Nobody writes letters anymore. Everything is emails and text messages. If you like writing or you would like to know how it feels to receive a letter in the mailbox at home, take part in the Epistolary Marathon: 20 letters in 20 days. One letter per day that you write to a stranger and one letter per day that you receive at random. The Letter Marathon is also a contest, sign up!
What is the Maratón Epistolar and how to participate
The second edition of the Epistolary Marathon will be held throughout the month of May and proposes that you not only write, but also receive letters from other marathoners who, like you, want to know that they have a letter waiting for them on paper every day. The slogan is simple but challenging: during each working day of May, you have to write a letter based on a proposed theme, such as a letter to the past self or to a being from another galaxy. It doesn’t have to be long, it can be one sentence or even one word.
The call is open to people over 18 years old who live in Argentina. The registration fee is $15,000 and you have time to participate until Friday, May 2, 2025.
To register, please send an e-mail to maratonepistolar@gmail.com with proof of payment, name, surname, full address and contact e-mail. Those who need the information for the transfer should also request it by e-mail.
How to send and receive your letters
Monday, May 5 is the official starting point. On that day, each participant receives a list of 20 letters, one for each working day of the month. When you have your letter ready, you send it by e-mail, because the organization is in charge of printing and sending them. Your letters must meet the following requirements:
👉 Be written in Spanish.
👉 Have up to 3000 characters
👉 Use Times New Roman 12 or similar font.
👉 Interline spacing must be at least 1.5
It is important to note that those who do not submit the first two letters will be automatically disqualified, although it is allowed to continue participating if a later one is omitted, with a penalty in the score.
Prizes, jury and surprises of the Epistolary Marathon
A jury made up of renowned bookstagramers -@porqueleerok, @leetetutti and @bibliogigix – will select the 100 finalist letters, from which a jury made up of writers Agustina Caride and Soledad Vignolo will choose the 42 winners.
Prizes include publication in an anthology (the 42 winners will open the book), a gift book for each winner, a 20% discount on the purchase of copies in a partner bookstore and free access to a virtual writing workshop with the organizers.
In addition, the letters selected for the Epistolary Marathon will be published in the media and cultural publications. And as a special spice, this edition counts with the participation of three outstanding writers: Inés Garland, Luis Mey and Mariano Quirós. The award ceremony (yes, there is an award ceremony) is in August.