Young novelists, we want you — to write us a scary story.

The annual scary story contest is back, and it’s open to students in three categories: elementary school, middle school and high school.

In 500 words or less, finish this story: “I was walking home from school on an unusually dark afternoon when I felt a pair of eyes staring right at me.”

Send your story with your name, age, grade and school to go@ljworld.com. The deadline for submissions is noon Oct. 19, and entries must be submitted via email with the subject line “Scary Story Contest.”

Winning stories will be printed in the Oct. 28 edition of the Journal-World.

For more information, contact Katie Bean at 832-6361 or kbean@ljworld.com.