Each week at a set time, I am busy (very busy!) chatter-nattering about picture books. It’s online within the wonderful worldwide Twitter community. We call it #pblitchat, and anyone can join in – if you have a Twitter account. It’s really very easy.
There are probably countless ways you can take part in a twitter chat – these are the two I’m familiar with. (You can use these forums for different chats – you just change the hash code.)
How to take part in a Twitter #pblitchat:
1. Go to TweetChat (http://tweetchat.com/room/pblitchat) and click on the tab in the top right that says, ‘Sign in with Twitter’. It will want you to Deny or Allow – you allow.
TweetChat before you 'Sign in with Twitter.'
Once you’re in, it puts the hash code (#pblitchat) in for you automatically. That’s so helpful!! You just have to Tweet! (All the #pblitchat will scroll down below you.)
TweetChat ready to roll!
2. Go to TweetGrid. (http://tweetgrid.com/grid?l=0)
1. Type your Twitter name in the ‘User:’ box.
2. Type your Twitter password in the ‘Pass:’ box.
3. Type ‘#pblitchat’ in the ‘Hashtag:’ box.
4. And type ‘pblitchat’ into the grey box underneath those – next to ‘Search!’ and ‘Stop’.
5. Hit ‘Search!’ and moments later it will show all the latest #pblitchat posts.
6. Type your comment into the ‘Tweet:’ box – and then hit ‘Tweet!’ to take part in the conversation.
Note: Once you’ve hit in all the information (User/Pass/Hashtag) you just have to type in your message and hit tweet each time. (And like TweetChat – it automatically adds the hash code once you’ve set it up.)
Fill in the boxes then chatter.
You can sign in and test them at any time – they will show the most recent tweets with the #pblitchat tag. (So there’s always something there.)
For more information on #pblitchat times and topics, check out the Picture Books Only blog. And you can follow @pblitchat on Twitter. Maybe I’ll meet you in a #pblitchat one day. 
If you’re keen to take part in other Twitter chats, Debbie Ridpath Ohi (@inkyelbows) has compiled quite a list! Thanks for sharing, Debbie!
Thanks, kats (do you have a “real” name?)! I’ve got it! Yea!
A few things have changed with #pblitchat since making this post. After continual Twitter fail we had to find a new home; http://www.chatzy.com/pblitchat.
Times have also changed. You’ll find more information here: http://picturebooksonly.wordpress.com/about-picture-books-only/
But I’ll leave these tips here – because they’re still applicable for anyone using TweetChat and TweetGrid for any other Twitter chats.
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