Letter Writers Alliance

Tools of the Trade

Attention typewriter lovers, the American Writers Museum in Chicago is opening a new exhibit called Tools of the Trade. They'll be displaying machines from Ray Bradbury, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, and other writing instruments like Fredrick Douglas's inkwell. I am THERE. The exhibit opens on June 22. To celebrate, they are GIVING AWAY A TYPEWRITER! Did you hear me?

To win this 1949 Smith Corona Sterling, you must perform the following (pretty simple) actions:

1. Share a photo of yourself at a typewriter, either one of ours or your own, on social media by June 30.
2. Use #ClickClackAWM to enter the contest.
3. Be sure to tag us in your post and follow us as we’ll announce the winner online. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Good luck every0ne! Happy typing! See you at the exhibit.

Want a House? Write a Letter!

From the Contest Rules:

CONTEST TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Entry fee $25.00 (Canadian): Enclose with your letter a Canadian bank cheque, money order or bank draft and mail to P.O. Box #74, Millarville, AB, Canada T0L 1K0; or if submitting an E-Letter, E-transfer funds to trust account email: [email protected]. You may also use the entry form right on this website and pay with PayPal at the same time.

• Write your one-page (maximum 350 words) story: You may choose the format - letter, essay or simply a few paragraphs. The story should be about you and why you should win this contest, and must be mailed or e-mailed to the address listed above. Provide your legal name and address for contact in the event that you are selected as the winner, or if your entry fee must be returned due to cancellation of the contest.

• Choosing a winner: 500 finalists will be selected and their letters reviewed by an independent panel of judges, who will determine the winner and announce the new home owner.

As far as I can tell, this is a legitimate contest. That said, do not blame me if it isn't. I'm still a little iffy as to how I feel about it. I suppose it's a bit like buying a raffle ticket to win a house, but in this case your raffle ticket is composed of you writing a 350 word max letter about why you deserve this house (and also sending some money). I only ask that if an L.W.A. member wins, that they hold a letter social at the house in celebration. That seems fair, right?

Zakka Kit

Subscription boxes are a big thing these days, not that I mind! I've been a long-standing subscriber of the Mail More Love box for example. I love getting a surprise packages in the mail; so when the good folks at Neko Box offered to send one of their boxes for review, I gladly accepted. 

They send their boxes from Tokyo and the items are all Japanese crafted and designed including such favored brands like Classiky and Chamil Garden. They sell individual items as well as themed boxes and their subscription kits. The two subscription options are the Neko Box, which is more homegoods focused, and the Zakka Kit, which is more stationery and craft oriented.

The Zakka Kit I got was cat-themed. I don't know if I picked the cat-theme, but boy, talk about stacking the deck in your favor. It's got CAT STUFF. It's got CAT-THEMED STATIONERY STUFF. Of course, I like this. It seems a good deal and an easy gift idea for this upcoming holiday season. Any stationery lover would enjoy one of these Zakka Kits. If you give them (or yourself) a subscription, then that's the benefit of more gifts and a bit of savings too. 

My only problems with the kit is that the cat print came a little crunched and that it took about three weeks to arrive. The second part is really just international mail being international mail, but it is worth keeping in mind the shipping time and cost. All-in-all, I really did like it. I thank the Neko Box people for the opportunity and hope they continue making quality gift sets. You should thank them too, because you can win this box! Leave a comment with an item on your holiday wish list that you think your letter writing compatriots might like. I'll select a random winner next Friday. Contest now closed YAY!

Annual Edward Gorey House Envelope Contest

(Above envelope by Jean Pellerin,First Place, Over 18 and Beyond category, 2016)

The illustrator Edward Gorey was quite the mail artist in his time. In his honor, the Edward Gorey House hosts an annual mail art contest. The contest is now open for submissions from artists of all ages from around the world. Submit your original envelope artwork postmarked no later than October 27th, 2017. There is no entry fee though artists can only submit one entry to the contest per year. Prizes will be awarded in five different age groups. 

Decorate an envelope (of any size you choose) with your Edward Gorey-esque Halloween themed image(s)—with the Edward Gorey House address clearly visible on the front—and mail it to this address:

Edward Gorey House
8 Strawberry Lane
Yarmouth Port, MA 02675

Remember to enclose the entry form. You can see previous winning entries here.

Your Cat Can Be A Post Office Cat!

Best. News. Ever. From The Postal Museum:

"Following the passing of Tibs the Great, the last great Post Office cat, The Postal Museum is searching for 12 volunteer mousers to fill the vacancy until September 2018.

Each month a successful cat-pplicant will be appointed to the ceremonial role of Postal Museum Cat (PMC). PMCs are expected to work from home so must be reliable purr-fessionals. While a volunteer position, there are great purrks, including provision of an official hat (modelled above by Charlie).

To apply, owners must submit a photo of their cat to The Postal Museum on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using @ThePostalMuseum and the hashtags #jobsfurcats and #catsinhats.

A template hat is available to download to aid candidates with their cat-pplication.

Download  – The Postal Museum Cat Hat Template

Applications for September close on 31 August 2017."

Now to make the best hat and force gently place it on my cats!

Mary & Me: One Year Anniversary Giveaway

It's been nearly a year since the publication of Mary & Me: A Lasting Link Through Ink. The authors, to celebrate, are generously hosting a giveaway of a copy to one of our readers. Kathy and I had a unique opportunity to write the forward for the book. The book follows their thousands of letters through their thirty year friendship. It's always a distinct pleasure to see pen pals with strong and lengthy correspondences. 

"For thirty years, the Marys have maintained their correspondence, their connection empowered by sheets of paper. Through their letters, these two friends have been able to get through extremely difficult moments and grow as mothers, friends, and community members. Their commitment to each other is apparent within these pages. One cannot help but smile when reading how Mary Kenyon and Mary Humston have flourished through their friendship with each other." 

To win a copy of your own, please leave a comment recommending us a book. A winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday morning, the 31st of August, 2016. Standard L.W.A. contest rules apply (AKA you'll be asked to provide your member number to claim your prize).  **Contest Closed**

The Postcard Project

L.W.A. member Sarah has taken her love of post into the entrepreneurial world. She sent us one of her delightful kits that she's calling The Postcard Project.  The Postcard Project is a set of 2 correspondence kits for exchanging postcards. Everything you need is included - cards, stamps, even a pen to write with! Each kit includes the following goodies:

12 4x6 postcards printed with fun conversation starters
12 postcard postage stamps 
a keepsake bag
a pen
printed Postcard Project instructions

It's a pretty fun idea and good encouragement for those people who might be a bit sluggish in their response rate. This way, you'll have sent them everything they need to write you back. She sent us one as a sample and we're giving you the opportunity to win it! Just leave a comment with who you'd share your kit with and we'll select a winner at random on next Monday morning. Standard L.W.A. contest rules apply: members only! You'll have to give your ID number when you claim your prize. If you're International, we'll ask that you help us out with the shipping cost. Sounds easy and fun, yes? YES! **Contest is now closed. Thanks for playing everyone!**

But wait, there's more. She's given a coupon code so we can all be winners: LWALOVE will give users 10% off their purchase! Thanks Sarah and good luck everyone! 

Leafcutter Design Contest

In celebration of National Card and Letter Writing month, the cleverboots crew over at Leafcutter Designs is holding a contest to win one of their smashing "Letters To My..." series. All you have to do is go to their blog and share your favorite letter. There's extra credit for including a picture. The contest is open til April 30th, 2016. Good luck, L.W.A. members!

The Graceful Envelope Contest

Announcing the 22nd Graceful Envelope Contest hosted by the Washington Calligraphers Guild and National Association of Letter Carriers. The contest is open to all ages, with separate categories for children.

This year's theme: Communication

Ever since Benjamin Franklin became America’s first Postmaster General, many of our most important messages arrived inside an envelope. Now your challenge is to design the outside of an envelope to highlight this—or any other—mode of communication. Your Graceful Envelope could honor the mail or the internet; the telegraph, telephone or television; person-to-person conversation or whatever kind of communication inspires your imagination. Address it artistically to:

The Graceful Envelope
100 Indiana Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20001

POSTMARK DEADLINE: Monday, March 28, 2016

There is no entry fee. Winners will be chosen based on artistic hand lettering, creative interpretation of the theme and effective use of color and design, including incorporation of postage stamp(s). Check out past winners here! The envelope at the top is last year's Best in Show piece by Hannah Holder.

National Handwriting Day Write Off Contest

In honor of National Handwriting Day (it was on Saturday, January 23rd), L.W.A. Ambassador Greer is doing something big! This is something all L.W.A. members will want to take part in. You can win $100 gift certificate to Greer to be used in-store or online and a Kaweco pen.

To enter, contestants will need to write this quote from Isaac Asimov in black ink on white paper:

 

"Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers."

 

There are three categories to chose from: cursive, print, and freestyle.

 

Contestants can only enter one category. To enter, contestants will snap a photo of their handwritten quote and post it to Instagram with the hashtag #greerchicagowriteoff and either #cursive #print or #freestyle to indicate the category you're entering along with the mention @greerchicago. The contest will close at midnight, February 1. 

 

I have a really great feeling about this! Get those pens working! I'm confident L.W.A. members have what it takes to really impress here. I'd love to participate, but I'm disqualified. The nerve! All because I work there occasionally, and because Kathy is one of their honored judges. Show them what you've got!