In our increasingly digital world, Letters From Afar brings back the charm of receiving a real letter ... Each month, open your mailbox to find an envelope filled with a vibrantly illustrated letter, field notes, and a map." What is the world coming to when we have to pay someone US$6 a month to receive a (no, not a real but a photocopied or computer-printed) letter?
According to Shawnee Mills, who is originally from Texas but now lives in New York City, she has more than 15,000 readers. That's US90,000 EACH MONTH! And I checked: postage on a one-ounce letter from New York to anywhere in the world is US1.65 which, times 15,000, totals US$24,750. That leaves US65,250 for paper and envelopes and the time it takes to dream up another adventure story. Why the hell didn't I think of this?
(Somebody else DID think of it! Here are Michael and Hannie Clark from Utah, USA, who are selling their similar "Flower Letters" on their very similarly-looking website at very similarly-pegged prices - click here.)
(OH NO!!! The internet's algorithms have caught up with me, as I'm now bombarded with other "letterwriters". Here is Susan Scott, who lives in a small country town in Victoria, Australia, from where she'll send you her "Tearoom Diaries". Read her also very similarly-looking website here.)
(OH NO NO NO!!! I voiced my surprise too soon! There are many more copycats out there: "Letters from the Fairies"; "Letters of the Past"; "Literary Letters"; "Heritage Letters"; "Fairy Letters" for children; "Snail Mail Chronicles"; ... and there are more; too many to mention! There's even a (real?) handwritten letter service: "AddPeace Studio")
As Shawnee a.k.a. Isabelle tells in this interview, "I had no job, and after my failed attempts at selling my artworks, also had no money. Around that time, I had been reading a fiction novel (cannot remember the name of it), and the main character was traveling and writing a letter to her mother. The idea hit me hard and fast ... Write letters about faraway places, include illustrations of the location, and send the letters to readers on a monthly basis!"
"We decided to name the fictional writer of the letters Isabelle. My dad came up with the name. She’s inspired by the real-life Isabella Bird, an explorer that lived in the 19th century and bravely traveled solo."
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My dear friend,
I have arrived at my next destination and procured a new set of stationery from the local outpost. What an opportune moment, I believe, to write you a letter about this quite otherworldly place I have stumbled upon. To simply describe it in words won't do... no... I shall do my best to include some sketches. Actually, how would you like me to write to you every month? This world is vast and incredibly fascinating... it would be a shame not to share my adventures with you. It's settled, then. You can expect to hear from me soon.
Until my next letter, |
Great business idea, but what is the world coming to when we have to pay someone to receive a letter? Which reminds me, Des: what are you going to charge me for your annual Christmas round-robin newsletter?
Let me get back to my lunch now; my two lunch guests are waiting!
P.S. This blog is still FREE OF CHARGE, so no need to send me a cheque - okay, since you insist, then send me a blank cheque made out to CASH!
