Menu

More apps built by Reedsy

Assemble a team of professionals

The writing app for authors

Writing courses, events and memberships

Get your book reviewed

Weekly writing prompts and contests

Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog
Directory
Weekly Prompts Contest
Reedsy Literary Prize
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.

🥇 Winner

The Last Of The Bright Young Things

Winner of Weekly Contest #212 🏆

Friday 7th October 1932 - Adelphi Hotel, LiverpoolDearest darling Herbert,What excitement we have had!  Mother and I boarded our train on Thursday. The conductor was a charming man. I swear he held my hand for just a moment too long. The weather was terrible, of course, but we were heading for the sun, and neither of us cared one jot. Then the thunderstorm started, which terrified Mother. She shrieked like she had seen a dozen mice with every rumble and flash. It was good fortune we shared our carriage solely with a group of nuns ...

132 likes 92 comments 92
Read story

⭐️ Shortlisted

This week's prompts

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

– 143 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.

– 30 stories

Write a story about a pair of pen pals.

– 26 stories

A mysterious letter is delivered to your character's home. It's not addressed to them, but they can't resist peeking...

– 62 stories

Set your story in a post office.

– 36 stories

Stories

Despatches From the Home Front

Weekly 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...

25 likes 12 comments 12
Read story

Just

Weekly Contest #212

Kat hovers on the threshold, one boot raised, and the meagre scraps of fabric she considers fashion, flapping against her thighs.“And stay out of my room. Don’t rifle through my shit or anything,” she says.I blink. Vulgar accusations from my flatmate aren’t uncommon, but still, it smarts when she throws such slander with gay abandon.“I shall do nothing of the sort,” I say.“Whatever.”She strides down the front steps, past the patch of flourishing daisies, and towards the dishevelled deathtrap of rusting parts she affectionately calls her car....

25 likes 18 comments 18
Read story

Teddy Bear

Weekly 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 16 comments 16
Read story

No Returns

Weekly Contest #212

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

24 likes 12 comments 12
Read story

The Book Of The Dead Letter Office

Weekly 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 21 comments 21
Read story

Post E

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 27 comments 27
Read story

The Amalgamated Realms Post House for Interdimensional Deliveries

Weekly 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 ...

22 likes 8 comments 8
Read story

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 15 comments 15
Read story

Love Beyond the Envelope: Strangers on the Spooky Trolley

Weekly 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...

21 likes 7 comments 7
Read story

Flip the Coin

Weekly 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 13 comments 13
Read story

Abraison

Weekly 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 0 comments 0
Read story

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

Weekly 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 15 comments 15
Read story

Hat Lady

Weekly 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 4 comments 4
Read story

Oops, There Goes Another Rubber Tree Plant

Weekly 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...

19 likes 15 comments 15
Read story

Beyond the Boulder: Mythic Letters of Sisyphus and Atlas

Weekly Contest #212

Dear Atlas,Greetings, my celestial friend!Another day, another uphill journey. I’m eager to get down to business! The boulder gets heavier, but I'm certain "today will be the day."Lunch was a feast of wild pomegranates and roasted lamb.Pythagoras swung by, talking angles and approaches.Remember, persistence conquers all!With optimism,Sisyphus* * *Sisyphus,Your optimism, it befuddles me.I bear ze weight of ze vorld on my shoulders.Ze vorld casts a shadow, leavin' me alone in darkness.Today, perhaps, is ze day I let it slip.It has al...

18 likes 8 comments 8
Read story

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