Each night, President Obama opens a purple folder filled with ten letters chosen by his staff among the thousands received each day at the White House. Often, he responds with a handwritten note of his own. On the next Sound of Ideas, we'll visit with Washington Post writer Eli Saslow, author of "Ten Letters: The Stories Americans Tell Their President." And we'll hear from a local letter writer whose note helped guide the president's health care policy.

Eli Saslow, reporter, The Washington Post and author of "Ten Letters"

Natoma Canfield, Medina, Ohio

Allan Peskin, Professor Emeritus, Cleveland State and author of "Garfield"

Margaret Shepherd, author of The Art of the Personal Letter: A Guide to Connecting Through the Written Word