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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#212: Signed, Sealed, Delivered

I don't really exchange letters with anyone, but if I did, I'd receive them with great anticipation. There's something very unpredictable about a letter: it can provide insight into a person's most private feelings, make a public statement, or share news of events big and small, from historic events to everyday gossip. You just never know until you open it.

This week's prompts are inspired by all things epistolary.

This week's prompts

Write a story in the form of a letter, or multiple letters back and forth.

Short Story – 147 stories

Write an epistolary story set during a major historical event. The event may be the subject of the letters directly, or be referenced in the background.

Historical Fiction – 30 stories

Write a story about a pair of pen pals.

Character – 26 stories

A mysterious letter is delivered to your character's home. It's not addressed to them, but they can't resist peeking...

Mystery – 64 stories

Set your story in a post office.

Fiction – 36 stories

Stories

“The mysterious letter” by Melissa Sharr

Submitted to Contest #212

In a small town nestled in the rolling hills, lived a man named Alex. One sunny morning, as Alex was going about their daily routine, a mysterious letter arrived at their doorstep. It lay innocently on the welcome mat, its appearance captivating and enigmatic. Curiosity gnawed at Alex's mind. Although the envelope bore no address, it beckoned to be explored, its call impossible to resist. With trembling hands, they picked it up, gently tracing the delicate creases. Unable to suppress their burning curiosity, Alex gingerly slipped a fi...

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“Dementia in Love” by Kari Polk

Submitted to Contest #212

There is nothing like starting off life as a young adult in your own place hours away from everything you know.Rose Lee stood on the balcony of her new house in East LA, letting it all marinate . In two days she would start her new job as a psychologist at Thrive minds counseling and Psychology. It was everything that that she could ever dream of . She worked so hard to get to where she is now .People around her told her that the odds were against her since being raised by a single mother.Her father died when she was only 7 years old and her...

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“THE TRAUMATIZER” by Hooria Adil

Submitted to Contest #212

Fret seemed to riddle his willpower; he suppressed a cold shiver. His irises were paralyzed with fear, a fear that half-unmanned him. His heart hung silent, the beating stationary in the air. His hands were cold and clammy – the proof were the marks of sweat embalmed on the letter – as he shakily handed it over.Twitching reptilian eyes, a watery smile. Hair, a fine moist merlot concealed by the scarlet shako - such an uncanny mailman.His nervousness was a sorrowful sight.And so, with the letter given, his job done, the postman turned around,...

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“Ms. Volunteer” by David Marshall

Submitted to Contest #212

Living overseas can be a challenge. Especially when you are living in a country that you are not familiar with for three years because your husband is serving in the armed forces. Ms. Elena knew what she signed up for when she walked down the aisle five years previously in a small church just outside her hometown. This is the military life, and I will do everything that I can to support our family while we are here. Ms. Elena loved challenges and she also loved to help people. There were many times that she would go out of her way to...

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“New Start, Old Wounds” by Bryan Johnson

Submitted to Contest #212

"Supplies delivered to Montreal, check. Upcoming food delivery to Manitoba has been noted. Plane repaired?" Chuck looked out his office window, out upon Lake Superior, the snow falling gently down from the dark clouded sky. His seaplane was parked by the dock. He smiled at the sight of his business partner, Ryan, who was down by the plane attempting to fix the engine. "Attempted," he said with a slight chuckle. Chuck had earned a name for himself around Copper Harbor as the town supplier and local mailman, or as the childre...

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“My Mistake” by LeQuitta Randolph

Submitted to Contest #212

I doubt you'll open this letter, once you see my name attached, but if you do open it and read it like I hope, even if you choose not to forgive me, maybe you'll have a better understanding of me. I don't want you to pity me, and I'm not writing to fuel you with excuses for my actions. I take full responsibility for what I did and how it has effected you. Although I could never understand your pain, because I have never been on the receiving end of the pain that I caused you, I am not without pain. My mother was a mean woman, not at first...

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“You Never Answered” by Richard Morris

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Annabel Lee, Thank you for responding to my inquiry. As I said, I found you on social media and sent you a note to ask if that Annabel Lee was the same person I knew. I had sent a similar message occasionally when I encountered your name ever since there was social media. It took so many years for you to answer my pleas. Decades. Six of them. So much lost. You never answered. I was 17. You were 16, seven months younger. Sixty years ago, when you turned your face to the sun, the shadows fell behind you. You won my soul. I ...

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“Dear Oprah,” by Jamie Zerndt

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Oprah, First off, let me say that this is a little awkward for me. I was watching the show where you put out a call for participants in your latest make-over contest when I had a revelation. Your words seemed to glow and beseech. Oprah understands, your eyes said, that a make-over can be metaphysical as well as physical. How can I say this? Oprah, I want to Botox my soul. Silicone my heart. Nip and tuck my very being. &nbs...

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“The Crick, The Crack, and The Cord” by Kailey Brianne

Submitted to Contest #212

Danny and I were sitting across from each other at the dining room table, typing away, occasionally looking up at each other to see if the other one was stuck. I could feel it every time he looked at me. I’d deliberately keep typing, even if knowing he was watching made the words harder to reach. I’d just keep typing up whatever random words came to my head, or I’d type out, I’m typing, I’m typing, I’m typing all the words so Danny doesn’t know my brain has momentarily paused its creative capabilities. We’d made a bet—well, really, I ...

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“Goodbye” by Colleen Pinner

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Lilly, I know you will be upset, probably even angry, when you read this. Sorry, but you know I was never any good at goodbyes. It's hard. What if those are the last words you say to someone? Usually, you don't say what you should or what you mean. So what's the point? This is better. I'll tell you all that I should have all those years ago and even recently, and I don't have to see the pain and anger in your eyes. I thought about putting it in three separate envelopes so you could tear up the worst ones before going on, but you know me...

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“Wildfire” by Rudy Greene

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Mom: I hope you and dad are well. I sit here in a large tent with five families contemplating my life and future. Sarah and the kids are somewhere out there, I hope. We are the victims of the new set of Oregon wildfires. It’s Tuesday morning and I still see particles of smoke in the air. My throat is tight, and my lungs burn. I spent most of the night trying to get to my house and contact Sarah, but I had no luck. Earlier this morning I was directed by someone from search and rescue to a large lot at the edge of the city. Ther...

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“The Record” by Gail Cowan

Submitted to Contest #212

April 26, 1925 Meyn Balibte Libby, You have been so near in my mind and my heart in the days since I left our home. I miss you more than you can imagine or sometimes more than I think I can bear. I spent almost two days on a train with guards that took us west to Kansas. I stayed attached by the wrists to our caretakers the whole time, like they thought I was going somewhere. My guard had no humor, and he smells bad, but he is now in the past. The cell is small and dark. Libby, this is not for me. You ha...

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“Canaan Chronicle - Dear Gabby's Advice Column” by Sandra Fischer

Submitted to Contest #212

Ancient Discovery of a Hebrew Scroll Advice Columnist! Translated into English “Life & Times” Scroll – Gabriel’s Advice Column aka “Dear Gabby” Canaan Chronicle – c.1947 BC – Dear Gabby, Some time ago the Lord told me that my wife, Sarai, would be with child and I would become the “father of many”. What a shocker! Sarai split her sides laughing, because we were both well beyond child-bearing years and the chances of our having a child were slim to none. We wondered i...

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“Object Matrimony” by Clay Thomas

Submitted to Contest #212

OBJECT MATRIMONY By Tom Pyle My Dear Madam McBride, November 24th, 1877 I was greatly heartened to have received your kind letter as of this date. I’ve been counting the days since my ad soliciting a correspondence courtship with the object of matrimony was posted in the New York Times. Please pardon any abruptne...

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“Letters of the Blue Light ” by Kristi Gott

Submitted to Contest #212

Aug. 22, 2023 My dearest Milagro, I sit bathed by the glow coming through the etched blue glass of your lamp. Finding your carved desk with your own bronze name plate on it too, at the antique auction, was so exciting. My collection of antique books, your original volumes of poetry and novels, are stacked on the desk that was yours. In the quiet of the evening, with soft light streaming through the delicate etchings on the blue glass of the light I can almost sense your presence. The shadows of the room seem to hold you...

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$250

Prize money

303

Contest entries

129

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 25, 2023 EST

Won by Wendy M 🏆

Title: The Last Of The Bright Young Things

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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