17 Letter Subscription Services
- Kate
- Sep 16
- 10 min read
Updated: Nov 9
Letter subscription services are a unique and exciting way to combine the timeless charm of physical mail with the joy of reading and learning. These services can be divided into two main categories: those that deliver original writing and those that send reproductions of historical letters.
Original and reproduction letter services share these common benefits:
fostering a love for learning
promoting literacy
offering a collectible, tactile experience
providing shared experiences for families
offering thoughtful and unique gift experience
If you want to jump to the numbered list, scroll past my write-up to get to the next section.
Original Writing Letters: Serialized Storytelling in Your Mailbox
For those who love serialized storytelling, original writing letter subscriptions provide a wide variety of genres to read. These services combine the pleasure of receiving mail with the joy of unfolding a story piece by piece, much like serialized novels in magazines or epistolary novels like Dracula (which you can get serialized to your inbox). Such services are perfect for readers who appreciate slow-burn narratives that build suspense and anticipation over time.
Some subscriptions, such as Heritage Letter, specifically cater to home-learning. Heritage Letter offers homeschooling supplies to accompany their historical fiction letters. Many of the services include interactive materials like maps, photographs, or artifacts, enhancing the reading experience and helping younger audiences stay engaged. These short, episodic formats make it easy for children and teenagers to read significant amounts without realizing they’ve covered novella-length material by the end.
The services not created by illustrators are often created by travel writers interested in sharing their passions. Letters from Afar reminds me of Highlights Which Way USA?, a magazine subscription service I had as a kid that involved a map and information about each state in the USA. These services are a great way to supplement children's learning in school. These letter subscription services are shorter than magazines but often the same price. I assume this is because many are small family operations without the same volume of sales as Highlights magazine. The original, detailed artistic work from some of these companies is really impressive and the price surely reflects the cost of their art.
Historical Letter Reproductions: A Window into the Past
For history enthusiasts, letter subscription services that send reproductions of historical letters provide an opportunity to hold a piece of the past in your hands. These reproductions are often designed to look like the original items, complete with period-appropriate illustrations and paper textures. They make history come alive, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the lives and times of historical figures.
If you want to do something like Shakespeare Sonnets for a loved one, to encourage a child's interest in American history, or as a companion to a child's American Girl doll obsession, these all could be great gifts. I certainly would have an enjoyed some Titanic letters to go along with my Samantha doll.
Hot Trend: Puzzle Letters
Puzzle games have become more popular with the rise of escape rooms and board games. Some puzzle games are sold as board games, like The Irregulars for $58. Even without replay value, these puzzle games are still cheaper than an escape room and easier than a murder mystery party that involves every party goer to memorize information and improv act for the puzzle to be successful. There are quite a few companies that will mail puzzle games, such as Hunt-a-Killer, Mysterious Package (aka Curious Correspondence), Detective Mystery Masters, Detective for a Day, and Finders Seekers. The company Puzzling Pursuits mails the game in two parts. The subscription companies listed in the below section are unique in that they mail out the puzzle in multiple parts instead of giving all the letters in 1 or 2 sets. It's truly set-up like an epistolary mystery.
Out of all the different subscription services, the puzzle ones intrigue me the most as you can't skip to the end like an escape room (where you can ask the game master for clues) or any box set or mystery book (where you can skip to the end). Instead, you must wait a week or two for the next letter to arrive to have the next clue.
Bringing Back the Charm of Letters
In today’s increasingly digital world, letter subscription services remind us of the beauty and personal touch of receiving a physical letter. They provide a refreshing break from the fast-paced, screen-filled lives we lead and offer a moment of connection, curiosity, and joy. It's fun to see how we went from Sherlock Holmes serialized in The Strand Magazine, to Andy Weir serializing The Martian in blog posts, to Cozy Letter Club and Scare Mail where the authors admit they are books serialized in letter form. This form of reading has merged the modern and the historical.
Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of fiction, or simply someone who enjoys the thrill of receiving mail, letter subscription services are an excellent way to enrich your life. With their blend of education, storytelling, and collectability, they’re more than just letters - they’re experiences waiting to be discovered. Please note: I have made this list based on advertisements I keep getting bombarded with - none of these are affiliate links and none of this is an endorsement.
Expand to view more details about 11 Letter Subscription Services you can purchase!
Original Writing - Horror
(1) Scaremail
Topic: Horror mystery, current theme is creepypasta but changes each year.
Audience: Website doesn't specify age-rating, but I assume 16 years and older.
Writer: Primary author is David Viergutz, a published horror author and podcaster.
The Numbers:
12 months / 24 letters - $143
Ship outside the USA for a surcharge.
Original Writing - Mystery, Adventure, & Romance
(2) Dear Holmes
Topic: Victorian mystery told in letters that the reader can try to solve as if you've been hired by Sherlock Holmes, the last letter is the solution.
Audience: Website doesn't specify age-rating, but I assume 12 years and older.
Writer: The mysteries are written by modern Sherlock Holmes authors (their bios) and edited by MX Publishing, the world's largest specialist Sherlock Holmes publisher.
The Numbers:
Roughly receive 1 letter a week where each mystery is 2 letters from Holmes and 3 letters from the client, with some holiday gaps.
3 mysteries / 12 letters - $79
6 mysteries / 24 letters - $129
12 mysteries / 48 letters - $199
They ship internationally with a surcharge.
Other:
Offers auto and manual renew.
Includes access to audio reading the letters out loud, podcast for past cases that one can play, and a drawing for prizes every mystery.
(3) Escape Mail
Topic: Letter based puzzles that are self-contained with an over-arching story. The historical fiction mystery is themed after Eric Shackleton's adventure in the arctic.
Audience: The puzzles and stories are for 12 years and older.
Writer: The founders have experience in marketing, Eric Reynolds and Paul Harvey.
The Numbers:
Can receive 1 letter every week for 12 weeks or 1 letter every other week for 24 weeks.
Modern Mystery - 12 letters - $139.95
Modern Mystery - 1 letter - $12.95
Historical Fiction Mystery - 6 letters - $89.70
Other:
For mystery series, can choose difficult level of standard, expert, or beginner.
They sell the Shackleton historical fiction series as a box set for $79.95.
They have a one-time mystery called "Shinobi: The Ninja Scroll" that looks like it's mailed in a scroll tube, which is a cool departure from modern letters.
(4) Mail Order Mystery
Topic: Historical fiction and modern mystery, letter based puzzles that are self-contained with an over-arching story.
Audience: The puzzles and stories are for 12 years and older.
Writer: The founders have experience in marketing, Eric Reynolds and Paul Harvey.
The Numbers:
Can receive 1 letter every week for 12 weeks or 1 letter every other week for 24 weeks.
Modern Mystery - 12 letters - $139.95
Modern Mystery - 1 letter - $12.95
Historical Fiction - 6 letters - $89.70
Other:
For mystery series, can choose difficult level of standard, expert, or beginner.
They sell the Shackleton historical fiction series as a box set for $79.95.
They have a one-time mystery called "Shinobi: The Ninja Scroll" that looks like it's mailed in a scroll tube, which is a cool departure from modern letters.
(5) Cozy Letter Club
Topic: Supernatural mystery that unfolds as tourist travels Scotland & England.
Audience: Website doesn't specify age-rating, but I assume 12 years and older.
Writer: Author is Alice Briggs, a world traveler and writer.
The Numbers:
2 letters each month for 6 months
6 month / 12 letters - $97
Other:
Can purchase recipes, maps, and journals as well.
I wasn't sure if I put this in "travel" or "mystery" but the author says the book is a mystery book first, while the travel letter companies are much more focused on introducing new locations to children.
(6) Storyville Letters
Topic: 1920s and Victorian England mystery romances told through letters.
Audience: Family-friendly and take inspiration from sources like Enola Holmes.
Writer: Founder is Haley Jackson, a world traveler and Hollywood producer.
The Numbers:
2 letters each month for 12 months for a complete story
1 month / 2 letters - $14.99 (auto-renews)
12 months / 24 letters - $136.89
Ship outside-USA for a surcharge.
(7) Letters by Lanternlight
Topic: Small-town murder mystery ("Murder at Sugar & Spice")
Audience: Family-friendly and take inspiration from sources like Little Women.
Writer: Unknown, this is a new company and some of their art looks AI-generated.
The Numbers:
2 letters each month for 12 months for a complete story
12 months / 24 letters - $167.99
(8) The Flower Letters
Topic: WW2 romance, Regency Romance, Western Adventure, Fantasy Adventure, and Archeology Adventure.
Audience: Family-friendly and take inspiration from sources like Little Women.
Writer: LDS family-run business and primary author is Hannie Clark, a texture artist.
The Numbers:
2 letters each month for 12 months for a complete story
1 month / 2 letters - $14.99 (auto-renews)
12 months / 24 letters - $149.99
Ship outside-USA for a surcharge.
Original Writing - Children's Fantasy
(8) The Flower Letters
Topic: WW2 romance, Regency Romance, Western Adventure, Fantasy Adventure, and Archeology Adventure.
Audience: Family-friendly and take inspiration from sources like Little Women.
Writer: LDS family-run business and primary author is Hannie Clark, a texture artist.
The Numbers:
2 letters each month for 12 months for a complete story
1 month / 2 letters - $14.99 (auto-renews)
12 months / 24 letters - $149.99
Ship outside-USA for a surcharge.
(9) Letters from the Fairies
Topic: Letters as if they're written from a real fairy
Audience: Focused for children, 3 - 12 years-old.
Writer: Founder is Australian fairyologist Zoe Be. Writer and artist is Spaniard Natalia Salvador.
The Numbers:
1 month / 1 letter - $8 (auto-renews)
Birthday letter - 1 month / 1 letter - $16
6 months / 6 letters - $46
12 months / 12 letters - $92
Birthday version - 12 months / 13 letters - $104
Other:
Ship internationally for added fee (they're Australian based).
They encourage children to write-back to the faeries to encourage writing.
(10) The Max Letters
Topic: Children's fantasy stories, two of them follow a fictional Prince Max in his adventures while the other is folktales from Prince Max's royal cook.
Audience: Family-friendly, but geared for children of 6 - 14 years-old.
Writer: David Walker is a retired teacher and these stories started as stories he used to tell his children, who are now adults helping with the business.
The Numbers:
2 letters each month for 12 months for a complete story
12 months / 24 letters - $147
Original Writing - Travel Themed
(11) Letters from Afar
Topic: Original letter related to a travel topic to inspire learning with paper artifacts (like a map), such as illustrated letter on Easter Island with field notes.
Audience: Family-friendly and take inspiration from Isabella Bird's real travel stories.
Writer: Primary author is Shawnee, an artist and world traveler.
The Numbers:
1 month / 1 letter - $7
6 month / 6 letters - $39
12 month / 12 letters - $72
Other:
Offers digital downloads.
(12) Snail Mail Chronicles
Topic: Original letter to inspire learning with paper artifacts (like an image and bookmark), such as a letter about the discovery of Pompeii or Nazca lines.
Audience: Focused for children to inspire learning.
Writer: Primary author is Valerie, a world traveler and miniature artist.
The Numbers:
1 month / 1 letter - $4
6 month / 6 letters - $19
12 month / 12 letters - $38
Other:
Digital download versions offered.
(13) Heritage Letter
Topic: Heritage Letter offers 2 packages: one is original letters written from the perspective of different American historical figures with paper artifacts (like an image and map) and the other is original letters written by a fictional character visiting different American national parks.
Audience: Focused for children and home-learning families to inspire learning.
Writer: Christian family-run business and primary author is Julie, a homeschool educator.
The Numbers:
1 month / 1 letter - $6
3 months / 3 letters - $17.40
6 months / 6 letters - $34.50
12 months / 12 letters - $66
Other:
All packages auto-renew
Ship outside-USA for a surcharge.
Digital download versions offered.
Have a store where can by specific letters, art, and home-school material.
Historical Reproduction - Letter Subscription Services
(14) History by Mail
Topic: Reproduction letters from famous people such as George Washington and Annie Oakley. Each letter contains a document with context.
Audience: Family-friendly but geared towards students and adults.
Writer: Founder is Ari Siegel, a historian enthusiast.
The Numbers:
1 month / 1 letter - $8.99
6 months / 6 letters - $52.75
12 months / 12 letters - $107.88
24 months / 24 letters - $217
Ship outside-USA for a surcharge.
Other:
Products are also posted on Uncommon Goods for purchase which features this amazing recipes by mail to cook through history, 6 months / 6 letters for $42.
They have a shop that haves letters as one-offs or bundles, along with specialty re-prints and posters. Their online store is a full reproduction store, which makes them different from other subscription companies which are often subscription-only.
(15) Historic Mail
Topic: Reproduction letters from famous people such as George Washington and Harriet Tubman. Each letter contains a printed version for easier reading and context.
Audience: Family-friendly but geared towards students and adults.
Writer: Founder is unknown, but Letter Joy accuses them of being owned by a Hong Kong private equity firm that has gotten into this space because it's profitable (blog post).
The Numbers:
1 letter a week
10 weeks / 10 letters - $59.99
25 weeks / 25 letters - $159.99
52 weeks / 52 letters - $249.99
(16) Letter Joy
Topic: Reproduction letters from famous people such as George Washington and Marie Curie. They offer themed subscriptions, such as Inventors and American Presidents. Each letter contains a document with context.
Audience: Family-friendly but geared towards students and adults.
Writer: Founder is Michael Sitver, a podcaster and entrepreneur. Also started Dear Holmes (as you can tell, the prices are the same).
The Numbers:
1 letter a week
3 months / 12 letters - $79
6 months / 26 letters - $129
12 months / 52 letters - $199
Ship outside-USA for a surcharge.
(17) Literary Letters
Topic: They offer a variety of types of reproduction letters.
Reproductions of letters written by famous people, including Alexander Hamilton and Jane Austen.
Love letters and Shakespeare's Sonnets that come with stationery that you can then use to send a letter to someone else.
Re-print of some of Sherlock Holmes mysteries as if written to Watson.
Audience: Family-friendly but geared towards students and adults.
Writer: Unknown, also have not published on social media in awhile.
The Numbers:
1 month / 1 letter - $6.50
3 months / 3 letters - $19.50
6 months / 6 letters - $39
12 months / 12 letters - $78
Other:
Can buy letters as one-offs for $6.50 or $7.75 if include stationery.
Have you tried a letter subscription service before?
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