Are you just joining us and looking to get into pen palling? Well I thought it would be a great time to recap a few of the awesome groups out there that I have experiences with.
Postcrossing: This is probably the most international of all the experiences. It revolves around being randomly assigned a person to send a postcard to and in return, you get one randomly sent to you. Most people use it as a way to see the world without leaving home. Although most people really would rather travel, but the price is prohibitive.
Postcrossing is very secure. Your address is only available to the sender until a card is registered. There are a few out there who place their addresses on their profile, but this is not the norm. I've made a few pen pals through this site, but mostly just one time mailings.
It costs nothing to join. Donations are welcome.
SendSomething.Net: A single person runs this low tech site which basically lists addresses and descriptions but no pictures. This allows a fellow in the group to see the address, drop a comment and send out something!
This is my go to site to send things out into the world. I use a PO Box to be secure as anybody can join. You have to stay active though, or your profile will be deleted after 6 months.
It costs nothing to join. Donations are welcome.
Letter Writers Alliance: This is a great site for info on all things mail oriented. They do have a members forum where you can connect with others and make pen pals that way. I have to admit, I have been a bad member and rarely go on here, but those who love, love it!
There is a nominal fee to join and member perks like special stationery to purchase.
League of Extraordinary Pen Pals: This is a more recent group. I do not know the members perks or challenges, but I do know they had a nifty newsletter and other cool geekery available through their site.
This is a pay to play site, but I have friends on it who adore it, so worth a look.
Swap Bot: This is a site where people form swaps and everybody makes something to send to a randomly assigned member in the swap. Somebody in the swap "hosts" the event.
This group is great if you are into making things and exchanging them. I will say I have had friends love this group and friends hate it. The negative comments have been from those who either A) felt like the project received was slapped together with no thought or B) the sender flaked on them all together and sent nothing. Mostly B has really upsets people. I only heard and A complaint once and I saw the object in question. It would have taken 5 minutes to make. My friend spent hours on hers, so there was a definite discrepancy in expectations.
I believe this is a free group.
I am sure there are many other groups out there. I know the Missive Maven had a list up that you are welcomed to look at for finding pen pals. Biggest thing is, find people you think you will enjoy. Mail takes awhile, so be patient. Try not to over extend yourself, or you may burn out and that would be a tragedy. I've had more than a few pen friends get started and then disappear. It always leaves me wondering how they are and, as humans are often conceited creatures, did I write something they found they didn't like? Many times I never know, but feel the loss just the same.
Go forth and write many!
My Best,
-Becky
Postcrossing: This is probably the most international of all the experiences. It revolves around being randomly assigned a person to send a postcard to and in return, you get one randomly sent to you. Most people use it as a way to see the world without leaving home. Although most people really would rather travel, but the price is prohibitive.
Postcrossing is very secure. Your address is only available to the sender until a card is registered. There are a few out there who place their addresses on their profile, but this is not the norm. I've made a few pen pals through this site, but mostly just one time mailings.
It costs nothing to join. Donations are welcome.
SendSomething.Net: A single person runs this low tech site which basically lists addresses and descriptions but no pictures. This allows a fellow in the group to see the address, drop a comment and send out something!
This is my go to site to send things out into the world. I use a PO Box to be secure as anybody can join. You have to stay active though, or your profile will be deleted after 6 months.
It costs nothing to join. Donations are welcome.
Letter Writers Alliance: This is a great site for info on all things mail oriented. They do have a members forum where you can connect with others and make pen pals that way. I have to admit, I have been a bad member and rarely go on here, but those who love, love it!
There is a nominal fee to join and member perks like special stationery to purchase.
League of Extraordinary Pen Pals: This is a more recent group. I do not know the members perks or challenges, but I do know they had a nifty newsletter and other cool geekery available through their site.
This is a pay to play site, but I have friends on it who adore it, so worth a look.
Swap Bot: This is a site where people form swaps and everybody makes something to send to a randomly assigned member in the swap. Somebody in the swap "hosts" the event.
This group is great if you are into making things and exchanging them. I will say I have had friends love this group and friends hate it. The negative comments have been from those who either A) felt like the project received was slapped together with no thought or B) the sender flaked on them all together and sent nothing. Mostly B has really upsets people. I only heard and A complaint once and I saw the object in question. It would have taken 5 minutes to make. My friend spent hours on hers, so there was a definite discrepancy in expectations.
I believe this is a free group.
I am sure there are many other groups out there. I know the Missive Maven had a list up that you are welcomed to look at for finding pen pals. Biggest thing is, find people you think you will enjoy. Mail takes awhile, so be patient. Try not to over extend yourself, or you may burn out and that would be a tragedy. I've had more than a few pen friends get started and then disappear. It always leaves me wondering how they are and, as humans are often conceited creatures, did I write something they found they didn't like? Many times I never know, but feel the loss just the same.
Go forth and write many!
My Best,
-Becky
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