Commit to quiet time each Sunday
Find a pen-pal through our letter-writing program — without sharing your home address. We act as your Letter-Keeper, holding correspondence until you stop in to pick it up.
Four small steps
It’s slow correspondence, run from the shop — you mail your letters to us, a pen-pal picks them up, and replies wait in a basket until you stop in.
Write your intro letter
First name, the general region you’re from, what brings you joy, and how often you’d like to exchange letters.
Address it to the shop
List your return address as “your name, c/o Nottawa Cottage Bookstore” — we’ll never share your home address.
Mail it with a regular stamp
Your letter waits in our basket until someone picks it up. No fee, no app, no algorithm — just the post.
Check back for replies
Stop by the shop to see if anyone has written back, or browse the intro basket for a new pen-pal of your own.
A few things to keep in mind
No phone numbers or socials
Keep handles, numbers, and links out of your letters — this is meant to be slow.
Only if you want to
Include an email address if you’d like another way to connect — it’s never required.
Eighteen and up
Writers need to be 18 or older to take part.
Pick up your stationery, drop us a note
Stop by the shop to grab a letter set, or order online — the guide walks through every step.