Storyteller Terms

Last updated: June 11, 2026

Thank you for trusting Dear Stranger with your story. These terms explain what happens when you submit a story, letter, recipe, memory, recording, photo, or anything else through our website or phone line.

1. What you're giving us permission to do

By submitting, you grant Dear Stranger a worldwide, non-exclusive license to:

  • Lightly edit your submission for clarity, length, spelling, and translation
  • Print and mail your story (and any photos or keepsakes you include) to Dear Stranger members around the world
  • Feature your story, photo, name (or chosen pseudonym), and voice recording on our website, social media, and other Dear Stranger materials

"Non-exclusive" means your story stays yours. You can share it, publish it, or sell it anywhere else, anytime. You retain full ownership of everything you submit.

2. What we promise

We read every submission, but we can't publish or mail every one — submitting doesn't guarantee publication. If you choose anonymity, we will never publish your real name or an identifying photo. We will never sell your contact information, and we use your email only to contact you about your submission and, if published, about your storyteller gifts.

3. Your story must be yours

By submitting, you confirm that the story is true and happened to you (or you have permission from the people involved); that you created or own the rights to any photos, drawings, or other materials you include; that any people identifiable in your photos have consented to their use; and that you are at least 18 years old.

4. What we won't publish

We will not publish submissions that identify other private individuals without their consent, contain hateful or harassing content, or otherwise conflict with the spirit of Dear Stranger. We may decline any submission at our discretion.

5. Removal

You can ask us to stop using your story at any time by contacting [YOUR CONTACT EMAIL]. We will remove it from our website and future mailings within 14 days. Letters already printed and mailed cannot be recalled.

6. Storyteller gifts

If your story is published, you receive the gifts described on our website: a complimentary lifelong subscription activated by your first story told, access to our digital community, and a Dear Birthday You envelope. Monetary compensation may be offered in select high-impact cases at our sole discretion; it is not guaranteed and is not payment for rights — your license to us under Section 1 applies regardless.

7. Privacy

Voice recordings, photos, and stories are personal data. See our [link your Privacy Policy here] for how we store and protect them. Files are stored securely and accessed only by the Dear Stranger team for curation and production.