Newbie Write On letter in a card #1 Int'l

I am hosting a series of letter writing swaps to spread the word about the Write On Challenge. You can find one of the swaps HERE. But, those swaps are NOT newbie friendly. I do believe in giving new swappers a chance to join some swaps, and I really love to promote letter writing challenges, so I decided to create a few Newbie Friendly versions of the swap. Yes, this is a long description, but I think I have answered everything, so read carefully!

These swaps are related to Write On simply because they are letter writing swaps in the month of April. If you would like to do the challenge, you are more than welcome to. However, if you don't want to take on a challenge and just wish to write and mail a letter, you are welcome to join. You don't have to do the Write On Challenge to join this swap.

This swap is International, so you must be able to send and receive mail Internationally (if your country currently has mail restrictions, don't join swaps.) You must also be prepared to purchase International postage to mail this swap.

THE SWAP For this swap, you will have 1 partner and you will write your partner a letter in a notecard (the style of card that folds, usually with a picture on the front, and blank inside.). The card can be store bought or NICELY hand made (don't just fold a sheet of paper or card stock and slap a sticker on it - that's not a nicely handmade card.) The card should be a minimum of 3.5x5 inches, but can be larger.

List the swap title and your swap-bot ID on the inside of the card!

Use both inside writing surfaces (left and right) to write a letter to your partner. If you need more room, you can continue on a sheet of note paper and include it in the card. This should be more than 'hi, how are you, the weather is --, I like snail mail, ok bye'. Please write neatly and write a complete message to your partner. Look at their profile - do you have anything in common? Can you recommend a song or movie to them? Tell them about your swap-bot name or your profile pic - something that is a message TO your partner.

That is the swap. No envelope decoration required, no tuck ins required (if you wish to send them stickers or such as an extra, please check their profile - some people don't like tuck ins.)

This is NOT a pen pal swap - the purpose is to spread the word about the Write On Challenge, and to write a personal letter in a notecard to your partner. If you are interested in finding a pen pal or would like to continue to write to your partner please message them directly about being a pen pal. But they are not required to reply to your letter.

Not sure how to write a letter? Check THIS SITE

Not sure what to write about? Check THIS SITE for some letter prompts.

Who can join? This IS a newbie friendly swap, so new swappers may join.

Your profile MUST be WELL FILLED OUT - this shows the swap host that you are invested in being a member of swap-bot, and it gives your partner something to read, prompts of what to ask you or write about. You profile should contain several sections, and include topics about your likes/dislikes, interests, hobbies. If you have pictures on your profile, they don't take the place of actual content - this is a writing swap, so your profile should show me that you liked to write!

The send by date is not a suggestion! It is a requirement! You should be ready to send no later than the send by date. This is a simple, flat mail swap, so have a stamp ready and a card, and you should be all set - no trips to the post office. If you cannot mail on time, you MUST contact your partner and swap host. That is courtesy, and communication can solve a lot of problems. Even with communication, you can still be rated down if you send late. You don't want to earn a 3 on a simple swap.

Ratings You MUST rate your partner. If you receive a note card with a letter written in it - and with the swap title and swap bot ID & sent on time, you should rate a 5. If there are any problems, please message your partner. Yes, mail is moving slowly but don't use that as an excuse for not sending on time.

I will angel this swap, once communication has happened and you have rated a 1. Please contact me with any problems.

If anyone knows of a problem swapper who is signed up for this swap, please feel free to tell me in a Private Message - please do not leave comments below. I will check forums and lists, but I'm not perfect, so I welcome constructive information from other swappers.

IF you have ANY questions about this swap, please SEND ME A PM. Do not leave comments below - I won't see them, and I won't have time to respond.

Assigning partners For new swappers - the Swap Bot system assigns partners, not the host. You can find more information about it in the 'help' tab at the top right side of the screen. I cannot control who you are partnered up with, and you will be required to send to whomever you are paired up with.

Sign up ends at midnight of the day listed. I am located in the Pacific North West of the USA (Pacific time), and I try to assign partners by noon, my time, the day after the sign up deadline.

I start vetting swap members before sign up ends. If I send you a message with a question, and you don't reply by the time I assign partners, I will remove you from the swap (I don't like the word 'ban' - that is the swap-bot word) and will leave you a reason. Once partners are assigned, you are required to send to your partner and on time.