lettersthe

lettersthe is a collaborative online publication and archive focused on epistolary writing and letter culture. It publishes letters, accompanying commentary, and occasional prose written in letter form, and maintains a digitized archive of historical letters.

The site hosts open submissions, themed rounds, and curator-led features. Each entry includes metadata and accessibility options such as transcripts and translations where possible.

Founded in 2020 by a coalition of writers, librarians, and educators, lettersthe is operated by a nonprofit collective; funding comes from grants, donations, and partnerships with libraries and universities. The editorial board features rotating editors-in-residence to expand perspectives and expertise.

The platform emphasizes consent and privacy of correspondents, with licensing under Creative Commons where appropriate. Authors retain rights but grant non-commercial use for publication on the site and in affiliated materials; content is moderated to prevent harassment and to uphold ethical standards in epistolary writing.

Reception within literary communities has been positive, with lettersthe regarded as a supportive space for diverse voices and cross-cultural exchange. It is used in some literature and rhetoric courses and has been cited by scholars studying epistolary traditions, while remaining a niche but growing resource for readers and writers interested in the letter as a form.