How to Submit

Would you like to contribute a letter to a dead author or artist?

Great! Letters to Dead Authors & Artists is a community project, and I’m open to pitches from the Substack community and beyond. For now, the best way to pitch a letter is to contact me,

Kelcey Ervick

, via Substack messages. Let me know who you are, who you want to write to, and why you want to write to that person.

Two notes:

1. I am happy to receive pitches for any one you want to write to, but I especially welcome pitches that are not for dead white men, as they are quite well represented thus far!

2. I’ve been getting a fabulous response, so if your pitch is accepted, please know that your letter will probably run 3-6 months after I receive all your materials.

Info for contributors

These are components of each post, which should be submitted via the Google form which I will share with you upon acceptance of your pitch:

1. Your letter to a dead author or artist (up to approx 500 words, or up to 10 images/JPGs/comics panels)

2. Your original portrait of dead author or artist (all art styles and experience levels; no AI; just scan or take a good photo)

3. Bio of dead author or artist in your words (75 words max)

4. Your bio (75 words max)

5. Audio recording (this can just be a voice memo of you reading the letter)

Wait, I have to make a portrait?

Yes! Sorry, not sorry? Here are some tips and ideas I created for the “I can’t draw” crowd:

10 ways to draw a dead author (or anyone)