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.)
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!
