Let your imagination run wild. Craft a mystery. Discover a secret. Tell your story.
Do you love reading or writing stories full of secrets, suspense, and spooky twists? Are you curious about mysterious houses or creatures that live in the woods? Then Stillwater Public Library’s Youth Mystery Writing Contest is for you! Young writers ages 8-12 are invited to enter our writing contest inspired by award-winning author Jacqueline West, creator of The Books of Elsewhere and Long Lost.
Choose from one of the writing prompts below and write an original short story up to 2,000 words. Submit your story by completing the online form and uploading your work or dropping it off at the library. Stories can be uploaded as Word documents, PDFs, or photos of hand-written work (if you think we can read it!).
- Prompt 1: The tagline for The Books of Elsewhere is “This house is keeping secrets.” Imagine a story where you (or your main character) discover a powerful secret hidden somewhere within your own home. What might it be? Where might it lead? Who might have put it there in the first place?
- Prompt 2: In Long Lost, the characters trade tales about “The Searcher,” a mysterious being that lurks in the woods on the outskirts of town. Create your own Searcher lore. Who—or what—is it? A ghost, an animal, a monster, a human, or nothing at all? What might happen to a character who enters the Searcher’s woods?
Mystery Writing Workshop with The Loft Literary Center
Saturday, September 27
10:30 AM – 12 PM
Want some help getting started? Explore story structure, character development, scene, voice, and dialogue—and get started on your mystery writing contest entry with guidance from The Loft Literary Center. Ages 8-12. Registration required.
Prizes & Recognition
Jacqueline West and one of our youth services librarians will read all of your stories and select winners for special recognition.
- Grand Prize Winner: A personalized, autographed copy of Long Lost by Jacqueline West and publication of your story on the library website.
- Runners-up: Signed copies of The Books of Elsewhere and stories published on the library website.
All winners will be announced during our Author Visit & Celebration Night!
Author Visit & Celebration Night
Thursday, October 30
6-7:30 PM
Meet Minnesota Book Award Winner Jacqueline West! Hear about her journey as a writer and celebrate the amazing young authors in our community. You don’t have to enter the contest to attend—everyone is welcome! No registration.