Welcome
We’re Dear Neighbor, a new Maine-based zine trying to do something simple but radical: place different and, occasionally, discordant points of view alongside each other—not to debate, but to better understand Maine as a complicated whole. We, at Dear Neighbor, believe that beneath the layer of Choose-Your-Side, humans are much more complex, and we want to know about Mainer’s lived experiences. We want to understand your concerns and hopes, and we want to understand the narratives that created them.
At Dear Neighbor, we want to get real, move closer than the talking points might allow, because we believe the pursuit of understanding does not imply approval or agreement. When we seek understanding we seek clarity. We are neighbors, after all, and together, we make up this Pine Tree State, with its aches, fears, values, and aspirations.
Tell us your story.
Imagine you are writing a letter to someone who might not understand your point of view on an issue affecting our state. Help this someone understand your personal story and why you see things the way you do. This story can span your life or begin and end with a single day. We believe understanding starts when real people share real stories—not soundbites.
We’re committed to humanizing discourse. No dehumanizing language, just candid stories that help us see each other clearly. If you’re willing to share, we’d be honored to consider including your voice.
One last thing! If anonymity helps you tell your story more honestly, feel free to choose a nom de plume! We pledge to protect your privacy!
Possible touchstones
- In what ways are you affected by life in Maine today?
- What is something you want your neighbors to understand about you or something that’s happened to you?
- How has your personal experience shaped your views on an issue affecting Maine?
- What’s one change you’d like to see that would make Maine better for you, your loved ones, and future generations
We hope to close submissions for our first issue September 1st.
Interested?
Please submit letters by filling in the form below.