About The Pen Pal Club & The Vancouver Poetry Swap

The Origin Story—

2024 was a big learning year for me. I realized community was something I both feared and deeply craved. Stepping out of my shell and into community-focused events, workshops, and spaces (whether it was poetry readings, drag bingo, or queer dodgeball) led to some beautiful revelations—self-acceptance, love, and all that gushy stuff people always talk about. Shout out to my therapist. You rock, don’t ever change.

That shift—the mix of belonging, curiosity, and playfulness—is what led me to start The Pen Pal Club and The Vancouver Poetry Swap. Both came from a longing to feel understood by others. Anonymity has a way of pulling out our most genuine, vulnerable guts, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted: to scrap small talk and social niceties in favour of deliciously stimulating, unadulterated conversation. Releasing the words stuck on the tip of your tongue and savouring that sweet aftertaste of unpasteurized connection with another human being. The kind of conversations that leave you feeling a little lighter, a little more excited about life.

This is a space for respect, compassion, and thoughtful listening—not for performative opinions or harmful rhetoric. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in immediate removal from the club(s).

In a world that often feels uncertain and unsafe, I want to create spaces where vulnerability is welcomed and kindness is the norm. Because when we create space to be truly seen and understood, we create space for real connection—for love, for tenderness, for community.

The Pen Pal Club

Here’s how it works:

  1. Fill out the Sign-up Form and Pen Pal Pairing Quiz.

  2. I’ll match you with a pen pal based on your quiz answers.

  3. Once matched, I’ll give you your pen pal’s first name and the Pen Pal Club’s mailbox address. To keep things fun and anonymous, I’ll assign a special word to each match (ex, "Sunflower," "Starlight"). When mailing letters, label the envelope with your pen pal’s first name and your special word (ex, Harriet Starlight). This helps me, the organizer, forward the letters correctly.

  4. Start writing! Send your letters to the Pen Pal Club’s mailbox. Letters are collected on the 1st of each month and forwarded—sealed and unopened—to your pen pal.

More details:

  • Personal home addresses are never shared—everything goes through my mailbox.

  • It’s free to join. Just cover your own postage.

  • Small, flat items like stickers or postcards are fine, but no bulky items.

  • If your pen pal stops responding, let me know, and I’ll rematch you.

  • No deadlines—whatever’s in the mailbox on the 1st gets sent out.

The Vancouver Poetry Swap

How it works:

  1. Subscribe
    Sign up to join the Vancouver Poetry Swap.

  2. Send in your poems
    Submit up to three poems (new or old, published or unpublished) by email or mail.
    • Email: PDF or Word doc in an easy-to-read font
    • Mail: Handwritten or illustrated is welcome—just make sure it’s legible!

  3. Include your info
    Be sure to add your name, social handles (optional), and mailing address so you can receive your bundle. You’re also welcome to remain anonymous—just let us know.

  4. Receive your poetry bundle
    Every two months, all submitted poems are photocopied, bundled, and mailed out to everyone who contributed.

Next deadline: August 15th. Poetry bundles go out in September.