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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

“Day 24” by Mary Stanley

Submitted to Contest #212

Day 24. Today will not be the day, Delinda thought as she filled the grey pot with water. Not today, and not tonight. Nope. Even though it was one of those exquisite May evenings, the setting sun’s rays streaming through the window in a way that only a drink could make one fully appreciate. Even though she’d opened that sickening envelope that came in the mail this afternoon. No ma’am. No cocktail, no chianti. Twenty-four days. “Let’s not think about 25,” she said under her breath as she opened the preheated oven and slid in a lo...

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“Lost in the Mail: Just in Time” by Shawn Vantoro

Submitted to Contest #212

The doorbell’s sudden ring jolted John from an article he’d been reading on electrodynamics. Nestled comfortably in his study, it was Saturday morning, and the Berkeley professor was alone and undisturbed until that moment. A sigh of annoyance escaped him as he glanced at his watch; it read eleven fifteen. His daughter, Amanda, was at work, and his wife was out with friends for brunch. John set his magazine aside, then heaved himself up and lumbered out of his study. Ahead, down the hallway, he could see their mailman, Terrance, through th...

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“Your Ruin” by Aimée Thomas

Submitted to Contest #212

“Gina, can you get the door?” Bill called from the kitchen. It was the postman with their mail. He tipped his hat to her after handing her a stack of letters and a package. “Bill, your hooks have come,” she called into the back of the flat. Over the sound of clattering plates, he shouted, “Great! And just in time. I can show Peter up when we go fishing later.” Gina rolled her eyes at her husband's boasting tone. “Why do you two insists on trying to one up another? Can’t you just have fun fishing?” Not that I understand how that is possi...

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“Don't open it” by Shridhar Shivam

Submitted to Contest #212

It’s 3:00 PM I hear Amy saying something, “Hello, you there?” Amy: “What happened, you zoned out?” I swear the conversation between my girlfriend and Professor Samuel is always so dull. Professor Samuel is a Chemistry professor, of the college we studied in, who has an interest in Alchemy. I always have to bear it as Amy also has an interest in it. Amy: “Let us go, we are done here” As we moved towards the bus, Amy started talking about how interesting the whole discussion with Professor Samuel was and started reiterating the who...

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“C. O. D .” by Hazel Carter

Submitted to Contest #212

Kathy lived and worked her whole life in Wheeling, West Virginia. She worked at the local post office as a mail carrier. The carriers walked “the beat.” Most of the mailboxes are either a slot on the door, by the door or lined the sidewalk. Kathy entered the post office to pick up her mail bag in order to start her day. “Joe” Kathy called to the man that sorted the mail, separating the bags for the carriers. Joe did not answer, Kathy looked around the corner in the mail room and did not see Joe. “Joe!” she called out again, this time Joe ent...

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“Admin Work” by Robert Garrett

Submitted to Contest #212

Rafe was a trapper. He didn’t do admin work. This was admin work. Those were his thoughts as he heard the bell clang while opening the door to the last post office on the planet in Sitka, Alaska. It was his first time here and it was even more depressing than he imagined. The drab lobby had at least four different shades of gray for the floors, counters, walls and uniforms. It was a small room, maybe able to accommodate a line of 10 people. But behind the counter you could see it opened into a vast warehouse. And you could definitely smell t...

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“Big spider web of connections” by Katriina Kuusela

Submitted to Contest #212

It was Friday morning. Char was sipping her take-away americano, when Marshall, her boss walked to her. He wanted her to teach the new kid who was arriving any minute all the basics in the office. Char had worked in the most popular post office of Brooklyn for over 4-years and training the newbies was part of her current role in there. “Remember to teach him how to have fun too! We don’t want any serious energy here do we!” Marshall was no typical of a boss. He was the funniest, most humorous boss Char could’ve ever asked for. When she came ...

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“The Ryokoshi Post and World War II” by Ryokoshi City

Submitted to Contest #212

12/X/1941 So much as happened in such a short time, Japan launched an attack on Pearl Harbor and now we’ve declared war on them. There’s so much war going on already and now it’s on our doorstep! I can’t help but tremble at the thought of it, all the bloodshed that’s to come, but I put on a brave face at work. The last thing anyone needs is a trembling waif manning the post office counter while they’re trying to keep it together themselves. So many people came in today to mail off letters to friends and family on the West Coast, fearing fo...

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“Progression” by Kurt Edmiston

Submitted to Contest #212

As far as lobbies go, there are probably less inviting ones in this universe. Specifically, the DMV and prisons come to mind. But Jeff needed to be here in this beige box to get some closure. As he queued up behind the tired, poor, huddled masses of people with their boxes and papers and envelopes, he took note of the ancient signage adorning the even more ancient walls, the unmatched government floor tiles, the flickering fluorescence, and the disappointing number of people who would be helped before him. Though technically in line, he st...

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“Valley Forge: A Gamble With Fate” by Sophia Azzolina

Submitted to Contest #212

14 February 1778 To my dearest Maria, I sincerely hope all is well. How are you holding up throughout this war? I know I haven’t written to you in a while. I truly long to see you all once again. Everyday I miss you more and more. Remember when we were young? I often have memories of the fresh Philadelphia air filling our lungs as we lay on the soft grass in the meadow. While I am writing this, it is hard to suppress my grin while reminiscing on such simpler times… I miss my work as a teacher and all the wonderful children I ta...

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“The Many Sides of the Sweet Siren of Sadness” by Jacqueline Monty

Submitted to Contest #212

To my Dearest Sweet Pancetta, I know how you feel. I was there too, but I tend to like myself, well, actually when you are quiet, like even when my weight is lowered by two pounds, and if I just feel okay about ourselves. So, stop thinking you’re Big, Fat & Ugly-or a Big Fat Pig, think of the Who’s Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy album from 1971. You used to say that when you felt okay not being skinny, because you were sexy & adorable back then, and well even now. Enough Sweetie, enough. Time is not waiting for another pound, or a bathin...

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“A Year for Sisters” by Melody Watson

Submitted to Contest #212

September 25, 1887 Dear Faith, How was your journey? I do hope and pray you have made it safely to your placement now. Elsie had seven babies, five girls and two boys, Dad is taking the boys to town on his fall run. He says with that many girls we could make a team. That will mean more ice fishing for Thomas to feed them. We got several pounds of potatoes. It was a good year for potatoes. Tomorrow I will start to pull the turnips. I miss you, my dear sister. I am proud of you. I know this is the beginning of your future....

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“Sincerely Yours” by Saud M Lakhani

Submitted to Contest #212

7th August 2018 My dearest old friend, Hi, I am writing to you, wow. Did not think I would ever have the courage to write to you or be brave enough to try to reconnect. This is surreal, out of the ordinary may be even out of place. Can you really blame me for thinking I can only talk to you when shit gets real? Probably. But I don’t know Aisha, I really don’t know what to do. My world feels wrong right now as if it is burning down to ashes. The Earth is shivering beneath me, preying on me to fall and be absolved. I am sorry I am being d...

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“My letter to Abhi” by Subroto Sinha

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Abhi, I received your email and from its contents I inferred that you are very disappointed and perturbed now. The reasons seem to be manyfold but the important ones, I gather, are the following: 1. Your strained relationship with your boss, whom you suspect to have been instrumental in depriving you of a deserved promotion. 2. Lack of freedom and encouragement to pursue innovative work in your project. 3. Your perceived notion that your views are deliberate...

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“The red and pink carnations postcard” by Rebeca Patrascanu

Submitted to Contest #212

2nd of February 1989 Remember that beautiful postcard we found last September, the one I sent Mircea, with the red and pink carnations? Well, he sent it back without even signing it, the pig. Can you believe him? Anyway, since you liked it so much, I put it in the envelope with this letter. You have it. I don’t even want to look at it anymore. That jerk doesn’t deserve it. Or any of my attention. I can’t believe I said I loved him. I really don’t. I’ve talked to father to put in a good word for him with comrade Vasiu for a Fram fridge. ...

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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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