Tell the spookiest story you can in only two sentences!
Spooky (adj) = Causing slight fear or unease, especially in a strange, supernatural, or eerie way.
Enter September 28–October 16. Winners will be announced Monday, October 26.
Examples
Here are some examples of a two-sentence spooky story:
“It was a dark and stormy night when I was locked out of my house and my parents weren’t home. I heard a rustling behind me, coming from the bushes.”
“I saw my favorite English teacher at the beach on Saturday, staring out over the sea. I didn’t hear about the car accident on Friday until this morning when our principal introduced our new English substitute.”
“My dog doesn’t believe in sleeping in on the weekend, I guess, because he jumped up on my bed and licked my face until I started petting him. Then I remembered I don’t have a dog.”
How to Enter
- Enter between September 28 and October 16, 2026.
- Enter online or turn in an entry form to the front desk of any NOLS branch or the Bookmobile.
- If you use the printed entry form, make sure your name and contact information is only on the back or stapled as a separate page so that judging can be anonymous.
- Submissions must be received by 5:00pm on Friday, October 16. Entries will be scored by a panel of Youth Services library staff.
Contest Rules
- The contest is open to students in grades 7-12.
- Only one entry will be accepted per student.
- Your submission can only be two sentences.
- Your writing must be your own work (and no AI.)
- You must live in Clallam County to qualify for prizes.
- Writing will be judged on spookiness, style, language, and originality.
Prizes:
Winners will be contacted by phone or email.
One grand-prize winner and two runners-up will be selected at each branch. (If entering on the Bookmobile, mark your closest branch on the form.)
- Grand prize: Halloween-themed Squishmallow.
- Runners-up prizes: Notebook and pen.
With permission, winners will be announced and stories will be shared on social media and on the library’s website on Monday, October 26.
Questions:
If you have questions, please email teens@nols.org or ask at your local branch.
This program is generously supported in part by local Friends of the Library groups.
