Every month, a letter finds its way out of Destacada, a hidden village, from a woman still figuring out who she's becoming. She only trusts one person back home with the whole truth. That's you.
"If I stop pretending, I'm afraid there won't be anything left."
That's what I told her, the first honest thing I'd said out loud in years. She just nodded and said I could let it be empty for a while. Sometimes that's the only way you find out what can grow there instead.
Fenna
(Excerpt from Fenna's first letter to you)
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The Concept
An envelope arrives. A story unfolds.
An actual envelope. An actual letter. Once a month, mail arrives from Destacada, a hidden village where the people are not quite… normal?
The letters come from Fenna. She found a refuge there after her whole life crumbled, she's still figuring out who she is now. She writes the way you write to someone who already knows you: unfiltered, and a little too honest.
Every letter stands completely on its own. Join now or six months from now, it makes no difference. You'll always be right on time.
@lettersfromdestacada.com |
@destacadamailclub |
What's inside every envelope
Fenna's letter
Warm, vulnerable, occasionally sarcastic, sometimes more honest than either of you expected.
A Postcard
A scene from the story, caught mid-moment. Something happening in the village that month.
A Bookmark
A portrait of one of the characters. Build your own cast of Destacada, one month at a time.
A Quote Card
Something someone in the village said, with a question on the back worth sitting with.
A Stickersheet
Different theme each month, perfect for journaling!
Surprise item
A small extra that changes each month. Could be anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a magical realism mail club?
A subscription built around story, not merchandise. Once a month, an actual letter arrives from inside Destacada, a place where the ordinary and the magical sit side by side without much fuss.
Who is creating the mailclub?
Letters from Destacada is created by Elke Gunst, a writer & illustrator based in Belgium. Fenna, the letter writer from inside Destacada, is her fictional creation — but the letters she writes are very real.
Read more about me here.
Is Fenna AI?
No. Fenna is a fictional character, but her letters are written by a human (me!). Slowly, with care, love and sometimes a bit of frustration when I hit writers' block.
How much will it cost?
Pricing details will be announced before the first letter ships. Those who join the waitlist will be the first to know — and may receive some early-member perks when they sign up.
What do I actually receive?
A physical letter, printed and mailed to your address. Also: a postcard with a scene from the letter that month, a bookmark with a portrait of one of the villagers and a stickersheet. Sometimes more, it depends on what Fenna feels like sending that month.
Do I have to start with Letter 1?
Not at all. Each letter stands on its own. You can join at any point and still feel at home in Destacada from the very first envelope you receive.
Can kids read these?
The letters are written for adults, but curious teenagers who enjoy literary fiction will likely find them just as captivating. There's nothing explicit — but I don't think that kids will connect with it.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. There are no long-term commitments. You can cancel your subscription at any time, and you'll continue to receive letters until the end of your current billing period.
After the first month, your subscription will renew on the 20th of each month. If you want to cancel, make sure you do so before that day. If you cancel after the 20th, your last letter will be the following month.
When will I get the first letter?
Your first letter ships around the 13th of the month following your payment.
Ex:
- payment August 31st > first letter sends September 13
- payment September 5th > first letter sends October 13
Where do you ship?
We ship worldwide. As long as your postal address exists, a letter can find its way there.