Call for Letters for What I Meant to Tell You Anthology [Free; All Ages; Publication Opportunity]: Submit by Oct 9

The Verdancy Project and Verdant Publishing are inviting letters addressed directly to the natural world for What I Meant to Tell You: An Anthology of Apologies and Gratitudes to the Natural World. Participation is free and open worldwide to people of all ages. Entries must be postmarked by October 9, 2026.

About The Verdancy Project

The Verdancy Project is a multidisciplinary, nature-based artist residency and creative community located in Troutdale, Oregon, USA. It organises programmes connecting art, nature, science and community participation.

About Verdant Publishing

Verdant Publishing supports artists, writers and interdisciplinary storytellers whose work engages with nature, ecology, personal transformation and community.

About the Anthology

What I Meant to Tell You is a participatory anthology of letters, notes and postcards addressed directly to the natural world.

Contributors may write an apology, an expression of gratitude or both to a species, landscape, body of water, tree, insect, season, garden, mountain, animal, place or anything living or once-living.

The anthology, curated by Shannon Amidon, is scheduled to be printed and distributed worldwide by Verdant Publishing in February 2027.

Who Can Submit?

Submissions are open worldwide.
People of all ages may participate.
No writing or art experience is required.
Individuals, classrooms, book clubs, scout groups and other communities may participate.
Contributors under 18 will require permission from a parent or guardian if their work is selected for the printed anthology.
Multiple letters may be submitted, although all may not be selected for print.

Submission Theme

The submission must be written as a letter directly addressing something in nature.

Examples of possible addressees include:

A river or ocean
A tree or forest
A mountain or landscape
An animal, bird or insect
A threatened species
A season
A garden or childhood place
Anything living or once-living in the natural world

The submission should be a letter, note or postcard—not a general nature essay or poem. Illustrations and sketches may be included but are not compulsory.

Entry Fee

There is no submission fee.

Contributors mailing physical letters will need to bear the applicable postage cost. Email submission is available as a last resort for people without postal access or for whom postage is a barrier.

Publication and Benefits

Every eligible submission will be included in the project:

A curated selection of handwritten letters will appear in the printed anthology.
Other eligible submissions will be included in the public online archive.
Contributors will be informed of their publication placement by December 15, 2026.
Contributors selected for the printed anthology will receive a complimentary digital edition of the complete book.
Contributors included in the online archive will receive access to and credit in the archive.
Contributors mailing their letters will receive a confirmation postcard after the submission arrives.

This is a non-paying, volunteer project. Contributors will not receive payment, royalties or a complimentary physical copy.

Length Limit

For consideration in the printed anthology, submissions should not exceed:

Two pages measuring approximately 6 × 9 inches; or
Approximately 500–600 words, depending on any accompanying illustration.

There is no minimum length. Longer submissions may be excerpted or included in the online archive.

Language

Letters in languages other than English are accepted, but an English translation must be included.

Contributors may use a pen name or alternate name for publication and credit.

Rights and Copyright

Contributors retain copyright over their work.

The Verdancy Project and Verdant Publishing receive a non-exclusive licence to use the submission only for:

The printed anthology
The public online archive
Promotion connected with the project

The work will not be used for merchandise, resale or an unrelated purpose without separately contacting the contributor.

How to Submit?

Applicants must complete the following steps:

Fill out the digital submission form. The form collects contributor information and publication permissions.
Write the letter, note or postcard.
Mail the handwritten submission to:

The Verdancy Project
30310 SE Division Dr
Troutdale, OR 97060
USA

The submission must be postmarked by October 9, 2026.

Email is available only as an alternative for contributors without postal access or for whom postage is a barrier. Such contributors may email a photograph of their handwritten letter or a typed version to info@verdancyproject.com.

Submission Deadline

Mailed submissions must be postmarked by October 9, 2026.

Email submissions should also be sent by October 9, 2026.

Submission Guidelines

Address the letter directly to something in the natural world.
Write an apology, an expression of gratitude or both.
Essays about nature and poems are not accepted.
Handwritten letters, notes and postcards are preferred.
Only handwritten submissions are eligible for the printed anthology.
Typed submissions are welcome for inclusion in the online archive.
An illustration or sketch may be included but is not required.
Complete the digital submission form in addition to sending the letter.
Keep print submissions within two 6 × 9-inch pages or approximately 500–600 words.
Include an English translation when submitting in another language.
Contributors may submit more than one letter.
Contributors under 18 will need parental or guardian consent if selected for print publication.