If you think you’re prepared for SXSW.com, you’re wrong.
You may have bought your ticket. You may have booked your hotel. You may even have packed your bag and triple-checked that you’ve brought your toothpaste and alarm clock.
But you weren’t prepared for an event the likes of which SXSW – and the world –has never seen.
It’s an event that you can look at one of two ways:
- The public unveiling of a deeply ingrained persona and catharsis of epic proportions you won’t want to miss
- The SXSW event that everyone will be talking about for a long, long time – and where anything might happen.
This March at SXSW.com in Austin, James Chartrand is unmasking… for the first time ever.
Yes, it’s happening. After 12 years on the ground, James is taking flight and landing in balmy Austin for a full week of fun – and not JUST James. The whole Men with Pens crew is attending SXSW to meet peers, colleagues and friends like you.
Up close and personal. One on one.
We hang out with you every day, of course – you already know us. James, Dave, Jeff, Taylor… and our latest addition, the lovely Marla, ScheduleGirl extraordinaire. And Jeff Sarris and Taylor Lindstrom show their sexy faces around the web all the time.
But this is the first time James will appear in public. For years, she’s operated undercover in full secrecy. And right now, only a select few have any idea what she looks like. Which means if you want to recognize James when she walks down the street…
You’re going to want to be there for the big reveal.
What does James look like? Is she horribly scarred? Does she have a mullet? Is she tattooed from head to toe? Does she have blue hair? There’s only one way to find out: you’re going to have to show up.
Men with Pens is hosting an epic party in an ultra-secret location on March 11 in Austin, Texas, with special guest appearances from some of our favorite people, like Peter Shallard, Pam Slim, John T. Unger, Adam King, Brian Gardner and more. Oh so much more.
You’re going to love what’s going down at this event, and you won’t want to miss any ultra-secret details that let you be in on the action.
What kind of action?
- Gasp in delight at John T Unger’s welding torch flame-swallowing display.
- Schmooze Peter Shallard, who’s always ready to accept drinks from single women.
- Be the first to spot Brian Clark in undercover drag and win a special prize.
But we don’t want to spoil all the surprises. You’ll just have to show up and find out for yourself.
This event will also be the first time the whole MwP crew has ever come together in the same room. You’ll be able to introduce yourself, talk to us and get to know the real people behind the scenes. You don’t want to miss out on the awesomeness that’s going to be happening at the event – or any of the other secret surprises we have planned.
Remember: SXSW happens every year. But the chance to be the first to snap a photo of James’ dreadlocks and body piercings?
Once in a lifetime. Don’t miss it.
Jazzed to learn more? We’ve set up a special MwP Meetup RSVP list for this event only.
Sign up now to confirm your attendance at the event on March 11 in Austin. You’ll be able to get all the secret details of this special event including location, password (hint: think Bond) and event updates as they arise.
Don’t miss out on this special opportunity – your friends will be talking about it for ages.
I’m not picky either. Even mid-shelf scotch is okay.
Hmmm… lowering your standards, Shallard?
I’ll lower them right down to red-label depending on who’s buying.
Ah crap. I’m on the wrong continent.
Peter, in between accepting drinks from all the single women, please take pictures so that those of us who miss the grand unveiling can see James tattoos and dreadlocks
I’ll make SURE you get a pic, Samar – you deserve one, just for being awesome!
Yay! *does crazy happy dance* Can’t wait for the party!
I’ll definitely take photos. Expect them to get blurry as the night progresses
GlenLivet 21 – but I’m not a single woman.
Well Peter. I will recognize you with or without your sun glasses.
Cheers, Natalie
Such a pity I’m in Australia.
I KNOW. Sheesh.
I am most DEFINITELY gonna be there. With my camera.
I am totally looking forward to seeing you, eh? Mostly because I’ll get to tease you about your accent
Ali:
It will be so wonderful to meet in person!
Natalie
lol – I gathered you were going based on some of your tweets last week. Wish I could make it — the “unveiling” of MwP is an event in itself.
For the rest of us, the real question is: will you be allowing photos?
~Graham
Yes. As long as they don’t involve me being raving drunk, throwing up in the alley, shirtless and dancing on tables or walking into hotels with (hot) strange men.
NOTE TO ALL: I am firmly avoiding anyone buying me shots. Do NOT buy me shots. Buy Peter shots. Or Jeff. Maybe we can get Jeff to walk into a hotel with a hot, strange man after he’s thrown up in an alley.
Umm…hmmm…wow….ya….uhh, I think I’ll pass on that last part
haha
lol – yes, those would have been my first choices — how’d you know? But I guess I could compromise with a standing-at-the-symposium-discussing-deeply-important-writing-matters-with-other-writers-while-we-fiddle-with-our-lanyards kind of shot…
~Graham
Wait. *Don’t* buy you shots?! Well, I’ve been saving all my pocket change for nothing!
NO shots. I know full well there will be far, FAR too many people walking around with cellphones capable of recording The World’s Worst Moments and posting it to Youtube. I have banned anything but Shiraz, and even that in moderate quantities only.
Stupidity prevention begins. Mmhm.
Don’t worry Adam. I have the Jedi skills to persuade her to accept shots. It’s all about waving your hand in just the right way.
Sounds like it will be a great event..I wish all parties the best that’s attending..
“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
Thanks!!
Sounds like loads of fun! Love the picture at the top of the post.
Only one thing surprised me about this post. Your professionalism usually catches all typo errors, and I found one. (Gasp of surprise)
“You don’t want to miss out on the awesomeness that’s going to be happening at the even – ” – I think you need a “t” on that last word there. We all have typos like that, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before on this blog.
That’s because I have really cool friends who send me secret notes that say, “JAMES! Jeez, come ON, paragraph three, fourth line. A TYPO? God, I’m disowning you, slacker.”
And then I rush off to fix it magically so that no one knows I’m not 150% perfect in all ways. (Like Mary Poppins in Nikes, sort of.)
The bigger question is, WHERE WERE THESE FRIENDS TODAY?!
Well, if you hadn’t pre-emptively mocked my accent …
Sorry, James. I was at another blog looking out for James The Assassin.
Let me go hunt him down for you. The little bugger’s been absent too long.
I’ve told you not to put posts up while I’m asleep…..
Oooh, James…I’m so sorry I have to miss this.
I’ve been wanting to give you a huge HUG for a year now.
I hope you have a wonderful time…I’m thrilled for you and all the possibilities your “big reveal” will bring.
Heather
Aw, noz! Well, I’ll lift a glass to you from a distance, how’s that?
Aw stink! I’m going to miss SXSW this year. Simple matter of cash flow, you understand.
Save some goodies for ’12, k? I’m gonna *try* for that one.
I would be the first to spot Brian Clark though.
Seriously.
I dunno, he’s pretty sneaky… then again, it’s all about the smug smirk, isn’t it!
It’s just a matter of finding a fat, grouchy, reclusive guy with shaggy hair and a deep voice. Lol
James, enjoy your flight and the event. It sounds like so much fun that I think it will go by way too fast.
I wonder if they have Canadian beer available or just that stuff imported from south of the border.
Maybe something to think about, eh?
Ah, no worries. I’ll be schmoozing with Shiraz. Beer’s for barbecues. When there’s no snow
Well, I knew when a friend wanted to attend SXSW this year that I should have taken her up on that. Feeling so left out of the loop, but will try to follow along for the scoop.
Oh, Alyson! You should totally come next year. You’d have a blast and I’d love to get a chance to meet in person.
We’ll do our best to make sure everyone gets tidbits and updates from the live scene – watch your Twitter stream!
James!!!!
I wish I could come to see you in person! You are just like a Super Hero who will finally reveal Her identity!
I think that you know that I have already guessed who you really are, since you gave enough hints before (or at least I think they were enough hints ^^) but I wouldn’t play with this subject, I want it too to be a huge surprise to everyone else, so, I am happy you will jump inside your red sweet shoes!
I wish you the maximum pleasure and satisfaction in meeting all the people who love you, and at the same time, I’m asking… will James survive this? Oh and wait! Did you think of making a real portrait of him!
I know that it’s a pen name but, I think I am not wrong if I said that you can’t wear “James Chartrand” for all this time and not build a deep relationship with the character, maybe even talking to him and seeing him from outside, and giving him very reasonable advice, the kind of advice that only a woman can give to a man?
No worries, James will totally survive and ace this. I’m stoked to be going!
As for “wearing a character”… I don’t. I’m me. I just use a different name.
(And good guess on the real name, but nope! Wrong!)
Thanks for the precision! I understand, because I know you were always sincere in being just really you, I am very excited because I will be able to see you, or at least I hope!
(@Ali Luke: please Ali think of me too for the pics ^^)
Real name guessing…
I am just recovering from John Carlton’s Quiz #11 failure at guessing the “magical word,” and I eat another wrong guess, Ugh!
Since I’ve always apreciated you, I would love to have the chance to get to know you better.
So, again, I wish you a lot of fun for the party and worldwide revelation, (I am really ecited :p)
“Wearing” hmmm, If I don’t clarify what I mean I’m going to agonise for a long time lol, so here I go:
It’s an “unmasking” party,
even super heros used masks, but it doesn’t mean they loose their super powers when they put down that mask, they’re THE super hero
Then, I was imagining the kind of relationship that would a Bruce Wayne have with his bat suite at times, and his mask, an inanimated matter, a social representation of a personified justice ideal? I don’t know, I am no sociologist neither a writer, but to me, James Chartrand is a real life super hero(ine), and I know I am not the only one
“I know I am not the only one” <—– who thinks like that.
Rethinking about it everyday, a cool exercise, to rethink things : )
The most important thing here is “The Style Is The Man,” which means at the same time “The Style Is The Woman.”
For me, following MWP for 4 years now, it’s been about the content and its genuineness and not so much the ‘faces’ behind the names. It’s been about how much I’ve learned, how much it makes me want to be better at what I do, and enjoying the pleasure of sometimes humorous but always relevant writing. There is a certainty to what the whole MWP family produces but, by no means, do I ever find sameness. I’ve even gone back to the pre-MWP site just to nibble on all the beginning rich morsels of information. For me, it’s like energy bars. MWP is either providing the nourishment and boost I need that day or gives me something to use later when I need it which never grows stale. Thanks for all the goodness!
Brad? You made my day. Thank you for that.
“energy bars”
What a perfect analogy! or wait.
How about “energy bars” with homemade ingredients created by a master chef?
Yum! And so delicious you won’t forget their succulent taste for a long, long time to come : ]
I do wish I could go to this.
Meeting “James” in person would almost (almost) make the 4 1/2 drive worth it.
Too bad it’s right during spring break, which always doubles as our family vacation. So, while this is going on I’ll be having fun somewhere else entirely (hopefully relaxing).
I guess I’ll just have to wait for the “reveal” photos when you publish them.
Seriously, have fun in the Lone Star State!
AW!!! AW, man! *SIGH*…
I can’t wait to meet you in person James. This is my first SXSW, and I am really excited. It should be a blast.
Oh great stuff, Fred! We’ll have mutual firsties, then!
Alas! I will be here in Dallas, so close and yet so far. It sound like a lot of fun. I wish I could be there.
Well, you can be! Wishes do come true! Would be great to meet you.
Damnit! Just damnit! I KNEW I should have planned to go to SXSW this year!
Hope it’s an extraordinarily excellent party, James. I’ll keep an eye out for updates on the Twitters.
Heh, these things always happen on the years we don’t plan to go, eh? I’ll keep you posted on the awesomesauce!
Make sure you let us know the Twitterstream. My heart will be with you.
How about a picture of the whole Men with Pens crew? I’m betting there are other (Wo)men with Pens.
Are you doing any presentations James? You’d get standing room only!
There’ll be crew photos. We’re currently debating black t-shirts and shades versus white shirts, sexy poses and fan-blown hair.
Ooo, ooo do a Reservoir Dogs pose with the entire MwP crew. Heck, make an entrance into the party that way
I’m coming along to play! Got a flight, got a place to stay, got insurance, ummm, got a pocket full of rainbows and a fistful of love…?
Really looking forward to this. Do we need to bring anything?
Oh VERY cool, Amy! I’ll be real glad to see you there!
Bring big smiles and laughs. Oh, and possibly a fire extinguisher for John’s demonstrations.
(Hm, I almost wrote femonstrations. That would’ve been interesting…!)
“fire and femonstrations!”
Sounds a bit like a 1960 bra-burning extravaganza
I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Wrong city, wrong state, wrong country, wrong continent. That’s where I am at the present.
Dang, seeing you in flesh and chatting up would have been cool. Even if you have no tats or piercings. But hey, there are always pictures and videos to fall back on, right? Right?
Anyhoo, have fun at SXSW. And Peter, have an extra one for me. A drink, I mean
Well, if you told me Canada would’ve been right, I’d have to go kick something for choosing the wrong venue
And yes. There will be pics. And drinks for Peter. Guaranteed.
Glad to see you’re prioritizing.
I bet James has a mullet!
I saw someone the other day in town who had some sort of reverse mullet going on… :/
Woohoo! I’m so excited to meet you too! I just heard about this party in a forum – word is getting out! Are you sure you are ready for us? This Grandma can get down and get funky at a party.
Oh AWESOME – now I’m stoked for sure. You HAVE to come! Woot!!!
This is exciting, I’m so happy you’re coming out of the closet so to speak. Very sorry I can’t be there but I’m hoping my dear friend Sally at Snappy Sentences will get to meet you soon:) That’s about as close as I can get apart from reading your posts:) You’re going to have the best time ever – and be totally worn out afterwards:)
Well, see, I have a plan to avoid that “totally worn out” looming on the horizon:
1. One glass of wine per day.
2. 8 to 9 hours of solid sleep in a silent room
3. Three healthy meals
4. A peaceful walk every morning
Would anyone like to take bets on how well I do with this plan?
I’m going to try Annabel, I’m going to try
This will be epic – and I must say how excited I am to *finally* meet you. Perhaps we throw the ball around and take a few shots?
Really – the mention in the post was appreciated. Although I’m sure there will be far cooler people there than me.
Dude. Now I want to set up a hoop on the wall and hand out nerf balls. That’d be a blast!
Well, I threw my hat in and picked two events for this year (my first as a blogger) and you had to go and pick the one I will NOT be at!
Damn it James! Can I come visit you in Montreal instead?
Anytime. We can act like adults and say things like, “Let’s do lunch.”
Hi James,
I can’t make to the event, since I’m from India. I would certainly make it sometime dance in the party. I wish every MwPs fan would love to meet you and the whole team. I know you would post some pics of the event. Once again, thanks for being there for us – as a rock of support. Wish the party a great success!
Thank you!
I’m in Malaysia
*sad, sad*
Hm, this is when I’m reminded that I live in England, and in order to get across the pond to these kind of events, I have to produce money that I don’t have. Shame :-/
Good thing you read blogs by people who can help you make the cash for next year’s trip, eh!
YAY!
So because of certain (non life threatening but very frustrating) circumstances, I haven’t been around online much for about a month.
I finally get all my ducks in a row, pull my head up out of the water, and I find out that one of my best buddies online is having a bash!
Where do you get the details on attending again? I really would like to go but now it’s so close I might have to tug on some pretty big strings… but …
Hope to hell you could make it, John. It’s about as close as I could get to beers at the Hard Rock… or Disney
Hey isn’t Austin one of the music capitals? We should do a duet with our guitars… but only with you on a bunch of shots!
yes I read the comments above