Scary Stories wanted for annual contest

The 21st Poughkeepsie Journal Scary Stories contest for students of all ages in the mid-Hudson Valley is underway.

Students are invited to email original stories that are 300 words or fewer in the spirit of Halloween. Drawings also can be submitted to accompany the stories and should be emailed as separate jpegs. All emailed entries, that means stories and artwork, must include the student’s name, age, address, telephone number, grade and school.

Prizes will be awarded to the winners and runners-up in each of the four grade categories: grades 1-3; grades 4-5; grades 6-8 and grades 9-12. One author only per story.

Stories should be copied and pasted into the body of the email — no attachments, please. Do not email links to shared documents.

Entries must be received by 5 p.m. Sept. 30 by emailing: scarystories@poughkeepsiejournal.com.

Please do not duplicate emailed submissions.

Winners must agree to have their photos taken by one of the Journal’s photographers for use in photo illustrations in the theme of their winning entries.

Visit www.poughkeepsiejournal.com for the complete list of rules, updates and news about the contest. Questions? Call Journal Community Content Editor Barbara Gallo Farrell at 845-437-4979; email bfarrell@poughkeepsiejournal.com.