Read the winning entries!
Do you love heart-pounding, nail-biting, spine-tingling mystery, suspense and horror stories? Then consider submitting your own original spooky short story as part of the DBRLTeen Flash Fiction Contest. All entries must be 250 words or less and incorporate the phrase, “It came from the library…”
This contest is open to all teens ages 12-18 in Boone and Callaway Counties. Winning entries and honorable mentions will be published on the library’s teen blog and winners will receive a Barnes & Noble gift card. Entries must be submitted online by October 21 at teens.dbrl.org.
Contest Deadline:
Entries will be accepted online through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2012.
Eligibility:
- The contest is open to participants between 12 and 18 years old.
- Participants must reside in either Boone or Callaway County, Missouri.
Contest Rules:
- All entries must be submitted using our online entry form.
- One entry per individual.
- Entries must be 250 words or less.
- Entries must incorporate the phrase, “It came from the library…”
- Entries must be written as a mystery, suspense, OR horror story as defined below:
Mystery: A story in which the main character investigates and solves a crime mystery. (Examples include “Alex Rider: Stormbreaker” by Anthony Horowitz, “The Ruby in the Smoke” by Philip Pullman and “If the Witness Lied” by Caroline B. Cooney.)
Suspense: A story in which the author uses tension, excitement, and anticipation to create feelings of uncertainty or surprise for the reader. (Examples include “The Last Thing I Remember” by Andrew Kalvan, “What Happened to Lani Garver” by Carol Plum-Ucci, and “The Compound” by S.A. Bodeen.)
Horror: A story in which the author frightens or startle readers, usually with supernatural events or creatures. (Examples include “The Monstrumologist” by Rick Yancey, “The Nightmarys” by Dan Poblocki, and “The Toymaker” by Jeremy De Quidt.)
- Up to two authors may submit a single story. Please note that both parties will share any prize awarded for their joint submission.
- Each participant must be the sole author and exclusive owner of all right, title and interest in and to his or her submission. (In plain English: You must submit your own original story — no plagiarism.)
Judging:
All entries will judged on the following criteria:
- Theme: Has your entry been written as mystery, suspense, OR horror story?
- Content: Does your story have a distinct beginning, middle, and end?
- Creativity: Does your story have an interesting main character, captivating plot, and descriptive language? How well did you incorporate the phrase, “It came from the library…”?
- Writing: Have you used correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation throughout your story?
Winners will be notified in mid-November by phone or email, and will receive a Barnes & Nobles gift card. All eligible submissions will be shared at teens.dbrl.org.
Questions? You may contact a librarian for answers
at teen@dbrl.org or (800) 324-4806.
