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Turns out there’s far more of us than you know! Here’s to finding our tribe across the world

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Congratulations on this. Exciting event to organise. How did you find your Paris substack writers in the first place? Did @substack help you? I'm just curious to understand the logistics, if you wouldn't mind sharing.

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Oh yes indeed, Substack was incredibly helpful. Katie O’Connell was such a great resource early on ... I literally just asked about organizing a meet up back in December and she was more than willing to help out . As for finding the writers, I’m proud to say quite a few of them are old friends from the poetry / writing scene here

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I've been wondering about doing one here in Dublin, but don't personally know many substackers based here, so have wondered how to make contact with them. I figured going to substack would be best. Thank you for that 👍😀

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

Casting an envious eye up from the wonderfully rural Vienne. I smiled out loud at the reluctance of writers to emerge with a name badge that says 'I am a writer' or, indeed, to emerge at all. I have a habit of wild enthusiasm weeks ahead as I excitedly accept that invitation to dinner, or apéro ... even a trip to the market with laundry thrown in ... on the day, the tight grip of reluctance squeezes my upper arms, holding me back when actually I just need a kick up the backside. Oh, and 'writer' ... I write words, maybe I'm a writer ... but it is my passion not something that keeps me in pizza and Peroni. Anyway, long way round saying, what a fabulous idea and so wonderful to gather so many kindred spirits for what sounds like a magical evening *en Paris*

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Ahhh, sounds like a glorious life down in Vienne. Perhaps the next time we have a meet up you’ll have a chance to hop on a train to Paris ... or dare I say we one day have a Substack hang in the country ...

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

Ah, the lure of the city break. I am following now so I'll be sure to keep an ear out. T. S Eliot probably had it right “The chief danger about Paris is that it is such a strong stimulant.” A bientôt

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That's a fantastic summary of Paris. Each time I leave it, I feel thankful to be leaving the whirlwind, but after about 10 days, the craving returns. Here's to finding the space between city and countryside.

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We took a little break in Angoulême recently; just a couple of nights ... a museum or two, coffees while watching the world go by, a good meal in a smart restaurant ... a reminder of our previous city lives; a sparky reliving of the energy and buzz of urban settings, all the better to relish the rural lifestyle when we slide back into it.

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

I love this so much! What a wonderful community you have cultivated!

I will be in Paris in May, 2024. A friend will be with me for two days and we will both take one of your walking tours! More to follow. I will be there for at least two weeks. Give my love to Augusta!❤️

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It shall be a pleasure!

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

My heart is so warmed right now.

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Thanks for believing in and helping create such a heartwarming space. It’s a reminder of the best sides of the internet 🥃also, really dig your wisdom and laid back style on the active voice

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

Wow, I adored this. It’s so warming to connect with like-minded people, and reading about it offers a similar fulfilment. I too appreciate Substack as a platform to cultivate a community of writers - bound by ideas and ideals, dedication, curiosity and words. ✨

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Thank you Daria 🙏🏼you said it: curiosity and dedication are such important values to keep cultivating

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

I want one in Brussels! Better yet, in Gent where I live. 🤩

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Oh I’d gladly pop on a train to go see some

Magritte and meet some Brussels peeps!

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

This is lovely! Great that you’re doing this.

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

Thank you for putting this on Samuel! Wish I could have been there

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Hopefully I'll be swinging through NYC in the autumn and we'll be able to enter a VR reality with a green screen from which we can pretend we're in Paris.

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

I’ll be in Paris this week! Can we plan another meet up??

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ahh shite! I'm vacationing for a few weeks. But give Yann Rousselot (An Ominous Mistake) a shout, he's a translator/poet and I wholeheartedly vouch for him and his kind

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Oooo thank you! Will do!

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Jun 14, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

Tellement dommage to have missed this!

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Wednesday night we're doing it again! https://lu.ma/y0ishrfc

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Jun 14, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

What an incredible group of people!! I hope to join you all someday!

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You shall definitely be at a future hang in Paris.

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Damn, I could have come had I known!

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Next time good sir! It would appear we have many more Substackers in Paris now than even 6 months ago 💪🏼

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It would appear so. Looking forward to next time!

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Jun 17, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

Inspired by you, a few of us Seattle Substackers are planning to organize a gathering. Summer in Seattle is glorious so I think we can lure people out. You do a great job of describing both of your meetups here. Anything else we should know?

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This is what it’s all about! So glad to hear the community is far and wide. I wouldn’t overplan it -- find a place where people can mingle, ask Substack for a small stipend to set it up, and basta! You’re gold

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Jul 12, 2023Liked by Samuél Lopez-Barrantes

Ahhhh this gave me goosebumps! I’m terrible at socialising and doing stuff with humans and generally avoid it if I can but I LOVE evenings like this. I recently met an amazing lady (exactly the same age as me, oddly) on the plane and we chatted for 2.5 hours straight and are now in constant touch (it feels weirdly like when you start dating, that magic of getting to know someone... except that I feel like I somehow instinctively know / ‘get’ her already) and it reminded me that I must make more effort to meet strangers. Sounds like a great evening. Loving the Substack vibe.

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Love to read stories like this. Especially because for someone who thinks they're terrible at doing stuff with humans, meeting a member of the same tribe on an airplane sounds like a win-win. I'm sure there are far more badass London-based folks on Substack that you shall be running into ... turns out community-building can actually work when it's authentic. Thanks for reaching out

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Deffo!

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