The Letter Writers Alliance turned 10 years this week, and we’ve been extremely remiss in not mentioning it on the blog before. So today we’re setting this straight and letting you all know about the best letter writing community out there!
Started in June 2007 by Kathy and Donovan, the Letter Writers Alliance is a wonderful project dedicated to maintaining the art of letter writing. Membership for life costs just $5, and gives you access to the many activities they have, as well as to the member-only section of their shop.
I’ve been a card carrying member for over 5 years now, and besides enjoying the posts on the LWA blog and mailart inspiration on Instagram, there are two things they organise that I’m particularly fond of: the penpal exchange and the book club.
The penpal exchange is what it says on the tin: you sign up for a new penpal, tell them a bit about yourself, and some days or weeks later, they match you with someone they think you’ll enjoy exchanging letters with. The difference is that all matches are done by hand, as Kathy carefully chooses who your next penpal is going to be. The results are usually brilliant!
The book club also works really well. Every quarter they pick a new book related to mail, letters or other postal topics, which is then read by everyone and discussed live in video and chat. The discussion is always lively, and I’ve found some really interesting books this way.
They also keep a very interesting blog on all sort of postal-related subjects, offer free downloads and stock their shop with carefully designed postal items, such as writing paper, rubber stamps… and even pigeons you can send your friends by mail to surprise them!
It’s an inspiring project with strong values — one that we admire and often recommend when we notice postcrossers are into letter writing. So if you like letters as much as postcards, you should definitely check it out! 😊
Happy 10th anniversary Letter Writers Alliance, and congratulations Donovan and Kathy!
19 comments so far
I would love one of those Pigeon kits! Unfortunately they are not available to international letter writers which is a real shame! :(
@Leelulumpkin Maybe you can find a friend (or a kind postcrosser) in the US that can bring/mail it to you? That's what we do sometimes, when shops don't ship internationally! :)
This sounds interesting indeed.
It reminds me of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society", the book I'm currently reading. It's written in form of letter exchange and also has books as topics. I can strongly recommend it.
When I have a bit more time I'll have to look into them, it sounds positive and interesting!
Thank you for sharing this! Coincidentally, I just signed up as a member this week, having found them through Instagram. Hooray for Postcrossing and the LWA for promoting snail mail!
I've been a member since about January of this year and I absolutely love it. I have 4 penpal matches from them and am really enjoy sending and receiving letters. I haven't checked out their book club yet, but their blog and webshop are great.
Sounds fantastic. Congratulations for your 10th annivetsery I'm sure I will join soon too!!!
Ooo, I may have to join! :D And that pigeon kit is hilarious!
Hooray for the LWA!! I've been a member since 2009 and can't imagine my mailbox without them!! Congrats Kathy and Donovan!
Will need more shoe boxes!!!!!!
I've been a member since 2011 and I still correspond with my first pen pal. We send a letter a week and have visited each other twice since then! Hooray for LWA and Donovan and Kathy! Thank you!
Tbis pidgeon carrier is absolutely amazing. What a pity world has not enough humour to that!
Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary. I would love a pigeon kit but too far away in the Channel Island of Guernsey. It is a fab idea.
Im a recent member. Haven't had so much luck with the penpals but want to try the book club
This appeals to me so I looked at the site only to be very disappointed to discover that one can not use PayPal nor send a check to join; a credit card is the only method of payment they accept. Postcrossing has been a true joy, however, so I'll get over the minor let down.
@CDAllen Write to them! They're in the US, so maybe they can take checks sent in by mail. It's worth checking it out :)
I just signed up and am looking forward to seeing how this all works. :-)
This sounds wonderful...definitely interested in learning more. I love all the positive comments.
I signed up a couple of weeks ago and can't wait to be matched to a pen pal!