---
title: What I Meant to Tell You
description: Anthology call for letters of gratitude or apology to the natural world, from The Verdancy Project, Troutdale, OR.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/647ed875-1642-4e80-8697-6011c5e5a53f
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-09-29"
updatedAt: "2026-10-11"
programType: Open call
organization: The Verdancy Project
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/verdancy-project
deadline: "2026-10-09"
location: Troutdale, OR, United States
isOnline: false
disciplines:
  - writing
  - literature
  - illustration
---

# What I Meant to Tell You

**Hosted by:** The Verdancy Project

**Type:** Open call | **Location:** Troutdale, OR, United States | **Deadline:** October 9, 2026

## About This Program

> "An Anthology of Gratitude and Apologies to the Living World"

An Anthology of Gratitude and Apologies to the Living World

Curated by Shannon Amidon – Verdant Publishing

The Verdancy Project and Verdant Publishing invite submissions for What I Meant to Tell You, a participatory anthology of letters and notes addressed to any element of the natural world. The anthology will be published in February 2027 – International letter writing month

We are seeking words of gratitude, apology or both to a species, a landscape, a body of water, a single tree, an insect, a season, a place, or any living or once-living thing. A letter, or illustrated letter with a sketch or artwork, feel free to get creative. No writing or art experience required, submissions are welcome from all ages and all places as long as they are sent through the mail.

### Guidelines

Submissions can be handwritten or typed and printed and must be postmarked by October 9, 2026. Contributors must also complete a digital submission form, which handles permissions.

Letters written in languages other than English are welcome with an English translation included. For contributors under 18, a parent or guardian signature is required on the submission form.

Every submission will be included in this project. A curated selection will appear in the printed book; the rest will be featured in the online public archive. Contributors will be notified by December 15, 2026 whether their submission will appear in the printed anthology or in the online archive.

Contributors retain copyright. The Verdancy Project and Verdant Publishing hold a non-exclusive license to publish submissions in print and/or digitally. This license is limited to publishing and promoting What I Meant to Tell You, including the printed anthology, the online archive, and related promotional materials (such as social media posts and press coverage about the project). We will not use your submission for merchandise, products for sale, or any purpose outside this project without contacting you first for separate permission. Not every letter will appear in the printed anthology, some will be featured in The Verdancy Project's public online archive instead. Contributors selected for the printed book receive a complimentary digital copy of the anthology.

### How to Submit

- Visit the submission form and fill it out
- Write, type, illustrate, or create your letter
- Mail it to: The Verdancy Project 30310 SE Division DR. Troutdale, OR 97060 by Oct. 9, 2026

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** International
- **Disciplines:** writing, literature, illustration
- **Note:** No writing or art experience required.

Submissions are welcome from all ages and all places as long as they are sent through the mail. For contributors under 18, a parent or guardian signature is required on the submission form. Only handwritten submissions are eligible for inclusion in the printed anthology; typed submissions are welcome and will be included in the online archive.

### Additional Requirements

- A letter, postcard, note, or illustrated letter with a sketch, addressed directly to a species, landscape, body of water, tree, insect, season, place, or any living or once-living thing
- Complete the digital submission form (handles permissions)
- Mail your letter, postmarked by October 9, 2026 (email accepted only as a last resort for those without postal access)
- For contributors under 18, a parent or guardian signature is required on the submission form

## Compensation & Benefits

This is a non-paying, participatory anthology. Contributors will not receive payment or royalties. Contributors selected for the printed book receive a complimentary digital copy of the anthology.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** September 29, 2026
- **Deadline:** October 9, 2026

## Contact

**Email:** info@verdancyproject.com

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScgcNVQNtNH9YTHcd-wbWjl_iVqb3swzK-IuokHhPwthyoiOw/viewform