Bethany’s Overseas Mail Club is a digital community based on monthly subscriptions for letters written with love. It’s a journey of connecting with cultures and knowing more, all through a hand-crafted letter that tells a tale of human presence of cultures that are, perhaps, portrayed differently through the media.
Through creativity, worlds are built and tales are told, something rarely felt in an age of endless technological advancements. Amid effortless connectivity that requires just a tap on the screen, the simple act of sitting down with paper and ink has been lost.
But regardless of how fast-moving our lives are, some young artists are dedicating their time and energy to build mail club communities which connect people who share the same love and passion for the craft of letter writing. Driven by creativity, curiosity, and her love for narratives, Bethany Magennis-Prior’s created a mail club of her own. Overseas Mail Club sailed its way through the letter writing community back in October 2025. It’s a pause to take a step back and take stock, Bethany says. “When the world feels heavy, which at the moment, it really does, I find my balance in the simple things.” The members of her mail club come from across the globe and are drawn together through stories told and experiences shared. Her goal for Overseas Mail Club is to “celebrate the vibrant cultures and customs of every country”.
The truth is that technology has, for most of us, replaced the experience of writing letters, pouring all the emotions on paper. Yet writing on paper opens the way to an emotional journey: The act of writing a letter, sending it, and waiting for the reply. “It’s special to receive letters and I hardly receive letters anymore, but when I do, it’s so exciting and really the best part of my day.” The connection with her readers whom she has never met in person, and forming a bond through writing these letters, enhances the thrill of the entire exchange: “It’s a way to tell a story and to also have it as a more personal way of speaking.”
A light envelope sent from overseas is weighted with experiences that will leave their mark on the reader. Every letter is written and created with love and compassion, containing stories, book recommendations, art illustrations, poems, recipes and background information of a country that is chosen alphabetically. Through their monthly subscription fee, subscribers contribute to humanitarian work as well – 10% of the total profit goes to the charity that has been mentioned in the monthly letter. Through the creativity of storytelling and advocating for human connectivity, Bethany continues to emphasize the importance of tolerance and acceptance, as they are the foundation that a healthy community is built on. “I want to encourage first-hand curiosity where people look beyond what they think they know, and seek to experience diversity with an open heart and a critical eye towards stereotypes.”
With AI and digital art now everywhere, artists are alarmed that there will come a day when memorable handmade crafts carrying a special essence of longing and belonging, will be replaced by digital files. But when asked about the use of paper and the rise of AI, Bethany says she believes in a safe place for everyone and that every form of art keeps her grounded. ”There’s a space being carved for non-digital creativity, not as a replacement but as a necessary break and sanctuary.”
Overseas Mail Club continues to move through a boundless world of knowledge and enlightenment. Through the creativity of writing letters as a means to connect with people from around the world, Bethany’s compass of creativity and passion is leading the way to broader horizons. Through her humanitarian advocacy, Bethany aims to reach out to people who are open and ready to fulfil their curiosity about the world. Her goal is to collaborate with a wide range of foundations, including international NGOs. “If my prints and letters can cause someone to pause and reconsider a preconceived notion they have inherited from a headline, then I have succeeded, at least a little bit.”
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