TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Library and Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library this week announced the seventh annual Tales of the Dead Short Horror Story Contest.

The contest runs August 1 through September 22, 2023. Winners will be announced on October 2. The theme this year is “Petrifying Poe.” Each story should contain an element, appearance, or mention of Edgar Allan Poe.

There are two categories: Over 21, which includes ages 21 and over, and Under 21. First, second and third place adult winners are selected by a panel of judges, including librarians, published authors and community leaders. Criteria for judging includes originality, fear factor and quality of writing.

Winners over 21 receive two VIP tickets to A Toast Among Ghosts, Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library’s annual Poe-themed festival held on October 14 at the Reisterstown Branch, where the winners are invited to read their stories around the Ghost Story Fire Pit. Entries must be received by 5 p.m., September 22. Winners are notified on October 2. The winning stories are published on the Foundation website (https://www.foundationforbcpl.org) after October 16.

While A Toast Among Ghosts is 21+ only, writers under 21 can enter too! The winners are invited to read at a special reception at the Reisterstown Branch on Friday, October 6 at 6 p.m., and receive a gift card and certificate. Criteria for judging is the same as for adults.

The Tales of the Dead Short Horror Story Contest started in 2016, inspired by the 1816 ghost story challenge that led to the creation of Frankenstein’s monster and the first modern vampire story. The contest is held in conjunction with A Toast Among Ghosts.

Full contest entry rules are available on the Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library website.