The Art of the Personal Letter: A Guide to Connecting Through the Written Word

When was the last time you wrote a letter? Or received one in the mail?

These days, its so easy to dash off a quick e-mail or text message or make a cell- phone call while youre on the run that you may rarely make time for letter writing. But letters are a time-honored form of connection that simply cannot be equaled or replaced by faster methods of communication.

The Art of the Personal Letter reclaims this lost art, giving you the gift of leisurely expression and allowing you to write beautiful, enduring letters to the people you care aboutbe it by hand or on a computer. For any occasionwhether youre reaching out to connect with a long-lost friend or you want to express condolences with graceauthor Margaret Shepherd gives you both the inspiration and the tools to write a memorable and meaningful letter that will be cherished by its recipient for years.

Filled with marvelous examples of common types of letters, The Art of the Personal Letter provides helpful guidelines to enhance your unique voice and inspire you to start that holiday letter or difficult letter of apology. From choosing just the right words, the right stationery, and even the right pen or font, youll learn everything you need to know about the timeless art of the personal letter.

Shepherd, calligrapher and author of The Handwritten Note, reclaims the disappearing art of the letter in this compact (5.5x7.5") guide. She provides guidelines for enhancing the letter writer's unique voice and choosing the right words, the right pen, and the right computer font. Example letters offer inspiration for all occasions, including holidays, thank you, sympathy, fundraising, reconnecting with old friends, and the entire relationship cycle, from courtship through breakups and getting back together. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Like an ambassador from a more civilized age, this guide provides thoughtful, step-by-step advice for overcoming the many pitfalls that often stymie modern letter-writers. Filled with examples, this powerful, beautifully designed book gives helpful guidelines to enhance each reader's unique voice.

Margaret Shepherd is a noted calligrapher and author whose clients include numerous headliners. The author of thousands of personal letters and fourteen hand-lettered instructional books on calligraphy, including the bestselling Learning Calligraphy, she has exhibited her work in many museums and galleries. She lives in Boston.

Sharon Cloud Hogan has written and edited several books for general readers . She leads workshops on nonfiction writing for physicians, and she is a manuscript editor at The New England Journal of Medicine.  She lives near Boston.