Letter Writers Alliance

Sincerely Yours, the LWA

Thus ends 2019, the Year of Postbox, and also to the end of open memberships to the Letter Writers Alliance and matches through the penpal swap. We began back in 2007 with no conception that we would range so wide or continue this long. We have over 15,000 card-carrying members around the globe. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has added more letter writing to their lives. We couldn't be prouder of what this has become and we treasure the time we've shared with you. The shop will continue open until mid 2020 and on July 31, we will be sealing the envelope on all business here. Thank you again. We are so, so lucky. You can read in depth about our timeline for closure here.

Here are some helpful links for other pen pal resources and letter writing groups, as well as some basic information links. Sincerely Yours, Kathy & Donovan, Co-Founders

Pen Pals

• Postcrossing https://www.postcrossing.com/ 

• International Geek Girls Pen Pals Club http://geekgirlpenpals.com/

• Secret Society of Letter Writers (Kids Only) http://www.mrboddington.com/sslw/

• League of Extraordinary Pen Pals http://www.extraordinarypenpals.com/

• Worldwide Snail Mail Pen Pals https://www.facebook.com/groups/267019763720515/

• Fountain Pen Pals https://www.reddit.com/r/FountainPenPals/

• r/PenPals https://www.reddit.com/r/penpals/

• The Letter Exchange https://www.letter-exchange.com/

• Pen Pal World http://www.penpalworld.com/index.asp

• The Jane Austen Letter Writing Society http://janeaustenletterwritingsociety.blogspot.com/

• The Victorian Letter Writers Guild http://victorianletterwritersguild.blogspot.com/

• International Union of Mail-Artists http://iuoma-network.ning.com/

• Month of Letters https://lettermo.com/

• Swap-bot http://www.swap-bot.com/

• Interpals https://www.interpals.net/

• Epistolia https://epistolia.com/

• Black & Pink https://www.blackandpink.org/penpal-newsletter

• Solitary Watch https://solitarywatch.org/about-lifelines/

Letter Writing Groups

• San Francisco Correspondence Co-Op
• Portland Correspondence Co-Op
• London Letters Club
• CLE Writers Club
• Colorado Correspondence Coalition
• Little Rock Letter Writers League
• New York City Letter Writers Society
• East Bay Letter Writing Club
• L.A. Pen Pal Club
• Regional Assembly of Text Letter Writing Club
• Tampa Bay Letter Writing Club
• Wonderpens Letter Writing Club
• Wonderfair Letter Writing Club
• Publetters
• Dead Letter Club
• Christchurch Letter Writers Society
• Toronto Letter Writers Society
• AZ Snail Mail Society
• Coastside Letter Writers Society
• PS Correspondence Society
• The Paper Mouse Letter Writing Nights
• The Snail Mail Revolution
• S F Correspondence Society  
• Melbourne Letter Writers Society
• Poulsbo Epistolary Club
• A T L Letter Writers Society
• Lonestar Letter Writers 
• Spokane Correspondence Club
• Marfa Correspondence Society
• Utah Letter Writing Club
• Marin Correspondence Society 
• Correspondence Club 
• Laramie Letter Writing Community
• Letter Writing Club K S
• San Diego Letter Writers 
• Lonely Pencil Club
• Tampa Bay Letter Writers

NON-Official*Membership Group on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/191532741179993/

Directory of Letter Writing Societies - https://lwsdirectory.com/

Current Postage Rates - https://www.stamps.com/usps/current-postage-rates/

Postal News - https://www.postalnews.com/

USPS Zip Code Lookup - https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action

Postage Price Calculator - https://postcalc.usps.com/

Mailbox Map - http://www.mailboxmap.com/

*Kathy and Donovan do not use Facebook. This is a group administered by past members of the Alliance with the understanding that they are not official and their actions are not those of the Letter Writers Alliance. 

Holiday Card Hold Up

You know, there was one glorious year where I had all my cards done before the 25th. I don't know how I did it, and I've never been able to repeat it. However, I think most people enjoy getting mail at any time. I doubt there's a person who goes, "Oh, it's the 27th, better throw this in the bin without reading it. It's dead to me." In any case, one year, a friend explained that the 12 Days of Christmas start on the 25th and it's still the Christmas season til Epiphany on January 6th. I don't even have to pretend the cards are New Years cards until AFTER that point. And what's wrong with New Years cards? Nothing! New Years cards are awesome. In fact, in Japan, they are kind of a big deal. Anyways, if you expected a card from me, it's coming at some point. Here's to resolving to a better response rate in 2020! How'd you all do?  

P.S. As of writing this post, I've been through A, B, C, & D and then T, U, V, W, X, Y, & Z in the address book. Only 16 more to go!

Happy Holidays to All!

Wishing everyone full mailboxes and no lost packages! If you need me, I'll be here, still writing cards. 'Tis the season! Thank you all! I won't be writing blog posts though.  Hope you enjoyed the holiday postings!

P.S. Beautiful stamp shot from Verde Studio.

Inktober 2019 Rubber Stamps Pre Orders

In a show of sheer holiday insanity, I decided to make Halloweeny stationery stuff at Christmas time because, as we all know, everyday is Halloween. Every year, I try to participate in Inktober, a daily drawing challenge during the month of October. Without fail, spooky gets mixed up with mail and then magic happens. This year's crop of designs are quirky and clever and only a little bit creepy. Like the years before, these designs are limited in production. They will only be available for order until *Midnight CST Friday, December 20th*. They absolutely WILL NOT be delivered before Christmas, but I will ship them out as soon as I can. Order now or be sad later. I won't order these again. 

Oh, and this is just the beginning. There is also a limited edition stationery and sticker set which will go up as soon as I can finish and photograph them. Those are limited to 12 sets. Watch this space! Watch this other space! If you pre-order a stamp and then order stationery or something else, I'll combine the shipping and send you a refund. Happy Halloween! Wait, I mean MERRY CHRISTMAS!

P.S. It's Friday, the 13th, which means this is extra appropriate.

Pen Pal Swap Closing Reminder

Hello folks! This is a gentle reminder that our pen pal swap closes at the end of this year. December 31st is the last day for members to request a match. It is also the last day to become an "official" numbered member of the Alliance. On January 1st, 2020, we will no longer accept new members. If this is shocking news to you, my apologies. Please read our post about closing for all the details and a handy timeline. And, hey, don't wait til the 31st to be a member AND request a pal because we attempt to have a healthy relationship with the internet and we don't monitor our email on weekends or holidays. Cool? Cool.

L.W.A. Shop Deadlines

Here is your official notice for order deadlines for on-time gifting delivery. If you are interested in a custom item, like a Corner Address Stamp, that order needs to be placed no later than this Friday, December 6th. For regular products, please let us know what you desire to find in your stocking by next Friday, December 13th. I will certainly fill orders after that time, I just can't guarantee they'll reach your door for on-time gifting. Of course, we will do our best by you to help you celebrate as many postally-pleasing ways as possible.

P.S. This is my favorite Christmas stamp issued by the U.S.P.S.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Turkeys harassing the mail carrier from r/USPS

Be careful out there and have a very happy holiday!

L.W.A. Studio Closing Sale in Chicago

We are downsizing at the L.W.A. studio due to our recent announcement and some ongoing landlord shenanigans. We have been offering some choice bits and bobs up online so that our whole community can participate, but now is the time to think about larger pieces. If you're looking for anything postal or paper, please come to our Chicago studio sale on August 25th from 11AM - 4PM. We are selling typewriters, shelves, folding tables, a mini-fridge, card spinner racks, postal treasure, and supplies galore. We've got boxes sized 16 X 16 X 20 that are full of supplies and equipment that are being sold as MYSTERY BOXES (you may remember we sold something similar earlier this year). They are big and heavy and I don't even remember what is in them... I know there are cones of twine and a button maker and a corner rounder and vintage record keeping books that I intended to use for letter organization and WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE?! They are priced at $50 each, NO PEEKING. 

Any member can come by and show me their card and get a Perfect Pen Pal Award ribbon for free (and probably some other stuff too)(while supplies last)! This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves letters to find unique items and also for the back-to-school crowd. This mini-fridge is dorm-ready and priced to move AKA you can have it for $20 as long as you move it down the stairs yourself. I moved it up the stairs by myself; so I know it's possible, OK? I just never want to do it again. Please come buy this fridge so I don't have to move it. Likewise for the rest of the stuff.

Come see us at 355 N. Laflin Street #209/Chicago/IL/60607 

We'd prefer payment by credit card during the sale for record keeping and safety's sake. If you want to reserve a MYSTERY BOX for pick-up, let me know and I can send you an invoice. Likewise for any of the items still on sale virtually. Let us know if you have any questions!

A Farewell Is In Our Future

On July 31st, 2020, the Letter Writers Alliance will no longer be an active organization. When we started the Alliance our only goal was for people to write more letters. After over a decade, we can safely say that we have achieved that objective. Along the way, we have gained friends, learned about so many different lives, explored new ways to reach out through the postal system, and had a more rewarding experience that just making stationery or greeting cards could ever have given us. We made connections and, in turn, the people making those connections made their own connections too. Where we were once part of a few proud voices championing the philosophy of joy in letters, there are now dozens of letter writing groups around the country and the world. We are always and forever going to be astounded by how much this small organization has been able to touch so many people. 

Our time leading the L.W.A. has been enlightening and rewarding in ways we never imagined. We thank you all so much for sharing in this community with us. The decision to close memberships has been a thoughtful one. Kathy and I have been discussing the right way to step back for a while. Losing our studio space, changing postal regulations, and shifting careers are all factors in this decision. Ultimately, we didn’t want to be in a situation where we were unhappy here. It is bittersweet to close, but we feel this is the right time. We also aren’t locking the door immediately. Think of this as the warning bell. 

What this means is that we will stop selling memberships to the Alliance in a tiered process. The physical membership kits will no longer be sold once when we run out of supplies. This is going to happen pretty soon, within about a hundred or so memberships. The digital delivery membership option will be available through December. Membership sales close December 31, 2019. The last day to place pen pal requests is December 31, 2019. After that date, you will still be able to access the shop and obtain downloads until July 1st, 2020. 

The L.W.A. will not longer be an active organization after July 2020. The final day to access your member account or any member downloads will be July 31st, 2020. That is exactly one year from today.

After that date, the website will become an archive of public information and our public downloads and book club newsletters will remain available. Our blog, Twitter, and Instagram will no longer update, but will remain as references. The shop will close, member log-in will be disabled and our email will only be checked monthly. 

With this closing, we hope that you will all continue the Letter Writers Alliance mission. It remains what it has always been–write more letters. Even after you can no longer join officially, anyone who loves letters will always be a member. We have always and will always love letters, the act of art through the postal system, and having been a part of this with all of you. Kathy and I are proud of the Letter Writers Alliance. We are so grateful to everyone who has been a member, everyone who has supported us, everyone who has written a letter. Thank you.

Sincerely, 

Donovan & Kathy

P.S. There’s a lot of time between now and then. Maybe I’ll be able to catch up on my backlog of mail by then, but probably not.

P.P.S. We tried to be as clear about things as possible, but here’s a timeline too. And if you have any questions or comments, you can leave them here or email us. You can mail them in as well, but that might take a while. I’m only up to mid-May in mail responses right now.

 

Farewell Timeline

2019

Aug 1:

• Physical memberships are limited; switch to digital only

Aug, TBA:

• Studio closing sale in Chicago

Dec 31:

• Pen Pal request deadline
• Membership sales deadline

2020

March 31:

• Last day to place custom orders (custom stamps, etc)

July 1:

• Last day to download purchased video workshops 

July 31: Letter Writers Alliance closes

• Last day to get Member-only downloads
• Last day to get your membership number from your online account

Aug 1:

• Website and social media accounts switch to archives of information
• Only public downloads and book club newsletters available
• Member login is disabled
• Shop email is checked only once a month

Blog Intermission

Begging your pardon, but the blog will be taking an intermission while I resettle in a new Chicago space. This is my first home move in over 13 years. As you may have guessed, that means I've got a big task ahead. I'm doing my best to keep on top of orders, but posting here and from my mailbox is taking a back seat to relocation. The PO Box address remains the same! I hope to resume the regular schedule once I have things like an internet connection and my sanity unpacked.

P.S. I really wanted to take my own "drowning in boxes" photo, but I ran out of time... Imagine that... Found this one on this blog also announcing a move. It's a popular visual metaphor.