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Scrolling before bed?

We send you a story instead.

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Sign up for a mystery crime story delivered to your letterbox.

A body with no eyes.

A nature reserve with a dark secret.

Something sinister is stirring in Codgers Bay.

“

A chapter pack in a brown envelope with mysterious lighthouse icon. This is what's delivered as part of a subscription
A collection of postcards, notes, and papers spread out on a wooden surface. This is what's included in a Stories by Post subscription: puzzles, games, and a story chapter.
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In the middle of the night, Detective Will Collins is called to a crime scene in a nature reserve.

On the gravel road through the reserve, Collins discovers a sign hanging from a tree:

A mysterious sign hangs at night time, reading: If you see children playing, do not wave back.
A mysterious sign hangs at night time, reading: If you see children playing, do not wave back.

IF YOU SEE CHILDREN PLAYING

DO NOT WAVE BACK

Unravel the mysteries of The Retreat every two weeks in chapters, puzzles, and clues to solve the case.

NZ$9.99 per chapter, fortnightly.

(~US$6.50 / £4.99 / A$8.99 / C$8.99)

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Cancel anytime.

What Readers Are Saying

“You’ve got me checking my mailbox every day, waiting for the next chapter. The production value? The attention to detail? The puzzles? Unreal. This is SO COOL.”

— Grey M.

“The attention to detail of the puzzles and clues is insane. Everything as it was the real deal. Newspaper article on literal newspaper. You’re nuts.”

— Petrik O.

I read the first chapter this afternoon and absolutely loved it! What a seriously great idea to write stories and present them this way!

— Sarah K.

The Author

A man standing behind a table at an outdoor event, smiling. The table has a sign promoting new chapters in your letterbox, and features books, brochures, and a QR code. There is a can of drink on the table and a laptop in front of the man. Other tables and people are visible in the background under a canopy.

Hi, I’m Sam! I’m a writer based in Auckland, New Zealand.

If you’ve made it this far down the webpage, then thanks for your interest in my passion project, Stories by Post.

A little bit about me:

  • I’ve lived in the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, and the United States.

  • I went viral making linguistics-thriller videos on TikTok.

  • My favourite apple varieties are Pink Lady, SweeTango, and Ambrosia.

  • Writing is the foremost joy of my life.

Hopefully that paints a picture.

Sign up for Stories by Post and drop me a line! I love to hear from readers.

A pamphlet titled 'The Redacted' on top of an open printed story, placed on a wooden table.

50% off the first chapter

Use promo code UNRAVEL at checkout.

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Blurred brochures and pamphlets on a wooden table, including one with the title 'The Great Retreat' with images of a lake and a sand dune.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Good question! Stories by Post is run by Sam, an author based in Auckland, New Zealand. Every two weeks, I send subscribers a new chapter of a story in the mail, along with puzzles, games, clues, and other supplemental story materials. Right now, that story is The Retreat, a mystery thriller set in a Northland nature reserve.

  • Every two weeks, you’ll receive the latest chapter of The Retreat in your mailbox, along with puzzles, games, clues, and other supplemental story material.

    For example, the first chapter pack includes a map of the crime scene, a post card from the fictional setting of Codgers Bay, and an ominous tract from a mysterious prophet.

  • You can cancel anytime! Just reach out using the contact form below.

  • Each chapter pack is NZ$9.99, which means your subscription is NZ$9.99 fortnightly.

    For overseas readers, that’s about US$6.50 / £4.99 / A$8.99 / C$8.99.

  • The Retreat unfolds over roughly 15 chapters.

  • Sure thing! Use UNRAVEL at check-out for 50% off on Chapter 1.

  • We mail anywhere in the world!

  • Your first chapter is mailed to you on the day you sign up!

    Subsequent chapters are lodged every second Monday. Postage times can vary, depending on where you live in New Zealand, but NZ Post aims to deliver within three days.

    For overseas readers, postage may take up to two weeks.

  • For New Zealand readers, NZ Post aims to deliver post within 3 days. For overseas readers, postage can take up to 2 weeks.

    If you haven’t received your chapter pack within 2 weeks of your expected arrival date, reach out at the contact form below!

    Please allow for delays over public holidays.

  • Absolutely! Simply select “This is a gift” when checking out.

  • No problem! Some people prefer to read a few chapters at once. Go at your own pace!

  • Sure thing! Reach out using the contact form below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Get in Touch

If you have feedback on The Retreat, questions about your subscription, or just want to say hello, send me a message!