Syme's Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence About (Almost) Every Imaginable Subject of Daily Life

by Rachel Syme

A literary jaunt in praise of the lost art of letter writing that explores a cultural history and the undeniable thrill of old-school correspondence—from journalist and cultural critic Rachel Syme.

Inspired by a famed correspondence handbook penned by a persnickety Victorian who had strong opinions on how to lick a stamp, cultural critic Rachel Syme has rewritten the staid letter-writing rules of yore for the letter writers of today. Syme insists you must stuff your envelopes with flat frivolities (and includes guides for how to press flowers and make a matchbook-mark), teaches you how to perfume a parcel, and encourages you to cultivate your own ritual around keeping up with your correspondence. Even if you have never sent a hand-written letter before, this book will make you want to begin – and will show you just how to get started.

Immerse yourself in this epistolary bric-a-brac celebrating the intimate (whimsical! expressive!) art of written correspondence, covering every part of the process from courting and keeping a pen pal, down to buying the best nibs for your refurbished vintage fountain pen. As you read fragments of letters and journals from storied literary figures—Zelda Fitzgerald, Willa Cather, Pat Parker, Vita Sackville-West, Djuna Barnes, Octavia Butler, to name a few—you can take note of how to write about the weather without being a total snooze, how to write a letter like a poet, and how to infuse your correspondence with gossip and glamorous mystique. You’ll learn about the magic of hotel stationery, the thrill of sending postcards, and the importance of choosing a signature paper that captures your essence.

After all, the words you write on paper and send to another person, are precious, offering comfort, shared sorrow, cathartic rage, hard-earned insight, refreshing strangeness, absurd silliness, understanding, delight, commiseration, and beauty—and often all of those things all mixed up at the same time. Letter-writing is meant to be enjoyed—so pick up a fountain pen and get writing!

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, How To, Art, Memoir, History, Adult

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 2025

About the author

Rachel Syme is a staff writer at the New Yorker and has also written for the New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, GQ,and Bookforum. She is working on an upcoming book, entitled Magpie, for Alfred A. Knopf.

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction book about letter writing was beautiful.

I heard about this book because I used to follow Rachel Syme on Twitter (RIP Good Twitter), and always enjoyed her commentary about her Penpalooza penpal project she started during the pandemic (and also her many perfume recommendation threads).

Whether talking about the letters of Zelda Fitzgerald or Julia Child, or giving her thoughts on how to choose the right pen and paper, this book was just pure joy. I was worried this would feel too sentimental or silly - writing snail mail letters? Ok, sure, cool I guess - but it didn't. It was truly lovely getting to think about all the ways the practice of letter writing has allowed her to connect with people in her life, and also total strangers. A true delight.

I believe this is meant to be a coffee table book, but I listened to the audiobook, and it was excellent. And the accompany PDF with extras and illustrations from the book is also lovely to have.

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part way through reading Syme's Letter Writer I got a new iPad and now I am even more excited to hold the published book in my hands. The charming illustrations suddenly popped with the new technology and I had a better understanding of how the finished book would look. It is eye-catching fun! And the writing lives up to the visual treat.

Like many, I discovered (and became a bit infatuated with) Rachel Syme during the pandemic when I stumbled across one of her perfume suggesting hours. Syme would give out a prompt and then recommend a perfume based on answers for a limited amount of time. It was frivolous and fun and made me feel connection and joy and, honestly, made the difficult times easier.

I am not only a fan of the author but also a big proponent of popping things into the mail. Of course I loved this book on letter writing. It is whimsical in the best way - charming but practical. Because, in addition to all the delicious celebrity gossip and deep dives into suppliers of various goods and sundries, each of us will need to write a letter now and again. Syme gently guides us through this social obligation with aplomb. I love everything about this book and think it would make a perfect Valentine's gift for friends - packaged with favorite pen, paper, and a book of stamps.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I’m going to be that person who writes the first critical review. As a lifelong letter-writer, there were parts of this book I enjoyed despite the target audience being people-who-might-be interested-in-beginning-to-write-letters, but other parts I found downright offensive. I’m going to explain pros and cons because this book is a mix.

My biggest complaint is her many disparaging comments throughout the book, making negative assumptions about people who write letters or the practice of writing letters. As a lifelong letter writer —who is the same age as author Rachel Symes!— I found this deeply offensive. She acts as if everyone reading this is a digital addict who can’t possibly see that writing an email is WAY less enjoyable than writing a letter. I was surprised that after writing a book extolling the positive aspects of letter-writing and why the reader should try it, on page 192 near the end she once again doubled down on the criticism about letter writing! I’m not a psychologist, so I can only guess at the motivation. Does she think if she denigrates what she loves before others have the chance then it won’t hurt if she gets made fun of for her hobby? Does anyone actually make fun of people for spending the time to thoughtfully give their full attention on paper to another person? To spend time devoting yourself to someone else via a written conversation is in today’s world as much an act of love as it ever was. Nor do we know if the current popular forms of digital communication are a flash in the pan and more people will eventually return to the merits of letters. See the bottom of my review for quotes from page 192.

Pros:
+the production value of the book was on-point, with nearly every page decorated in a charming way. It was fun that the Introduction folds out of an envelope at the front like a letter to the reader, and that there are lovely custom stationery pages at the back that you could remove and use.

+The book gave me a handful of ideas for movies to watch and books to read that have to do with letters or mail in some way. While looking up a few of her suggestion on places to shop I instead stumbled upon the gorgeous colorful paper offerings by Pink Nebula which I am excited to try.

+Many of her suggested writing prompts I personally thought were awful, such as to buy what you think is the ugliest ink and paper and write on that. Dear lord, why would I want to be stuck with those supplies? But some of her other writing prompts were good ones, and I appreciate her trying to brainstorm creative ways and topics for writing, even if many fell flat.

Cons:
-she includes Noodler’s brand in her list of recommended inks despite the owner’s public and repeated antisemitism and the poor quality reputation of his inks.

-Is someone who is a complete beginner actually going to find her vagueness enough to help them get started on letter writing? For example: if someone has never used a fountain pen, how about telling them why they should try one and how to find one that’s comfortable for their hand?

-the text promised an envelope template at the back of the book but it wasn’t there so I image that got edited out at some point but the text wasn’t changed. I’m sure there are templates you can print online, or you can take apart an envelope as an initial template. I absolutely recommend making your own envelopes out of calendars or scrapbook paper as I have been doing for decades. Contrary to what she says in this book, glue sticks or regular Elmer’s glue work great for making your own envelopes!

-Quote from page 192:

“I live in the real world; I know it is not 1895 and you are not stuck at your desk every night, tending to your correspondence under the glow of a spermaceti oil lamp, scribbling away with a heavy dip pen and a well of slippery India ink. I mean, you might very well be that person, but you and I both know that writing and mailing physical letters in the twenty-first century is more or less a form of vintage cosplay. We have email. We have smartphones. We have DMS. We can 3D-print entire cars…. There is something fantastically inefficient about sending a letter, and certainly a bit absurd. A letter currently serves no function as a way to transmit important information or even to keep in touch with people; if you are really close with someone, you huddle via group text or over coffee, not through the postal service. And yet, there is something both freeing and a little bit dangerous about engaging with a dead form of communication. It feels both crucial and cringe; like an urgent and daffy performance in order to keep the medium alive. Letter-writing is nearly extinct and keeping it going requires purpose and passion and, sure, a bit of delusion.”

My responses to this: vintage cosplay? I am the same age as Symes, so I know very well that we both grew up in a time before email or texting, etc so there is nothing cosplay about anyone our age or older continuing to write letters as a way to keep in touch with friends! I think that if you care about someone you pick up the phone or send an email or a letter, you do not connect on social media. Since she says she gets 2-3 letters daily, how can she call letter writing dead? If she spends so many hours a week happily engaged in her correspondence, why is she calling it daffy, extinct, and delusional?

I read this book because it was profiled in my undergraduate alumni magazine, and I was intrigued that Rachel Syme and I were in the same graduating class (I have no memory of us crossing paths, though in a school with 7500 undergrads, who knows) and of course by the book topic, given that I’ve been writing letters continuously since childhood. I enjoyed parts of this book, but am very disappointed that she felt the need to repeatedly insult letter writing in a book supposedly about the joys of letter writing.

[Kurt Neumaier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally answered my friends' letters! Thank you Rachel Syme!

[rosie (donna tartt’s version)]

cutie kitschy campy book on letter-writing

[Songie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely read!

If you’ve been curious about snail mail, this book is a wonderful guide of suggestions and encouragement, with snippets of historic references!

Syme’s writing is accompanied by whimsical and colorful illustrations, reminiscent of the joy a love-filled handmade scrapbook. Looking forward to hold the physical copy of this in my hands!

I stumbled onto penpalooza back in 2020 and started corresponding with some friends, along with other folks I met through the server. Syme really captures how heartfelt and fun (albeit silly!) penpaling can be,

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've had the joy to read! I recently started corresponding with a good friend who has moved away. We've been enjoying old fashioned letter writing, so when I saw this book I knew we'd both enjoy and use it. We both checked it out from our local library and began to read. This book has added so much to our letters. I may need to purchase a copy so I can refer to it again and again 😊📬💜 Anyone looking for a penalty? I'm available 😉🖋✉️💜

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so enjoyable! It was much more substantial than I expected it to be, with a lot of excerpts from letters of famous writers and history. I’m looking forward to emending it to one of my friends with whom I regularly exchange letters.

[Jeff Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Syme with Illustrations from Joana Avillez. Syme’s Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence. Illustrations New York. Clarkson Potter/Publishers. 2024.

Syme is a dynamic writer. If this book held only her text, I would have been delighted to read and reference it for years to come. The illustrations by Avillez knock this book out of the park. Every page has colorful illustrations that reinforce the main point of the text on that particular page. This book is not only one of the most helpful books on writing that I have read in a long time, but it is the most visually engaging book I have feasted upon in years. Syme’s goal with this book is to inspire and encourage adults to take up their pens and pads of paper again and starting writing letters to be delivered through the post office.

The Introduction to her book is an actual letter to the reader that is pulled out of an envelope. In that letter she explains how she came to start writing letters delivered via the postal system again. As a young person, she sent correspondence, but as she grew older, she found herself preferring to read letters than to write them. The Covid-19 pandemic changed her preference. Her joy in letter writing led to her starting a pen pal organization. The excitement that she conveys by telling her story of letter writing carries throughout the book.

The model for Syme’s Letter Writer is the 1867 Frost’s Original Letter-Writer by S. A. Frost. In her introduction, she describes memorable and appropriate to 19th century letter samples. While Frost via Syme is amusing reading, Syme is a contemporary writer and offers contemporary suggestions about the “how, what, when, where, and why” questions that a modern adult that has not written a letter by hand in years might have. For example, she answers the question that may be foremost on any potential letter writer’s mind, “What do I write about?” Syme provides a lengthy list of suggestions. In the course of this book, Syme takes away any excuses that prevent the reader from blessing someone else with a handheld letter that shares whatever news that one cares to share. This tactile experience of a personal letter is a rare gift in our hurry-up digital, mind-numbing, scrolling world.

The cover of the book adds this to her title: "A Guide to Modern Correspondence About (Almost) Every Imaginable Subject of Daily Life, with Odes to Desktop Ephemera, Selected Letters of Famous Writers, Epistolary Relationships, Fountain Pens, Typewriters, Stamps, Stationary, and Everything You Need to Embark Upon Adventures Through the Mail." Yep, that about covers it.

For several years now, I have been a regular letter writer. I am often moved to write a letter to someone I know because I see something in the Newspaper (yes, a paper Newspaper with a beginning, middle, and an end) that brings him or her to remembrance. I clip the article or image out of the paper and then send it to them along with an explanatory note and some news about what is happening with me. Syme has expanded my imagination on what to include in a letter. Clippings are great, but so are other things. Did you know that you could send a teabag along with your letter? Well, you might have. I did not. There are many other interesting suggestions that await the reader.

My favorite quote is from page 14. “There are so many reasons not to send a letter – it takes too long, it’s unreliable, it requires scrounging up a stamp and a working pen, it might result in a hand cramp, it feels antiquated and unnatural and contrived. It’s so much easier and efficient to just pick up the phone or send a text. But letters still serve a vital purpose, which is that they exist to mock the very idea of efficiency. They require slow, gear-crunching effort on both ends, for the writer and the reader (and for the many hands responsible for transporting the envelope in between the two). Letter writing is a time-consuming rebuke to a world that tries to optimize every activity into a seamless slipstream, and there is a joy to be had once you fully embrace the medium’s outdated extravagance. If you are going to put in the work to send a piece of mail, why not stuff the envelope so full of little treasures that you re-enchant the recipient to the surprising possibilities of the form?” Indeed.

After reading Syme’s book, I did a quick search on the Internet to learn if there are other books in English that speak so excitedly about one-on-one personal correspondence via the postal service. Turns out that Rachel Syme fills a void. There are books on writing business letters, resumes, and other perfunctory tasks. There are books aimed at children, but Syme’s is the only book to offer advice for adults. Bravo to Rachel Syme! Happy reading and letter-writing!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love sending and receiving letters! I've been doing it since I was a kid. I'm mostly out of the long letter game these days, but I do send a highly anticipated parody Christmas letter each year and small packages here and there, and always try to zhuzh up the envelope. This was a very enjoyable read. Lots of great ideas for how to write, what to write, and how to decorate your mail. I liked learning about the different kinds of envelopes. I absolutely loved the illustrations and the beautiful, collaged pictures. Many remind me of the vintage Meyercord decals.

HECK YES:

Getting a sticker subscription. Stickers in general. As someone with a newsletter about stickers and at least one subscription going at a time... I like stickers.

Keeping a box of flats (flat-ish items for including in correspondence) at your desk. I love the idea of calling them flats. I keep items like this in photo album sleeves so I can flip through with ease!

Pressed flowers and leaves. I have to get back into that with my prairie garden.

The idea of onion skin paper. I need to get some.

The actual hard copy of this book comes with fun stationery pages that you can use to write letters, and the intro letter is physically inside an envelope. This is glorious. Girls my age only want one thing, and it's disgusting (Modern day versions of the 1993 Baby-Sitters Club Chain Letter and the 1994 Baby-Sitters Club Secret Santa but non-fiction with goodies in them, aimed at adult millennial women)

Heck yes, with caveats:

Should I get into embossing? Much to think about.

Making bookmarks with a laminator. I love this, but my preference is to laminate my very favourite items only, because I’m worried I will not be able to stop, it's a lot of plastic, and I'm afraid I've used up my lifetime quota. My homemade bookmarks from my son for birthdays/Mother’s Day are amongst my prized possessions.

No thanks but also not deal-breakers:

Attaching things to the outside of envelopes can make it hard to go through the sorting machines at the post office so I would proceed with caution

Don't leave your glue gun on by accident! (One spends a few years on the safety committee at work and leaves forever changed)

Scents (agree with asking before sending scented correspondence)

It's for American audiences so some info will be inaccurate depending on your location (y'all get mail 6 days a week?)

Thanks!

The Advanced Review Copy (ARC) was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review will also be posted on my sticker newsletter on Friday.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason I finished this book was because I kept trying to figure out who it was written for. It's full of contradictions. But, before my messy notes of a review, I have to say I liked and agree with Amy's review, who is more articulate than me.

Syme describes herself as decidedly non-crafty person, but she has an embossing gun, laminator, typewriter, polaroid camera, several fountain pens, fancy paper, washi tape, stamps, postcards, match boxes, stickers upon stickers upon stickers... and goes on to list all the ways in which she crafts letters to pen pals that often sound like they're more like packages than letters. How is that not crafty?

Letter-writing is talked about as a completely private thing, which it absolutely can be, but Syme neglects to mention how letters were often shared with family and friends because there were no emails, phones, or texts. She describes letter-writing as a female-only enterprise, which I think is a bit simplistic. I often got the feeling this book is for women who want to share what they journal about, and read what other people are journaling about, too.

Syme espouses getting into fountain pens and typewriters while simultaneously calling the hobbyists on forums freaks, and that you should avoid spending too much time with them. That's unless they're stamp or matchbook collectors, I guess.

She talks about how letter writing is one of the last things "AI overlords" can take from us, meanwhile there's AI artwork of typewriters (and who knows what else) in the book.

I kept waiting for a section on thank-you notes, which are still pretty common place, short to write, and easy to get into snail mail with. However, the only section about them was less about thank-you note 101 and more "how to expand your thank-you notes," which doesn't makes sense for a getting-started kind of book.

This is the overall feel of the book: a back and forth wobble aimed at as many different kinds of people (primarily women) as possible. Syme waxes poetic about the romance of writing a letter while also cringing at the "vintage cosplay." If I had to pick one (or five) books about letter-writing and/or letter-writing etiquette, I wouldn't pick this one.

[Deb Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Syme’s Letter Writer is an exploration (some might say primer) of all things letter. It’s a delight! Some helps us explore how to write letters, how to be a pen pal, and how to write varied types of letters such as a fan letter, a note of apology, or even a letter to yourself.

Additionally, we are treated to all sorts of ideas about letter writing and all sorts of accoutrements for our letters such as wax seals, typewriters, and stamps.

I’m already a letter writer, but I’m looking to up my game, and this book provides simple but invaluable ways to jazz up your correspondence by examining letter writers of yore, writing prompts, and with little additions to the envelope before mailing. I love it!

This book reads like a dishy conversation with a friend all about the art of letter writing, and I highly recommend it. Read it and let me know what you think - I’d love to discuss (or exchange letters)!

[KBiagioli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! I love Rachel Syme's writing and her wit. The book includes just about everything you can think of about corresponding, mostly by way of handwritten communications that get sent through the postal service.

Syme includes lots of resources, places you can shop for pens, ink, paper, stickers, rubber stamps, envelopes, among other items. She referred to both online sellers and brick-and-mortar stores. I was happy to see one of my favorite pen stores, Fountain Pen Hospital in NYC, listed.

I had some creative bursts while reading Syme's books, ideas about paper designs and fun things to include in my letters to friends.

Syme mentioned books of and about correspondence between authors and actors, among others, and I want to find some of those.

Syme's book is inspiring in many different ways! So glad I read it!

[pea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

the premise... a modern book on letter writing in response to a Victorian era book on letter writing was quite interesting.

the off shoot parts, like the one about the valley of the dolls author, went a bit off topic... tho interesting.

the fountain pen bit is an opening to a rabbit hole I am trying not to go down ... tho I will.

some of the ideas and prompts would be great for journaling, too... especially for those of us without overstuffed address book and the willingness to reach out to strangers.

the sheets of stationery in the back was a nice touch

things that would have been nice to add:

the promised envelope template

info what the bits of decoration on the pages were (super kudos to the one who designed it)

bits about other pens too

can you send bedazzled envelopes ?
a chart of what the usps would allow would be helpful

off to send a few postcards

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited for this book because I'm an avid penpaller. It's GORGEOUS and fun to flip through, but lacked the substance I was hoping for. As someone who already penpals and sends mail weekly, I found I was not in the target audience, to the point where the author didn't seem to be aware that people like me exist! I'm also not sure if it would work for the target audience of absolute beginners, since the sections are part history lesson, part memoir, and a sprinkling of useful ideas. I was really surprised, for instance, that under "where to find penpals" the author suggests screaming into the void of Twitter instead of any of the many online penpal clubs and forums (Postcrossing does get a mention in a separate section). I was expecting more.

[Judith Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of this book does not do it justice. I almost wish they would revisit the cover and make a second edition. The inside is like candy to the eyes, beautiful, antique and elegant. As I turned each page I felt like I was reading Bridgerton in her best “narrator” voice. The content made me think of new ways to read and write letters. I love the idea of old school fan mail, and a letter writing desk. Cool concept, well executed except the cover. My only ask is the pics seem to very @non-diverse”. Maybe b/c they are older? That plus cover lost stars… Lastly, some of the sections are quite wordier than needed. But I kept telling myself she’s a letter writer! Of course she is verbose. Ha! Nice find 🤓

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book on the joys of establishing correspondent relationships (because only grade school teachers call them "pen pals") and how written communication via snail mail connects two people in ways that emails and text messages don't. I should also note that it's a visually beautiful book. Having said that, it's clear from all I've read on the topic - and this book's art direction confirms - that this is largely (but not exclusively) a pastime practiced by those who don't have a Y Chromosome. Apparently only famous male writers write letters, but normal guys like me don't. Just an observation and, yes, I know that the author would point out that there's nothing stopping me.

[Alara Güvenli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is DELIGHTFUL and SILLY and WONDERFUL and PERFECT. If you are also a lover of letter writing in the slightest, this book will be an absolute trove of treats for you as it was for me. Like Rachel says many times, writing letters now seems preposterous and arcane—and that’s exactly why we should be doing it!! If you also enjoy falling down little rabbit holes of fun information, this is full of that. I also really enjoyed learning so many new fun words.
This has not only inspired me to pick back up my love of letter writing, and trying to learn calligraphy, but also a nice reminder that silly things are what make life worth living.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I need to romanticize my life, I read something from Rachel Syme. This book reminded me of the letters/emails I used to write before the age of cell phones. Syme just knows how to bring life into practices that make your days more bearable, and human connection more deep.

I just loved the heck out of this book. Every page was gorgeously designed, a feast for the eyes. I loved the details from an opening letter to blank stationary pages in the back. I cant wait to find some pen pals and get to writing! Thanks, Rachel!

[Liz NC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give this book 10 stars?! It was everything I hoped and more. Beautifully written and designed. I have been writing letters for most of my life but I get into a funk and need inspiration and have felt like my letters have been uninspiring and stale. Rachel’s ideas and approach to letter writing has reinvigorated my desire to make letters fun, engaging and interesting for my recipients. Thank you, Rachel, for this fine work. It will remain within reach whenever I need a shot of inspiration and remind myself of why letter writing is needed in our world more than ever!

[Victoria Buda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love letters and this book just took it to the next level.

It’s a resource book that’s fun to read. Rachel Syme is funny and observant and so knowledgeable.

If anyone wants to be my penpal after reading this, I’m raising one hand and opening my mailbox with the other!

P.S. I am new to the writer Rachel Syme so the added bonus is now i want to read everything she’s ever written in the New Yorker. What style! What a voice!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful and wonderful book. I honestly have not enjoyed a book this much in a long time. It was poetic and practical. I has great advice and leads you on flights of fancy. It will make you want to write and remind you how lovely it can be to get mail and to send letters.

I could not have loved this book more.

[CawfeeDrinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A goofy grin gem of a book! "There is something fantastically inefficient about sending a letter, and certainly a bit absurd. ..both freeing and a little bit dangerous about engaging with a dead form of communication." I recently returned to pen palling this year, and every bit of this book is on point.

[Lisa Ahlstedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has long written letters to pen-pals, it was fun to read this book that covers all aspects of the hobby. The book is oversized and has lots of lovely illustrations. There are even some detachable pages of stationery you can use to write or type letters in the back. The author also gives a lot of history and background into famous letter-writers of the past, and there are excerpts from some letters included. I liked the things such as suggested writing prompts and "add ins" that you can include to make your letters more interesting. The only slight quibble I have with the book is that the author apparently lives in New York City, so a lot of the suggestions seem to apply to people who live in a giant metropolis ("get off one subway station early," visit the bodega for some supplies, etc.). I know the information can be extrapolated to apply to anyone, it just sort of implies everyone lives in the city and can wander around Central Park for ideas of things to write about. She also has a section about drying flowers and plants to include in letters as embellishments without mentioning this is a definite no-no if you're sending letters outside the USA. Other than that, I really liked the book and hope it will inspire lots of new correspondents to pick up a pen!

I received this book from a GoodReads giveaway.

[Sarah Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delight to read- loved the fonts, layouts, designs and decorations. Only trouble is, I’ve been writing letters to penpals for over 30 years so nothing was new or novel for me. Super cute and hopefully will get more people into sending snail mail though!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how you write a guidebook! So creative, fun, and interesting. I loved learning epistolary history. This book made me excited to start letter writing and provided a lot of wonderful inspiration. It's so full of color and beauty, I love to rifle through the pages. A very enjoyable read.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just an absolute delight to read and made me want to write letters to people right away.

[Alice Suddreth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not how to write letters but why to write letters. Letter writing as art and with style. Lots of creative suggestions and history of letters. Excellent read!

[Geneviève Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me want to start writing letters again!

[Cathy Mealey]

Fun, delightful and inspiring for the epistolary-minded among us.