A group of Mag editors gathered to celebrate Halloween with a plan that would deliver chills. They wanted to be scared — really scared — so they dreamed up a scary story writing contest called The Spook-Off. The goal wasn’t to terrify for shock’s sake but to spark a shared thrill, to invite readers to peek behind the curtain of a haunted newsroom and let their imagination run wild. Inspiration came from a recent Halloween bundle released around the same time, featuring SCARED SHREKLESS and MONSTERS VS. ALIENS: MUTANT PUMPKINS FROM OUTER SPACE. The editors saw it as a perfect blend of whimsy and menace, a way to pull readers into a world where pumpkins blink and monsters whisper. The Spook-Off became more than a dare; it was a celebration of storytelling that could turn a quiet page into a doorway, inviting readers to step through with courage and curiosity. The plan was simple: invite people to write an original fright tale, and let the strongest voices rise to the top. [Citation: Magazine staff notes on the Spook-Off concept]
Details for participation were laid out clearly. No purchase was necessary to enter The Spook-Off. Submissions needed the writer20 9s full name, age, complete address, and a telephone number for contact. The contest welcomed young writers and allowed entries from those eighteen years old or younger. Each participant could submit only one entry. The contest was not open to residents of Quebec. Judges would evaluate entries for originality and creativity among all eligible submissions. Winners consented to the use of their entry and their name and city in a winners list and online. The first prize was a DreamWorks Animation prize pack along with a one-year subscription to The Magazine. Second and third place runners-up would receive a Scared Shrekless prize pack including Scared Shrekless & Monsters Vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space Double DVD Pack. Submissions could be sent through the official contest portal or by mail in accordance with the current rules. Details appeared on the official site.
As autumn winds rise, readers are invited to settle in with a mug of cider and imagine the eerie possibilities. The Spook-Off creates a bridge between the page and Halloween’s heartbeat, giving writers a chance to shape the mood with their own words. Editors review submissions with care, listening for a strong sense of suspense, originality, and voice that can carry a reader through a night-time corridor of fear. Winners are announced in a public list, and the magazine shares the winning entry along with the writer20 9s city as part of the celebration. The contest sparks conversation, invites families to share a story night, and offers aspiring writers a platform that honors imagination and craft. [Citation: Spook-Off event recap]