BRISTOL, Va. – Entries are being accepted for the Bristol Herald Courier (Mildly) Scary Story Contest.
The contest offers a way for readers to share tales suitable to be told to most all ages around the campfire, at sleep-overs or family events.
Based on the "Campfire Stories" series by Virginia L. Grant of Abingdon, Va., which is currently running in the Herald Courier's Community section on Sundays through Oct. 3, the contest is open to children and adults in three categories: children ages 12 and younger; children from 13-18; and adults ages 19 and up. The winner in each category will receive $100.
The series also be can found on TriCities.com by using the keyword "campfire."
The deadline for submitting stories is 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18. No entries will be accepted after that time.
The Herald Courier office at 320 Morrison Blvd., in Bristol, Va., has a mail slot on its front door that can accommodate entries after business hours. Mailed entries must be postmarked by Oct. 18.
Artist Steven Shortridge, a Herald Courier employee who is illustrating the current series, will create an illustration based on the winners' stories. Winning stories will be published Sunday, Oct. 31 on the front page of the Community section.
NO GUTS. NO GORE.
The entries must be original, should not be horror stories with large amounts of blood, guts or gore. Write a mildly scary story with twists of fate, mischief, ghosts, a big dose of magic and creativity. Stories may be fictional or accounts of real-life situations, but must be written in story form, not as letters, poems or notes. One entry per person allowed. Artwork may accompany stories but is not required.
Any work submitted by adults or children must be the complete work of the writer. No changes shall be made by anyone but the writer, except for grammar and spelling.
Judges in each category will select winners and their decisions are final.
Stories will not be returned. Pictures or drawings will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed and stamped envelope.
Stories should not be longer than 750 words; however, judges make the final decisions on merit of the story, if it is longer than 750 words.
Relatives of employees of the Bristol Herald Courier, Richlands News-Press, Smyth County News & Messenger, Southwest Virginia Enterprise and Washington County News, News Channel 11, TriCities.com or any other Media General property are not eligible to enter.
HOW TO ENTER
Entries must include the writer's name, address, telephone number, age and best times to contact the writer. Age of the writer is extremely important.
Mail entries to: Scary Story Contest, Bristol Herald Courier, P.O. Box 609, Bristol, VA 24203. Stories also can be hand-delivered to the newspaper offices, e-mailed to features@bristolnews.com or faxed to (276) 669-3696. Call Mary Dutton at (276) 645-2556 or Hetty Canter at (276) 645-2536 to confirm receipt. Do not assume the faxed, e-mailed or mailed story was received. For more, contact Jan Patrick by e-mail at jpatrick@bristolnews.com or call (276) 645-2515.
The winner in each category will be notified by phone. A daytime contact number is critical. If faxing a story, be sure to allow plenty of time for the fax to be received by deadline.
READ STORIES WRITTEN BY GINNY GRANT OF ABINGDON.
1 - Is there magic in the woods?
2 - Secrets of a Scarecrow
3 - The Girl at Grandmother's House
4 - The Haunted Tree
