The Sunday Letter Project
Write more. Connect deeper. One letter every Sunday.
Johnson's Literary Depot is a proud Letter-Keeper for
The Sunday Letter Project — a home for handwritten letters, slow conversation, and the simple joy of pen on paper.
Free to join • Ask us in store
What is The Sunday Letter Project?
The world has never been more connected, yet somehow it can feel more disconnected than ever. The Sunday Letter Project is a gentle answer to that: a writing initiative that invites you to reclaim pen and paper and write one letter every Sunday.
It began with a phrase heard again and again in an independent stationery shop: “It's such a shame that no one writes letters any more.” So the founders made a simple promise possible — a free pledge to write one letter each Sunday.
That letter can go to anyone: a friend, a family member, your future self, a care home, or a brand-new pen pal you've never met.
As your local Letter-Keeper, Johnson's Literary Depot acts as a friendly “P.O. box” for the project. You can take part fully privately. Your letters come to us, so you never have to share your home address.
Three ways to take part
1. Sign the Sunday pledge
The heart of the project. Make a free promise to yourself to write one letter every Sunday to anyone at all. No pen-pal required, no cost, no pressure. Some people write letters they'll never send: reflections, notes to their future self, or words for someone they miss.
2. Find a pen-pal through our shop
Want a new correspondent? Write an introductory letter and send it, shop to shop, to another LetterKeeper on the Sunday Pals map. Replies come back to us and we'll keep them safe until you pop in to collect. It's a lovely reason to visit and a small thrill every time a letter arrives.
3. Join our local basket
Prefer to keep it close to home? We host a community basket for local letters, a simple way for neighbors, generations, and nearby care homes to connect without any postage. Sign with just a first name and perhaps a little description, like “from a keen gardener.”
How to find a pen-pal
It's simple, and we're always happy to walk you through it in-store.
1. Write an introductory letter to your future pen-pal. Share your first name (or a pseudonym), roughly where you're from, why the project drew you in, a few things that bring you joy, and how often you'd love to write.
2. Choose another shop on the Sunday Pals map and address your envelope “Dear Pen-pal.” On the back, write your name and our address as the return address:
Return Address:
Your name or pseudonym
Johnson's Literary Depot
333 E Main Street
Johnson City, TN 37601
3. Pop a normal stamp on it and post it from any postbox or post office near you.
4. Your letter lands in the other shop's introductory basket, where someone looking for a pen-pal may choose to write back to you.
5. Their reply comes home to us. We'll keep it safe behind the counter until you come in to collect it. This is meant to be a slow, unhurried pleasure. We'd suggest giving it a couple of weeks before checking in and no more than once a week after that. Good things are worth the wait.
Do I have to write every Sunday?
Not at all. The Sunday pledge is a promise to yourself, and life happens. Write when it feels right. You certainly don't need to write to a pen-pal every week. You and your pen-pal can agree on a rhythm that suits you both.
Can I join without finding a pen-pal?
Absolutely. Many people love the project purely as a personal weekly writing ritual. The pen-pal network is optional.
Is there a cost?
No, taking part here is completely free, and so is signing the pledge online. We simply hope you'll enjoy browsing our shelves while you're in. If you'd like beautiful paper to write on, we're always happy to help you find some.
Can I write anonymously?
Yes. We'd just encourage at least a first name, initials, or a pseudonym so the exchange still feels human.
What if I don't get a reply?
Sometimes letters wander, and sometimes they simply rest. We'd suggest waiting at least a month before sending one gentle follow-up. If there's still no reply, let that exchange rest and choose another from the basket. The act of writing is the heart of it.
Can I stop whenever I like?
Of course. You can pause or step away at any time. Write a kind final note if you'd like to, or simply let it rest. This is meant to feel gentle, never a commitment.
Can children take part?
The public pen-pal network is for adults aged 18 and over. Children are warmly welcome to join the wider Sunday Letter Project by writing to people they already know, like grandparents, cousins, or family friends.
Frequently asked questions
A few gentle rules
Just enough to keep everyone safe and the experience kind for all:
Please don't share social media handles, phone numbers, or other personal contact details. If you'd like another way to stay in touch, an email address is best.
Write in a spirit of kindness, respect, and good faith.
Please don't send money or anything of significant value through the network.
Each writer posts their own letters; we act as a friendly collection and drop-off point.
A note of good sense: all letters are sent at your own discretion. The Sunday Letter Project and our shop act only as facilitators, and aren't responsible for the content of individual letters.
“A handwritten letter is a quiet rebellion against a fast and forgetful world. It says. ‘I slowed down for you.’ Each stroke of the pen is a gesture of care, a whisper of presence, a way of saying, ‘You matter enough for this.’”
Ready to write your first letter?
Come and see us at Johnson's Literary Depot. We'll help you get started, point you to lovely paper, and share in the excitement when your first reply arrives. We can't wait to keep your letters for you.