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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

“A Write of Summer” by Sally Pace

Submitted to Contest #212

Hi Masie, June 10 I just got home from dropping you off. I was so proud of you getting on the bus. Summer camp should be so much fun. I hope you make some new friends. It’s nice that Leah is with you. I’ll be sure to write you every day. ❤️ Love, ❤️ Mom Dear Masie, June 10 Mom said I had to write you a stupid letter. I hope you have f...

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“A Question of Why” by Vince Salamone

Submitted to Contest #212

[Taken From the Writings of Alinte Euchorte] 4 Maun. Korona Visited Roran with Vani and Ina. Still embedded, but his rattling had quieted, with vitals enough to fuss and flutter over my arrival and that of his granddaughter. Ina, bless her little soul, blunted much of his edge with the raucous joviality that endeared her to Vani and I; one day, when she is older and he is perhaps gone, I shall have to impress upon her my gratitude in those moments. For now, it was enough that I was not interrogated fiercely, and she was contented to be w...

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“Dear V” by Victoria Hillis

Submitted to Contest #212

10/12Dear V,How are you? Did you find happiness wherever you went? I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel weird to write this. I’m probably the last person you want to hear from, but I couldn’t help it. I miss talking to you. It sounds ridiculous, I know. We haven’t talked in so long.I’ve wanted to send you something for a while now. Only I didn’t know what I could possibly say to you that wouldn’t end up with my letter unopened or in the trash. Not that I would know if you did either of those things. I hope you would read this letter. If not...

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“Closure” by Andy Cockrell

Submitted to Contest #212

Keith, If I’m not the last person you expected to hear from, I’m probably the last person that you want to hear from. I’ve written and rewritten this message dozens of times over the past year. It’s easier to be brave when I’m crafting a message or when I’m organizing my thoughts to craft it. Whenever I finish, I invariably have a panic attack and delete instead of send. Until now. As much as I’ve meditated on reaching out to you, on what I’d say (or write), my brain feels as muddled as it did whenever I hunted and pecked the words in the ...

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“Time to Begin Again” by Liz Gilreath

Submitted to Contest #212

5/18/2023 Dear May, I know we don’t usually write letters, but this feels easier. They say baby steps are still progress, and I feel like I’ve done nothing but crawl for years. So, here I am. I’m sorry. I’m sorry it took so long for me to send you a letter. You deserved better, but somehow right now this is my best. I guess that’s all, Lane 5/21/2023 Dear May, I feel like I should apologize for my last apology. Would that be enough? I’ve recently heard “a friend sticks closer than a brother.” I guess that’s true because I’m your...

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“Two Way Mirror” by Syd Carpenter

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Lucy, Please forgive this message’s method of delivery; I’m sure being handed a letter from a stranger who already knows your name is jarring at best. Unfortunately, the explanation for which isn’t any less so; but it’s one which you deserve, and this is the safest way for me to share it with you. I am writing to inform you of an unseen truth, of which I am trusting you to maintain utmost confidentiality. Please—no matter how this may affect your emotions, please do not disrupt the process via its exposure. There are elements to this sy...

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“The Vow” by Brittany L. Delaware

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Lillian, For the past two hours, you have REFUSED to talk to me. Since you insist on giving me the silent treatment, I’m going to do the same to you. TWO can play at this game. Gregory, For the FIFTH time, it’s LILITH. If you’re going to be my husband, the LEAST you can do is get my name right. Secondly, you will lose this game. BADLY.Dear Lillith, The fact that I can even remember your name starts with an “L” is a personal achievement. Also, stop shaking your leg. It’s making the bed vibrate and I can’t write straig...

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“Address Unknown” by LA Gonzales

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Charlie, I found the last letter you wrote to me buried in an old leather pouch. It's been a while since we last spoke, and there has been so much that has happened I felt it was time to share with you. Also, I want to find out how you're doing. What's the weather like up there, and are there more birds your way than over here? Shocking news! I went back to school to learn about astronomy. I thought it would be fun to star-gaze together, only this time, I'll understand your in-depth explanation about the cosmos. Yes, I'm laughing be...

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“Black as Ink” by David Lontok

Submitted to Contest #212

Hola, Gaspar,It has been a while.Gracias a Dios Señor Felipe, the mailman, agreed to take this letter to you. He just told me to leave it and a white blanket sticking out of a closed first-floor window. I hear that he’s willing to do the same with you if ever you wish to also send me a letter. Just do the blanket thingy like I do. No te preocupes, he only takes the letter.It’s a little weird. Señor Felipe wore a scarf over half of his face and these thick raggedy gloves. Well, he’s not alone. Papa ties his blanket around his neck like a cloa...

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“Thoughts & Decisions” by Tyler Ellis

Submitted to Contest #212

September 18, 2001 Nathan, I did not do it. I cannot tell you if I will, and I cannot tell you if I will not. After the way we left it that last night at home, I considered not even telling you. Considering everything that has happened, it made me rethink everything. I know you will be upset that I did not go through with it, but I still have time. I just need to think about things. I am writing to you now because it’s the only real way I know how to tell you how I feel without being distracted or without you interrupting me. I know that...

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“Fax” by Nick Baldino

Submitted to Contest #212

FaxTo: Marty Gilbert From: Benny CroftmanFax: 97840Company: Citi BankDate: September 7, 2001Subject: Make me a stiff oneMarty,It’s Friday, I’m 58, and I’m still dogging around like it’s my first week in the Apple. Woe is me- let’s grab an old fashioned when you’re out.In other news, Citi’s utili...

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“Letters from Kitty Hawk” by Hana Lang

Submitted to Contest #212

August 21, 1900Dear Miss Lancaster,My name is Nathan Perry, and I am writing to you from the town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to tell you that your brother, Adam Lancaster, was found by myself and a few others of the U.S. Life-Saving Service Stations at Kitty Hawk. He is alive, but I must warn you that he is badly injured. From what I can tell, he was aboard a fishing boat that capsized in a storm.I would normally advise against journeying to Kitty Hawk, as there is no bridge from the mainland and the surrounding waters are treacherous. Bu...

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“Mother Knows Best” by Taylor Andrews

Submitted to Contest #212

Includes adult content. “She thinks you hate her.” “I don’t.” My fiancée looked doubtful. He leaned against the counter across from me. “You barely spoke to her the last time she was here. She’s dreamed of having daughters, and you’re the closest thing to one she’ll have.” “I have been nothing but polite to her,” I said stiffly. “I have nothing against your mother.” “And so are you,”he smiles. “Which is why I’m counting on you to make her feel… welcomed.” I didn’t say anything, which he takes as a cue to continue. “I just know...

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“Second chances” by Marie Munch Keiding

Submitted to Contest #212

“Bloody creatures,” Laura mumbles under her breath. The vacant stares of the porcelain cats are getting to her and with a brisk flip of the wrist she turns the glazed figurines around so they can stare at the wall instead. Laura picks up the big trash bag and goes back to picking up empty pill bottles, stacks of newspapers and miscellaneous debris of a life lost. Thank God for the invention of the rubber glove however uncomfortable, they even provide a bit of warmth in the cold house. “SALE. MUST GO NOW. NEW PRICE.” The sign outside the ho...

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“Dear Elizabeth” by Annabella Bones

Submitted to Contest #212

“Don’t touch things that don’t belong to you.” That’s what Grandma would say just before popping her wooden spoon across the tops of my hands. Despite the redness and occasional bruise, it didn’t hurt much. But this— two decades later— hurt like hell. I’ve always been lazy when it comes to checking the mail, especially in summertime. Something about that half-acre walk down the driveway was more of a turn-off than Pimply Paul Thompson sticking his tongue in my ear in 9th-grade gym class. It felt like algae, I’ll never forget, and smelled l...

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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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