Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog

Menu

✕
CONNECT
Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites
BLOG
Success Stories
APPS
TOOLS
Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships
ABOUT
About Reedsy Terms Privacy

CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your 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.

Posted in Historical Fiction on Aug 18, 2023

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 30 stories

“The Poplar Tree ” by Christina Cooper

Submitted to Contest #212

The Poplar Tree Christina Cooper January 16th, 1952 Dear Jane, I have got to tell you something huge, but you can’t tell anybody. Remember when we were talking at Christmas and you told me that this was my year, that I would fall in love? Well, I think you may be right. I’ve always known him a little bit, or knew of him, he works for my Pa. His Pa works for my Pa too! He’s a bit older than me, he’s probably 21 or 22, but it’s not that much difference. I’ll be 17 in just over a month anyway. It’s not like we really talk that much, but I d...

8 comments 8
Read story

“NOTHING IS EVER WASTED IN CHINA” by Robert W

Submitted to Contest #212

15th August 1945 America To: Christopher Cheshire, Oxford, England Dear Chris, I’m glad you got back from Germany in reasonable shape. It must have been Hell to be a POW. And I know what Hell is like – I’ve seen it. First the war with Germany, then the war with Japan after their attack on Pearl Harbour. Five years of destruction, killing and wasted lives. Finally, last week, Nagasaki. And now it’s all over, at long last. ‘Anti-Hero Hito’ has just announced that Japan has surrendered.  It seems the Ja...

6 comments 6
Read story

“The Persistence of Memory” by Clara Dodge

Submitted to Contest #212

Oh mourning dove of my heart,you inconsolable cooing thing,each beat riddled with grief. You alone know my beloved ashes, cloudy feathers sarcophagusing my blood and veins. You run away with every sunrise yet you find yourself unchanged. You lacerate my words and turn every saturated childhood memory pale. You know mourning in the morning before stale dawn, the ache when there is no face to place your love. By night you are silenced by the heat of theMoon.Souris-A mourning dove...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Letters Across the Atlantic” by Keelan LaForge

Submitted to Contest #212

Sensitive Content - References disease and death. Dear Mummy, I’m writing like I promised I would. God knows how many weeks it’ll take for this letter to reach you. It took two months to get here on the boat. It wasn’t what I’d imagined. Did you know they call them Coffin Boats? A fifth of the passengers on board died of Yellow Fever. I was one of the lucky ones, I think. This land of opportunity isn’t exactly what I thought it would be. We didn’t get a glorious fanfare of a welcome when we stepped off the boat. In fact, I could feel the...

2 comments 2
Read story

“DREAMING OF YOU: LETTERS TO MY SOLDIER” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #212

58 years ago, on the 19th of August was the worst day of my life. My best friend, my soulmate went missing in the jungles of Vietnam. In the years that followed, the war continued. Many more soldiers went missing. Many more families were destroyed like mine. I never gave up hope. Eight years it took for my love to be found and to come home. During those eight years, I written a series of letters to Brian that I want to share with you. Bear with me because these letters will bring back so many memories for me and the tears. The first lett...

2 comments 2
Read story

“Longing for Home” by Megan Pollander

Submitted to Contest #212

Dearest Mother, My heart yearns to be in your presence, to feel the warmth of your embrace and to hear the solace of your kind words. The time I have spent in this medical encampment has been far too brief, and yet it seems as though I have witnessed and lived through more trials than any soul should endure in a single lifetime. The battle that rages here surpasses any I have ever witnessed. Its relentless fury knows no bounds, and the anguished cries of the fallen permeate the very air we breathe. Our valiant and youthful soldiers, unwa...

0 comments 0
Read story

“The Never-Ending Battle” by Doreen M Atkinson

Submitted to Contest #212

Battle of the Somme, 1916 Dear Mary, It’s cold and damp here today. I’m chilled and shivering. I’m dreaming of my favorite chair and a steaming, hot cup of coffee. The comforts of home are foremost in my mind. How I long to hold you and the children in my arms. Thinking and dreaming about all of you keeps me sane. I don’t know how I could survive without these special times. I can close my eyes and see the children playing in the garden or playing in the snow, and our precious little dog, Snappy, chasing around with a favorite toy. How the...

0 comments 0
Read story

“Lost in Transmission ” by Alasdair Perry

Submitted to Contest #212

England, 1791IDear Patriot, I am writing to you because I understand we share certain sympathies. I have important news concerning our cause. You must know that for our own safety, I cannot know who you are, nor can you know who I am. This letter has found its way to you thanks to a mutual friend who is keen that our ideas disseminate. After you have read this letter and considered its portents you are to do the following, as I have done: You are to write a similar letter for another Patriot, conveying to them the aforeme...

0 comments 0
Read story

“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...

1 comment 1
Read story

“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...

0 comments 0
Read story

“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...

0 comments 0
Read story

“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...

0 comments 0
Read story

“A series of letters in the time of the illness” by Michele Duess

Submitted to Contest #212

Warning: Anti-Asian racism. Some strong language.Diary entry: December 23, 2019: At Kirk’s cabin in North Carolina. I think Alex takes after my brother. They’re both wiry but my mother disagrees. She thinks he looks like my grandmother. Anyway, Alex made me coffee. It’s bitter but I drink it anyway. Kirk’s in-laws are here with their grandkids and everyone’s talking. Outside the trees are bare, branches like veins against a gray sky. I’m just thinking of a poem when Carol says something about a new virus in China. I was about to say hopeful...

2 comments 2
Read story

“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...

0 comments 0
Read story

“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. ...

0 comments 0
Read story

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story in the form of a letter, or multiple letters back and forth.

Short Story – 147 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

Contest #212

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Signed, Sealed, Delivered

$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

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

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

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢