Darker Intentions Press, a small publishing house in Freehold, is sponsoring a short story contest. There is no entrance fee. The theme is "A Mystery to Die For?" and the rules are posted at www.darkerintentionspress.com.

The story can be no more than 8,000 words and has to have a "dead body" in it somewhere; black humor is encouraged. Although the story can be silly, it has to have a dark slant to it.

Submissions can be pasted into an e-mail and sent to jzdakota@hotmail.com., with "DIP-A Mystery to Die For?" in the subject line, and must be received by May 12. Prizes include Barnes & Noble gift certificates, and winners will be announced June 3.