WRITE UP: A night of words, community and Amy’s determination

Turning late nights, endless dedication and a shared vision into a celebration of writers and togetherness

Last Saturday 19 July, something truly magical happened. My wife,

Amy I Beeson 🐝

, brought her vision to life with WRITE UP, a crowdfunded event supported by matched funding from Hammersmith and Fulham Council. It was a night dedicated to celebrating writers, their words and the power of community. And what a success it was!

For those unfamiliar with the journey leading up to this event, you can read about it her WRITE UP post - “Would You Help Create a New Writing Event?”. Her passion for fostering a space where writers could perform their work and connect with others was palpable. She envisioned a night where patrons, supporters and members of her Substack community could come together, not just to celebrate the art of writing, but to celebrate each other and connect in person.

I’m very new to Substack, but I’ve had the privilege of seeing this journey unfold from the sidelines. Before I joined, Amy spent months talking about Substack and organising small meetups at Riverside Studios. Those intimate gatherings planted the seeds for what would eventually grow into WRITE UP, a full-on event that she managed to pull together within weeks.

Now, let me tell you, pulling off an event like this wasn’t a walk in the park. It was more like a marathon where you’re running uphill, in the rain, while juggling flaming torches. Late nights, endless hours glued to her phone and constant content creation to drive donations and ticket sales became her routine. She gave up so much of her time to make this happen and as a great mum, I know she felt guilty about not always being there for our daughters. But here’s the thing, she’s tough, resilient and determined, and she never gave up, even when the weight of it all felt overwhelming. Honestly, if I had to deal with half of what she did, I’d probably be zoning out and playing on my phone or PlayStation instead - anything to escape it all.

WRITE UP wasn’t just an event; it was a calling. Amy has been searching for her purpose again, and Storypod/WRITE UP reignited that fiery passion for writing that has always been at the core of who she is. Her side of the office pod we share is now bursting with ideas, imagine a forensic crime scene board, but without the connecting string or murder scene photos. It’s chaotic, it’s brilliant and it’s very Amy.

On the night of the event, I had the pleasure of supporting Amy by serving drinks at the bar and photographing the evening as it unfolded. I like to think I was the unsung hero of the night, but I was just doing what I was told – capture the night, the conversations and the spirit as well as making sure people are hydrated… with booze or elderflower cordial. Being the bar man did mean that I got to say hello and meet so many of the people Amy’s Substack community who had donated to the event and made it possible. Meeting their partners, the “roadies” who came to support them, was great too – to see and hear them talk so proudly of their partners work, was a privilege. It was clear that WRITE UP was more than just a writing event - it was a celebration of connection and community.

The lineup of writers who performed at WRITE UP was nothing short of extraordinary. Amy highlighted the winners and performers in her post “The WRITE UP Lineup is Live”, and each of them brought their unique voice and perspective to the stage. From poignant poetry to captivating prose, the evening was a celebration of creativity in its purest form.

To everyone who donated, attended, performed or supported WRITE UP in any way: thank you. You helped create something truly special. Amy, I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished. WRITE UP was a massive success, and I know it’s just the beginning of what you’ll achieve.

Here’s to more nights of words, togetherness and community. WRITE UP reminded us all of the power of storytelling and the importance of celebrating it.