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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

“Interstellar Inertia” by L.M. Lydon

Submitted to Contest #212

*BEGIN VOICE TRANSMISSION* “This is Captain Valdez of the freighter Rodosi. I wanna make a damage claim on account of space-tug Helios LXVI. On 5 Delta 2457, my starship was en route to Verbena, the fourth planet in the Delta Pavonis III system, carrying a cargo of nitro nutri-pellets. After I dropped outta the wormhole, I encountered your company’s tug near Nanshaa’s orbit. Nanshaa’s the third planet, in case you stylus-pushing claims admins don’t know your space atlas well. “Encountered? Hells, I couldn’ta have missed it. Rocks of al...

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“A Letter before Death” by April-Josephine Simmons

Submitted to Contest #212

Warning to readers: this story involves gun violence and possible graphic imagery. My Dear Alison, I Write this letter to you as I spend my last hours alive and therefore must inform you of what has happened to me and to prove my undying love for you. I never told you that I received a letter from our son on the 14th of August, 1923. I am truly sorry that I spent two years searching for him without telling you what I was doing. All the frustration you must have had with me, yet you still stayed true to me. I will never understand your lo...

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“Purple Crayons” by Stephen Bollich

Submitted to Contest #212

"Thom!" Stephen shouted into the ether. "What? Hello? What?" Thom looked around attempting to discover the source of the voice, knowing he was alone in the house. Oh right! It must just be the white noise machine he was so fond of. It occasionally made sounds he could misconstrue as his name. "Thom! It's Stephen! That guy who regularly calls on you to serve as a character in his short stories because it's easier than coming up with other characters and there's like this particular vibe to the whole space now and it's sort of developed ov...

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“To Rose Ann” by Jon LaDuca

Submitted to Contest #212

My Dearest Rose Ann, My hair is longer than it used to be – the grey curls up over cracked ears and shakes in slight autumn winds. You used to cut it for me every two weeks after Church with your father's old barber set while explaining that I couldn’t let my hair grow out because if I died tomorrow, I’d “Look like a twat.” I hoped I’d go bald but you prayed harder than I did. So here I sit with my hair growing over my ears and down over the collar of my red polo. The same polo that you had me wear every Sunday. My hands ha...

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“Mountain View Retreat” by Jessica Crockett

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Dolores, If you hog all the food again, I will scratch your eyes out. Love Always, Betty Dear Betty, Your well-endowed hind quarters could use a little less food in your life. Warm Regards, Dolores Dear Dolores, I regret to inform you that the music committee voted, and you have been removed from the roster. Permanently. Love Always, Betty Dear Betty, I saw the funniest thing yesterday. I watched you get chased around the garden by that dog, Winston, and then get rescued by the boss lady. Haven’t cackled like that...

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“The Immigrant” by Linda Johnston Lloyd

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Zawhea, What a voyage I had! I cannot begin to relate the entire story in writing. Yet I will give you some details, so you might have an idea of what I experienced. My cabin was clean, small with a porthole, and I was able to sleep comfortably. A few days after we left Marseilles, I heard that the head chef needed extra help. I met with him and soon I was working. The job kept me busy and gave me extra liras, or, as they say here, dollars. I worked side by side with...

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“The Omens of War” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #212

To the Cossacks of Taridistan: As High King, son of Eckvar; brother of the sun, moon, and the stars; grandson and viceroy of Tengri; ruler of the Eastern Steppes; King of Kings, Ruling over Rulers; Khan of Khans, never defeated; Eternal Master of the Golden Horde; steadfast guardian of the tomb of Yemo; the chosen of Tengri Himself; the hope and comfort of Eckvarians; confounder and great defender of the lesser races – I command you, the Cossacks of Taridistan, to submit to me voluntarily and without any further resistance, and to cease and ...

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“Dear Grandma” by Robin Butterworth

Submitted to Contest #212

Thursday 1st September 2022 Dear James, I just wanted to drop you a line at your new address – I wouldn’t be much of a grandmother if I didn’t mark the occasion of you finally moving out! I think it is so good that you have struck out on your own at last. I know this job isn’t what you really want to be doing, but I am sure good things will come your way if you can buck your trend and knuckle down to some hard graft. I think this is a better foot in the door than your “degree” in any case! I was surprised I had to address this t...

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“Thirteen” by Mara Rouge

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear diary, I am counting the days until my birthday party on Saturday. I am so excited. I can’t wait! Since it will be on my actual birthday, I thought I would invite twelve friends. Grandma being her superstitious self, she told mom that I should have less people come over. She thinks something bad might happen. I don’t agree. Today, during recess, I double checked who was coming. Everyone said yes. Even Alex, who lives far from us. She said her mom is a terrible driver and might need the directions to my house in case they get lost...

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“My Dad, the Politician” by Fernando César

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Mister President Daddy, Mummy pointed you out on the TV yesterday. I’d been asking forever to meet my dad! I said “nice to meet you”, but now I’m sending it so you can hear it too. Mummy says you can't come to my birthday party, ‘cos you’re very busy, solving all the problems. She says I should be lucky I don't have any problems, but I wish I did so you could come to my party. Love you, Daddy, Dear Mr. Senator Daddy, Mummy says you’re not President, but a Senator. I’m sorry I called you President. I think you didn’t answer before ...

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“Cora's Letters” by Andrea Corwin

Submitted to Contest #212

Day five, January 18, 1964 – Alaska or Bust Dear Mom (and Dad), We are somewhere in the Yukon, driving day and night. You disapprove of this move, especially driving to Alaska, but please know we will be okay. It’s an adventure for this Midwest girl! The studded snow tires grip the road well (usually). Picture this, Dad – we tied our old waterbed frame to the roof of the van, placed our boxed belongings into the frame, covered it with tarps, and tied it down with heavy straps. Along the road or when stopping for fue...

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“Water Cooler Rendezvous” by Don Tucker

Submitted to Contest #212

To: sbrennan@harperaeronautics.comSubject: Tuna SandwichDear Susan,I have left several notes on the refrigerator in the break room, but it keeps happening. Three times in the past two weeks, my sandwich has gone missing. My friends and family call me boring; I like to think of myself as a man of routine. For the twelve years that I have called Harper Aeronautics my home, I have eaten a tuna sandwich on rye bread for lunch. Now I know what you're thinking, why would my dedication to tuna sandwiches and how I prepare them be of a concern to Hu...

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“Together-Apart” by Carolina Barros

Submitted to Contest #212

Together-Apart She was convinced that he was real. Despite what Clyde thought. Despite the five thousand mile travel to Florianopolis to find a mall where the house should have been. She scowled at the massive building. In its place there should have been a row of 19th-century houses built in the Azores style, popular in that region of Brazil. “Could it be that we got the wrong address?” “Clyde... No! See?” She took out the Polaroid from its envelope. “Look at the picture. It says Rua da Limoeira, right here, across the street.” ...

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“Dinner at Riverwalk” by Ruth Ford

Submitted to Contest #212

Seated comfortably within the cavernous confines of the limousine, Crystal Jordan allowed herself to be enveloped into a world of sumptuous, luxurious opulence and comfort. This was a world she had never known before but secretly and often wished. Despite having been a full-time counselor for the past 10 years at Robert Lewis Stevenson Junior High for the rich and gifted; she knew she could never have afforded such magnificence; no matter how much overtime, she put in at school. Inhaling deeply the heady fragrance of the Napa ...

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“Old Masters” by Denese Wright

Submitted to Contest #212

There’s nothing as symbolic to me as an urn: a body made of clay, a white hot fire, and ash, but I’ve only made one in my lifetime. My right knee hurts. I also have arthritis in both hands. There are wrinkles on my face and all too. Guess what, I’m still here kicking this wheel. All I can hear in an empty garage is the sound of harmony. It is the sound of physics, chemistry, geology and biology working together. It is the sound of an old horse-drawn carriage wheel in need of some axle grease. A motor sits idle in the corner and it’s getting...

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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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