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Would anyone be up to post maybe an example of exactly what they send in their letters? like I don't know exactly how to ask for a autographed picture without being rude. any help would be great

Generally, this is what I write...for say John Travolta...

Mr Travolta,

I hope this letter finds you well! I have been a big fan for years (my favorite movie is X or you were great in Y), I was hoping you would do me the kindness of signing the enclosed photo for me.

"To Bob" would be awesome if you don't mind personalizing it.

Hope 2010 brings continued success.

Yours,
Bob

Short...simple...to the point.

While I won't reveal the contents of my typical letter (which I hope is unique and personal) I will let you know what the typical structure is: A three paragraph letter in which the first paragraph is something about you, the second paragraph is something about them, and the third is where you request an autograph and thank them for their time. That's what I use and it fits all on one side of a page, hand written. Just remember, you probably aren't telling them anything about themselves that they don't already know, so don't sweat it out trying to write the perfect letter.

thatguyalex wrote:Generally, this is what I write...for say John Travolta...

Mr Travolta,

I hope this letter finds you well! I have been a big fan for years (my favorite movie is X or you were great in Y), I was hoping you would do me the kindness of signing the enclosed photo for me.

"To Bob" would be awesome if you don't mind personalizing it.

Hope 2010 brings continued success.

Yours,
Bob

Short...simple...to the point.

If that works I have been wasting so much of my time. I write a minimum of the front page in handwriting; minimum 3 paragraphs.

I hear others say they write really short letters too. I would love to but I fear a letter of such limited commitment would yield me a much lower success rate.

chriscollector wrote:I hear others say they write really short letters too. I would love to but I fear a letter of such limited commitment would yield me a much lower success rate.

I'll guarantee you it would. The simple two- or three-line letter would be tossed into the trash by the majority of celebs and athletes.

i dont write short letters....i think that if you write more things and things that are personal then they will like that more..and the things that i do say are true and personal so i would NEVER want them to think "..oh he just wants a signed photo" cause thats not the case so i wouldnt display my letters eithers...i would give ideas like:

tell them what your favorite movie or song of theirs is...
if they inspire you, tell them why
future plans in the comming years..
blah blah blah...

Part One: about
part two: why you "love" them
part three: the signed photo

easy as pie!

its not hard..act like your writing to a pen pal (someone you have never met before..ya know..) then @ the end nicely ask if they can sign a photo for you...

My letters are always at least 1 page and always have information about myself. There never just 2 lines saying can I have an autograph... I just don't think that would work to often

What happens is a secretary or PA lines up the stuff and the celeb signs a bunch in a row (the PA will put a post-it with the name of person to be signed to so the celeb gets it right)...and the PA then deals with all the envelopes/mailing.

I get pretty much all my fanmail back signed with my three line letters.

However, free country, if you feel a celeb "cares" about your note before making a decision about signing (they don't) feel free...

p.s. my sister is a production co-ordinator and so I get this from somebody who sees it every day (and used to when she was a PA)

So...and not to be mean...I just called my sister...

She said "In ten years I have yet to see a celebrity ever read a fan letter. At the end of a show or film season, the celeb is fed a huge pile of stuff to sign and the PA re-assembles it to send it back".

So...sorry to burst your bubble...but for the most part...all they need is the name of the person to sign it for.

However, believe what you will.

I never write any personal stuff about myself. Only why I am a fan of the person I write to + an autograph request, but the letter is always at least 1 page long. Never shorter.