A Column by Donna Jobe Cronk
Yesterday turned out to be a day for miscellaneous activities. I’m prepping hard with great anticipation of 18 different author-related venues scheduled in the coming weeks, mostly, with a few strays reaching into the summer months.
Maybe you can join me at the Union County Public Library at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 2. I’ll be giving a talk, doing a book signing for my new memoir, and the library is springing for refreshments. Would love to see you there.
Make no mistake: I love author events! It’s the best part of the whole writing process. I’m always surprised by sister writers who say they don’t care for that part of the journey. We’re all different, but for me, whenever someone calls and asks, “Would you happen to be available on …” I’m doing a happy dance and reaching for my (paper) calendar.
I’ve been writing programs for specific gigs like crazy, but yesterday, I declared a spontaneous Miscellaneous Day and I didn’t work on a one. I needed a little break. It started with cleaning out the fridge. And I mean, IT NEEDED IT. If I need inspiration, at the moment, I just open the fridge and stare. I should take a picture. It lasts longer, right?
But then, I decided to dig into two bags of cards, letters and emails I saved from the first two books. I read each one. I regret that I didn’t respond to each one at the time. What was I thinking? I look at those lovely notes and cards and feel such gratitude.
Some of the letters were most unexpected. They came from people beyond my state, and my personal knowledge, routine, or even occasional contact. Somehow they found my books and told me they enjoyed them. One, from an attorney in Florida. One from Peru, Indiana. From other towns and states they arrived, blessings all.
Not folks I see on Facebook, or with whom I correspond regularly. Stand alones, you might say.
So, I decided to do some micromarketing. I dug into the stationery drawer and wrote those folks who reached out from afar notes, included my biz card and let them know I have a new book.
Cards and letters are old-fashioned for some, for others, they are still important tools of communication. I try to send thank yous to those who host me for gigs.
I remember the first email I ever received. Do you? It was from Holiday World! It was to me at work, a news release. I saw the reply button, hit it, and responded as though I had a clue what I was doing. Off it went into the ether…hey, it worked!
And I knew.
I’m gonna love this.
Man, I’m gonna love this!
I did. And I do.
Of course now emails are common and can even be nuisances from advertisers. It’s the card or letter with the handwritten address on the front that snags our instant attention.
I’m curious among those who read this: Do you still use snail mail? If you are an author, do you think it’s an overlooked tool, or do you “micromarket” in this way?
I’m wondering if you have a stationery drawer. The photo is mine. And don’t freak out! I’m not usually that neat. Just as my fridge isn’t generally as clean as it is now, I tidied the drawer before photographing it for this essay.
Some observations:
1. I try to keep some “all-occasion” cards on hand.
2. I find that the older we get, the more sympathy and get-well cards we need to send. I am trying to get better about keeping up but I fall very short.
3. I’m not a “birthday person” by nature. I don’t send any, except to our godson. Our boys get them hand delivered. One year I skipped it for Ben, and he was disappointed.
4. I keep a good supply of thank you notes.
5. Yes, lots of general envelopes. We still mail lots of bills.
6. The red envelopes? I NOW use those for bills. I bought them probably 20 years ago dirt cheap at a garage sale. I thought they would be PERFECT for sending Christmas newsletters back when I sent Christmas newsletters. I can’t destroy them. It’s my parents’ Depression mentality, and also, they taught me not to be wasteful. They were green before there was green. In a society and household and with a personal closet containing so much STUFF, I’m using them up.
What’s in your stationery drawer? Do you have one? And lastly, is your stationery active or stationary?
I’m going to the post office to mail my notes, some bills, and to pick up some pretty stamps. Yeah, I’m old-fashioned. Or if I want to sound current, I’m a micromarketer.
Either way, that’s OK.
Retired newspaper journalist and Union County native Donna Cronk is author of three books. Her latest is a memoir inspired by cleaning out her attic during the early months of covid. It’s called “There’s a Clydesdale in the Attic: Reflections on Keeping and Letting Go.” It’s available on Amazon and from the author. Connect with her at newsgirl.1958@gmail.com.