THE SPOOKY STORIES WRITING CONTEST; OFFICIAL RULES

 The Spooky Stories Writing Contest

Official Rules

 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

Contest may only be entered in or from the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and entries originating from any other jurisdiction are not eligible for entry.  This Contest is governed exclusively by the laws of the United States.  You are not authorized to participate in the Contest if you are not located within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.

  1. How to Enter. To enter the Spooky Stories Writing Contest (“Contest”), the parent, teacher, or guardian of an Eligible Author (defined in Section 3) must go to https://spooky.abrams.link/ (“Site”), read the Official Rules, complete the online entry form and upload the Eligible Author’s original one-page spooky story (300–1000 words) (each a “Story”) which finishes a story (“Author’s Story”) started by Jeff Kinney (“Author”). While not required, Eligible Authors may submit up to two (2) original illustrated drawings (each, an “Illustration”) with their Story (file size must be under 3MB).  All entry information, Stories and Illustrations shall be collectively referred to herein as the “Submissions” or each as a “Submission.”  Submissions must comply with the Guidelines and Restrictions defined below.  Sponsor reserves the right to cancel or modify this Contest in the event an insufficient number of entries are received that meet the minimum Judging Criteria (defined below).  Limit one (1) Submission per Eligible Author. Parents, teachers, and guardians of the Eligible Author who must be at least 18 years of age and the age of majority in their state of residence as of date of entry (who will each be defined as “entrant” for purposes of this Contest) can submit multiple Submissions provided each is submitted on behalf of a different Eligible Author.

 

Sponsor and/or Author (as applicable) grant Eligible Authors a limited, revocable, non-sublicensable, license to use the Author’s Story for the sole purpose of creating and submitting the Submission in this Contest.  Entrants and Eligible Authors recognize that all right, title, and interest in Author’s Story shall vest exclusively with the Author.

 

By entering, each entrant warrants and represents the following with respect to their Submission (but excluding with respect to the Author’s Story): (a) the Eligible Author is the sole and exclusive owner of the Submission; (b) the Submission is the original work of the Eligible Author and does not include, incorporate, or be based on any content generated, drafted, edited, illustrated, or materially assisted by generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, models, or technologies, excluding only spellcheck and grammar tools; (c) the Submission will not infringe on any rights of any third parties; and (d) any third parties appearing or included in the Submission have given entrant appropriate consent to be used in accordance with these Official Rules. Sponsor reserves the right to request third party releases from any third party included in any Submission at any time.  Failure to produce fully executed third party releases (if applicable) may result in disqualification of the Submission, in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion.

 

Providing a Submission constitutes a grant by Eligible Author to Sponsor, with entrant’s consent, of a royalty-free, fully paid-up, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, sub-licensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, create derivative works from, and display such Submissions in whole or in part, on a worldwide basis, and to incorporate it into other works, in any form, media or technology now known or later developed, including but not limited to on any and all Internet media, including Sponsor’s web sites and properties and on social networking sites (i.e., Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X/Twitter, TikTok etc.), for any legal purpose whatsoever.

 

All entrants submitting on behalf of an Eligible Author must have a valid email address. No automated entry devices and/or programs permitted.  All entries, including Submissions, become the sole and exclusive property of the Sponsor and will not be returned. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, illegible, stolen, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, postage-due, misdirected, technically corrupted or garbled entries, which will be disqualified, or for problems of any kind whether mechanical, human or electronic.  Only fully completed entry forms are eligible.  Proof of submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Sponsor.

  1. Start/End Dates. Contest begins August 11, 2026, at 12:00:00 AM (midnight) Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends September 14, 2026, at 11:59:59 PM ET. (“Contest Period”).
  2. Eligibility. Submissions may only be submitted on behalf of legal residents of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia, who are between the ages 8–12 (each an “Eligible Author”). Submissions must be submitted on behalf of an Eligible Author by an entrant. Void where prohibited. Employees of Abrams, Wimpy Kid, Inc., and The Week Junior and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, advertising and promotion agencies, manufacturers or distributors of Contest materials and their immediate families (parents, children, siblings, spouse) or members of the same household (whether related or not) of such employees/officers/directors are not eligible to enter. You are not authorized to participate in the Contest if you are not located within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
  3. Submission Guidelines and Content Restrictions: By entering, each entrant and Eligible Author agree that Eligible Author’s Submission conforms to the Submission Guidelines and Content Restrictions as defined below (collectively, the “Guidelines and Restrictions”) and that Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may remove any Submission and disqualify an entrant from the Contest if it believes, in its sole discretion, that the entrant’s Submission fails to conform to the Guidelines and Restrictions.

 

Submission Guidelines:

 

  • The one-page Submission must be at least 300 words in length and must not exceed 1000 words in length.
  • The Submission must be primarily in English.
  • The Submission may include up to 2 illustrated drawings; each uploaded illustration file must be under 3MB
  • The Submission must be the Eligible Author’s original work and must not include, incorporate, or be based on any content generated, drafted, edited, illustrated, or materially assisted by generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, models, or technologies, excluding only spellcheck and grammar tools.

 

 

Content Restrictions:

 

  • The Submission must not contain material that violates or infringes any rights of any other party, including but not limited to copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity or any other intellectual property rights;
  • The Submission must not in any way disparage Sponsor or any other person or party;
  • The Submission must not contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene, hateful, tortious, defamatory, slanderous or libelous;
  • The Submission must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age;
  • The Submission must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations of the United States or of any jurisdiction where Submission is created;
  • The Submission must not include personal information of the Eligible Author or any third party, including full names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, school names, social media handles, or other identifying information;
  • The Submission must not have been previously published, submitted to another contest, won any prior award, or copied, adapted, or derived from any third-party work;
  • The Submission must not include third-party trademarks, logos, brand names, copyrighted characters, copyrighted stories, song lyrics, celebrity names or likenesses, or other protected third-party material, except to the extent expressly permitted by Sponsor;
  • The Submission cannot promote illegal drugs or firearms (or the use of any of the foregoing), or any activities that may appear unsafe or dangerous, or any particular political agenda or message; and
  • The Submission must be consistent with the image and values of Sponsor and be consistent with and satisfy the purpose of the Contest.

 

Each entrant and Eligible Author acknowledges that other Eligible Authors may have used ideas and/or concepts in their Submission that may be similar in idea or concept to what is included in the Eligible Author’s Submission. Each entrant and Eligible Author understands and agrees that neither the entrant nor the Eligible Author shall have any claim against any other entrant, Eligible Author or Sponsor arising out any such similarity or be entitled to any compensation because of any such similarity.

 

Without limiting the grant of rights in the Story set forth hereinabove, each entrant and Eligible Author understands and agrees that Sponsor’s and Author’s use of material similar to or identical with the Submission or containing features or elements similar to or identical with those contained in the Submission will not obligate Sponsor or Author to negotiate with entrant or Eligible Author, nor will it entitle entrant or Eligible Author to any compensation of any kind.  Each entrant and Eligible Author agrees and acknowledges that nothing herein shall preclude Sponsor or Author from using any material in or similar to the Submission without any obligation toward the entrant or Eligible Author, including, but not limited to, if Sponsor has an independent legal right to use such other material, including without limitation, because such features or elements were not new or novel, or were not originated by entrant, or were or may hereafter be independently created by or submitted to Sponsor or Author.

Sponsor’s decisions are final and binding in all matters relating to this Contest, including, but not limited to, interpretation and application of these Official Rules.  By entering the Contest, entrants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the judges, which will be final and binding in all matters relating to the Contest.

  1. Judging Panel/Judging Criteria.
  • On or about September 23, 2026, eligible Submissions will be judged by Abrams and Wimpy Kid, Inc. to determine the top ten (10) Submissions (each a “Top Ten Submission”).
  • On or about September 25, 2026, The Week Junior will judge the Top Ten Submissions to determine the five (5) finalist Submissions (each a “Finalist Submission”).
  • On or about the week of October 1st, 2026, Jeff Kinney will judge the Finalist Submissions to determine the three (3) prize winners (i.e., one (1) Grand Prize and two (2) Runner-up Prize winners).

All Submissions will be judged based on the following equally weighted judging criteria (“Judging Criteria”): (a) creativity and (b) originality. There will be three (3) official recipients of prizes and zero (0) tie winners.

  1. Prizes.
  • One (1) Grand Prize: The Grand Prize-winning Eligible Author will receive:
    • A virtual meet (“Virtual Meet”) with Jeff Kinney (Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $1,000). The Virtual Meet will take on a date or time designated by Sponsor and will be subject to Jeff Kinney’s applicable schedule.
    • Spooky Stories 2 and Spooky Stories Deluxe books signed by the author (ARV: $133.98).
    • Winning Story published in
      • The Week Jr.(October 2026 issue), reaches 100K
      • com
    • One (1) one-year subscription of The Week Junior (ARV: $415.48)
    • ARV of Grand Prize: $1549.46

 

  • As a condition of receiving the Grand Prize, the Grand Prize winner must sign a publishing agreement with The Week Junior. Failure or refusal to sign the publishing agreement will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the Grand Prize.

 

  • Two (2) Runner-Up Prizes: The two (2) Runner-Up winning Eligible Authors will each receive a Diary of a Wimpy Kid Prize pack, which includes books, plush, and other licensed Diary of a Wimpy Kid ARV of each Runner-Up prize: $250 each.

 

Total ARV of all prizes combined: $2049.46. Prizes are non-transferable.  No substitutions or cash redemptions.  In the case of unavailability of any prize, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value.  All unspecified expenses are the responsibility of winners.

 

  1. Notification. On or about October 5, 2026, the parent, teacher, or guardian of the winning Eligible Author (each a “winner”) will be notified by email at the email address provided at entry and should acknowledge receipt within twenty-four (24) hours of delivery or prize may be forfeited. Potential winners may also be required to sign and return, where legal, an Affidavit or Declaration of Eligibility, Liability/Publicity Release and/or rights transfer document within five (5) days of prize notification. If any potential winner is considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, Affidavit or Declaration of Eligibility, Liability/Publicity and rights transfer document must be signed by his/her parent or legal guardian. Additionally, potential winners may be required to submit releases from any and all third parties appearing in their respective Submissions. If any potential winner cannot be contacted within 24 hours of first notification attempt, if any prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, if any potential winner rejects his/her prize or in the event of noncompliance with these Contest rules and requirements, such prize will be forfeited and may be awarded to the Submission with the next highest score (time-permitting). Upon prize forfeiture, no compensation will be given.

 

  1. Conditions. Sponsor shall not be liable or responsible in the event Submission is not used for any reason. Submissions may be cut, edited, reformatted, rearranged, combined with other materials and/or otherwise modified, in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion. Any and all federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. Participation in Contest and/or acceptance of prize constitutes each winner’s permission for Sponsor to use his/her name, address (city and state), likeness, photograph, picture, portrait, voice, biographical information, Submission and/or any statements made by each winner regarding the Contest or Sponsor for advertising and promotional purposes without notice or additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. By participating, entrants, Eligible Authors  and winners agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor, The Week Junior, Wimpy Kid, Inc., Jeff Kinney, and their advertising and promotion agencies and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers and directors (collectively, “Released Entities”), from any and all liability, for loss, harm, damage, injury, cost or expense whatsoever including without limitation, property damage, personal injury and/or death which may occur in connection with, preparation for, travel to, or participation in Contest, or possession, acceptance and/or use or misuse of prize or participation in any Contest-related activity and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, trademark infringement or any other intellectual property-related cause of action.  Entrants who do not comply with these Official Rules or attempt to interfere with this Contest in any way shall be disqualified. Sponsor is not responsible if Contest cannot take place or if any prize cannot be awarded due to travel cancellations, delays or interruptions due to acts of God, acts of war, natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics, weather or acts of terrorism.

 

 

 

  1. Additional Terms. Any attempted form of entry other than as set forth in Section 1 above is prohibited; no automatic, programmed; robotic or similar means of entry are permitted. Sponsor, its affiliates, partners and promotion and advertising agencies are not responsible for technical, hardware, software, telephone or other communications malfunctions, errors or failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, web site, Internet, or ISP availability, unauthorized human intervention, traffic congestion, incomplete or inaccurate capture of entry information (regardless of cause) or failed, incomplete, garbled, jumbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit one’s ability to enter the Contest, including any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participating in this Contest or downloading any materials in this Contest. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, extend or suspend this Contest should (in its sole discretion) virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention, fraud, epidemics, pandemics or other causes beyond its control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or proper conduct of the Contest. In such case, Sponsor will select the winners from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by Sponsor. Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds, in its sole discretion, to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or web site. Sponsor may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Contest or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair playing practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or Sponsor representatives.

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

In the event of a dispute as to any Submission, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the entrant and must comply with these Official Rules.  The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Each entrant may be required to show proof of being an authorized account holder.

  1. Limitation of Liability; Disclaimer of Warranties. IN NO EVENT WILL THE RELEASED ENTITIES BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE SITE AND/OR FROM DOWNLOADING AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM ANY WEBSITES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONTEST. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THIS CONTEST AND ALL PRIZES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS REGARDING THESE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS.
  2. Disputes; Governing Law. The parties waive all rights to trial in any action or proceeding instituted in connection with these Official Rules, including, without limitation, the Contest. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these Official Rules and/or the Contest shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association. Any such controversy or claim shall be arbitrated on an individual basis and shall not be consolidated in any arbitration with any claim or controversy of any other party. The arbitration shall be conducted in the State of New York, City of New York.

THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND THE INTERPRETATION OF ITS TERMS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICTS OF LAWS RULES. For any matters which are not subject to arbitration as set forth in these Official Rules and/or in connection with the entering of any judgment on an arbitration award in connection with these Official Rules and/or the Contest, the parties irrevocably submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in or closest to the County of New York in the State of New York.  The parties agree not to raise the defense of forum non conveniens.

  1. Use of Data. Sponsor will be collecting personal data about entrants online, in accordance with its privacy policy.  Please review the Sponsor’s privacy policy at https://www.abramsbooks.com/privacy-policy/ By participating in the Contest, entrants hereby agree to Sponsor’s collection and usage of their personal information and acknowledge that they have read and accepted Sponsor’s privacy policy.
  2. List of Winners. To obtain a list of winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope by November 5, 2026, to: Attn: Spooky Stories Writing Contest, c/o Abrams, 195 Broadway, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10007.
  3. Sponsor. Abrams, 195 Broadway, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10007.