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kelly :)
i went to a post secret lecture last week and bought a book! i read it every single night!
LCouzens
Hi Frank,
When you visit universities and have people come up to the mics, are you ever secretly (see what I did there?) glad when someone tells a funny secret to lighten the mood?
What is the secret that made you laugh the hardest?
myleti
Everytime something like this comes along, I can’t ever think of something good to question or comment with!
Hmm.
-Has anyone ever gone to a PostSecret event dressed in a costume? If so, what’s the oddest costume you’ve seen?
-If you had to choose one CD/album to put on repeat for the rest of your life, which would you choose? If that’s too hard, which group or artist would you choose?
-What is the best movie you’ve seen in the past ten years? Again, if that’s to hard to narrow, perhaps a top ten?
I’m so absolutely horrible at thinking of questions. 
I hope mine were partially worthy of being answered by the amazing Mr Warren. 
Thanks Frank and Neatorama for this interview!
AmyShi
Does your family have fun with you being the post secret guy? Like, telling you stupid “secrets” or leaving a to-do list on a postcard?
grahamchap
I always tell my friends that they are stupid to enter contests to win free stuff. The odds of winning are incredibly low and they are all “rigged” for someone else.
But then I always enter them anyway 
SoccM84
Frank, what is one secret that stands out in your mind from the others, and what makes it so unique?
Crash_171
Even if I do not win, I would like to know the answer to these questions.
- What “postcard” had the most dramatic impact on your life?
- Have your opinions on things in life changed, such as your Religious or Political views?
stnmn35
which secret made you feel the most despair?
which secret still haunts you?
which secret gives you the most hope?
mervyturp
Have you ever printed your own secret? More than one?
Is there anything you wish you’d done differently about PostSecret?
What have you learned from our secrets?
What does it feel like to be the father of PostSecret?
Marie Kennedy
What are you thoughts on the postcard, itself, as a metaphor for how humans both internalize and share experiencing the world?
Wendy R
Have you ever sneaked in one of your own secrets to your blog, hoping to see how the community would react to it?
I’ve always wondered about the legitimacy of some of the postcards, as in, Do you think that several of them are made up to get attention? I still love them, but it’s always something I wonder.
Thanks
theturbolemming
Do you ever wonder if, as a society, we are losing control of the private aspects of our lives?
stevemarth
I don’t want this to sound like snobbery or criticism, but I’ve always wondered about why so many of the secrets in these collections are submitted as stylized, fussed-over art pieces, instead of simply being secrets written on a card. I am very interested in the concept of people having an outlet to share secrets which they otherwise would probably keep festering inside, but it strikes me as a little contrary to the goal if people are dressing their secrets up in ironic collages or artwork. To me, the art here is the sharing of the secrets, and the fact that people attempt to turn their actual secrets into their own works of art does a disservice to the honesty of what they’re sharing. It’s like a sort of defense mechanism, one last attempt to hide the secret instead of simply admitting it.
Austin
With so many people submitting secrets, it seems accepted to have a secret; whether minute, defining, or yearning to be shared.
What role do you see secrets having in everyday life? You give an awesome venue to bring air to hidden treasures while keeping them anonymous, does the act of sharing a secret help fight against our own repression?
And probably the question everyone is asking, have you sent a postcard? Care to elaborate?
stevemarth
Also, sorry that wasn’t actually a question. It’s just something I’ve always thought about, and my friends yell at me when I bring it up. Don’t get me wrong, I love the project, and it’s a fantastic concept. I just wonder if this artwork aspect has been broached before.
Sanyu
Hello Frank,
My question is: Reflecting upon all the Post Secrets you’ve received, and the contents therein, what would you say is the underlying – yet unifying – character(istic) of humankind?
Sincerely,
Sanyu
c0ldfish
do you ever feel bad profiting from the mere collection of other people’s writing?
burninglily
Hola Frank,
Have you ever been tempted to exploit someone else’s secrets for your own gain? ie, a secret so great you could profit from it, etc.
tweakk
Heya Frank.
Have you ever felt a moral or ethical obligation to reach out(either yourself of some other means) to someone who sent in a secret based on the fact that they were probably severely hurting themselves, or maybe possibly others.
Kimberly
I’m surprised how often I learn something about myself, reading the secrets of others. Sometimes those secrets are my own and I didn’t even know it – you’re completely right on about that.
I am interested in knowing more about how you helped the project become more than just a one-off experiment (was it all organic, or do you feel like you ever had to give it a nudge?), and what other personal or professional projects you’ve ended up taking on that you think are a result of PostSecret (not just where doors had opened because of this, but anything you were led to do because of it).
Miss Priss
Dear Frank,
Do you ever keep the “secrets” secret from everyone? Is there ever a postcard that you can’t bear to expose and has to be kept all to yourself?
Thanks!
Melissa
Frank-
How do you tell a fake secret submission from a genuine one? Or does it matter to you if they’re genuine confessions from the person who sent them or not if they might resonate with someone who might read them?
I sometimes feel a little like a peeping-tom or a snoop for reading the secrets. I know that people posted them on purpose and part of the idea of posting the secret is knowing that people will read it, but still I get the feeling that I’m prying a bit, like reading someone’s diary or personal mail. It’s a bit of a thrill to read something secret like that, to look into something something that people aren’t supposed to know, but at the same time, I feel a little naughty and maybe even a bit guilty. Do you ever get that feeling or do you hear a lot of people that kind of feel that way?
Stevemarth-
I think the elaborate post cards serve a couple of purposes. First, they’re cooler for the reader to look at. But more importantly, the post card maker can really express themselves in more than just words and even the act of making the postcard is more freeing than just quickly writing the words. If you just jot it down, you don’t have to really embrace the secret and everything you’re feeling about it the same way you do if you have to design and craft a card.
Plus, it probably cuts down on the amount of absolute garbage and frivolity and that Frank receives. A lot less people are going to go to the work of crafting a visually expressive post card just to goof around (unless it’s actually really really funny). If you are willing to put all the thought and work into creating a work of art from your secret, you must really want to share and be a part of the project. I bet it increases the amount of genuinely interesting submissions. If people could just type or scratch out a couple of words, he’d probably get a lot more people that aren’t taking it seriously. The extra effort required to be involved keeps the quality of the secrets up.
RubyNEsque
Frank –
First, thank you for your dedication and hard work on this ongoing project.
Second – knowing now what a big thing this has become, considering the daily inundation of postcards and emails, the weekly commitment to organize and post selections on the web, the work of composing a book (and now, books), the book tours, the presentations – is this something that, if you had a second chance to start this project, you would do all over again?
Thank you so much for sparing even more time for us.
“Ruby”
trishlovesdolphins
Have you ever received a secret from someone and you recognized the handwriting to be someone you know?
Do you ever have people stop you on the street to tell you their secret? Do you ever get tired of it happening?
Have the junk mailers figured out who you are and send you junk mail in the disguise of secrets? Like, “My secret is I like saving money on car insurance with Big Bob’s Insurance!!!” ?
One day, you’ll eventually run out of room to store the secrets, what’s your plan for that?
Melissa
Mowog-
That’s an AWESOME question! I’m curious now,too. I bet he does get some secrets that more than one person have in common. It would be fascinating to know the top “Frequently Shared Secret”.
inkedgal
Hi Frank,
Does you and your mail carrier have a love/hate relationship?
Kate
Frank:
What was the very first secret you received?
Do you think your mailman/woman has ever add his/her own secret?
meg
Frank, what is a secret that you have shared and wish now that you had not?
Kaj
In cases where you suspect the authenticity of someone’s ‘secret’, would it suffice it to say that the intent of a fabricated ‘secret’ is just as compelling to study and post?
Ros
Have you ever aggregated all of the post secrets you’ve received into a pie chart? I’d be so curious to see how the slices dice up. BTW, I love apples but hate apple pie.
heather
Have there been any secrets that mean more to you than others?
Frank, thank you for creating this project. I’m sure it’s helped a lot of people find their own way in life and I know it’s affected mine. Keep it up
Samantha
I love reading Post Secret and am fascinated by how so many people have so many secrets in common, and yet they remain as secrets.
I was just wondering with the thousands upon thousands of secrets you’ve received, where do you keep them all and do you have any sort of organization system for them? I can only imagine the number of filing cabinets necessary.
JustinButNotTHATJustin
I can’t stand when he posts “secrets” that aren’t secrets, but rather maudlin platitudes. Boo on non-secret secrets.
Kelly
I just wanted to thank you for starting postsecret. I spent a lot of time last year struggling with an eating disorder, and then I saw a secret on the site that could have been from my mom – saying that she was worried about her daughter who was bulimic. There was actually a point where I didn’t know if I was going to be able to go back to school, I was so sick. Just knowing that there are so many people out there who get hurt when you hurt yourself was one of the driving forces in helping me get better, which I am very proud to say I am now.
Katie Alender
Is there a certain type or category (or multiple categories) of secrets you would never put on the website? Do you ever think, “Oh, gross!” and just throw them away?
cuimhne
I’m a huge fan of the project. My question is whether you see Postsecret as something that is going to run forever or not. It’s not only a fascinating art project but seems almost like an outreach to so many people, many of the secrets have been about people who have contemplated suicide and changed their minds about it. In the future will you continue to accept submissions? Continue to put the message out there?
Emely
I’m a huge fan, and can’t wait until Sunday to always read new secrets. They all touch me in some way in a sense that I can relate to them, or can see myself writing them. My question is: Could you PLEASE come to the University of Chicago? I know you were at other colleges in Chicago/Illinois, but UofC is kind of apart from those schools, and I would love to go see a show. I know a lot of people also love Postsecret and with the environment at my school, your presence would be more than appreciated. I love your work, and hope continued success for Postsecret.
Edward
Frank,
In the recent past, you have said that one of the reasons you started the project was a secret of your own. My assumption has been that you created your own anonymity by surrounding it with others. Even though I expect you never to tell which secrets are yours, I think your audience would benefit from knowing your personal reasons for wanting them to be published, yet still kept secret.
Edward
decka
I’ve been wondering what happens with the Post Secrets (published or unpublished)
Sophie
Have you ever received a secret and suddenly realized that that secret explains the interesting and impenetrable expression of someone you passed once on the street?
Jamie G
I’m guessing you get asked about your own secrets a lot. Is there anything you WISH someone would ask but doesn’t come up? What are you dying to shout about–not which secret, but which accomplishment or random thing would you like everyone to know? The opposite of your biggest secret?
kait
How has it been meaningful for your life to hear so many hidden truths? Has hearing thousands of secrets affected your view of human nature?
mcsandwich
Frank,
I’ve heard of people leaving their own secrets in Post Secret books at the bookstore or in the library. I remember once you wrote about leaving a secret in a drawer in a hotel room, which struck me as being a unique way to accomplish the same thing.
So my question is: Where is the strangest place you have ever left a secret or heard of a secret being found?
Thanks.
yvaine
Hi, Frank! Kudos on your continuing great work on PostSecret!
It’s interesting that the current book is about faith and God… do you ever feel like a priest taking confessions? Do you ever respond to the people who send you secrets?
Paula
Do you ever feel bogged down by knowing negative, potentially life-threatening secrets? oh, also, how many cards are anonymous?
Sheryn
Hello Frank!
I’ve been reading Postsecret since the very beginning and any time someone asks for advice on who to write a school report about, I suggest you (and say your job would be my dream job!). I am thrilled to have the chance to “talk” to you!
My questions:
Is there a Postsecret “will” of sorts that will ensure the project continues if something happens to you? Will you search for a “replacement Frank” when you want to retire, or will you let the project end?
I live overseas and love to travel. Do you have plans to start touring internationally? Do you believe (like I do) that this could really unite people around the world?
Does your job ever make you insecure about the relationships in your life, ie maybe trust issues arise because you assume everyone keeps things from everyone?
How do you think Postsecret would be different if the website was advertised on, didn’t promote suicide awareness, and was more of just a funny/novelty website and books? I’d imagine it wouldn’t be much different than http://www.fmylife.com or the like.
Have you ever considered doing a compilation of the most common secrets? I’d suggest doing an entire book about all the most uniting secrets, with each page or 2-page spread being filled with different post cards revealing the same secret.
What special treatment do you give your mail person?
Is there a time of year when more secrets are mailed?
Do you get recognized on the street?
I have a million more, but I’ll stop there!
Thanks Frank!!!
-Sheryn, 24, Dubai
Tammi
I get excited on Sunday mornings when I realize there is a new batch of secrets to be inspired by. Thank you for bringing about such honesty and hope in such a simple forum.
Heather
Do you ever dream aobut any of the secrets?
Do you think we’ll ever reach a point in time when people won’t have secrets anymore?
Kari
Frank, you receive a lot of postcards about suicide; do you feel pressure to publish those secrets so that the writer doesn’t feel ignored? Do those secrets create a burden for you?
kellog
I have a very simple question:
Where and how do you store the physical postsecrets such that you can draw the ones you want, seemingly at will?
(Or did you actually fumble when asked by neatorama to show your favourites?)
soren
Frank,
Some of the secrets you post recount some sort of illegal activity, usually of a pretty minor and benign character, but sometimes not. For example, you recently posted one that admitted meeting with someone about becoming a suicide bomber (albeit 25 years ago, if my memory serves me). My question is, have you even been contacted by authorities requesting or demanding the postcard and/or whatever other information (address?) you may have about the sender?
Paula R
Oh my goodness… The last postcard up here “Rationally, I think the idea of God makes no sense, but I cannot get rid of my faith no matter how hard I try” has tears streaming down my face. I have been reading PostSecret for the last 3 or so years and this hasn’t happened yet. Funny that it’s on Neatorama and not PostSecret though, but i digress.
I have felt this way my whole life and it has caused a huge number of conflicts for my spiritual self. I have such a hard time praying and praying after telling people I’m an atheist or that I don’t believe in God, but I still always say stuff like that. I’m so happy there is someone else who is having the same conflict.
Paula R
Do you have a separate address for your PostSecret letters, or do you have to sort through your mail like crazy every week just to get the bills?
dontyoukeep
Hello, Frank!
Thank you so much for PostSecret! I can’t even remember a time when I wouldn’t wake up Sunday mornings excited for new secrets.
I’ve always wondered, though, have people ever sent you anything other than postcards? I’ve seen a few letters throughout the years, but they usually have something written on the envelope and are unopened. Have you ever opened those letters and read them, or do you think that would be unethical?
Has anyone ever sent you any secrets in other mediums– maybe journals, home movies, paintings, etc?
Have you ever received anonymous gifts or trinkets? What do you do with them?
Finally, what is the most interesting non-postcard secret/thing you’ve ever received?
Pooja
Have you ever thought about making a book with secrets that weren’t anonymous? Something that people wanted to put out there and let everyone know?
I think that would be an interesting contrast to the books you now have. It could be called Secrets Revealed or something. I love your project btw. Keep it up I check the blog every Sunday religiously.
Muppetmaker
Hello Frank. Thank you for providing the world with something so honest and truthful.
My question
When postcards come in and you pick the ones you want to feature every week, do you ever wonder who the people are that sent in the cards? Given them a back story if only in your own mind? Perhaps reached back out to someone who put a return address on the card?
Thank you so much! You have helped so many.
BlackJak
Hi Frank:
What a wild concept and an interesting set of books. What I’m curious about is your opinion of what makes people want to “confess” to you (and us). Do you think it is to make themselves feel better about something bad they’ve done or at attempt to get attention (albeit anonymously) or something else entirely?
Thanks!
emmiline
i love postsecret so much- there are so many secrets that i feel like have been sewn into my heart, whether they were similar to secrets i had or not. i’ve felt and seen a lot of things through other’s viewpoints that i might not have had before i read their secret.
my question is this- do you ever get multiple secrets from the same person (that you can tell?) or about the same person?
i ask because for awhile there, there was someone in my life that i had a lot of powerful emotions about *not altogether good ones* that i couldn’t share with anyone i knew. i just wanted to make a postcard for every aspect of the love/hate secret just to get them out there and out of my head…i’ve always wondered if other people felt the same way.
Billy Johnson
Frank, I was wondering how many repeats you get? And what are some of the secrets that are most repeated? I just ask because so many think they are alone in their secrets….
greg @ ferret finder
how many times does on us the secrets time and again?
KittyMarie
Which postcards do you prefer – the ones containing secrets that strike a chord and make you laugh or the ones touch you deeply and make you cry?
sirdooder
I’ve always found that the emotional and creative release that these postcards provide make them one of the most compelling art forms today.
What is one of the most intriguing mediums that you have ever had submitted?
Jenny
Have you ever received a secret you didn’t think you should publish?
Holly West
Is there a particular post you have read, that more than any other, you wished you could talk to the writer about?
I often read your site and am overcome by some of these secrets and often wish I could counsel, congratulate, or reprimand some of these people. Knowing you cannot…there have to be some that reach you like no other.
sagetress
Hi Frank! My question is: Have you ever included a secret of your own amongst those you post/publish?
Tiffster
Frank-
How has this art concept changed your life, or the way you look at life?
emily
Has anyone that you know (friends, family, acquaintances) ever sent in a secret and later told you about it? If so, was it posted on the site?
Joe
I’ve bought all the books that have been out after hearing about your blog when I was in college and they are amazing to read and look through. My question for you is how often do you look at the postcards people send in to you and actually feel the same way that they did when they wrote the postcard? I mean, you could actually feel like you were the one writing the postcard.
ashley.paige
I strongly believe that they reason postsecret has been so embraced is that we, as humans, long to feel a connection with each other. My favorite part of reading the secrets is that I am always able to find at least one secret that I connect with on a personal level. It makes me feel better to know that someone has the same feelings/thoughts as I do or that they had a similiar experience as me. I think the secrets take the sting of loneliness away for just a moment. My question for you Frank is whether or not there has every been a secret that you felt such a strong connection with you wish you could meet the writer face-to-face?
Dyanna
Hi Frank,
I’ve read your site (and purchased your books) throughout the years and specifically remember the first PostSecret book having a secret that confessed to a murder. My question is, have you ever considered going to the police or trying to track down criminals who confess to these sorts of things?
Frau
Was there ever an alarming secret that you wanted to know the outcome of?
Super Mandy
I often think about Post Secret when I’m faced with a difficult person and I wonder what kinds of secrets that s/he has that is making her so unpleasant. I try my hardest to have patience with people because I have no idea what issues they’re dealing with. Post Secret has validated for me that I’m not the only one who has secrets that are holding to me and vice versa.
When someone I know complains about someone else – I ask him/her if they’re aware of Post Secret and if not to go and read it. Then the next time they’re upset at someone or frustrated or whatever – to take a moment and think about what secrets that person may be dealing with. Life is much easier when you can give people the benefit of the doubt.
So thank you Frank – it’s wonderful to see how a small idea has blossomed into something so beautiful.
Cathy in NH
Do you think the world would be better off without secrets? I have to say I don’t think so but you have much more experience in the matter!
gdw3
Have you ever gotten a secret for which you thought you should call the police?
Jamie Pittman
Mr. Warren
This reminds me a lot of gorilla art, taking art to the people, what other gorilla are moves have you made or would like to make?
Thanks
Jamie
Blogfan66
I love the PostSecret project! It inspired me to create http://www.SecretRegrets.com — a site where people anonymously post the BIGGEST regret of their life. PostSecret is about secrets and artfully designed postcards. SecretRegrets is about regrets told through raw, emotional stories — with anonymous supportive comments from complete strangers. Check it out and follow on Twitter @SecretRegrets and become a fan of the Secret Regrets Facebook Fan Page.
Nimyane
Have you ever been contacted by any agency of law enforcement regarding any of the secrets you’ve posted or published, and if so what level of cooperation are you ethically comfortable providing?
Selogan
Should have read the others before I posted mine. Which secret has touched you the most? Which is your favorite?
n2y2
Have you ever been desperate to find the person that sent you a secret?
What and Why?
Siiri
SO interesting!
How does knowing all these secrets make you feel? Do you think people have found any relief in passing on this info to you?
Case
Some of the secrets are so heavy… do they ever make you cry, or worry? Or have you almost gotten used to it?
qbertandernie
didnt read through all posts to see if this has been asked…
but whats the first postsecret you ever received?
and is it something you felt was a turning point, or was it just like a ‘wow cool, i got one back!’ moment?
JBoogie
Pick me, I’m awesome. That, my friend, is no secret. No but really, I’ve read your book and many of the secrets are so horribly sad. Do you feel like the good secrets outweigh the bad?
Sn0zz
Is one of the secrets that you are actually not the real father behind the idea, but that you are helping out a friend?
Kyla
My question is this:
What do you do with all the postcards (whether they get published or not?) Do you have a filing system? A storage locker? What happens to them all?
Noelegy
This sounds like a fascinating concept. I guess the episode of “CSI:NY” was inspired by this? There was a similar theme, except the girl who’d sent out the cards had papered her apartment with them
tzveyah
When I stumbled upon postsecret, I remember feeling so amazed- at how comforted I felt seeing all these people with the same problems and fears I have. Lessening the great void. Thank you for this. The books are absolutely gorgeous. I don’t have a question, I just wanted to say thanks.
doug
I would like to mention how i came about hearing about this blog. I get a phone call from a friend that saw a picture of me from a modeling job i did for a magazine of this blog. Along with my pic is quotes making me out to be a sad miserable Petafile on this sundays post! I THINK THIS SITE IS A BUNCH OF BULLSHIT AND WONDER HOW FRANK WOULD FEEL BEING PORTRAYED AS A PETAFILE IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE GLOBE? THE MESSED UP THING IS THERE IS NO WAY TO DEFEND OR PROTECT ONESELF FROM THIS EMBARRASSMENT
doug
MY LAWYER AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A TALK WITH FRANK WARREN AND HAVE HIM EXPLAIN HOW HE FEELS ABOUT COPYRIGHT INFRIGEMENT AND DISGRACING SOME INNOCENT PERSON’S CHARACTER? HOPE YOU READ THIS FRANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kendra
Whenever I read post secret I find comfort in knowing that some people like me, were molested. And I’m not alone. I live in fear of someone I love finding out. It’s been 7 years since that night and I’ve never told anybody, except my best friend… But she was too drunk to remember.
Jessica=)
Hi Frank,
i was wondering if you could tell us what it was like for you growing up?
what did you like to do to past the time?
and does your family support you in your books?
im doing a project in school and i choose and needs to fill 10 pages and your short bio would help! thanks!
Miss Frenchy
Mowog
Mick2022
dutchboy
koala_d
Vanessa
Josie
