Have a Spooky Story to Tell?

Enter the Library’s Spooky Story Writing Contest for a chance to have your story framed and displayed in the library, win prizes, and share your imagination with the community!

The contest is open to writers of all ages. Entries will be judged in four age groups: ages 7–9, ages 10–12, ages 13–17, and adults 18+.

• One submission per entrant only.
• Entries must be the entrant’s own original work and must be written in English.
• Entries must be unpublished works and may not have previously won another writing contest.
• Stories must fit the spooky, mysterious, Halloween, ghostly, or supernatural theme.
• Entries submitted to the incorrect age category may be disqualified.
• Entries must be submitted by October 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
• Late entries will not be considered.

Story Length

• Ages 7–9: Up to 250 words
• Ages 10–12: Up to 500 words
• Ages 13–17: Up to 1,000 words
• Adults 18+: Up to 1,500 words

Entries exceeding the word limit for their age group will not be considered.

Original Work & AI Policy

All entries must be entirely the entrant’s own original work.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other automated writing tools is not permitted. AI may not be used to write, generate, rewrite, edit, proofread, or otherwise create any part of an entry.

By submitting an entry, participants certify that their story meets these requirements. Entries found to have been created, in whole or in part, using AI or other automated writing tools may be disqualified.

Unpublished Works & Simultaneous Submissions

Entries must not have been previously published in print or online, including in books, magazines, literary journals, websites, blogs, or social media.

Entries may not have previously won another writing contest.

Entries submitted to other contests or publications while being considered for this contest must be withdrawn before the work is submitted here. The same story may not be submitted simultaneously to another contest or publication.

Content Guidelines

Because this is a community library contest for all ages, entries must be appropriate for a general public library audience.

Entries may not contain:

• Profanity or offensive language
• Graphic violence or gore
• Explicit sexual content
• Hate speech or discriminatory content
• Excessively disturbing or inappropriate themes

The library reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not meet these guidelines.

Judging

Entries will be judged on:

• Creativity and originality
• Storytelling
• Character development and setting
• Overall quality of writing

Judges’ decisions are final. The library will not provide individual feedback on entries.

Eligibility

• The contest is open to writers of all ages.
• You do not need to be an Apache Junction resident or a library cardholder to participate.
• Entries will be judged in four age groups: ages 7–9, ages 10–12, ages 13–17, and adults 18+.
• One submission per entrant only.

Winners & Prizes

One winner will be selected from each age group.

Winners will receive:

• Their winning story professionally framed and displayed at the library
• Their story featured for library patrons to read
• Additional prizes to be announced

Winners will be announced during the Library’s Spooky Story Night.

Prizes must be picked up in person at the Library. Winners who are unable to attend Spooky Story Night may pick up their prizes at the Library within 7 days following the event. Prizes not claimed within 7 days may be forfeited.

For winners under 18, a parent or legal guardian may pick up the prize on the winner’s behalf.

Spooky Story Night

All participants who entered the contest are invited to attend Spooky Story Night.

Contest participants will have the opportunity to read their submitted story aloud in a spooky, atmospheric setting. Reading is optional, and only stories submitted to the writing contest may be read during the event.

To allow everyone to participate, each reader will have up to 5 minutes to read their story.

Everyone is welcome to attend and listen. Bring your family and friends for an evening of spooky stories, Halloween fun, and local storytelling.

Display, Publication & Promotional Permission

By entering the contest, participants grant the library permission to display their submitted story at the library and to use the story, entrant’s name, and/or photograph in library materials and promotional materials related to the contest and Spooky Story Night.

Authors retain ownership of their original work.

The library may make minor corrections to spelling, grammar, punctuation, or formatting for display or publication purposes only. The content and meaning of the story will not be changed.

Participants Under 18

For entrants under 18, a parent or legal guardian must provide permission for the participant to enter the contest and for the library to display, publish, or promote the participant’s winning story.

A parent or legal guardian must sign the required permission form before a winning story by a minor is displayed or published.

The library may also request a parent or legal guardian’s permission before using a minor’s name or photograph in promotional materials.

Submissions

We accept submissions in the following ways:

• Written submissions: Printed or handwritten stories may be submitted in person at the Library. Please include name, contact info, and age.
• Email submissions: Stories may be emailed to mrobles@apachejunctionaz.gov– Please include name, contact info, and age.
• Online submissions: Submit stories using the online submission form below.

Submissions will be open September 14-October 17, 2026

Submit here—You must use a Google account to access the submission forms. 

Questions

For questions about the contest, please contact the library at 480-474-2663 or mrobles@apachejunctionaz.gov.