Letters Now Sent, Volume II

Letters Now Sent, Volume II is an invitation to reflect on place(s)/location(s) we once called home (or still do, from afar), that shaped our story or personal journey in some way, or was transformative to the way we move through the world. This project is for anyone who has left a place or location that shaped them in some meaningful way. International mobility is not a prerequisite, but a plus!

For this collection, we invite you to write a letter to a location — a city, town, country, park, forest, ocean, school or place — an airport, cafe, library, or house—anywhere that holds part of your story.

Choose a location or place that was a defining element in your life that shaped your experiences, relationships, memories, and/or behaviors. Share what made it impactful in your life, along with what feelings it elicited from you then and now.

Share what you miss, what formed you, or what you continue to carry with you. Share why that place is significant to you and to your story. Share a specific event that happened there or how you continue to celebrate that place.

Write from personal experience, with honesty and nuance. Please avoid generalities or cultural stereotypes; this is a space for authentic, individual reflection. This writing is a space for you to tell the readers about why that place is foundational to you and to your story.

A review team will read each submission with care and may offer comments or editing suggestions to ensure clarity and resonance. You will have one month to make all the edits and resubmit the revised version. Selected letters will be included in Letters Now Sent, Volume II.

This project especially welcomes voices from Third Culture Kids (TCKs), Cross-Cultural Kids (CCKs), immigrants, expats, and anyone whose understanding of home spans more than one location. International mobility is not a prerequisite, but a plus!

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Please note:

  • All submissions must be human written. AI generated submissions will not be accepted. We will be using a tool to detect any AI generated language.

  • You can write in a language other than English. An English translation will be provided only if you include it. Readers will be instructed to use Google Translate to read your letter if it's in a language they don't know. This is the same instruction we provided in Letters Now Sent, Volume 1.

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Suggestions for writing (please note: you do not have to follow this structure or a “typical” letter format):

Structure Suggestions:

  • Orient the reader:

    • For example:

      • Dear [Country/City/Town/State/Province/Airport/Cafe/House/Library/any place Name] (e.g., Dear India, Dear Paris, Dear Haiti, Dear Dulles International Airport, Dear Starbucks in Vienna, Dear Local Library, Dear House on Main Street…);

      • Dear younger self in _____ [country/library/apartment loft]

      • I’m writing from…..

      • To _______________ that taught me/shaped me/

      • [______] is important to me because….

  • Explain why the place is an important part of your story:

    • Reflect on personal interaction with the place’s history, culture, traditions, events. Was there a certain celebration or event that shaped you there? That you continue to celebrate?

    • Share your feelings or observations about why this place is important to you.

    • Pose questions or offer hopes for the future.

  • Closing: May be poetic (With Hope, Forever Connected, With Gratitude, Wishing Peace for People Living there now…..etc.)

Tips:

Ready to submit? Please fill out this Google Form completely and note the timeline below:

  • Submissions are welcome on an ongoing basis! We will adjust the timeline below based on submissions received.

  • Please note that submission does not guarantee publication. While we are committed to providing thoughtful review and feedback on each piece, not all submissions will ultimately be included in Letters Now Sent, Volume 2. Final selections will be made following the editorial review process and will be based on the overall goals, themes, and space available within the collection.