Writing Contest

Writing Contest Entry Details

(Form Below)

October Theme: “The Night of Secrets”

On Halloween night, the world feels different — shadows stretch longer, whispers carry through the air, and ordinary streets seem filled with mystery. This month, your challenge is to write a story about a secret that’s revealed on Halloween. Maybe your character discovers their neighbor is hiding something unusual, stumbles into a haunted place, or learns the truth about themselves under the glow of the full moon.

Think about how the Halloween setting adds to the atmosphere — costumes, pumpkins, flickering lights, and the thrill of the unknown. Is the secret magical, spooky, or heartwarming? Does it bring people closer together, or pull them apart?

This month’s theme invites you to write a story about “The Night of Secrets.” Show us how your characters face what’s uncovered and how Halloween makes that moment unforgettable.

Every month brings a fresh theme and new story type — from mysteries to adventures, to heartfelt memoir-style writing — so you’ll always have something exciting to inspire your creativity.

📌 How It Works

  • Age Groups:

    • 6–8 years

    • 9–12 years

    • 13–17 years
      (Additional age brackets may be created based on the number of submissions.)

  • Format:

    • Typed stories only (for legibility).

    • Submit by uploading your document or pasting it directly into our online form.

  • Word Count Suggestion:

    • 6–8 years: 150–500 words

    • 9–12 years: 300–1,000 words

    • 13–17 years: 500–1,500 words

💰 Entry & Fundraising Options

  • Contest Entry Fee: $5 — grants eligibility for prizes and official judging within your age group.

  • Fundraiser-Only Option: Submit your story for inclusion in our end-of-month book and help raise funds without entering the contest.

  • Book Sales Fundraiser:

    • Each student whose story is included will receive a unique purchase link to share with family and friends.

    • Students keep 50% of the profits from sales made through their link.

    • Remaining funds support the educational goals of local families through SJHC.

    • Starting in January, SJHC members (including free members) can apply for these funds to use toward educational resources and activities.

🏆 Prizes

  • First Place in Each Age Group: Wins 50% of that group’s total entry fees as a cash prize.

  • Publication Perk: Winning and non-winning stories (with permission) will appear in the month’s book.

📅 Key Dates

  • Submissions Open: October 1

  • Submission Deadline: November 1

  • Winners Announced: November 15

  • Book Release: TBD

📋 Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated on:

  • Creativity & originality

  • Storytelling flow & structure

  • Connection to the theme “The Day Everything Changed”

  • Age-appropriate writing style and clarity

Writing Contest Entry Form

October 2025 Writing Contest
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