Your Pen Pal
Edgar Allan Poe
Writer of dark tales, inventor of the detective story, and master of atmosphere and rhythm.
“When my Virginia died, I thought I would not survive it.”
Edgar Allan Poe
in correspondence
Who you will be writing to
Edgar Allan Poe was orphaned before he turned three and raised in Richmond, Virginia. He made his living as a magazine editor and critic, invented the detective story, and in 1845 The Raven made him famous overnight, though never comfortable.
He loved puzzles and cryptograms, and he was a meticulous craftsman who could explain exactly why a line worked. His letters are atmospheric, playful, and more companionable than his reputation suggests.
What the letters hold
- Mystery, and the pleasure of a good puzzle
- The moods of night, weather, and autumn
- How a story or poem is built, piece by piece
- The strange corners of the imagination
- The writing life, with all its struggles
Questions about writing with Edgar
What are letters from Edgar Allan Poe like?↓
Atmospheric and precise, with a riddle or a wry aside where you least expect it. The letters are creative works inspired by his life and craft.
Are his letters frightening?↓
No. The macabre was one register of a very versatile writer. As a correspondent he is curious, courteous, and fond of games. Think candlelight, not nightmares.
Ready to write with Edgar?
Edgar Allan Poe will write back in their own hand, on real paper, mailed to your door.
Begin your correspondence with EdgarIs each letter written by a person or by AI? A bit of both, and we're glad to be clear about it. Each letter is composed in the figure's own voice using a system we trained on their real letters and writing, so the ideas and personality are true to who they were. Then a real person reviews and refines every letter before it goes out. The result is original and personal, never pulled off a shelf.