Winter Hauntings

Submit your EPIC Carteret Ghost Story here. If you dare.

Submission Instructions

Welcome to the EPIC Carteret Ghost Story Writing Contest! Please follow the guidelines below to ensure your submission is accepted.

Guidelines

  • Theme: Your ghost story should be inspired by Carteret County, reflecting its landmarks, local lore, culture, or history.

  • Word Limit: Your story must not exceed 1,300 words. Entries surpassing this limit will not be considered.

  • Language: All submissions must be in English.

  • File Format: Submit your story as a Word document (.doc or .docx) or PDF (.pdf).

  • Originality: Your submission must be your original, unpublished work. Any entry found to be plagiarized will be disqualified.

  • Eligibility: To participate, writers must have a connection to Carteret County. This can be through residency, familial ties, education, or other significant connections.

  • Rights: Writers retain full rights to their submitted stories.

Formatting Instructions

  1. Document Type: Please submit your story as a .docx or .pdf file.
  2. Font and Size: Use a standard, readable font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, in size 12.
  3. Line Spacing: Please double-space your text. This makes the manuscript easier to read and annotate.
  4. Margins: Use standard 1-inch margins on all sides.
  5. Page Numbers: Include page numbers at the bottom of each page.
  6. Title: Include the title of your story at the top of the first page, centered. Do not include your name or any other identifying information in the document.
  7. Word Count: Please note the word count below the title. Remember, stories must be 1,300 words or fewer.
  8. Anonymity: Ensure that your name does not appear anywhere in the document to maintain the integrity of the blind judging process. Your personal information will be electronically attached with your file using a numerical code.
  9. File Naming: Name your file with just the title of your story. For example, if your story is titled “Ghostly Shores,” your file name should be “Ghostly_Shores.docx”.

How to Submit

  1. Contact Information: Begin by filling in your name, email, and phone number.
  2. Carteret County Connection: From the dropdown menu, select how you are connected to Carteret County.
  3. our Library: We’d like to know, generally, where submissions are coming from. Since home is where the books are, tell us your home library.
  4. Age Confirmation: Verify that you are 16 years or older by checking the relevant box.
  5. Provide Story Title and Upload Your Story: Enter your story title. Then, click on the ‘Upload’ button and select your story file from your device.
  6. Originality Pledge: Tick the checkbox confirming that your submission is an original piece and has not been published elsewhere.
  7. Final Submission: Once you’ve filled in all the necessary details and uploaded your story, click the ‘Submit’ button.

We will use the information you provide in the submission form to track your entry. Please make sure the title in the document matches the title you enter in the submission form.

Submission Deadline

Please ensure your story is submitted by midnight October 31, 2024.

After Submission

  • You will receive an automated confirmation email verifying the receipt of your story.
  • Stay updated by checking your email for announcements and other contest-related news.

THE SUBMISSION FORM

Your Local Library *
Please submit your ghost story as a PDF (.pdf) or Microsoft Word (.docx) document.