Snail mail makes a happy mailbox, and this swap is for finding pen pals to snail mail with. On Swap Bot there are lots of pen pal swaps and they usually require sending letters, but this swap we're doing things a little differently.

Because swap partners are assigned randomly and Swap Bot is full of all different kinds of people, you never know if your new pen friend is actually going to be your new pen friend. Interests may differ, age differences may be too big, opinions may clash, you may end up not liking each other at all. You may write and send your best letter ever, get a rating, and then never get a letter back.

How it works

This swap we all get the chance to get a little acquainted before deciding whether or not we want to write with each other. We send an introductory email (requirements below) to all 5 of our swap partners. It is okay to copy & paste the most part. Your swap partners rate you fairly, possibly give feedback, and then you can decide together whether or not to be pen pals. If you decide to stick with each other, I would suggest the person on the receiving end writes a letter first - but that's up to you to decide. So, if you join this swap you must keep in mind that it's possible your swap partner may say no. Don't take it personal. Additionally, you may just as well decide to not become pen pals. If you do, you must still send out the email (you can also send it in a Swap Bot message).

I realize this is an unusual approach but you will end up with a pen pal you genuinely like, and this swap is for quality before quantity. Additionally, if anyone flakes it won't be as bad, seeing as you didn't have to put the time, effort, and money in writing a letter and sending it out.

The Email Requirements

The email must be detailed, or detailed enough to make a letter. No short point-by-point lists because there would hardly be anything to reply to.

To help you on your way, the email must at least contain these points:

• A proper hello that includes your swap partner's name (even though you may copy and paste the most part, we are writing to people)

• Age and location, including some information about your location. For example if you like where you live, if you plan on moving, what it looks like in Winter... it doesn't matter, it's all up to you.

• Single, relationship, or married? Family? Pets?

• Your hobbies & interests, plus a little info. For example: Do you make money off your crafts? Do you volunteer at an animal shelter, and if so, why? Etc.

• What are your holiday plans?

• Are you religious or not? If so why/why not, or how do you feel about it?

• What do you like from a pen pal? (For example: just letters, mail art, deep conversation, just postcards... etc.)

• Something else you'd like to share or talk about with a pen pal. Start a conversation.

• A reply to something from your swap partner's profile.

• A proper good bye.

The Rating Requirements

This swap is newbie friendly and unrated users are welcome. However, all participants must have a well filled out profile. I will check. For rated users the minimum requirement is 4.95 with no recent or unexplained 1s and 3s.

To Conclude

I haven't seen any swaps like this one so I have no idea if it's going to catch on. I'm curious to see how it goes. For those who join: have fun!

P.S. Should less than 5 people join I'll change the number of swap partners so we can still go through with this swap.