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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 – 65 stories

Set your story in a post office.

Fiction – 36 stories

Stories

“Alice's enchanted oddyssey” by Avinash Johnson

Submitted to Contest #212

This story starts on a typical Thursday, in a quaint village nestled amidst rolling hills, there lived a young woman named Alice. She was known for her never-ending curiosity, her house was filled from roof to floor with books, maps, and artifacts from every corner of the world, collected from her encounters within the pages of books. Alice was sitting outside her small balcony, nestled into a soft, comfortable rocking chair watching the last rays of the setting sun. As Alice was enjoying this beautiful view she heard unexpected sounds....

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“Enigmatic” by Sarah Elias

Submitted to Contest #212

Brian Hawthorne was an ordinary man with an extraordinary fascination for mysteries. He had always been drawn to enigmatic tales, from deciphering ancient codes to exploring abandoned places with histories shrouded in uncertainty. His cozy home was a testament to his love for the arcane, shelves filled with worn volumes and curious artifacts. One brisk autumn afternoon, Brian returned from his daily stroll through the nearby woods to find his quaint mailbox slightly ajar. Tucked between the usual assortment of bills and advertisements lay ...

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“In the DLD” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #212

In the DLD Nothing vaguely interesting ever happened in the DLD. How could it, with a name like the Dead Letter Department? It is where undeliverable mail goes to die in any city. Usually, it’s only a missed spelled last name or street name. Occasionally, someone may transpose a house number or leave off an alphabet like “54 C Sunset Ct.” at the most. Any permanent carrier knows the residents on their route, so they are used to sorting the mail and correctly delivering all pieces of mail and packages; even when someone has moved. When the zi...

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“To Whom It May Not Concern” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #212

As soon as I saw the envelope I knew the letter was not intended for me. No one I know would send me a letter in such a fancy dancy envelope. The paper of that letter clothing was expensive and I don’t do expensive. Never have and never will. If I came into money, I’d invest it in a pension and then I’d die before I ever got to spend a penny of it. The stress of all that money would put me in an early grave. Some things we are not meant for. I know that only too well. Me and that slim and classy delivery had a moment together. The letter l...

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“Hopeless Gimmering” by Gary Phipps

Submitted to Contest #212

August 3rd, 1849 Reached this lonesome valley today, a real marvel under God's sky. The land stretches endlessly, its only partners being distant mountains and a beckoning stream's song. The journey was a trial, boots laden with mud, spirits weighed by tales of men who came and departed with empty pockets. In my pocket, though, is this curious shiny stone. Not yet gold, but whispering of its presence nearby. Camp's set, the daunting task ahead clear as day. Many a man ventured, few struck gold. Yet, tales of fortunes and the promise of a...

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“The Power of Love” by Debra Walsh

Submitted to Contest #212

The Power of Love January 17, 2023 To my dearest darling wife, Marjorie, Today, Ben and I discovered an old shoe box in Mom’s closet, way in the back. You would have thought all the dust would make us sneeze, but it was surprisingly clean from dust and dirt! The box was full of letters written by my great-grandfather and great-grandmother...

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“Tap Dancing” by Marty B

Submitted to Contest #212

warning: languageOf course in hindsight, she should not have told her boss to go to hell, but damn it felt good. Alicia kicked the door of her apartment open, slamming it into the wall before it rebounded against the cardboard box of detritus from her office desk. The box collapsed onto her, spilling the office supplies, pictures and files on to the floor of her tiny one room apartment. She kicked the logo’d coffee mug from her ex-company toward the kitchen, and left the rest, doing several quick Samba steps to avoid slipping on th...

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“The letters that hurt back and forth” by Raelyn White

Submitted to Contest #212

The letters that hurt back and forth My name is Jane Rhoades, and I don't know why. I don't know why I grabbed my computer, clicked on 'make a new draft', and wrote in his email as the receiver. My father left me on my 10th birthday. And today, that meant exactly eight years had passed. Perhaps I just felt like I could never be whole again. Not without any answers. And perhaps I just felt like he owed them to me. 10th december, 1998 Dear Mr. Rhoades, I'm not sure If you even realize why I write to you on this particular d...

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“Run, Marjorie” by Levi Michael

Submitted to Contest #212

“Ok, class. Today we are going to participate in a nationwide outreach program. We will be some of the privileged few to join President Nixon’s initiative to help reform those who’ve lost their way.” Mrs. Miller concluded as she stood, straight and proud in front of the class. The class stared back, blinking slowly. Mrs. Miller beamed an undeterred smile. “Today we are all going to write a letter.” She bounced on the tips of her toes, landed sure footed, and raised a hand. “Does anyone know what a pen pal is?” The class exchanged gl...

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“Mittens' Return” by Tamarin Butcher

Submitted to Contest #212

To whom it may concern, I require an immediate refund for the resurrection spell I purchased via mail order on July 17th. Your speedy attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. Glaret Ocula Mage, Fourth Circle ----- Mage Ocula, We're sorry to hear that you are unhappy with your recent purchase. Can you please provide your order number as well as your reason for returning the item? Note that we can only offer partial refunds on expended spells, and that any magical benefits you have already received will immediately be revoked o...

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“Let Your Hair Down” by Anne Abraham

Submitted to Contest #212

Cornelia glanced with increasing annoyance at the date on the unopened envelope. August 1, 1910. Written in a nearly illegible scrawl that she immediately recognized as William’s. The letter had been resting in the top corner of her bureau for the past week. She refused to open it. There were other things to do in her life that were more important than reading that letter. She had written to William in April, and it had taken him five months to reply. Five months! The mail may be a little slow between Boston and Brooklyn, but it certainly wa...

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“Seashore Lane” by S Fevre

Submitted to Contest #212

“40 by 60 centimetres, this one goes to orange; 4 by 2, blue. What do you think they packed in this one? Do they deliver jewellery by post now too?” marvels Maia, as she lobs the tiny, decorated cardboard packet to the container at the back of the holding room. “Who knows?” mutters Mitch. “Everything is considered urgent nowadays, probably a couple who decided to get married online at the last minute and needed a ring”. They continue sorting the cardboard boxes: a novel initiative to reduce paper waste from the incremental build-up of ca...

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“GodInHeaven@gmail.com” by Myranda Marie

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear God, Forgive me, but I’m new at this. Well, I’m not a new believer, but I’m not used to praying this way. However, the traditional methods of praying aren’t as effective as I had hoped, and my words flow more eloquently from my hands rather than from my throat. Of the many gifts given, I must confess, my written expression has ever been my most coveted. I pray you feel the same and read with equal intentions to my writing. Each morning before I begin my mundane routine, I take my coffee and my dog and sit on the back deck,...

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“Rats in the Dungeon” by Karen Corr

Submitted to Contest #212

**Beware of gothic gore! **Dear Diary,The winter weather arrived more than three weeks early this year with a blizzard that caught us by surprise. We've had to make accommodations to keep the daytime help here in the Château instead of sending them home. The path leading down to Gilberta is too treacherous for travel and will probably remain so for many weeks to come. -BayleDear Diary,Monsieur Traver and Mademoiselle Gwendolyn arrived unexpectedly from Paris this morning. From out of a white windy storm, the front door opened, and there they...

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“Lilly's Letters” by Brittany Butler

Submitted to Contest #212

Dear Man in the Blue House,Hi! My name is Lilly from across the street. I don’t know you, but I see you walking your dog every morning. Actually, now I remember that I met you one time when your dog got out and my dad brought him back to you and you talked to my dad and let me pet the dog. It’s a very cute dog! Oh, and also one time my brother brought you a box when it came to our house, but it was yours and just went to the wrong place. Anyway, sorry this letter doesn’t have a stamp on it. I didn’t have one, and I’m at school when the mailm...

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$250

Prize money

304

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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