Menu

Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Directory

Contests

Magazine

FAQ

← All contests

#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 – 145 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 – 63 stories

Set your story in a post office.

Fiction – 36 stories

Stories

Does She Know You're Leaving?

Story Time

Submitted to Contest #212

I had always thought that the Muscatellos had a perfect marriage. Lindy Muscatello would often leave the windows open whenever they made love. During one of their sessions, Oscar Muscatello would sing opera at the top of his lungs. I’d be lying in bed next to Robert and he would beg me to shut the window. The whole thing made him uncomfortable. When we made love, there was no sound at all. Just a quiet gasp when Robert decided to land the plane, so to speak. My plane never landed. It just circled endlessly until it ran out of fuel and plum...

25 likes

Teddy Bear

Submitted to Contest #212

TW: deathIt’s all your fault, you know. Picture it now, I was standing at that sparkling marble counter top, sorting through the mail, when I saw it. A thin envelope addressed to Joanne Roberts.It sat on my counter for hours while I cleaned up the kitchen, completed an online yoga workout, and took a hot shower. “Young’s Storage Company” in red letters as the header to the return address gave me plenty of info to begin searching online. “Final Notice” stamped in red across the front let me know what it was about. Still, I wanted to know the ...

25 likes

No Returns

Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #212

No ReturnsMr. Arnie Irk Customer Relations &n...

24 likes

The Book Of The Dead Letter Office

Submitted to Contest #212

“To whom it may concern,” the letter started. “Within the enclosed book lies a treasure trove of adventures beyond your wildest imagination. Its spells within hold the key to many locked doors in time. Use it wisely and be warned: Not all outcomes are favourable.” “What on Earth is this nonsense,” Captain Richard Lyle muttered. “I say, Jonty,” he called across the small room. “I’ve just opened one of the dead letter packages that came in this morning and discovered this extraordinary letter inside.” “Who is it addressed to, Dickie?” Hi...

24 likes

Post E

Chris Miller

Shortlisted for Contest #212 ⭐️

“I need to send this.” The young man took a package from inside his heavy suncoat and put it on the counter. It was wrapped in yellowed newspaper tied with chord made from discarded plastic packaging, gathered and spun back into utility by enterprising street vendors. “Ok, if you want me to address it for you that’ll be an extra ten pounds,” said the Postmaster, his voice a tin-can echo from behind his bulletproof window. “Ten! It won’t be that much to send it.” “Rules, I’m afraid. You should address it yourself, if you can. ...

22 likes

Wrong Address

Shortlisted for Contest #212 ⭐️

He just wanted George to shut his big mouth; Johnny had no idea what it would lead to. A postman cracking codes and chasing Communists in the middle of Nebraska? It was the stuff of cheap dime novels, not his life. At least, it wasn't supposed to be. George had just returned from his delivery route, walking in just after Margaret shut the door behind her. Johnny’s ear-to-ear smile disappeared the moment he heard the creak of the old post office’s wooden door just after she'd left. Couldn’t even enjoy it for a minute, he thought. At best...

21 likes

Despatches From the Home Front

Katy B

Submitted to Contest #212

Post Office Telegraphs. Augustine Madlain to Imogen Eley — (Received 3 August 1914) Believe war entry likely STOP Paris in uproar STOP Holiday enthusiasm STOP All very exciting STOP ᛭ Auggie10 October, 1914Dear Auggie,I was so glad to receive your letter last week. Imagine your marching in shirts and ties through the countryside — suppose a cow, for instance, had seen you? What must the poor creature have thought? And I don’t think it’s fair of you to complain of learning to cook “like women-folk.” You say it’s hard on fellows but I see...

21 likes

The Amalgamated Realms Post House for Interdimensional Deliveries

Kyler Lopez

Submitted to Contest #212

"Welcome to The Amalgamated Realms Post House for Interdimensional Deliveries." I said with a forced smile. "How can I be of service today?"My question was followed by a rambling of burps, spits and general nonsensical squishes. The customer, a Garafavulia from Dimension Xy23, squished his bulbous forehead together in what I assumed was a questioning expression. The Garafavulia flopped their transparent tentacle onto the counter with a wet impact. After a second, they let slip a small black envelope onto the counter."Of course. I completely ...

21 likes

Abraison

JW McAteer

Submitted to Contest #212

Beginnings are always harder to see than endings. When it began? How it started? You know, the usual questions — looking for someone to blame. But in the end, beginnings don’t really matter. Endings. Now, those are much easier to see. Everything ends after all. And so it is that humanity just got added to that list. No exceptions, it appears. And now I see the ending as clear as flipping to the last page of a book. A few paragraphs of text, and then nothing, just empty white space. You might even get a “The End” if you’re lucky. I don’...

20 likes

Flip the Coin

Rama Shaar

Submitted to Contest #212

12.12.2022Dear Bahar,It’s day eight since I last heard from you. I know WhatsApp is not allowed in Iran, but I habitually check my phone every few minutes expecting a funny meme, a photo or just a “how’s it going, Hanhan?”Then I remember that we don’t know anything about your whereabouts. And I shatter.The other day, I passed by your classroom and popped my head in, half-expecting to see you there in front of the SmartBoard, telling your students yet another fascinating story about the Roman Empire or the WWII. But then I saw yet another one...

20 likes

Love Beyond the Envelope: Strangers on the Spooky Trolley

Submitted to Contest #212

“It’s funny how we become the way others perceive us.It starts with families, goes into school, social media, everywhere.No wonder everyone’s on antianxiety meds and desperate to be happy.We don’t know who we are anymore.”--Jennifer Probst, Love on Beach Avenue***You can be grooving along in the same old groove, like a broken stylus on a turntable that repeats the same song in a loop, when suddenly something shakes things up—and without warning the music stops. Daniel Marimu had been in his groove. Grooving. New job as a buddi...

20 likes

Hat Lady

Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #212

“She’s back.” “Hat Lady?” “Yup.” MaryAnn motioned the next customer to the counter, putting a temporary hold on their conversation. “Can I help you?” She asked, hoping she didn’t sound as impatient as she felt. It wasn’t the customer’s fault that she was anxious to see what happens with the mystery woman. “Yes. Ten stamps please. You know those stamps that are always good, I can’t think of what they’re called.” “Forever stamps,” she replied, glancing toward the lobby. “Yes, that’s it. Forever stamps.&nb...

19 likes

The Moonstone Club Challenge (a David & Mr. Goliath Mystery)

Geir Westrul

Submitted to Contest #212

London, 1898The Moonstone Club“Max,” said Sherlock Holmes, "I want to introduce you to my friend, Mr. Goliath."The four famous detectives — Sherlock Holmes, Max Carrados, Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke, and Chevalier Auguste Dupin — were gathered by the fireplace at the Moonstone Club library.Max Carrados held out his hand.“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Goliath.”Sherlock Holmes burst into an explosion of laughter as Max recoiled at the touch of the tiny hand.Max Carrados turned his blind eyes in Holmes’s direction. “Even a baby’s hand is lar...

19 likes

Oops, There Goes Another Rubber Tree Plant

Submitted to Contest #212

“Next time you're found With your chin on the ground There’s a lot to be learned So look around Just what makes that little old ant Think he'll move that rubber tree plant Anyone knows an ant can't Move a rubber tree plant But he's got high hopes He's got high hopes He's got high apple pie In the sky hopes” --Frank Sinatra “When the sheep had all gone, the dragon had demanded that the people sacrifice a young maiden to him each day. Saint George found that all the young girls had now been killed and only the King of Egypt’s daughter was le...

18 likes

An Epistle Conveyed by Airship

Russell Mickler

Submitted to Contest #212

An Epistle Conveyed by Airship7th day of January 1872My Esteemed Mr. Ambrose,May this missive find you in robust health and high spirits.Acknowledging your eminence as a prodigious savant of the mechanistic arts, adorned with intellect, a cogent psyche, and a countenance befitting a gentleman, it is apropos for me to forewarn you of my decision to set our contraption into motion.Pray, do not construe this communiqué as a provocation to intercede in my endeavor. I beseech you with heartfelt sincerity to refrain from your curious, inquisitive ...

17 likes

Load more stories

Contest #213

This contest has ended. Thank you for your submissions.

$250

Prize money

300

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!

reedsylearning

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months. Learn more →

How to Write a Novel