Mystery Youth Writing Contest and Rebecca Ansari Author Visit
On Thursday, October 22, the library will host ALA Notable Book author Rebecca Ansari! Celebrate local young authors and learn more about Rebecca's writing process and journey from being an ER doctor to author.
The author visit will be the final event in our young authors’ writing contest based on Rebecca Ansari’s middle-grade novels "The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly" and "The In-Between". You do not need to participate in the writing contest to attend the event.
Writing contest entries are due by Friday, October 9. Entries can be submitted in person or at 2026 Youth Writing Contest Registration Form.
- Date:
- Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Time:
- 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Location:
- Margaret Rivers A&B
- Library:
- Stillwater Public Library
- Audience:
- Children Age 6-12
- Categories:
- Books, Authors, and Writing
Contest Information:
For writers ages 8-12. Entries due Friday, October 9.
Choose from one of the writing prompts below and write an original short story up to 2,000 words. Submit your story by completing the online form and uploading your work or dropping it off at the library. Stories can be uploaded as Word documents, PDFs, or photos of hand-written work (if you think we can read it!).
Writing Prompt #1: In The In Between there is a house that appears abandoned to everyone but the main characters. Write your version of a story about this house and the characters who can see it. Why can only they see it? What is the mystery behind the house?
Writing Prompt #2: Your character wakes up in the middle of a historic disaster! What do they do? How do they get back home to the present?
The author and our youth services librarian will choose a grand prize winner to receive their own personalized, autographed copy of The In-Between, and have their story published on the library’s webpage. Runner-ups will receive signed copies of The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly and have their stories published on the library’s webpage.