The Kent Historical Society is asking area residents to share their spooktacular tales of ghostly encounters and haunted buildings in Kent for an update of its popular booklet, “Haunting Tales from the Tree City.”

With Halloween just around the corner, the organization is again ready to grow its 41-page booklet, first published in 2007 by Kent Historical Society Press and last updated in 2009. It includes 30 tales of paranormal experiences as shared by local storytellers.

Among them are stories about the spirits said to roam The Kent Stage, the Erie Depot (Pufferbelly Restaurant), the Masonic Temple, Kent Free Library and Ray’s Place. Other writers shared their accounts of hauntings that took place in homes throughout Kent.

The historical society is not seeking fiction, but tales of “real” ghosts, spirits, hauntings, haunted houses and buildings in Kent. And those experiences need not be scary for inclusion in the booklet.

Stumped on how to craft your story? Just write it like you would tell it to a friend, including as much detail as possible. All stories received may be edited to some degree for spelling, punctuation and clarity.

“For the most part, we try to keep the stories in the ‘spirit’ in which they were told,” said Sandy Halem, president of the Kent Historical Society Board of Trustees.

All names, email addresses and the addresses of private homes will remain anonymous. Those who do not want their real first name used with their story should provide a moniker.

The deadline for submissions is midnight Sept. 20. Email submissions are preferred and can be sent tokhs@kentohiohistory.org. Snail-mail submissions can be sent to: Kent Historical Society, 237 E. Main St., Kent OH 44240.

The historical society’s third edition of “Haunting Tales from the Tree City” will be published in time for the Ghost Walk to be held in downtown Kent on Oct. 13 under the sponsorship of The Kent Stage. The booklet also will be sold at KHS’ Clapp-Woodward House and in its online store.