A Life in Letters: Notes and Prompts for a Return to Pen and Paper

by Ronda Beaman

In a digital world in which talking and texting are cheap, letter writing may be our last truly human art—and the most powerful act of authenticity available to us all.

Letter writing is more than communication—it’s connection, reflection, and sometimes even transformation. A letter is a piece of yourself, preserved in ink and paper, that says, “I cared enough to take the time.”

In a time of auto-corrected feelings and fleeting texts, A Life in Letters is a bold return to what’s real.

Award-winning educator and storyteller Ronda Beaman shares the letters she never sent—but needed to write. Honest, heartfelt, and sometimes hilariously raw, these notes of recognition, regret, and release trace a life lived fully and felt deeply.

But this isn’t just a memoir. It’s a movement.

Each letter invites you to pause, reflect, and consider the connections that have shaped your own story. Through prompts and encouragement, you’ll be inspired to write the words you’ve never said—to someone you’ve loved, lost, wronged, or never thought to thank.

Whether you’re holding on, letting go, or simply longing to feel something real again, A Life in Letters is your invitation to show up on the page—and in the lives of others—with courage, honesty, and heart.

Genres: Memoir

256 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Former Girl Scout, Dr. Ronda Beaman was the first recipient of the National Education Association’s “Excellence in the Academy: Art of Teaching” award, as well as mother of USA Today’s
Most Creative Family, and is a faculty resource for the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) University.
A highly regarded international speaker, she also directs leadership studies at California Polytechnic University and is Chief Creative Officer at PEAK Learning, Inc.

Reviews

[aashvi (shannon lynch's ver.)]

౨ৎpre-read౨ৎ: my second ever arc! thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

౨ৎpost-read౨ৎ:

౨ৎrating౨ৎ: 3 stars

౨ৎmy thoughts౨ৎ: i don't think think memoirs or emotionally moving/deep books are exactly my cup of tea. I feel that I really couldn't connect to the author which makes sense because of our massive age gap, but there were definitely some inspiring things in this book too. However, I did not thoroughly enjoy the writing style of the book. I think if you're into memoirs, biographies, autobiographies, etc., you will really enjoy this. Still an okay-ish read though!

[SundayAtDusk]

This book was not what I expected and my feelings about it went up and down. It starts off with some memorable quotes by famous folks about the importance of letter writing. Up. Very soon, though, the book becomes one letter after another that author Ronda Beaman writes to those she knows. Up and down. Some letters struck me as eloquent and meaningful, others as somewhat interesting, and some as the grandma showing pictures type. All and all a worthwhile read. Up.

Yet I don't think the book is currently being categorized as it should be. Down. One genre it definitely should be listed in is "memoir", as in an epistolary memoir. Such letters in such memoirs are also monologues, not dialogues. Sorta down. Writing such letters can be great therapy, however, as well as help the writer remember and see more clearly what happened in the past. Up. I see it as an excellent way, too, to write a memoir in an easier manner than the traditional narrative way. Up. Plus, you are less likely to bore your readers with too many details or confuse them with too much free association. Up and Up.

After the final letter in the memoir, Ms. Beaman than gives advice on how to write the type of letters you want or need to write, as well as providing information on how writing down one's feelings has been proven to improve mental and physical health. Up and Up. Next comes a few references, and finally a description and pitch for something called the Letter Doula. (A web page and telephone number are included.) It is apparently a service . . . one guesses a paying service . . . where the author will provide “expert guidance” and “emotional support” to those who want to write a "perfect" letter. Down. Way down.

(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the author or publisher.)

[AJ]

A Life in Letters is quite an interesting peek into the life of author, Dr. Ronda Beaman. I really appreciated the humor Dr. Beaman used to write many of these letters, and that she didn't shy away from sharing the hard parts or parts that even painted her in a negative light. This is my first epistolary memoir but I hope there are more out there because this format lends itself well to the genre. I do wish that some of Dr. Beaman's letters were longer, mostly because it's clear she's lived an interesting life. I think this is a particularly good find for anyone who enjoys the epistolary format, and if it sounds interesting, then I would say give it a shot. A Life in Letters is a good opportunity to reflect and offers an intriguing opportunity to examine our relationships with those we have met throughout our lives.

[Carrie Griffin]

A Life in Letters is a collection of letters that the author Ronda Beaman decided to never send but still needed to write. Each is honest and heartfelt. They range from letters for teachers from her past, friends, famous people such as Dr. Seuss (one of my favorite letters from the collection), and her family members. It is a very vulnerable collection that had really touched me while I was reading it. I love the idea behind the book so much.

After each letter there is a place for the reader to write their own. This is the perfect book to use as a journaling exercise and I know I will be doing so myself. I highly recommend this to writers, readers, and teachers.

*Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Ronda Bearman. All opinions are my own.*

[Connie Fielder]

Beautiful writing. Raw. Emotional.
I absolutely adore handwritten letters. One of my favorite things. I love reading other people's as well. (I'm nosy)
I have problems with my hands so I can't write as long as I'd like these days but I always envied people who could do long ones with the pretty handwriting.
I love how honest the author is in the letters. I did write a few blog posts during the reading of this book inspired by her letters.
The letters to Brian Wilson from the beach boys, Daddy, and Me (her) are my favorite.
Such a thoughtful book that inspires your own letters.
I will say it's one I wanted to read casually and not just race through and pick up and never put down. Nothing wrong with that though. Wanted it to last.

[Esther]

I’m afraid that I didn’t fully understand the purpose of this book. When I requested this title, I:

1) loved the cover
2) writing letters, lost art? Count me in!
3) thought it would be a bit more elaborate on why the art of writing letters is dying and why we should preserve it

The book is comprised of letters that the author wishes she had sent that double as a sort of prompt for you to write a letter of the same topic. It is a beautiful memoir, but I wish it had been marketed more as a memoir rather than the meaning of writing letters. Overall, 3 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Amplify Publishing for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Brandee]

Thank you to Amplify and NetGalley for an eARC to read and review before publishing.

I absolutely love the idea and execution of this book. Dr. Bearman not only shares her own vulnerability, levity, and reflections on her life, but she invites the reader to do the same for themselves as well. The invitation to the reader to write their own letters is accessible and structured in a user friendly way that allows the reader to see themselves as a writer as well.

I will 100% be using this as a structured guide for my future journal.

[Rae Payette]

I think this new genre of books full of letters is not my favorite premise for a book.

I did appreciate the fact that this author is trying to bring back an important way of communicating that we have lost through technology.

The book definitely offers great tips and ideas and examples in this book that would help anyone tap into their creative side, or expand their communication skills through letter writing.

Thank You NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book, as well as the opportunity to provide feedback through review.

2.5 🌟

[KB]

This book is a literal love letter to letter writing. It reminds you of how important letter writing once was to our world. The author intertwined letters that they wrote to people in their lives with advice on how to write letters. I look forward to using this book for inspiration on how to write quality letters to the people I love

Thank you NetGalley and Amplify Publishing | Amplify.

[Booksnob]

A 30 minute read because it is simplistic and written for a 5th grader.

This book is not for serious readers.