The writers

The hands behind the letters.


We are a small circle of writers, scattered across the United Kingdom, working at our own desks, our own pace, and with our own very particular pens. Here’s who we are.

Eleanor M.

Works from a window seat in Dorset

Eleanor trained as a poet and never quite stopped. She writes slowly, in black ink on cream, and is best at the letters that need to say something quietly beautiful. Sunday mornings and strong tea.

Her hand With the warmest of wishes, and a slice of the cake if it lasts that long.

James T.

Writes from a desk in Edinburgh

James was a GP for twenty years before he came to us. That quiet, plain, honest hand of his is what you want when the letter has to carry difficult news. Condolences, apologies, leaving letters.

His hand I have been thinking of you often this week, and wanted to tell you so plainly.

Harriet R.

Keeps a cottage in the Cotswolds

Harriet writes the happy letters: weddings, births, naming days, the first letter to a new grandchild. Her hand has a brightness to it. She bakes while the ink dries.

Her hand Welcome to the world, little one. We are all very glad you’re here.

Arthur P.

Writes from a narrowboat near Oxford

Arthur came to us after thirty years of letter-writing for a literary magazine in London. His hand is older-fashioned, unhurried, and particularly suited to letters that will be kept.

His hand Yours, as ever, in great and continuing fondness,

Sorcha C.

Works from a terrace in Belfast

Sorcha is our youngest writer and our bravest. She writes the letters that need feeling in them: first apologies, anniversaries, and the ones you have been putting off for too long.

Her hand I have owed you this letter for longer than I would like to admit. Here it is, at last.

William B.

Writes from a farmhouse in Yorkshire

William writes for our business clients. Warm, careful, short letters with just enough humanity in them. He used to run a small bookshop and still thinks of every customer as a guest.

His hand Thank you for your order, and for trusting us with it. Warmly, William.

How we match

We choose the writer for the letter.

When you commission a letter, we read what you’ve sent and pick the writer whose hand and tone feel right for it. You can ask for a particular writer, of course; lots of our clients do.

Quiet letters

Condolences, apologies, letters about illness. Usually James or Arthur.

Happy letters

Weddings, births, anniversaries, thank-yous after something lovely. Usually Harriet or Sorcha.

Keepsake letters

Commissions, poems, letters to be opened years from now. Usually Eleanor or Arthur.

A writer’s job, mostly, is to listen well and then write down what they heard, in better sentences than anyone would have dared hope for.
Eleanor M.

Would you like a particular hand to write your letter?

Mention their name when you get in touch and we’ll do our best to arrange it.

Commission a letter