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Today I wanted to tell you about Unsent Letters. If you've ever had something to say to someone and you just can't say it or maybe it would just be impolite to, now is your chance. If you've never been published in print and you want to, this may be just what you're looking for. Unsent Letters is a blog that also includes some work that will be in print sometime in the spring of next year. The book itself will be an anthology.

I have to tell you that I found this to be a great site, not just for me to submit work to, but for me to find inspiration as I read letters that are heartfelt and full of things that most of us have experienced and may felt alone in. This is in fact that source of my first print publication. You can read my letter here.

I thought this would be a particularly good site to point out simply because during the holiday season emotions tend to run so high. As a writer, I know I am sometimes distracted by my own emotions and thought some of you may be as well. This is the perfect opportunity to express them as you move your writing career forward.

Writer's Guidelines for Unsent Letters
Thank you for your interest in writing for Unsent Letters. Unsent Letters is both a print anthology collection of our best Unsent Letters and a weblog (blog) of Unsent Letters sent in by our favorite readers.

The Nitty

You do not have to be a professional writer to submit to Unsent Letters, but we do ask that you follow a few simple submission guidelines.

All submissions must be from persons age 18 or older, no exceptions.

The Gritty

Unsent Letters are letters, and as such, should be written in letter format, as though personally written to another person. It is not necessary to start the letter with "Dear so and so," as long as the letter is clearly written from one person to another.

It is acceptable to write the letter to more than one person; for example: your children, your parents, etc. but we would like to do most letters to one specific person. We prefer the letter be 'true', but you are welcome to change names or locations as necessary. If the story is compelling fiction, as long as it meets the guidelines, we're okay with that too, as long as it feels real to the reader. It's the emotional connection the reader can find with you, the writer, that we're looking for.

Important Stuff

All letters should be properly written, using solid English grammar, American spelling, and proper punctuation. Slang is acceptable, as are curse words, where applicable, and adult themes are acceptable too, provided they belong in the context of the letter.

Letters should be signed by the writer, but you don't have to sign it with your real name. Think along the lines of Dear Abby signatures that match the context of the letter. If you prefer, you can sign it with only your first name, or a fake name.

Privacy is Respected

Writers who wish to remain anonymous to the public can; however, when submitting your letter, you must give us your real legal name so we can send your payment and receive your release to publish your letter. We will keep this information strictly confidential. The release will have a location for putting your pseudonym (pen name) for publication purposes.

Also, it is important to note that if law enforcement contacts us for any reason with the proper paperwork and legal request for information, we MUST provide that information to them.

Pictures are Worth 250 Words

Pictures are welcomed, provided they match the letter and YOU own the copyright to the photograph. Additionally, the photographs cannot show any identifiable faces of person's without a signed consent and release form from the person. Additional compensation may be provided for photographic submission only when they are sent along with a letter submission.

Verbosity

Letters can be between 250 - 5,000 words. No exceptions on word length.

Payment:

Unsent Letters accepted for blog posting, $10-25 per letter, payable within 30 days of publication, usually on the 10th and 25th of each month, or thereabouts. A live link in your byline on the blog when your story publishes will also be included, if you want one.

Unsent Letters accepted for published collection (paperback anthology) $25-250 per letter, depending on length, appeal, current budget, category needs, editor's needs, and how much formatting and editing will be required to make the Unsent Letter publishable.

All Unsent Letters writers chosen for the collection will receive payment ON PUBLICATION or before. Unsent Letters authors will also receive two free copies of the collection in which their letter appears, and discounted author purchase prices for additional copies if they choose to purchase more.

NO PURCHASE OF ANY BOOKS IS NECESSARY, EVER.

It is possible some letters will be accepted for both the blog and the print anthology, and the writer will be compensated separately for each.

The Print Collection

As soon as we have selected enough Unsent Letters to compile for a collection of letters to publish, we will publish the collection through Twin Trinity Publishing Company. This is an ongoing project, and there will be multiple editions of Unsent Letters published. We anticipate six to twelve months to get enough submissions approved to print the first collection, and then hope to do one or two per year thereafter, as well as maintaining an active and frequently updated blog archive too.

Rights

We are asking for first publication print and electronic rights. Rights will revert back to author 12 months after publication, and author may reprint their letter in any form.

While Twin Trinity will hold the copyright on the compilation, author will retain copyright of their individual letter/s. No other rights are transferred.

Response

We do respond to all submissions received. Unfortunately, we cannot accept all letters for publication or promotion on the blog. If your letter is not accepted, we do encourage you to rewrite or write another one and submit. We do not accept multiple submissions. Please wait until you hear from us on your first submission before you submit another. Remember, it might take between 2-8 weeks to issue a response or purchase your letter. Please be patient during this waiting period.

If you're still interested in submitting to Unsent Letters, please read our submissions page for formatting and submission details.

Best to you, and thank you for considering Unsent Letters.

Writing Opportunity: Unsent Letters