“Please Write”: What a Delight

I recently had the pleasure of attending the launch party for Lynne Kolze’s new book, “Please Write: Finding Joy and Meaning in the Soulful Art of Handwritten Letters” (Beaver’s Pond Press, 2023). The book is a gem — and I’m not saying that because the book uses the font P22 Marcel Script (more on that later) or that Lynn had the best launch party swag (more on that later, too). 

The book is a manifesto on Lynne’s life-long passion for letter writing. She shares recollections of receiving letters from friends and relatives, and makes the case for emotional connections one can make through written correspondence. She talks about the joy of anticipation, the mental health benefits of slowing down, and informs readers of things like the tradition of “round robin letters” (never heard of that?! Me neither!). The book includes chapters on family legacy letters, letters as miniature works of art, and some quirky bits about the history of letter writing (never heard of the 500-year-old Bridegroom Oak in Germany?! Me neither!). Lynne makes a compelling case that handwritten letters have a relevant and irreplaceable role in modern communication. Be warned: she may turn you into a letter writer. 

The launch party was the first time I met Lynne in person, though she and I had a delightful chat via Zoom a couple of months earlier. Lynne read my book, learned I was local — and that I had designed the font used on her book — and reached out to connect. We chatted about marketing and promotion and the publishing experience in general, but we also talked about a mutual love of handwriting. When I showed her a 100-year-old handwriting specimen I bought on eBay that had arrived the day before, she laughed with delight when I held it up to my computer’s camera. I immediately knew I had found one of my people. 

P22 Marcel Script

Lynne’s book has some of the loveliest uses of the P22 Marcel Script I’ve seen. It’s used on the cover and for interior chapter titles. Lynne mentioned that her designer had considered a number of typefaces before suggesting Marcel. Marcel seemed to have the right blend of history and legibility for her project. I love that she and her designer chose this font!

Here are some lovely examples of the font in use in “Please Write”:

Launch party! 

One of the things Lynne and I chatted about during our Zoom meeting was whether or not to have a launch party. Lynne seemed to be on the fence — I speculate her Midwestern modesty was coming out when she thought of throwing herself a party. I suggested she think of it as a way to celebrate all the people who helped her get to that point. Besides, I reminded her that publishing a book is a big effing deal; she should throw a party! 

The launch party was a delight. After a few words about the book, Lynne, her husband, and a longtime friend read excerpts from various letters from Lynne’s collection. It was a way to demonstrate how the handwritten letter can build connections decades after the writer first put pen to paper.

The party was also a delight because Lynne went all out. She had old letters and stamps on display, gave out blank notecards and pens with a little envelope charm. Cards and letters hung from the walls like garland. Cupcakes had tiny stamp-adorned envelopes that had been sealed shut with wax seals. (Were there tiny little notes in the tiny little envelopes?! Of course!)  

Here are some photos from the “Please Write” launch party:

“Please Write” is a delightful book, and the author’s enthusiasm for handwritten letters is likely to rub off on you. If you’re looking for a gift for a letter writer — or looking for a bit of inspiration to counter the chaos, meanness and loneliness in the world — “Please Write” may just be the perfect antidote.