Putting the Social in Social Media
At our warehouse, which we call the Bookspace, we have events. One of the wonderful things about being an eclectic publishing house is that we have eclecctic events. We have had a wine tasting for Messina Hof (which was delicious), a dinner tasting by a really nice new friend chef to promote his new book Empty Bottle Moments that we didn't even publish, and a bug yoga event. We have also hosted a variety of more standard fare book signings, holiday promotions (some more successful than others, don't ask me about Father's Day) and a wonderful relaxation lunch series complete with a divine smelling purification aromatherapy oil.
Events in the warehouse always serve to remind me how much I love this town--H'town, the fattest town in America, an international mecca, the art car capital of the universe, whatever moniker you think is appropriate. Because, whatever you call it, Houston is a big town, and there is room for all sorts of unbridled creativity, festiveness and general goodness. Random acts of friendship and fun are pretty commonplace here, and I love that. Houston has a generous spirit.
Our most recent event was one in a series: Bright New Media. The Bright New Media series is what we call social media socials. Two amazing women, Monica Danna and Laura Mayes--and the occasional accomplice--teach our extended group of friends how to tweet, blog, news feed, build their brand, have more fun on Facebook, and generally navigate the wired world with savior faire.
And at these socials, the spirit of this town shines. Everyone comes together with their gifts and shares them. As these knowing internetrepreneurs feed our minds, the Stone Kitchen feeds our bellies (wherein, I swear, lie our souls. Remember the fabulous Annie Dillard quote from Teaching a Stone to Talk about the mind freaking out after seeing an eclipse, and then being totally silenced by fried eggs? So classic.)
"The mind wants to live forever, or to learn a very good reason why not. The mind wants the world to return its love, or its awareness... The mind's sidekick, however, will settle for two eggs over easy. The dear, stupid body is easily satisfied as a spaniel. And, incredibly, the simple spaniel can lure the brawling mind to its dish. It is everlastingly funny that the proud, metaphysically ambitious mind will hush if you give it an egg."
— Annie Dillard
The Stone Kitchen food is truly soul food. Worthy of Annie Dillard exposition. Almond crusted chicken tenders, creamy spinach and artichoke dip, raspberry cheesecake bars, smoked gouda dip, spicy chicken satay, crisp spring rolls...and always something new. And we get to eat this amazing fare while we learn how to get current on line and meet really friendly, interesting and productive people from all over this great town. All sorts of metaphysically ambitious minds from all walks.
And that is the miracle on Chaucer Street. One author has a great web content aggregate platform, another author has a great brewery. Still another has a great catering company, another knows a social media guru with a generous spirit, and poof! Truly social socials. Something to tweet about besides #The Office. Food for thought.
These are magical afternoons for me. There is nothing finer than learning new stuff, except, perhaps meeting new friends. Top it off with a good feed, and it beats anything I've ever read about in Shelby.
So much to learn, so much to share--between the covers, and way out in the ether. This is where social media speaks to me: when it brings like minded people together who might have passed each other by on the street and lets them break bread together. As much as I have been besotted with books throughout my life, I find myself equally enamored with the concept of finding my tribe on line.
I hope at some point you'll be in our neighborhood and get to come to one of our socials. One of them is sure to pique your curiosity. We are blessed with a wealth of talented authors, illustrators, editors, designers and friends. And sooner or later we will showcase them all in our little Bookspace in Rice Village.
Only connect. Whether it is in 140 pages or 140 characters, it is always worthwhile, always wonderful.
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.
~Dorothy Parker
