
I think this is an absolutely splendid idea! And I Am so glad you mentioned doing skype or facetime for it as well for those of us across the pond. I would definitely be interested in participating in this, and who knows maybe one day I will actually be able to climb into the big silver bird and come over to meet you in the same space. But until then, I am good with skyping. I don’t know what help I can be other than sharing and reposting this for you, but if you can think of anything, then let me know.
Thanks Storm 🙂 will see what I can work out and come back to you 😀
This sounds like fun. I’ll eagerly await all the posts on the party here in the Colonies (aka Canada). What a great idea. 🙂
Will let you know what I can figure out for you guys on the other side of the pond 😀
Love the idea! The one trip I have planned in the UK is July 2016 (yes,this French nerd got herself tickets for the Star Wars convention 10 minutes after they went online yesterday! :p)
oooh, ok thanks for letting me know, lets see if I cant organise something for next year too – maybe the second annual meet! lol to star wars – i secretly like star trek though…. :s Is it like comic con where you dress up too?
I’m a multifandom (especially Sci Fi and Fantasy) fan. But yup, you have actors/authors/panels/fans in costume at this SW con. (I’m unlikely to dress up though lol)
Wow that actually sounds awesome ive always wanted to go to a comic con but been too chicken! What kind of fantasy stuff is your fave?
I went to 2 Farscape cons in the US, a small Battlestar Galactica event and a small Star Wars convention in Paris, a long time ago as well. So excited about this big thing next year! Oh boy, my fav Fantasy stuff… like/love Dragon Age, Legend of the Seeker, Philippa Ballantine’s Book of the Order series, Once Upon a Time, Lost Girl, Lord of the Rings/Tolkien, and I feel like I’m forgetting a ton. And it’s just Fantasy, not even SciFi! What about you? 🙂
oooh I love once upon a time! real fave at the mo. haven’t read LOTRs though. I love things like divergent, matched, day of the tryffids, true blood so much I can’t even get it in a library!
Well, I think you may have started something here, Sacha… You’ll probably have gathered from our recent email exchange that you can count me in!
lovely stuff 🙂 will come back to you 🙂
Sounds like a fun idea. If you end up doing a virtual meetup, I’m in 🙂
Hey Mandy, glad to hear it 🙂 Will let you know what I can sort out, hope the business is going well 🙂
yep. Bonkers. But now you know what I sound like I an hardly refuse. Last year Anne, Norah (visiting rellies) another blogger Lisa and I all met at the British Library then strolled along the Grand Union canal. We had a terrific time (though Anne and I know each other from a writing course a few years back). definitely worth trying.
Haha yeh I thought it was a bit mad but I’ll give it a go. I think I’ll just have to throw a date and venue out there and see who bites. And as for the international chums I’ll do some research on how to get multiple feeds going there’s enough tech out there that it must be possible. And Aww that sounds amazing I had no idea you had met so many people! There I am thinking it’s an impossibility! Speaking of im in the smoke on the 13th of may if you’re about.
I think its a great idea! I’ll come if I can… not so far away for me! Yaaay! Party! Yeah… dont get out much these days lol!
lol child free weekend sounds like the best weekend ever! massive partying in london called for! :p
I think this sounds like a wonderful idea. 🙂
Holy crap, this is such a fantastic idea! I’ve always wondered what it would be like to you and all my other WordPress/writer buddies! The camera function on my laptop doesn’t work, so I can’t do Skype or anything of the like… but I am getting a new iPad soon, so I’m sure I’ll be able to figure that out when the time comes. So, totally count me in for a Skype session! I guess this means I’ll have to make a Skype account, huh? 😉
Also, I wanted to say that I was so flattered and excited that you actually listed me in the post. It was very thoughtful of you to think personally of me! 🙂
Yes! I’d Skype with my axe if they don’t let me in the country. 🙂 How about a cruise? And I do have an open invitation to all writers for a guestroom retreat on Elmira Pond without amenities (I have no phone, television and sketchy satellite internet) but I cook and BBQ! You are welcome to retreat any time. 🙂 And I’d at least keep you company on the phone if you are a lone ladybird in a pub!
I’ve been doing a lot of coming and going due to family matters but if I’m back home at the time, count me in!
Where were you based before you came back to the UK? we would love to have you 🙂 I cant wait to get this off the ground 🙂
I’m up for it. Skype could work. And hey, I’m just a quick plane ride to London, so who knows. If the date is right.
oooh Ula, I would love to meet you 🙂 see there I go saying it again! Poland isnt too far actually, well im thinking maybe late summer? But will put some thought into it and repost in a couple weeks with details
It’s a wonderful idea, Sacha. I don’t move from here so I’ll think about skype.
Where in the world are you Jane?
Bordeaux. It’s perfectly civilised, there’s an airport and everything, but we’re just not mobile.
AHHH never been but I hear it’s a lovely part of France 🙂
Oh wow, I’m certainly in on this idea Sacha, and I’d love to help out with organising it with you if you need any help. 🙂 Count me in!
Awesome thanks Hugh I knew I could count on you ?.
Definitely interested! Keep us posted! Even something over the phone that I could listen in to and bathe in the brilliance would be terrific. 🙂
What country are you in? I’m still figuring out how to do the trans continental Skyping session but I’ll get there! 🙂
I’m so excited about this, Sacha. My husband has tentatively signed off on a trip to England, so hopefully the dates work out.
No way?? Omg this is well cool. Ok seeing as you’re coming from another country why don’t you suggest some dates that would work for you? Or a loose month? Might as well work around you seeing as it’s far easier for us to get to the smoke ?
Pure coincidence Sacha, but can’t resist mentioning that I just said goodbye to a blogging friend who came to the island over the last couple days for a visit. Played music with my children, we went out to a local pub last eve, and he joined us for dinner. It was all a last minute plan, but so cool. Never imagined actually meeting anyone I correspond with here, though I invite many. This is a great idea you have here and I wish you much luck and fun with it. Melissa Xx
Oh my gosh. That is amazing. It’s actually wonderful that we can meet so many amazing people that without the internet we would never have come across. It blows my mind at how small it makes the world, but also how spectacular it makes it. Which island are you on? ?
Hey Sacha, I am on Inis Mor, one of the Aran Islands here off west coast Ireland. It was so cool meeting him. And you are right, small and spectacular, full of interesting and amazing people!
Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
It’s time to PARTY – that is via your very own technology device. Check out Sacha’s post and let her know if you’re in or if you can help out.
Thank you so much for reblogging it 😀 <3
What a wonderful idea! I could arrange to be on Skype or Facetime. I’m not sure if I will be around to help out. Lots of travel plans. Youngest is moving back in town. I’ll be spending a lot of time with that little granddaughter of mine. I’ll get back to you on the help side when I have a better idea of what I’m going to be doing and your time frame.
Perfect, where are you based?
Loveland, Ohio, USA
If only! It would be awesome. ?
Where are you based?
Pensacola, Florida. USA ?
Great idea, Sacha. As Geoff said, he, Anne, Lisa and I got together while I was in London last year. It was a wonderful experience and, gratefully, none of us were axe murderers! “Special” blogging friendships become all the more special after meeting personally. I would love to Skype in if we can figure it out!
so cool that you all met each other 😀 I am head deep in research to work out how we would do it 😀
It is very cool! I hope you can figure something out. I’m excited already! 🙂
I’m an American based in Scotland right now. I’d LOVE to meet fellow bloggers!
Fab, I shall keep you all updated 😀
A great idea and sounds wonderful. I’ll be with you in spirit…have a delightful time.
Blessings for success,
Marianne
Thank you ?
I could go for this. Although my name is Sunderland and by all rights of ancestry, I should live in England, I don’t. But I could Skype. What if we all read something of our work? Those who could gather would gather and those who can Skype, Skype, and those who can phone in, do that.
Time of day would enter into the planning: There’s about five hours between me, CST in USA, and London. So if you all were partying in a pub in London, say, I could get on Skype in the afternoon etc. Although a pub might be a little noisy for a reading.
But it would be fabulous to meet you, Sasha, and all the others. Maybe we could have a round the world celebration in each time zone. No sleeping for you Ms. Sasha! Janet
Where in the world are you? I will need to track everyone that wants to skype and their time differences to ensure there is a reasonable slot to do it. I love the idea of us all reading work. I’m still researching the technology of how to do it. But give me a month and I should have a plan 🙂 haha but I love sleep! ??
An extraordinary idea! I love it. I’m on the East Coast of the USA.
fab – lets see what I can do Skype wise for you guys across the pond