Elizabeth H. Cottrell's Blog

Note from Elizabeth

As autumn paints the landscape around us, I’m delighted to welcome my sister, Sarah C. Albritton, as this week’s guest at Heartspoken.com. Sarah is a gifted intuitive executive coach who has spent her career helping leaders uncover their deepest truth and lead from that authentic place.

In this lovely reflection, she captures two themes dear to Heartspoken: Connection with Nature and Connection with Self.

I hope you’ll pause with her message, perhaps under a canopy of changing leaves, and ask yourself the questions she poses at the end. I’d love to hear any insights you discover in the comments below.

The Chlorophyll Hustle

In the quiet transformation of fall, trees reveal a truth we can carry into our own lives: sometimes we’re hiding the most beautiful parts of ourselves beneath what I call the “chlorophyll hustle”—going green to photosynthesize, produce, and blend in with every other tree on the block like we think the world demands. But those trees are full of vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges the whole time, just waiting beneath the mask. We’re like that too—full of colors that only come forward when we have the courage to let them.

There’s a reason we call someone “still green” when they’re new to a school, job, team, or community, regardless of age. They’re figuring out the chlorophyll hustle of that particular forest. And here’s where it gets interesting: no matter where we are in the overarching season of our life, we can be in different mini-seasons all at once. Golden and experienced in your career while simultaneously green and striving in a new relationship. Authentic voice dialed in at work but over-performing “green” when joining a new board. One part blazing color, another still learning which way the light comes through.

In our early seasons, focusing on growth and fitting in makes sense—doing the photosynthesis of life, achieving, stretching toward the sun. We love a green forest, don’t we? All seasons have their beauty. But as we settle into deeper self-knowing, we feel that tug to relax the green and let our true colors emerge. The most magnetic leaders I know stopped trying to lead like someone else and started leading like themselves—quirks, unconventional approaches, and all.

The invitation of Autumn

Every autumn is a fresh invitation from our tree elders to check in:

• Where am I still hustling green when I could be blazing gold?

• Where am I leading from someone else’s playbook instead of my own?

What lies beneath is often where the real beauty lives. Be green when you must, but don’t forget the true prize happens when you let your unique colors shine through.

About Sarah C. Albritton

I’m Sarah Albritton—an intuitive truth-teller, elite leadership consultant, and a living invitation to the truest, boldest version of you. For over three decades, I’ve walked alongside senior leaders, teams, and visionaries worldwide, offering something few others can: an unwavering presence, loving truth, and a direct channel to the transformative wisdom within themselves.

Website: www.sarahcalbritton.com

Instagram and Linkedin: @sarahcalbritton

PHOTO CREDITS

Top photo: John A. Cottrell, Jr., M.D., Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.

Bottom photo created in Canva using stock photography

Note from Elizabeth

When my favorite brother-in-law, Andy LaRowe, told me about his young granddaughter’s accomplishments as an author, I knew I had to share this with you.

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Sometimes the most meaningful connections begin with the simplest words.

When nine-year-old Julia Arabelle Barton’s grandfather (“Pops”) told her that writing a story was easy—all she had to do was start with “Once upon a time” and end with “and they lived happily ever after”—he wasn’t offering a formal lesson in storytelling. He was offering something much more powerful: encouragement.

She took him at his word, and the results were amazing!

Julia’s story became Abby and the Pack, a sweet tale about a girl and her sheepdog who ran off into the woods. In her search for him, Abby finds three other dogs who need love and a home. Along the way, she made friends with a squirrel, a fox, and a bear. It’s a story filled with kindness, loyalty, and the joy of caring for others—values that clearly run in her family. Her proud grandfather had the story printed through Shutterfly, turning a young girl’s imagination into a keepsake book.

Encouragement can transform

Encouragement, when spoken at the right moment, can change the way we see ourselves. It can turn hesitation into confidence, fear into creativity, and a passing thought into a published story. Julia’s grandfather didn’t just teach her how to begin a tale; he helped her believe she could write one.

Words of encouragement are a form of connection—heartspoken messages that tell others, “I see you. I believe in you.” They cost nothing but can mean everything. A teacher’s note, a friend’s kind comment, a parent’s proud smile—all can become the moment someone decides to take a chance, start a project, or share their gift with the world.

It makes me wonder how many stories, songs, and inventions have been born because someone spoke a few encouraging words at just the right time.

Heartspoken takeaway:

Encouragement is one of the simplest yet most profound ways to connect. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or planned. Sometimes all it takes is a gentle nudge—like “Once upon a time”—to help someone discover what’s already inside them.

Stories like this remind us how connection begins—with listening, believing, and a few kind words.

About the Author

Julia Arabelle Barton was nine years old when she wrote this book in 2024. She lives in North Carolina. She loves animals (especially her dog Buzz Lightyear), storytelling, and spending time with her family. Abby and the Pack is her first book—and perhaps the first of many!

About the Illustrator

Katia Barcena-Olvera was a sophomore at Salem College when she illustrated this book in 2024, working on a degree in Business and Technology. Her playful, heartwarming illustrations bring Abby’s story to life and perfectly capture the spirit of friendship and love that shines through every page.

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ABOVE: The author with her brother and “Pops”

The Correspondent: A Novel
by Virginia Evans
Published 2025 by Crown

Imagine discovering a life not through scenes or dialogue, but through the letters a woman has written—to friends, to strangers, to herself. That’s the spell Virginia Evans weaves in The Correspondent.

Protagonist Sybil Van Antwerp has always turned to letters to understand her life and the world around her. Each morning, she dedicates time to writing letters and emails—to her brother, her closest friend, a university president, and even to authors like Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry, sharing her candid reactions to their books. There is also one mysterious recipient she often addresses, though those letters are never sent.

For years, Sybil’s many roles—daughter, mother, grandmother, wife, divorcée, lawyer—have given her life a sense of fullness and satisfaction. But threatening letters from someone in her past compel her to revisit a painful chapter in her life. Confronting these memories forces her to face the unsent letters, and she comes to see that forgiveness is the only way to move forward.

An epistolary novel

The Correspondent’s entire story unfolds through letters and emails—written by or received from—Sybil. It’s like opening her private mail and getting to know her and her correspondents intimately. I loved Sybil’s own take on her life of letter writing:

“Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle… Isn’t there something wonderful in that, to think that a story of one’s life is preserved in some way, that this very letter may one day mean something, even if it is a very small thing, to someone?”

I marveled at the author’s ability to bring characters richly to life through their correspondence with Sybil. She avoids clichés, creating nuanced, multidimensional figures rather than the stock characters of formulaic fiction.

A few quibbles

Some reviewers felt the chronological pieces of correspondence, the slow reveal, and the sheer number of correspondents made the book disjointed. I don’t share that criticism, but it helped me to keep a running list of characters and their relationship to Sybil. I read it on Kindle, and I imagine the Audible edition—with its 17 distinct voices—might appeal to some.

The author describes her own approach as adding pieces to a jigsaw puzzle, with the full picture only revealed near the end. The conclusion was both satisfying and true to the characters, and I felt well rewarded for my careful reading.

In The Correspondent, Evans gave me more than just a novel. She reminded me why I treasure the enduring power of letters: they hold our lives in fragments, and when pieced together, reveal a story that is both intimate and universal.

NOTE: This review was originally published in the November, 2025 issue of Mountain Courier

Order your copy today:

The Correspondent: A Novel
by Virginia Evans

Heartspoken Bookshop  – Buying here supports Heartspoken and independent bookstores! Amazon  – As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission.

Thank you for supporting my work through these links!

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Photo credit: Post photo created by Elizabeth Cottrell using Canva and book cover image. Author photo and book cover photos taken from the book’s official Amazon listing.

Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home
by Stephen Starring Grant
Published 2025 by Simon & Schuster

As someone who champions the Heartspoken Movement—encouraging handwritten notes sent by mail—I couldn’t resist a book titled Mailman. The premise sounded promising, but I wasn’t prepared for just how gifted a storyteller Stephen Grant is. Even after learning the premise—marketing executive loses his job during COVID and gets a job delivering mail in his Appalachian hometown to keep his family finances afloat—I was prepared for an interesting story, but I was not prepared for delightful reading experience the book turned out to be.

Through his keen observations, thoughtful insights, self-deprecating humor, and honest introspection, his experience became vivid and the southwest Virginia mountains came alive: rushing creeks, rocky valleys, bears and deer, weathered cabins, and imposing mansions.

I have always appreciated my mail carrier, Wendy. During COVID, she was a lifeline, delivering mail and parcels safely when the outside world felt dangerous. Grant’s story deepened that appreciation, revealing the unseen dedication and daily challenges faced by those who keep our mail moving.

The unexpected gift of this book was Grant’s spiritual journey, which turned his mail route into something far more than just a temporary job or career interlude.

Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home is memoir at its finest.

Order your copy today:

Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home
by Stephen Starring Grant

Heartspoken Bookshop  – Buying here supports Heartspoken and independent bookstores! Amazon  – As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission.

Thank you for supporting my work through these links!

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Photo credit: Post photo created by Elizabeth Cottrell using Canva and book cover image. Stephen Starring Grant photo taken from the official publisher page

by Janice Porter, guest contributor

NOTE FROM ELIZABETH: Curiosity may have killed the cat… but in business, it builds powerful connections. And Connection is what the Heartspoken Movement is all about.

In this piece, my guest Janice Porter explores why curiosity isn’t just a childhood trait or a nice-to-have — it’s a key to creating genuine relationships that matter. Whether you’re networking online or meeting someone for the first time, curiosity can open doors you didn’t even know were there.

Let’s take a closer look at “The Curiosity Factor” — and how you can use it to grow your business and deepen your connections.

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Have you ever noticed how curiosity can magically lead us to explore new things, learn something new, and—perhaps best of all—connect with others? It’s the spark that keeps us fascinated with the world and fuels our desire to truly understand those around us.

I’ve always been a curious person. I love asking questions and diving deeper to discover what makes people tick. In the world of relationship marketing, that very curiosity has become my superpower.

That’s what this article is about: how curiosity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a relationship-building powerhouse.

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” 
– Albert Einstein

According to the Oxford Dictionary, curiosity is “a strong desire to know or learn something.” It’s often associated with childhood wonder. Just the other day, my granddaughter was full of “why” and “how” questions—a perfect example of how curiosity starts early.

But it doesn’t end with childhood. Curiosity continues to shape how we experience the world and connect with others throughout our lives. Think back to a time when someone was genuinely interested in your thoughts or experiences. How did that make you feel? Seen, heard, valued? That’s the power of curiosity. It’s foundational to creating real relationships.

“The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original dimensions.”
 – Oliver Wendell Holmes

Relationships—whether personal or professional—thrive on open communication and genuine interest. Brian Grazer, award-winning Hollywood producer and author of A Curious Mind, puts it this way:

“Curiosity presumes that there might be something new out there. Curiosity presumes that there might be something outside our own experience out there. Curiosity allows the possibility that the way we’re doing it now isn’t the only way, or even the best way.”

Grazer, known for films like Splash, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, and TV shows like 24 and Friday Night Lights, has built his career on the power of curiosity. I loved his book and related deeply to his belief that curiosity can change the trajectory of your life and business.

“We are living in the golden age of curiosity, because we have the freedom to ask almost any question, and more tools than ever to figure out the answers.”
(from the book cover of A Curious Mind)

When we ask thoughtful, open-ended questions, we do more than gather information. We show we care. We express a desire to understand others’ motivations and perspectives—and in doing so, we lay the groundwork for meaningful connection.

“Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice.
—Alice in Wonderland

Curiosity extends to the digital world, too. I live in the world of LinkedIn, helping professionals and entrepreneurs craft compelling profiles and build stronger connections. And believe it or not, curiosity plays a key role there as well.

How? By paying attention to the little things.

Your profile isn’t just a resume; it’s a conversation starter. Including details like your volunteer work, hobbies, or personal interests can spark genuine curiosity and create unexpected touchpoints. I even like to “hide” a few details in less obvious places to see who notices. You’d be surprised how often those little nuggets turn into real conversations.

So, when you’re prospecting or networking—online or off—flex those curiosity muscles. Look for the overlooked. Ask the unexpected question. People will notice.

“Children are remarkable for their intelligence and ardor, for their curiosity, their intolerance of shams, the clarity and ruthlessness of their vision.”
—Aldous Huxley

Is curiosity innate or learned? That question fascinates me.

On my podcast Relationships Rule, I often ask guests this very thing. Some say curiosity is in our DNA. Others believe it’s a learned skill, nurtured through encouragement and exposure. Most agree it’s a bit of both. Here are a few insights my guests have shared:

“…depends on whether you were rewarded or reprimanded for being curious when you were young.”
—Robbie S.

“Curiosity, the word itself, to me is exciting, because it means lifelong learner. When you stop being curious, you’re on autopilot.”
—Dan G.

“I would say it’s innate, and yet needs to be nurtured. Everybody has the ability to be curious… It’s something you can develop, especially with children and grandchildren.”
—Lisa S.

“I think curiosity is innate, but unfortunately, it gets shut down easily by society. As a coach, I bring a lot of curiosity. To learn, we need both curiosity and frustration. Without frustration, there’s no curiosity.”
—Machen M.

This topic continues to intrigue me, and here’s what I know for sure: curiosity is a powerful key to unlocking better relationships.

“You’re born curious, and no matter how much battering your curiosity has taken, it’s standing by, ready to be awakened.”
—Brian Grazer

Whether you believe curiosity is innate or learned doesn’t really matter. The beauty is that you can cultivate it at any time.

Just start asking questions.

You don’t have to interview people—just show a genuine interest. You’ll be amazed at how quickly people open up. Soon enough, they’ll be sharing stories they haven’t told in years—or maybe ever. And just like that, a connection is born.

So, as you venture forth, let your curiosity guide you. You never know what incredible connections are waiting around the next question.

Embrace it. Nurture it. And watch how curiosity transforms the way you build relationships that truly matter.

About Janice Porter

Janice Porter is a Relationship Marketing specialist, LinkedIn trainer, and podcast host whom I recently met through our shared dedication to the importance of building connections and genuine relationships…and writing letters and cards. I was honored to be a guest on her “Relationships Rule” podcast, and our lively conversation about Connection and Heartspoken notes will be aired very soon.

Janice is the author of The R.E.A.L. Connection System, “a simple, proven framework to refresh your LinkedIn presence, engage with purpose, appreciate meaningfully, and leverage relationships that lead to real business growth.” Download it for free from her website.

What is Labor Day?

“Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country” [from the U.S. Department of Labor website]. After years of scattered celebration in various parts of the country, it began receiving official recognition by some states by about 1885, and in 1894, Congress declared the first Monday in September to be a legal Labor Day holiday.

This song says it well…thanks, Alabama!A time to give thanks

Labor Day is certainly not a religious holiday, but as Christians who believe in the innate worth of every human being, it seems appropriate we celebrate Labor Day and express gratitude to God for the millions of people whose labor in their chosen vocation makes this world—and our lives—better.

A Litany of Labor

This beautiful litany, written by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has been used in our church service, and I wanted to share it. I love the notion that God has made us co-creators through our work. Take a moment to reflect on the blessings of fruitful labor by so many hard-working men and women.

READER. Let us pray to the Lord of all creation, from whom comes life and work and purpose.
Almighty God, when you formed us lovingly out of the dust of the earth, you breathed into us the breath of life and gave us work and purpose for living.
RESPONSE. You placed Adam in the garden of Eden to till and keep it.

READER. Through our work, you made us co-creators with you, shaping the world in which we live.
RESPONSE. You gave dignity to our labor by sending your Son to labor with us.

READER. By our labor, you enrich the world.
RESPONSE. By our labor, we enjoy the fruits of creation.

READER. By our labor, we find direction and purpose.
RESPONSE. By our labor, our families are made secure.

READER. For providing varieties of work and for blessing us by our labor:
RESPONSE. We give you thanks, O Lord.

READER. For those who plow the field and those who make the plow; for farmers and farm workers, for steelworkers and machinists; for those who work with their hands and those who move the earth:
RESPONSE. We give you thanks, O Lord.

READER. For those who tend the sick and those who seek new cures; for doctors and nurses, for scientists and technicians; for those who keep notes and those who transcribe:
RESPONSE. We give you thanks, O Lord.

READER. For those who think and those who create; for inventors and explorers, for artists and musicians; for those who write books and those who entertain:
RESPONSE. We give you thanks, O Lord.

READER. For those who work in offices and those who work in warehouses; for secretaries and receptionists, for stockers and bookkeepers; for those who market products and for those who move them:
RESPONSE. We give you thanks, O Lord.

READER. For those who inspire our minds and those who motivate us; for teachers and preachers, for public servants and religious servants; those who help the poor and those who work with our children:
RESPONSE. We give you thanks, O Lord.

READER. For those whose labor is tidiness and cleanliness; for janitors and sanitary workers, for drycleaners and maids; for those who produce cleaning products and those who use them:
RESPONSE. We give you thanks, O Lord.

READER. For those who sail the waves and those who fly the skies; for captains and attendants, for astronauts and deep sea divers; for those who chart and those who navigate:
RESPONSE. We give you thanks, O Lord.

READER. You bless us all with skills and gifts for labor.
RESPONSE. You provide us opportunities to use them, for the benefit of others as well as ourselves.

READER. Guard and protect those who labor in the world.
RESPONSE. Bless the work of our hands, O Lord.

READER. Look kindly upon the unemployed and the disabled.
RESPONSE. Give health to the sick, hope to the bereaved.

READER. Keep us from laboring only for greed.
RESPONSE. Make us loving and responsible in all that we do.

PRIEST. Creator Lord, you are the source of all wisdom and purpose, you are the blessing of those who labor. Be with us in our labor to guide and govern our world. Give all men and women work that enhances human dignity and bonds us to one another. Give us pride in our work, a fair return for our labor, and joy in knowing that our work finds its source in you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.|
RESPONSE. Amen

Elizabeth’s note: What might we do this Labor Day, and every day, to elevate the celebration beyond just another holiday or excuse for a family picnic? One simple and easy thing is to remember to thank every worker who helps you this week: greeter, check-out clerk, delivery person, or whoever is manning the dump or landfill. 

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I share this prayer each year from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. It was written originally by The Rev. George Lyman Locke (1835-1919), Rector of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Bristol, Rhode Island, for 52 years. According to his great-grandson, Mark Howe, “He was a good friend of William Reed Huntington, also a priest of the Episcopal Church, who led the editing and compiling of the 1892 Book of Common Prayer; Huntington asked Locke if he would compose this prayer for the 1892 BCP.”

For Our Country

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.

Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.

Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.

In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,  and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail;  all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

Amen.  

INTERESTING NOTE: This prayer has been mistakenly attributed to Thomas Jefferson. For more information: http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/national-prayer-peace

Another bit of inspiration for the Fourth of July

Brought to you by the folks at Food City.

         

Click the book title (Amazon affiliate link) to the the current edition of Book of Common Prayer. Regardless of your faith tradition, it is filled with wonderful prayers and liturgies for all kinds of situations and circumstances.               

Serves 3-4 people

Adapted by me and my mother-in-law, Ellen Cottrell, from a recipe for “Crayfish Etouffée” submitted by Mrs. Richard D. Chappuis, Jr. to the Talk About Good: Le Livre de la Cuisine de Lafayette, first published by the members of the Lafayette Junior League in 1969.

1 lb. peeled shrimp (we like large or extra large, not jumbo)
1-1/2 sticks butter or margarine
1/2 tablespoon flour
1 medium onion, chopped fine
1 stalk celery, chopped fine
1/2 bell pepper, chopped fine

2-3 pods garlic, chopped fine
green onion tops, chopped
parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
dash or Worcestershire sauce

1 lb. peeled shrimp (we like large or extra large, not jumbo)
1-1/2 sticks butter or margarine
1/2 tablespoon flour
1 medium onion

Melt butter in skillet. Add flour and stil until blended. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic, and cook until tender. Add shrimp and cover. Let this cook about 15 minutes or until shrimp is pink, stirring occasionally. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste, green onion tops, and parsley. Let sit awhile until seasonings blend (it’s best after a couple of hours). Serve over rice.

We enjoy this served with a side salad and a loaf of French bread.

NOTE: If you have good crawfish tails, they can be substituted for the shrimp. Don’t ever buy Chinese crawfish!

Bon appétit!

P.S. After living in Lafayette, Louisiana for several years and learning to make roux, gumbo, creole, and etouffée, Talk About Good is my most reliable cookbook to get the tastes we remember from the wonderful Cajun community there. The link in the title is my Amazon affiliate link to this classic cookbook.

Overwhelmed by book marketing? This will help.Want a simpler way to share your book?AI for book marketing?Book marketing doesn’t have to be so overwhelming.

If you’ve felt stuck or stressed trying to promote your message, you’re not alone—and there’s a better way.

My friends CJ & Shelley Hitz are hosting a LIVE workshop on Wednesday, June 4th at 11 AM Eastern called the Author AI Workshop—and it’s designed to help you save time, reduce stress, and finally get your book marketing done… without losing your voice or compromising your calling.

You’ll walk away with your own trained ChatGPT assistant—equipped to write blurbs, bios, and social posts in your voice, with your audience and message in mind.

What you’ll get:A Spirit-led approach to using AIA personalized Author Profile to guide your AI responsesPrompts and tools to simplify marketing The Author AI Toolkit (a $27 bonus!)Replay access if you can’t make it live

Join now for just $27 before the price goes up

Join now for just $27 before the price goes up!

Use MY AFFILIATE LINK to sign up at the best price

Blessings,
Elizabeth

P.S. Yes—there’s a full replay if you can’t make it live. Just grab your ticket to GET ACCESS HERE.

A must-have treasure for every letter-writing enthusiast

Syme’s Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence
by Rachel Syme
Published 2024 by Clarkson Potter|Publishers

This book is enchanting, educational, and entertaining! It is a work of art and still enormously practical and useful.

This is a marvelous addition to the bookshelf of anyone who:

loves getting lost in the history and magic of letters and letter writing.swoons over peeks into the private words and lives of famous people.wonders what to say in tricky or unusual writing situations.believes pens, typewriters, and stamps make letter writing even more fun.craves a slower, more thoughtful way to savor life.appreciates ready-to-use wording tips that make their writing sing.enjoys the kind of writing that makes you think, “Why isn’t everyone talking about this author?”likes books that are easy to nibble one small bite at a time—or devour in a sitting.smiles at little design touches and surprise treats tucked into the pages.has a soft spot for quirky takes on timeless traditions.
Hidden gems inside

I was drawn in by the delightful cover, which achieved the impossible: it evoked the Victorian era of didactic instruction manuals while still feeling fresh and contemporary. I found myself flipping to the Table of Contents (TOC) to uncover the treasures within. Here are the first two (of four) pages.

The magic welcome…

But before I even got to the TOC, there was something for which I would have immediately whipped out my wallet: a real glued-to-the page envelope (decorated with wonderful flowers) that had these words written on the flap:

Open me!

Inside was a pull-out letter to the reader from the author. And not just any predictable message…this was a lovely, intimate, cozy, warm, and “Oh, come over for coffee at my kitchen table” kind of message. The kind you wish you could get in the mail more often.

This is a book that can be savored on so many different levels. Certainly, as a reference book, it is chock-full of very specific and implementable ideas, tips, and wording. As delightful entertainment, you can turn to almost any page and savor the illustrations, the excerpts from famous letters, or the special “Sincerely Consider…” sections that made me want to take immediate action or gave me exquisite insights.

I’m sorry to gush, but…

Syme’s Letter Writer has me more excited about the future of note and letter writing than I’ve been in ages. By every measure, I should be wildly envious that New York Times journalist Rachel Syme has created a worthy competitor to my Heartspoken: How to Write Notes that Connect, Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire, but I’m too thrilled to find a kindred spirit to worry about such trivialities. The world needs all of us to be advocates for the #HeartspokenMovement.

If you love letter writing—or even just the idea of it—this book will inspire, entertain, and equip you to write more often and with more joy and fun.

Order your copy today:

Syme’s Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence
by Rachel Syme

Heartspoken Bookshop – Buying here supports Heartspoken and independent bookstores! Amazon – At the time of this writing, Amazon offers a discounted price, and as an affiliate, I may earn a small commission.

Thank you for supporting my work through these links!

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AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER: Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I believe in, and your support helps me continue sharing resources to strengthen heartfelt connections. Thank you!