FAQ
Questions answered.
Everything you might wonder before writing your first letter.
PennaPal isn’t open yet. These answers describe how it will work when it opens, including age checks, moderation and support. None of these services are running yet; only the waitlist is.
Getting started
What is PennaPal?
A place to read what people choose to share, and to write back when someone’s words stay with you. If you both want to, a private correspondence begins, one letter at a time.
Is PennaPal a dating app?
No. PennaPal is for friendship, curiosity and conversation. There are no photos, no swiping and no profiles to browse.
Who can join?
Adults aged 18 and over, anywhere in the world. Everyone completes a private age check when they join. We keep only the result, never your documents.
Do I need to be a good writer?
Not at all. You just need something worth sharing. Start with a short thought or a postcard. Prompts are there if you need a starting point.
I don’t know what to write in my first letter.
Start small. Tell them what stayed with you and why, or send a postcard about your morning. A question at the end gives them somewhere to begin. Prompts are there if you need them.
What does it cost?
Reading, writing and sending letters will be free. We will never charge to send a letter, and there are no ads. (Pricing for any optional extras is still being decided.)
How it works
How do I meet someone?
Read today’s selection. When something stays with you, write back and tell the writer why. They read your note and choose whether to begin a correspondence.
Can strangers write to me out of the blue?
No. Every new correspondence starts with an invitation, and the person receiving it always chooses. You can also pause new invitations at any time.
Why do letters take a while to arrive?
Because waiting is part of the joy. A letter takes from a few hours to about a day, depending on the distance between countries. Until it arrives, you can recall it.
How do time zones work?
Travel time is the same wherever you are. Postmarks show the date where a letter was posted, and arrivals show your own local time. Letters that would land overnight wait for the morning post, unless you turn that off. On Post Day, letters arrive around 8 am in each member’s own time zone.
Will PennaPal send me lots of notifications?
No. We only let you know when a letter or an invitation is waiting for you. Never reminders, streaks or “come back” messages. Choose each letter, one morning summary, or none, by phone, computer or email. Letter contents never appear on your lock screen.
What if someone stops replying?
Life gets busy, and there’s no pressure here. You’ll never see read receipts or reply scores. Either of you can set yourself as away, or close a correspondence kindly.
My invitation hasn’t been answered.
People reply at their own pace. If an invitation isn’t accepted within a few weeks, it quietly closes. Nobody is told why, and today’s selection always has new writing to respond to.
How many pen pals can I have?
As many as you can write to thoughtfully. If it ever feels like too much, pause new invitations in your preferences. Your current correspondences carry on.
Can I write in my own language?
Yes, in any language, or a mix. Choose the languages you write in and mark the ones you’re learning. You can say corrections are welcome.
What are the stamps?
Every letter carries a stamp from the country it was sent from, with a short line about what it shows. They’re part of the letter, not something to collect or buy.
What is Post Day?
A seasonal day when members who join are paired at random and write to each other. Every letter arrives on the same morning with a special stamp. There’s also an optional paper version: write a real letter and post it, using PO boxes only.
Privacy and safety
What do other members see about me?
Your pen name, PennaPal ID, the writing you publish, any one-line introduction you add, and the country you choose to share (or “Somewhere in the world”). Your real name, age, gender and exact location aren’t shown unless you reveal them in your own writing.
Will PennaPal read my private letters?
No. Private letters are never read in advance. A person only reviews a letter if it’s reported to us. Automatic checks may warn you about scams, links or contact details before you send.
Do you track me or show ads?
No ads, ever. We collect only what’s needed to run PennaPal, never sell it, and don’t build advertising profiles.
Why does Paper Post Day use PO boxes only?
So nobody’s home address is ever shared. A PO box is shared only with your Post Day match, only for that Post Day, and deleted when you leave the paper track.
Can I block or report someone?
Yes, at any time. Blocking stops them writing to you, and you can remove their past letters too. Reports are read by a real person, usually within a day.
Someone asked me for money, or to move to another app. What should I do?
Be careful. These are the most common ways scams begin. PennaPal will never ask you to pay a correspondent. Please report it so we can look into it.
Can I meet my pen pal in person?
PennaPal doesn’t arrange meetings. If you decide to meet someone after getting to know them, meet somewhere public, tell a friend, and take your time.
Your letters
How can I make my letters feel special?
Choose your paper (ivory, lined, airmail or sage), try the postcard style, or mention a book you love. Every letter also carries a stamp from where you posted it.
Can I keep my letters?
Yes. Keep the ones that matter in Keepsakes, and download all your letters any time.
Can I share books in my letters?
Yes. Mention any book in a letter, and suggest books for the PennaPal shelf. We don’t include links or where to buy.
Can I delete my account?
Yes, whenever you like. Your published writing is removed, and your correspondents are told only that you’ve left.