Lake Forest students from kindergarten through high school can win gift cards to the Lake Forest Bookstore by writing their best spooky tale before an Oct. 31 deadline.

The Lake Forest Library's Spooky Story Writing Contest is accepting submissions of original scary, spooky or otherworldly stories through Saturday, Oct. 31. The deadline falls on Halloween itself.

The contest is split into three age groups: up to Grade 4, Grades 5–8 and Grades 9–12. First-place winners in each group receive a $50 gift card to the Lake Forest Bookstore. Runners-up receive a $20 gift card.

That means six prizes total across the three divisions.

The contest opened Oct. 1 and runs all month. The library has not published specific word count limits, format requirements or judging criteria on its website. Families looking for submission details can visit the library at 360 E. Deerpath Road or call (847) 234-0636.

No entry fee is listed for the contest.