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!
