The results are in, and we’re thrilled to announce the finalists of the Winter Hauntings Ghost Story Contest!

These talented writers have crafted chilling tales that will captivate audiences at Winter Hauntings: An Evening of Ghost Stories on January 29, 2025, at Carteret Community Theatre’s temporary venue at Atlantic Station in Atlantic Beach. Each finalist’s story will be performed by talented actors from the theatre, bringing their words to life in ways that will send shivers up your spine.

This year’s contest was fiercely competitive, with submissions from Newport, Beaufort, Morehead City, Bogue Banks, and Down East showcasing a range of eerie, mysterious, and imaginative narratives. Our panel of judges—Edgar-nominated author Tom Kies, former Carteret Writers president Melissa Kelley, local educator and Bookstagrammer Tara Sandmann, and Director of Resource Development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain Caitlin Kuhn—had their work cut out for them. Here are the finalists and highlights of their exceptional stories, in no particular order.

M.C. Barton: “The ‘Stacks”

M.C. Barton (pen name for Mike Barton) spent his early years in a rural mountainous region of Pennsylvania, where he developed a vivid imagination for what might be lurking behind the next tree, over the next hill, or beneath a shadowy rocky outcrop. After a career in the Marines and other adventures, Barton settled on the windy coast of North Carolina and returned to writing, crafting tales that explore the mysterious and the unknown. His story “The ‘Stacks” showcases his talent for creating richly detailed settings and multi-dimensional characters. You can learn more about Mike at his website.

• Judges praised the strong local setting, multi-dimensional characters, and vivid details.
• Judge Melissa Kelley noted the powerful ending, saying, “This ambiguity works to add to the mystery of the ‘Stacks and maintains the tension built into the story. Well done!”

H.S. Skinner: “A Different Perspective on Silhouettes”

H.S. Skinner (pen name for Heidi Skinner) is a prolific writer with sixteen novels spanning adult and young adult genres, ranging from sweet small-town love stories to otherworldly fantasy. A longtime gardening columnist for both The Newport Voice and The Coastal Review, she brings her keen observational skills and love for detail to her fiction. Her story “A Different Perspective on Silhouettes” is a poignant and atmospheric tale set along the seashore, weaving themes of identity and transformation. You can learn more about Heidi at her website.

• Judges admired the seamless connection between the silhouettes and the labels given to The Boy, calling it “unique” and “lovely.”
• Judge Tom Kies remarked, “In a very short amount of time the character development of The Boy is rich and deeply layered. The ending is completely different from what I expected.”

Jessi Waugh: “Taste of Robins”

Jessi Waugh is a Carteret Writers board member, yoga teacher, and writer of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. With a background in science and education, she enjoys exploring the intersection of the natural world and human stories. When she’s not writing, Waugh can often be found diving into her to-read stack or engaging with her local literary community. Her story “Taste of Robins” explores what happens when a maritime forest is haunted by uncanny animals, turning a harbinger of spring into a source of terror. You can learn more about Jessi at her website.

• Tom Kies described the story as having “a distinct Stephen King flavor,” noting its critique of developers and the chilling resolution.
• Judge Tara Sandmann called it “very creepy” and perfectly unsettling for a ghost story event.

What’s Next for the Finalists?

The three finalists’ stories will now go to presiding judge Kelly Shorter, a UK-based Bookstagrammer and ghost story expert, who will choose the grand prize winner. The top story will be announced at Winter Hauntings, with the winner receiving a $100 cash prize.

The top five stories from the contest will be included in the professionally designed souvenir program, which doubles as a chapbook. This collectible keepsake features the haunting tales alongside regional artistry, making it a treasure for literature lovers.

Celebrate Their Stories Live

Join us on January 29 for an evening of mystery, artistry, and storytelling as these finalists’ works are performed live. From the atmospheric tension of “The ‘Stacks” to the layered character development of “A Different Perspective on Silhouettes” and the chilling twists of “Taste of Robins,” this event is sure to captivate.

Get your tickets now and don’t miss the opportunity to experience these hauntingly good tales brought to life by the region’s best storytellers and performers.

Congratulations to the finalists, and thank you to everyone who submitted stories! Your creativity and passion for storytelling are what make Winter Hauntings so special. Keep writing, and we can’t wait to see what next year’s contest brings!

For more information on Winter Hauntings, sponsorships, and tickets, head here.