What I Meant to Tell You — Submission FAQ
Is there a fee to submit?
No
What is this anthology?
What I Meant to Tell You: An Anthology of Apologies and Gratitudes to the Natural World is a collection of letters addressed to the natural world. Each piece is written directly to something in nature, a tree, a river, the ocean, a season, a mountain, an animal, a garden, anything you'd speak to if it could listen — an apology, a gratitude, or both in the same letter. The letter form and the natural addressee are the foundation of the whole collection.
This is not an anthology of nature writing in general, essays about nature, or poems. It's letters, written to nature.
Only handwritten submissions are eligible for inclusion in the printed anthology. Typed submissions are welcome and will be included in the online archive.
How do I start my letter?
Start the way you'd start any letter, with "Dear [tree, river, ocean, moon, whatever you're writing to]." From there, write to it the way you'd write to a person. Tell it what you noticed. Tell it what you never said out loud. Say sorry, say thank you, or both. Tell it what it's meant to you, or what you wish it knew. The letter should be addressed to and speaking with the natural world throughout, not just mentioning nature along the way.
If you're stuck, think about a specific place, moment, or living thing, not nature in the abstract, and write to that one thing.
Is there a length limit?
Two 6x9" pages (roughly 500-600 words, depending on illustration) is the maximum for consideration in the printed book. Shorter is completely fine, there's no minimum. Letters that run longer than two pages may be considered for excerpting or included the archive.
Does it have to be illustrated?
Not at all. Illustration is welcome but not required.
Can I submit a poem?
No. This collection is letters, not poems. If your piece is closer in form to a poem than a letter, it isn't the right fit here.
What's the deadline?
It must be postmarked by October 9, 2026. This means you the last day to mail it out is Oct. 9th.
Can I use a pen name or alternate credit?
Yes. There's a space on the submission form to indicate a pen name, and we'll use that name in the book and any related materials.
Can I submit a letter in a language other than English?
Yes. Letters in other languages are welcome, with an English translation included.
Do I have to mail my letter?
Mail is preferred as it is part of the essence and theme of this anthology. Email is available as a last resort for contributors without postal access or for whom postage is a barrier, send a photo of your letter, or a typed version.
Is there an age limit?
All ages are welcome and encouraged. If your letter is selected for the printed anthology and you are under 18, we'll ask for a parent or guardian's consent before publication.
Can I submit more than one letter?
Yes, but there's no guarantee all of them will end up in the printed anthology.
Will I receive a free physical copy or royalties if my letter is published?
The Verdancy Project is a small grassroots initiative. What I Meant to Tell You is a community-driven project with potentially hundreds of global contributors, so we are unable to offer royalties or free physical books. Printing and international shipping costs would quickly make the project unsustainable. However, everyone selected for the printed anthology will receive a beautiful, free digital edition of the book. The physical book will also be kept at a very low, accessible price point (under $20) so that anyone who wishes to own a print copy can easily do so.
Rights & compensation
You keep copyright. We publish your submission for this project only, the anthology, the archive, and related promotion, never for merchandise or resale without asking you first. This is a non-paying, volunteer project: no payment or royalties. Contributors in the printed anthology receive a complimentary digital copy of the full book; contributors in the online archive receive access to and credit in the archive.
How do I submit?
Write your letter.
Mail to:
The Verdancy Project,
30310 SE Division Dr,
Troutdale, OR 97060
USA
or email info@verdancyproject.com — by Oct 9, 2026