Now that October is here, it’s time for Kenosha Public Library’s annual Youth Scary Story Contest.  If you’re in grades PreK through 12, you could win fame and fortune - just write us a story that uses our theme and scares our pants off!

This year’s theme…

…is SPACE.

Conjure up the most terrifying story you can imagine, using space in some way.  Terrify your readers with a scary story set anywhere in the universe!  Is an asteroid heading straight toward Earth?  Have extraterrestrials taken over the planet?  Are you running out of oxygen in deep space?  Did you discover monsters on the moons of Jupiter?  Let your imagination run wild.

Looking for inspiration?  Check out our list of space stories!  Some are scary, some are not.  Or try this scary space story idea generator.

How does this work?

1. Be a kid or teen between PreK and twelfth grade.
2. Write an original story involving space.
3. Submit your story at any Kenosha Public Library location, including the Bookmobile, or enter online.
4. We’ll judge the entries and choose the scariest stories!

What are the rules?

1. You must write a scary story up to 500 words long.  We'd prefer a typed story, but we will accept handwritten stories.  NOTE: If you can't yet write, a grownup can write down your story for you.
2. The theme for this year's story is SPACE. Your story can be set anywhere you want, including Earth, but it must incorporate outer space in some way.
3. Your story must be your own original work, including the text, characters, and settings you use.  Please, no fanfiction!
4. Your story must use language that is library appropriate.

Stories that do not follow these rules will be disqualified.

What can I win?

Winners will receive a prize. If chosen, you must be able to pick up your prize at one of our library branches.  If you give us permission, we’ll also publish your story on the Kenosha Public Library website for all to read.

What else do I need to know?

• All entries must be received by 9:00 pm on Thursday, October 31st.
• Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, quality of writing, adherence to contest rules, and scariness! Judges' decisions are final.
• Entries will not be returned. Please make a copy of your spooky story before turning it in.
• Entries may be turned in at any branch of the library, including the Bookmobile, or virtually using this form.

If you have questions, or you run into trouble uploading your entry, please email amyraeweaver@mykpl.info.  

We’ll be looking forward to the terrifying tales you cook up!