I've never done this before. Need help.

[mintygreen]

Hi everyone. I just registered. I looked through some of the topics here but I do have some questions.

I only have one autograph from an actor I met in person. I've never tried to mail anyone for an autograph or to send fan mail or anything. Since I've never done this before, I'm more afraid of doing something wrong.

I don't really plan to start collecting a lot of celebrity autographs. I only want to slowly get the autographs of a few of my favourite celebrities. Steve Buscemi, Matt Frewer, Rhys Ifans, Robert Englund, and a few others.

If I don't have to send them a picture to be signed and they have their own picture to send back signed, do I have to include the envelope(how do I know what size envelope to include though since I won't know the size of the signed photo they'll send back?)

Do I have to pay for anything other than return postage?

If I like a particular role they did in a specific movie/TV show, can I request a signed photo from that movie/TV show or not?

Is it also possible to include a letter to them? It's probably the only way I'll ever be able to say anything to these people, since I doubt I'll ever get to meet any of them.

Are they likely to read anything I send them though? If not, then there won't be any point in me writing any kind of letter. I mean, I'm not offended if they don't read it, since I'm well aware that celebs probably get TONS of letters to the point where it'd really be humanly impossible for them to read all of them not to mention they don't know me, I'm a stranger. They really don't owe me anything. It's like how when I've seen some celebs at some conventions I've gone to, I don't expect them to stop and talk to me. If they did that to every fan who wants to talk to them, they'd probably never get anything done, nor are they obligated to talk to anyone, especially random people they don't even know. I can also always understand their security measures because I'm sure they know that most of us fans aren't people that would actually harm them or stalk them....but when you are famous and have tons of fans, there is going to be one that's crazy and you don't know who that fan is....so they have to guard against all of us naturally.

I live in Canada, which might somewhat complicate things.

[kimmylee]

Hi everyone. I just registered. I looked through some of the topics here but I do have some questions.

I only have one autograph from an actor I met in person. I've never tried to mail anyone for an autograph or to send fan mail or anything. Since I've never done this before, I'm more afraid of doing something wrong.

I don't really plan to start collecting a lot of celebrity autographs. I only want to slowly get the autographs of a few of my favourite celebrities. Steve Buscemi, Matt Frewer, Rhys Ifans, Robert Englund, and a few others.

If I don't have to send them a picture to be signed and they have their own picture to send back signed, do I have to include the envelope(how do I know what size envelope to include though since I won't know the size of the signed photo they'll send back?)
Yes you do need to include an envelope with your address and return postage. Most have pictures of different sizes- as a rough guide 10x8's are standard in the US and 6x4's or smaller in the UK.

Do I have to pay for anything other than return postage?
Apart from postage to the celeb, no.

If I like a particular role they did in a specific movie/TV show, can I request a signed photo from that movie/TV show or not?
You are entirely free to do so

Is it also possible to include a letter to them? It's probably the only way I'll ever be able to say anything to these people, since I doubt I'll ever get to meet any of them.
Generally when asking for an autograph you send a "letter of request". The celebs/ their staff need to know what it is you're asking for, if you don't write it down they won't know.

Are they likely to read anything I send them though? If not, then there won't be any point in me writing any kind of letter. I mean, I'm not offended if they don't read it, since I'm well aware that celebs probably get TONS of letters to the point where it'd really be humanly impossible for them to read all of them not to mention they don't know me, I'm a stranger. They really don't owe me anything. It's like how when I've seen some celebs at some conventions I've gone to, I don't expect them to stop and talk to me. If they did that to every fan who wants to talk to them, they'd probably never get anything done, nor are they obligated to talk to anyone, especially random people they don't even know. I can also always understand their security measures because I'm sure they know that most of us fans aren't people that would actually harm them or stalk them....but when you are famous and have tons of fans, there is going to be one that's crazy and you don't know who that fan is....so they have to guard against all of us naturally.

No way of knowing for each celeb i'm afraid.

I live in Canada, which might somewhat complicate things.
Not at all, once you source correct return postage and learn the pricing system, International Mail is really, really easy.

My comments in bold

[evenstar5]

If I don't have to send them a picture to be signed and they have their own picture to send back signed, do I have to include the envelope(how do I know what size envelope to include though since I won't know the size of the signed photo they'll send back?) I always send an 8x10 photo. Of course this requires a 9x11 self addressed return envelope enclosed in an 11x13 envelope. I also send along a letter of request.

Do I have to pay for anything other than return postage? Just the postage on the return envelope, the postage to mail the package out and the cost of the photo.

If I like a particular role they did in a specific movie/TV show, can I request a signed photo from that movie/TV show or not? If you send to them via venue, they'll probably send whatever head shots they have available with them. Try to send your own photo though.

Are they likely to read anything I send them though? If not, then there won't be any point in me writing any kind of letter. I mean, I'm not offended if they don't read it, since I'm well aware that celebs probably get TONS of letters to the point where it'd really be humanly impossible for them to read all of them not to mention they don't know me, I'm a stranger. They really don't owe me anything. I always write my letter of requests like the celebrity is actually going to read it themselves. If they don't then that's ok, I'll never know anyway.

I live in Canada, which might somewhat complicate things.

It shouldn't be since a lot of movies are filmed in Canada! You'll probably be able to obtain quite a few signatures for people via venue as they are filming. That way, you can just use Canadian postage for both envelopes.

Good luck to you! I just started collecting in March of this year and already received 3 autographs back! It definitely makes checking the mail more fun. ;)

[mintygreen]

Thanks for the help so far guys although I am still wondering....

The international reply coupons....do they vary in price depending on the size of the envelope?

I honestly hardly ever mail anything, and normally when I do I'm just sending something to a relative and don't need to figure out any of this stuff since that never involves them sending anything back.

[kimmylee]

When you buy IRC's in Canada they are a fixed price.

They have different redemption values depending on the country they are redeemed in.

As a rough guide each IRC can be redeemed for the minimum cost of an Airmail letter.

In the UK this is £0.88 & $1.10 in the US.

Honestly, once you get familiar with the process and prices International Mail is really easy