So there’s this thing called #pubwrite…

I’ll be the first one to admit that social networking is still fairly new to me. I’ve been using social sites for years now, but never really understood what I could truly gain from them until recently. I started with a MySpace account that was basically just a way to play a game called Mobsters. Then I made my way to Facebook where I saw that I could keep tabs on my buds from high school and friends I’ve made over my career in an industry that has a less than 2 year turnover rate. I got pretty content with Facebook, and used it to just chat with my friends and former colleagues. Then came Twitter.

I started writing my first novella, Loose Ends, a few months ago. Something I didn’t think I would release to the masses ever, just to some friends and family. When I decided that I would put it up on Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords I decided I needed to learn some things about self-promotion and networking. Someone suggested twitter, and I cringed at the thought. I’ve heard about this “Twitter” thing and thought for sure it would be terrible. 140 Character limits, and constant posting by the same people sounded like it would get old really fast. Reluctantly, I joined up anyway. I figured I could establish some connections with people that would help me not only learn how to market my book, but also help me improve in my writing. I would soon find out that “meeting a few people to help me out” would be the understatement of the century.

Since being on Twitter I have met some of the friendliest and most talented folks on the planet. Always encouraging, never negative, seeking out ways to help each other out, and constantly watching out for one another. The majority of these people I’ve met on Twitter are part of a group called #pubwrite.

#pubwrite is a place where many of the “patrons” will chat with one another and have an adult beverage or two. The concept is simple, people who enjoy a good book (reading or writing) and a tasty beverage gather together to chat amongst each other and socialize with familiar faces that share a common hobby/interest. No, you aren’t required to drink to be in there, from beers to wines, teas to sodas, all beverages are welcome :).

It’s hard for me to articulate what #pubwrite truly is to me. When I was in high school I decided I wanted to work in the game industry, but I didn’t want to pay for a college that would happily take my money and just as happily give me a passing grade without teaching me anything essential. So I turned to the internet. I found people who were willing to help me learn art, and many of those people were pivotal in my becoming a successful artist in this industry. However, the people that were willing to go the extra mile to mentor me, encourage me, and be supportive of my progress were quite few and far between. So when I finally took the plunge to start writing, I was hoping that I might find myself a mentor in this field, like I did with art. I’m pleased to say that I’ve come across more people willing to do all the aforementioned in the two months I’ve been on Twitter than I have in my entire career in gaming!

I might argue a bit and say that readers/writers in general are a bit classier and kinder than gamers (I’m allowed to say this, as I am part of both groups), but I actually don’t think that’s the case here. I think I’ve just struck gold coming across a group of people that genuinely care for others and are just givers by nature, and it seems like a good deal of these people are part of the wonderful #pubwrite group.

I’ve found not only a couple of mentors who are supportive, encouraging, and challenge me on a daily basis, but I look at every one of the #pubwrite patrons as a mentor to me in some capacity, not just limited to reading/writing.

The group grows more and more each day, and is active at all times of day (though the busiest is usually after 6 or 7PM Eastern). You’ll truly never find a nicer and more encouraging group of people than you will there. So come visit the pub, your first round is on me. Cheers!