A Few Changes for the Winter 2019 Pen Friend Exchange

 Thank You For Your Patience!

Hello fellow Austenites!  Are you ready to chase the winter blues away with a new Pen Friend?  One who "gets you"?  And one who,...randomly quotes Jane Austen...who routinely has Jane Austen movie marathons...who has that wistful look on her face when finishing the book Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time?  Well then, lets do this! Thank you for your patience as I have been "getting my life in order" over the last year.

I must ask a huge favor of you.  If you have sent me an email  since the last pen friend exchange--last January-- I really need you to resubmit a NEW Pen Friend Application.  I have recently updated the form to include a place for  prior JALWS members to list previous pen friends.  This will help me tremendously  in updating my records and so you will not be matched with a previous member.  If you have sent me an email over the last year, I will do  my best to reply to you and direct you to the new form.

Applications accepted:  Now (12/28) through  (1/11/2019)

Pen Friend match ups should be completed approximately :  01/19/19  Emails will start going out to participants by that date.

Basic Requirements:  

1. Basic command of the English language.

2. You must have read at least one of Jane Austen's novels.  This is a Literary Society and a Letter Writing Society.

3. You must be at least 18 years of age.  

• Important:  if you have been a member of the Society in the past, you must still sign up each exchange you want to be a participant.  

Directions:  1. Fill out  the application form (at the top of the page, menu bar) by cutting and pasting it into an email, 2.Send the completed email form to :  JALWSociety@gmail.com  The deadline for applications are:  Friday, 01/11/19.

I will be checking my email box: JALWsociety@gmail.com  and begin processing your applications.    You might not get a response from me immediately, but you will be notified of your pen friend  by email after the deadline, sometime around Friday, 01/19/19.  It usually takes me about 4-5  days to get it all worked out.  :-)

I would ask that you only join the pen friend exchange if you truly will follow through on your commitment .  This means that you will write your pen friend, and usually this involves several letters over the course of  2-3 months.  Try to aim for at least one letter every 4 weeks.

One final note.  I want you to know that the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society's mission is to promote thoughtful, meaningful communication through the handwritten letter .  Although I enjoy and admire the elegant aspect of letter writing,it is never my intention to discourage people who do not have access to stationery or other writing implements.  The emphasis should always be on the content of the letter.  So, if you possess the ability to write a good letter, you are more than welcome!  And if you feel like you are a bit rusty with your letter writing skills, by all means consider joining the society to help improve your skills!

Any questions?  Please leave your comments below or email me directly at JALWSociety@gmail.com.

I look forward to a new Pen Friend Exchange!

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Kit

Winter/Spring 2018 Pen Friend Exchange: 

Applications accepted:  Now (1/11/18) through Thursday, 1/25/18.  

Pen Friend match ups should be completed:1/31 or 2/1/18  Emails will start going out to participants by that date.

Basic Requirements:  

1. Basic command of the English language.

2. You must have read at least one of Jane Austen's novels.  This is a Literary Society and a Letter Writing Society.

3. You must be at least 18 years of age.  Contact me per email for exceptions to this rule.

• Important:  if you have been a member of the Society in the past, you must still sign up each exchange you want to be a participant.  

It is time for a new Winter/Spring Pen Friend Exchange.  This is where I personally select a pen friend for you based on your completed application.  The application (see the menu bar at the top of this page to access the form) allows me to  match you  according to your preferences.  This is not a perfect system, but I do try my best.

Directions:  1. Fill out application form (at the top of the page, menu bar) by cutting  and pasting  it into an email, 2. and then sent to me at :  JALWSociety@gmail.com  The deadline for applications is:  Thursday, 01/25/18.

I will be monitoring my email box :  JALWsociety@gmail.com  and begin processing the applications.    You might not get a response from me immediately, but I hope to start working on them this weekend.   If you have sent in an application since the last exchange, I will be notifying you  and double checking that you still want to participate. Also, due to my late husband's illness, all those that were on the waiting list after the fall/Winter exchange, you will also be notified, as I just never got to that list.   You will be notified of your pen friend  by email after the deadline, sometime around 02/01/18. It usally takes me about 2-3 days to get it all worked out.  :-)

I would ask that you only join the pen friend exchange if you truly will follow through on your commitment .  This means that you will write your pen friend, and usually this involves several letters over the course of  2-3 months.  To avoid "flakers", yes, JALWS is not immune to this,  I have had to start invoking a 4 letter minimum over the 4 month exchange time.  I believe this is reasonable and amounts to 1 letter a month.   It is very disappointing to those fulfilling their commitments  when their partner does not respond in kind.  

One final note.  I want you to know that the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society's mission is to promote thoughtful, meaningful communication through the handwritten letter .  Although I promote the elegant aspect of letter writing (I love vintage items connected to letter writing) , it is to by no means eliminate people who do not have access to stationery or other writing implements.  The emphasis should always be on the content of the letter.  So, if you possess the ability to write a good letter, you are more than welcome!  And if you feel like you are a bit rusty with your letter writing skills, then still consider  joining the society, to help improve your skills!

Any questions?  Please leave your comments below or email me directly at JALWSociety@gmail.com.

I look forward to a new Pen Friend Exchange!

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

*Available In Shop*

Roll Call,Hurricanes, Jane Austen, and A Waiting List...

Waiting List and Roll Call!

Well, its time for a little chit chat now that I am FINALLY done with all the lovely match making I have been doing with the Fall Pen Friend Exchange!  Unfortunately it took me nearly twice as long as expected  because of the total number...70.  That means inputting 70 applications,  and many more emails.  By the time I am finished, I have usually sent you anywhere from  3-4 emails.  Another reason for the delay was the holiday weekend  which put me behind yet another 2 days.  But It is now done, so please check your email and make contact with your partner, and thank you one and all for your amazing patience!

Roll Call

Here is some information about WHO has participated this exchange.  We had the following countries represented.  Isn't it lovely to see that the world over appreciates the wit and humor of Jane Austen?  I find her canny insights into human nature transcends cultural barriers.  People are people, no matter your geographical situation, or station in life, and I think that this diversity of participation proves this line of thinking.

Canada

USA

Germany

Ireland

Northern Ireland

India

Japan

Portugal

Australia

United Kingdom

Italy

The Netherlands

Spain

FLORIDA PARTICIPANTS...

As I was sending out the emails the last couple of days, I noticed that we had quite a representation from Florida--5 to be exact.  I am praying that you are all safe.  And for those of you with a pen friend from Florida, please be patient as they may not have electricity  and possibly have lost much more because of   hurricane Irma.  Hopefully it won't be too long before Texas AND  Florida are restored to normalcy.

Waiting List!

I know that I have already announced the waiting list on Instagram, but I want anyone who stumbles onto this page for the first time to know that it is not too late.  I have started a waiting list which will probably be open until the end of the month.   Please refer to a previous Blog Post for all the information about how to apply to the Society.

I think that this will do for now.  I hope that everyone is doing well, and enjoying this day.

Write Letters

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

*New In The Shop!*

Beautifully  crafted wax seals, rose design!

JALWS Fall Pen Friend Sign Ups Now....

Fall Pen Friend Exchange: 

Applications accepted:  Now (8/16/17) through Wednesday August 30th.  

Pen Friend match ups should be completed:  by Wednesday 9/6  Emails will start going out to participants by that date.

Basic Requirements:  

1. Basic command of the English language.

2. You must have read at least one of Jane       Austen's novels.  This is a Literary Society and a Letter Writing Society.

3. You must be at least 18 years of age.  Contact me per email for exceptions to this rule.

• Important:  if you have been a member of the Society in the past, you must still sign up each exchange you want to be a participant.  

It is time for a new FALL Pen Friend Exchange.  This is where I personally select a pen friend for you based on your completed application.  The application (see the menu bar at the top of this page to access the form) allows me to  match you  according to your preferences.  This is not a perfect system, but I do try my best.

Directions:  1. Fill out application form (at the top of the page, menu bar) by cutting  and pasting  it into an email, 2. and then sent to me at :  JALWSociety@gmail.com  The deadline for applications is:  Wednesday, August 30th , 2017

I will be monitoring my email box :  JALWsociety@gmail.com  and begin processing the applications.    You might not get a response from me immediately, but I hope to start working on them this weekend.   If you have sent in an application since the last exchange, I will be notifying you  and double checking that you still want to participate.  You will be notified of your pen friend  by email after the deadline, sometime around September 6th. .  It usually takes me about 2-3 days to get it all worked out.  :-)

I would ask that you only join the pen friend exchange if you truly will follow through on your commitment .  This means that you will write your pen friend, and usually this involves several letters over the course of  2-3 months.  To avoid "flakers", yes, JALWS is not immune to this,  I have had to start invoking a 4 letter minimum over the 4 month exchange time.  I believe this is reasonable and amounts to 1 letter a month.   It is very disappointing to those fulfilling their commitments  when their partner does not respond in kind.  

One final note.  I want you to know that the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society's mission is to promote thoughtful, meaningful communication through the handwritten letter .  Although I promote the elegant aspect of letter writing (I love vintage items connected to letter writing) , it is to by no means eliminate people who do not have access to stationery or other writing implements.  The emphasis should always be on the content of the letter.  So, if you possess the ability to write a good letter, you are more than welcome!  And if you feel like you are a bit rusty with your letter writing skills, then still consider  joining the society, to help improve your skills!

Any questions?  Please leave your comments below or email me directly at JALWSociety@gmail.com.

I look forward to a new Pen Friend Exchange!

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

*Available In Shop*

Complete Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Kit

Winter Pen Friend Sign Ups Happening NOW!

Customized  Literary Pen Friends...

It IS possible!!!

It is time for the WINTER  Pen Friend Exchange!  This is where I personally select a pen friend for you based on your completed application.  The application (see the menu bar at the top of this page to access the form) allows me to match you according to your preferences.  This is not a perfect system, but I do try my best.

If you have participated in the Pen Friend Exchange before, please be so kind as to send me your application again, it just makes it easier for me.  

  

Directions:  1. Fill out  the "application form" (at the top of the page, menu bar) --don't forget to take the "Which Jane Austen Heroine  Are You?" quiz which is located in the side bar of this blog. This will help you fill out the application form, question #9.  2.Then  copy the completed application and paste it into an email. Send the completed application form to me at :  JALWSociety@gmail.com.  The deadline for applications is:  January 16th, 2016.

I will be monitoring my email box :  JALWsociety@gmail.com  and begin processing the applications.    You might not get a response from me immediately, but I hope to start working on them this week.    You will be notified of your pen friend after the January deadline.  It usually takes me close to a week to get it all worked out.  :-).  I do this the old fashioned way...someday I'll have to do a blog post on this process, as I really amaze myself that it all works out so well.  Try to be as specific about yourself as possible in the application...this allows me to better match you, but also remember that we all must be flexible too.  Many of you want international pen friends, but sometimes I run short of those applicants.  If I run into a real problem, I will usually notify you per email.

  

IMPORTANT!!!!

  

There are a couple of new questions on the Pen Friend Application Form.  I would like to highlight question # 12 :  Do you enjoy writing letters, and would you be willing to commit to writing a Pen Friend over the next 4 months?  ______________________________

As in any letter writing society, there is an element of commitment involved.  I do understand that life events happen.  I do understand that we sometimes over commit and  then need to pull out of commitments.  So, all that being said, I would like for you to understand your commitment before sending in your application.  I do not want this to become burdensome  to anyone, however, if someone you agree to write, sends you a letter, please be courteous enough to reply.  I would  also like to be so bold as to say, over the course of 4 months, let's try to send at least 1 letter a month over this Pen Friend exchange.  I really do not think that this is too much, do you ?   So, if you don't think your schedule will allow you to send  at least 1 letter a month, please refrain from joining the society  at this point.  Your schedule may free up in the future, and we would be more than happy to have you join then.  Of course, you may send as MANY letters as you like , I am just trying to establish a minimum, so as not to disappoint our members.  After you are matched with your customized Pen Friend, you will receive their email address, at this point it would be good to establish your expectations with your pen friend.  If for any reason you run into a life emergency and must withdraw from the Society, please notify your Pen Friend, AND myself as soon as possible.  I do keep a waiting list running to help in these situations.  

  

One final note, I want you to know that the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society's mission is to promote thoughtful, meaningful communication through the handwritten letter .  Although I promote the elegant aspect of letter writing (I love vintage items connected to letter writing) , it is to by no means eliminate people who do not have access to stationery or other writing implements.  The emphasis should always be on the content of the letter.  So, if you possess the ability to write a good letter, and love to discuss literary classics (particularly Jane Austen!), you are more than welcome!  If you feel like you are a bit rusty with your letter writing skills,  still consider  joining the society, to help improve your skills!

Any questions?  Please leave your comments below or email me directly at JALWSociety@gmail.com.

Visit my Etsy Store for  my Jane Austen themed letter Writing kits, and other Jane Austen themed snail mail supplies!

I look forward to a new Pen Friend Exchange!

Lady Pamela