The 7th Annual Halloweensie Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!

My sincere apologies that the finalists are not going to be listed for your votes until at least Wednesday!  Editorial deadlines… enough said.  I’m so sorry for the delay and will do my very best to get the finalists posted as soon as possible!  Thank you for your patience and understanding ❤ 

Ear of bat and toe of worm!  It’s finally time for. . .

The 7th Annual HALLOWEENSIE CONTEST!!!!!

~ for children’s writers ~

aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!!!

halloweensie-pumpkin

The Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in the 100 words), using the words candy corn, monster, and shadow. (Candy corn will be counted as 1 word.)  Your story can be scary, funny, or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!)  Get it?  Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people 🙂  (And yes, I know 100 words is short, but that’s part of the fun and the challenge!  We got nearly 150 fantastic entries last year, so I know you can do it!)  Also, you may use the words in any form – e.g. monsters, monstrous, shadowy, shadowed, whathaveyou 🙂  NO ILLUSTRATION NOTES PLEASE! (And yes, you may submit more than one entry if you’re so inclined 🙂 )

Post: your story on your blog between right now this very second and Tuesday October 31st by 11:59 PM EDT and add your post-specific link to the list below.  There will be no Perfect Picture Book or Would You Read It posts for the duration of the contest so the links will stay up for everyone to visit and enjoy.  If you don’t have a blog and would like to enter, you can simply copy and paste your entry in the comments section below (please include your byline if your posting handle is something like AwesomeWriter92 so I can identify you.)  If you have difficulty posting in the comments, which unfortunately sometimes happens, you may email your entry to me at susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com and I’ll post it for you.  Please place your entry in the body of the email including your title and byline at the top – NO ATTACHMENTS!
Please Note: although you are welcome to submit more than one entry, please only post each entry ONCE!  If you post it on your blog (preferred method) everyone will come visit you and you’ll make new friends! 🙂  If you don’t have a blog, post it in the comment section below.  If you’re unable to post, please email me with your entry and byline in the body of the email.  Please DO NOT post on your blog, and in the comments, and send me an email to post.  It makes things confusing!
P.S.  Although I try to stay glued to my computer 24/7 I am sometimes forced to leave my desk.  If you haven’t commented on my blog before, your comment won’t show up until I approve it.  It may take a little while if I’m away from my desk.  Likewise, if you send me an entry to post, I promise I will do it as soon as I can!

The Judging: in a grueling marathon over the following days, my devoted assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to 3 top choices (hee hee hee – you know how much trouble I have with only 3, so we’ll see) which will be posted here and voted on for a winner on Monday November 6th (sooner if possible, although I’m warning you ahead of time I have a deadline for something else and if time gets dicey the finalists may get posted later.)  The winner will be announced on Thursday November 9th, good lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise 🙂  If we get more than 25 entries, I will post 6 finalists and give prizes for 1st – 3rd.  If by some chance we get the kind of turnout we’ve had the past couple years, I may post as many as 10-12 finalists and I’ll probably end up giving everyone a prize 🙂  But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it!

Judging criteria will be as follows:

  • 1. Kid-appeal! – These stories are intended for a young audience (ages 12 and under), so we’re looking for stories that children will enjoy and relate to.
  • 2.  Halloweeniness – the rules state a Halloween story, so it must be crystal clear that the story is about Halloween, not just some random spooky night.
  • 3. Quality of story – entries must tell a story, including a main character of some kind and a true story arc even if it’s tiny 🙂  Entries must not be merely descriptions or mood pieces.
  • 4. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc.  If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best 🙂  Overall writing quality and use of language are also important.
  • 5. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another.

The Prizes:

– a read and Skype critique of a picture book manuscript by the fabulous editor Callie Metler-Smith of Clear Fork/Spork Publishing!!!

Screen Shot 2017-10-15 at 10.55.48 PM

– a spot in Renee LaTulippe’s fantastic INTENSIVE RHYME AND METER SELF-STUDY COURSE!!!

 

– a 30 minute Skype conversation/critique of a picture book manuscript with the amazingly wonderful and talented author Penny Klostermann!!! (THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT – Random House 2015, A COOKED-UP FAIRY TALE – Random House 2017)

Penny Klostermann

–  a webinar of your choice from among the selection offered by Julie Hedlund on her Teachable site (details of selection choice to be discussed with Julie)

julie h

Julie Hedlund

– a picture book manuscript critique from accomplished author/illustrator Cori Doerrfeld (PENNY LOVES PINK – Little Brown 2011, LITTLE BUNNY FOO FOO: THE REAL STORY – Dial 2012 and the forthcoming THE RABBIT LISTENED – Dial 2018 and THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF ESTHER THE WONDER PIG – Little Brown 2018, and many, many more!)

0c24b-cori_bio_pic

Cori Doerrfeld

– a picture book manuscript critique from talented author Lynne Marie (HEDGEHOG GOES TO KINDERGARTEN – Scholastic 2011)

lynne marie

Lynne Marie

– a query letter critique from SubIt Club Founder and fabulous author Heather Burnell (BEDTIME MONSTER – Raven Tree Press 2010, KICK! JUMP! CHOP!: The Adventures of the Ninjabread Man – Sterling 2017)

heather burnell

Heather Burnell

– an e-pub or PDF copy (winner’s choice) of Linda Ashman‘s Nuts And Bolts Guide To Writing Picture Books. OR a paperback copy of Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide From Story Creation To Publication (on the off chance you don’t already have it 🙂 )

–  a Bundle Of Books from KidLit411 (must be selected by someone in the USA due to postage) which will include picture books and middle grade book, about 7 in total, details still to come.  (Totally awesome for writers, readers, parents, teachers, or gift-givers!!!)

– a personalized signed copy of GRIMELDA AND THE SPOOKTACULAR PET SHOW by Diana Murray PLUS a personalized signed copy of BIG SISTER, LITTLE MONSTER by Andria Rosenbaum
Grimelda 2big sis little monster

 

 

 

 

 

 

– a personalized signed copy of MANJHI MOVES A MOUNTAIN by Nancy Churnin

Manjhi

– a copy of MEET WOOF & QUACK by Jamie Swenson and donated by the illustrator, Ryan Sias

woof and quack

Please join me again in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for holiday or other gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazon, B&N or anywhere else if you like them, or supporting them in any other way you can dream up 🙂

Now then.  Time for my sample entry which I provide because I would never ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do myself.  Also, in case anyone is worried about the quality of their entry they have only to read my truly horrific attempt to be filled with confidence that their’s is MUCH better!  I have to confess, I was really down to the wire this year (my schedule is a lot nuts!), I have some looming deadlines for various things… which is why I may be a little behind getting started reading entries and why the judging may be slightly delayed… just so you know… but I digress!

So, here goes nothing…!

Sneak Attack! (95 words)

Minnie Monster feels forlorn.
How she craves some candy corn!
Why do children have no clue
That monsters covet candy too?
Min peers out the closet door.
Plastic pumpkin on Jen’s floor
Brimming full of trick-or-treat
Surely more than Jen can eat!
What’s a monster girl to do
But help herself to just a few?
Min darts left, then tiptoes right.
Silent, stealthy, out of sight.
Candy corn within her reach,
Min emits a fearful screech!
Hurtles underneath Jen’s bed.
Hides her hairy monster head
From the THING that scared her so –
Nothing but her own shadow!

[And the two lines I had to cut from the end because they took the word count to 105:
Moral of this monster tale?
Don’t filch from another’s pail!  🙂 ]

Now then, darlings!  Is everyone feeling better about their way-better-than-that! stories?  I certainly HOPE so! 🙂

I can’t wait to read all of your entries!  I’m so looking forward to them!  I hope there will be a lot – the more the merrier!  And there are still nearly 5 days to write, so you have time if you haven’t written yet.  Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well.  And your reading friends – parents, teachers, etc.  The more people who read and enjoy your stories, the better!!!

Contest Entrants, remember to add your post-specific link to the google form below so we can all come read your awesome stories!  (Post-specific means not your main blog url, but the actual url of the post that has your story in it – otherwise if you post again before the contest ends, your link will take readers… and judges!… to the wrong place!)

Eager Readers – just go along the list of links, click on them, and enjoy the stories!

Happy Writing and Happy Halloween!!! 🙂  🎃

And don’t miss the 135!!! fabulous entries that are posted in the comments below!  (Unfortunately I can’t make links to them, but please scroll through and read and comment for the talented authors!!!)
1.   Scaredy-Crow Joe – Ingrid
2.   The Bone Spider – Shelemur
3.   The Best In The Bowl – Susan S
4.   Fall Forest Stew At Edora Park – Kristen
5.   Scary To Someone – Vanessa
6.   The Trick In The Treat – Corine
7.   Vampette’s Visions – Katie
8.   Pumpkin Patch – Ryan
9.   The Spooky Night Of Halloween – Nina
10. Screamoween – Lindsay
11. The Baddies’ Curse – Cindy
12. Fangsmith’s Missing Fangs – Ann
13. Shadow Play – Jessica
14. Candy Corn: Sweet Or Scary – Jodi
15. Little Monster’s First Halloween – Kathy M
16. Halloween Blizzard – Marilyn U
17. The Scary Sweet – Megan W
18. The Shadow – Megan W
19. The Neighbor Kid – Viji
20. Dancing In The Moonlight – Kathy E
21. “Knock, Knock” – Jerry
22. Gobblewolly’s Halloweensie Treasure – Jennifer B
23. Raven’s Trick – Sydney
24. Sugar Monster’s Revenge – Sydney
25. Corny Smile Costume – Sheri
26. Unveiled Terror – Deborah
27. Trick Or Treat – Claire
28. Halloween With My Sister – Hilda
29. Sharkcula – Katherine
30. Monster Ball – Marilyn G
31. Happy Halloween Volcano – Barbara
32. Boogley’s Halloween – Chambrae
33. Pumpkin Patch – Summer
34. Victor Frank Bakes A Monster – Chambrae
35. Harry’s Favorite Night – Karen
36. The Monster – Judy V
37. The Candy Corn Monster – Gail
38. The Chilling Search For Candy Corn – Laurie
39. The Candy Corn-Eating Contest – Robin
40.  Witchy – Terri
41. The Purple Monster And The Candy Corn – Janet
42. The Purple Monster – Janet
43. Vampire Has A Sweet Tooth – Judy S
44. Candy Monster – Jennifer G
45. Nitro’s Halloween Surprise – Jenifer
46. Beware The Candy Snatch – Jennifer B
47. The Five Houses On Halloween – Cindy
48. Only Around Halloween – Janie
49. Broomstick Sale – Nina
50. The Candy Corn Monster – Marje
51. The Rumor – Judy V
52. Trick Or Treats For Monster? – Sandy
53. Witch Hiccups – B.L.
54. Manny’s Perfect Costume – Anne
55. Shadows Of The Candy Corn Monster – Sarah
56. A Real Witch – Brook
57. Fright Night – Marty
58. Beware The Great Candy Corn – Jenna
59. In The Ginger House Of Licorice Flax – Megan H
60. Do You Know About… – Robyn
61. I’m Not A Candy Corn – Kristen D
62. Halloween – Bah Humbug! – Susan R
63. Shhh – Michael
64. My Favorite Holiday – Jenna
65. Monster’s Shadow – Marcia
66. A Terrible Monster – Anne L
67. Candy Corn Meadow – Megan H
68. Monster’s Brave Halloween – Dee
69. Halloween – Best Day Ever! – Kathy B
70. The Scariest Monster – Dina
71. Marvin…The Monster – Lucretia
72. A Halloween Feast – Elaine
73. Monster Manners – Cheryl
74. Halloween Goodies – Tiffany
75. Pumpkin P.I. – Heather
76. Who Killed Candy Corn? – Beth
77. Sweet Halloween – Tasha
79. The Candy Corn Trap – Nancy R
80. Halloween Raid – Laura
81. Tricky Nicknames – Valerie
82. Shadow Monster – Jen
83. Monster Shadow – Erin
84. Charlotte’s Colorful Night And The Unstuck Candy – Barbara
85. Monster Had A Little Ghost – Nancy
86. The Quest – Linda
87. Watch Out! – Meryl
88. Monster Mayhem – Mary
89. Monster’s Treat – Bridget
90. The Watcher – Mare
91. Spooky Old House – Sherry F
92. Untitled – Katie S
93. The Monster Ball – Anne S
94. Bathilda’s Scary Surprise – Jennifer J
95. House Hates Halloween – Kaye
96. Not So Scary – Judy C
97. Monster’s Pay Day – Sherri
98. The Scary House – Lauren
99. The History Of Candy Corn – Ashley
100. Jimmy’s Nighttime Guest – Sara
101. Trick Or Treat – Kathy S
102. Freaky Pet – Mandy
103. The Shadow Of The Candy Corn Monster – Jim
104. Lonely Halloween – Sparkle
105. The Truth About Halloween – Keatley
106. Sweet Dreams – Risa
107. Call Backs – Risa
108. Sendak Admirer – Risa
109. Ghosts and Goblins and Gremlins, Oh, My! – Mia
110. Monster’s Woe – Nancy R
111. The Great Candy Corn Debate – Mary M
112. Trick Or Be My Treat – Corine
113. It’s All About The Treats – Sharon E
114. Hildy – Sharon E
115. Monster Imposter – Jeanette
116. Even Ghosts Get Scared – JC
117. Witchie On Her Toes – Kathleen
118. Candy Corn’s Big Night – Sharon W
119. Where Is Lilu? – Veronica
120. Which Witch? – Mary W
121. Oh My! – Judy V
122. No Candy Corn! – Grace
123. Monster Suprise – Mona
124. Shadowy Footsteps – Midge
125. Halloween No Fear – Deborah A
126. Scary Mary’s Halloween Harvest – Amy B
127. Me And My Shadow – Laura G
128. Boycott Halloween – Laura G
129. The Walk Home – JC
130. Candy Corn Mystery – Charlotte S
131. Needed: Halloween Partner – Marjorie
132. Mrs. Smith’s Halloween – Marjorie
133. Monster Jr.’s Halloween – Edna
134. Max’s Halloween Costume – Donna
135. The Scariest House On The Block – Susie

1,018 thoughts on “The 7th Annual Halloweensie Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!”

  1. ingridboydston says:
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    ingridboydston's avatar

    Scaredy-Crow Joe
    Ingrid Boydston
    100 words

    “I won’t win,” sighed Scaredy-Crow Joe.
    “You might,” cawed Crow. “You’re the sweetest scarecrow in the corn field!”
    “No, I’m not scary enough to be chosen ‘Best Halloween Scarecrow’. I can’t even scare you. Not that I would, you’re my friend! And have you seen Maisie’s corn? It grows in patterns! It’s a maize maze! And Frankencrow’s corn stalks are so huge they cast monster shadows! I can’t compete.”
    As the Halloween moon arose, everyone applauded. The blue ribbon was hanging on Scaredy-Crow Joe!
    “I won? How?”
    “Simple!” crowed Crow. “No one else was sweet enough… to grow candy corn!”

  2. Sheri Murphy says:
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    Sheri Murphy's avatar

    THE BONE SPIDER
    by Shelemur

    On Halloween night, Harry pointed to a huge web on their porch.
    “Don’t get too close!” said Dad. “That web belongs to a bone spider. It has dead man’s finger bones and bear claws for legs and a black furry body the size of a beach ball. Somewhere in the shadows that monster is waiting to pounce.”
    “Does it eat k-k-kids?”
    “Not if you leave it candy corn.”
    Harry dumped half his candy on the table and dashed inside.
    The next day Harry peered through the window. No web, no candy…just the word “YUM” scratched on the tabletop.

  3. viviankirkfield says:
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    viviankirkfield's avatar

    Love your sample, Susanna! And love your Halloweensie contest, too!
    Life has been ultra hectic around here…but never fear…I’ll be posting my entry in a special blog post on Sunday, since Friday’s Perfect Picture Book, MONSTER TRUCKS, and Saturday’s Will Write for Cookies with debut picture book author Joy Keller, were already scheduled.

  5. Susan Schade says:
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    Susan Schade's avatar

    THE BEST IN THE BOWL (98 words)
    By Susan Schade

    On Halloween Eve, the candy was crazy.
    Everyone was eager to get picked.
    Especially Candy Corn, who was last year’s leftover.
    She climbed closer to the top of the bowl.
    The monstrous King-Sized Snickers overshadowed her and was snagged first.
    Peanut Butter Cups were picked.
    Gummie Bears were grabbed.
    Chocolate was chosen.
    Smarties were snatched.
    Candy Corn cried, “Why doesn’t anyone love ME?”
    The pumpkin stickers shrugged.
    When she saw the costumed kids, she got a sweet idea.
    When the doorbell rang, she dove into the Milk Duds box.
    Fast fingers fetched the box.
    Later, a shocked voice screamed, “CANDY CORN?!”

  6. olsenkristen38 says:
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    olsenkristen38's avatar

    FALL FOREST STEW AT EDORA PARK (100 WORDS)
    BY KRISTEN OLSEN

    In Edora Park, Tiny Witch came home. Waiting to make stew were her friends: Gnome, Monster and Spider. Tiny Witch lifted the lid of her cauldron.“ I forgot the ingredients!”

    “Use your magic.” Gnome squeaked.

    Monster snarled his candy corn teeth, and spider hung in Tiny Witch’s
    shadow spinning a web.

    “I’m out of magic,” Tiny Witch shrugged.

    Sunlight warmed the crisp air.

    “I know!” Monster scooped river water. “This is broth.”

    Spider hoisted pine needles. “These are noodles.”

    Gnome gathered sticks, “This is spice.”

    Together they stirred and shared their stew,

    and Tiny Witch didn’t feel so small anymore.

  7. Vanessa (@low_writer) says:
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    Vanessa (@low_writer)'s avatar

    Scary to Someone (100 words)
    by Vanessa Marcus

    Chewy was yellow on bottom, orange in the middle and white at his pointy tip-top.

    Monsters love to scare people on Halloween, but when people saw Chewy they said,

    “Aww, a little candy corn!”

    “You’re so sweet!”

    Chewy’s triangular body drooped. A tear tracked through his artificial colors.

    He just wanted to scare someone. Anyone.

    “Apples? Toothpaste?! Don’t go to this house!” a trick-or-treater shouted.

    Chewy’s white top perked up.

    He rang the doorbell.

    He waited.

    He jumped from a shadow. “Oogabooga!”

    “AAAHH!” the dentist shrieked. “The leading cause of Halloween tooth decay!”

    Chewy smiled.

    Everyone is scary to someone.

  8. Corine Timmer says:
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    The Trick in The Treat
    Corine Timmer
    99 words

    The Trick in The Treat

    Once upon a time,
    there was a bully
    named Billy.

    So wicked was he
    that his sister brewed
    a monstrous plan.

    Before All Hallows´ Eve
    in the shadowy shed,
    she created special corn candy

    Using

    2 cups powdered sugar
    5 tablespoons powdered milk
    A sprinkle of salt

    4 tablespoons butter
    2/3 cup corn syrup
    6 rodent hairs
    A pinch of crushed bones

    Dried chili pepper, for the orange
    Turmeric powder, for the yellow

    And

    Lac bug resin, for the glaze

    At owl-light,
    she delivered a tombstone with treats
    to each accomplice

    and smiled at the thought
    of her brother´s face.

  10. Pingback: Oh, Right. Halloween Is Here. | heylookawriterfellow
  11. Katie Frawley says:
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    Vampette’s Visions (WC 100!!)
    By Katie Frawley

    Little Vampette snuggled into her coffin.
    When I wake, it will be Halloween Night!
    But soon…
    SNIFFLE,
    SNUFFLE,
    SMOOCH!
    “Bunnies!” Vampette shrieked.
    She tossed them some candy-corn to satisfy their hunger and slammed the coffin lid.
    Vampette peeped out. All was quiet, until…
    FLITTER,
    FLUTTER,
    FLY!
    “Butterflies!”
    She flung death lilies at the swarm and ducked back into her coffin.
    Vampette settle down once more, until…
    SQUEAK,
    CREAK,
    CRACK!
    Vampette lifted her lid and peeked out.
    A shadow fell across her coffin.
    “Wake up, little monster. It’s Halloween Night!”
    “Mummy?”
    “You were having a daymare!”
    Vampette sighed. “Phew. Happy Halloween!”

  12. Ryan Roberts (@RRbooknut) says:
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    Ryan Roberts (@RRbooknut)'s avatar

    Pumpkin Patch
    By Ryan Roberts
    94 wds

    Pumpkin Bumpkin, what went wrong?
    One side short, and one side long.

    Lumpy, bumpy. Knots, a spot,
    a hump, a horn, a patch of rot.

    Did something happen to your vine?
    The other pumpkins look just fine.

    Pumpkin Bumpkin, don’t you fret.
    It’s not Halloween just yet.

    Your shadowed rot could be bat wings,
    a monster’s fur, all sorts of things.

    A little paint could change your horn-
    Ta-da! A piece of candy corn!

    It simply takes an eye to see
    your individuality.

    Hmm….

    Pumpkin Bumpkin, I agree.
    You, goofy gourd, come home with me!

  13. Nina Haines says:
    Reply
    Nina Haines's avatar

    The Spooky Night of Halloween
    By Nina Q. Haines

    Monster flung on a sheet, to trick or treat.
    He pretended to be ghostly.
    “Boo! Boo!” cried Monster.
    Spiders, pirates and, witches, scampered higgledy-piggledy.
    ARRR and screeching bellowed throughout the town.
    This hullabaloo on Halloween night scared Monster.
    He just wanted candy corn and chocolate bars.
    A humongous shadow appeared on the side of a house.
    “Boo!” Monster blurted out.
    Trembling, Monsters’ knees knocked.
    He sprinted home.
    Monster hid under his bed and ate all the candy.
    Until…
    Halloweeners stood at his door, dressed as witches.
    Monster offered, “Sticker?”
    “I guess we need to spell it out,” the witches cackled. “C-A-N-D-Y.”

  14. Lindsay H. Metcalf (@lindsayhmetcalf) says:
    Reply
    Lindsay H. Metcalf (@lindsayhmetcalf)'s avatar

    SCREAMOWEEN
    By Lindsay H. Metcalf
    100 words

    Percival loved Halloween for haunting… and candy. But snarfing sweets made him sink.
    “You’ll fly again soon,” said Mumma ghost. “Go rest in peace.”

    Not with spooking to do!

    Ding-dong.
    “Trick or treat.”
    Percival puffed his plasm.

    Instead of floating, he flumped. “OoooOOOOooof!”
    “Hee-hee,” said Banana.
    “The horror,” said Mumma.

    Perhaps a sheet trick?
    “Nice costume,” said Bunny.
    “Boo-hoo!” said Percival.
    “Poor soul,” said Mumma.

    To the coffin he wafted, trailing his shadow.
    Eureka!

    He scared up supplies: Flashlight, cardboard, candy corn. Not for eating…

    For TEETH!

    Behold: the perfect poltergeist.

    “OoooOOOOoooo.”

    “M-m-m-monsterrrrrrrr!”

    Close enough. Percival saved the screams… and Halloween.

  15. Cindy Williams Schrauben says:
    Reply
    Cindy Williams Schrauben's avatar

    Cindy Williams Schrauben
    100 words

    THE BADDIES’ CURSE

    The dreaded day is almost here
    of creepy, paralyzing fear.
    October’s end, the 31st.
    When bogeymen like me are cursed.

    When ghosts and monsters, clowns and ghouls
    run and hide from silly fools.
    Out of shadows, in disguise,
    pop perky kids with lively eyes.

    We welcome evil mini-mes
    who look like us, and breed unease.
    But, every hero, princess, sprite
    Haunts our dreams both day and night.

    The worst? Those sparkly unicorns
    who fart pink hearts and candy corns.
    Their evil antics last for weeks.
    Be gone, you terrifying freaks!

    So we can rally and avenge…
    eleven months of sweet revenge.

  16. Ann Kelley says:
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    Ann Kelley's avatar

    FANGSMITH’S MISSING FANGS
    by Ann Kelley 98 words

    Fangsmith chomped into his caramel apple. A fang fell out. Now both fangs were missing.
    “My little bat, you’re growing up,” said Vampamama.
    “But it’s Halloween!” Fangsmith his foot and threw his monster truck. “Vampires have fangs.”
    “You’ll grow more.” Vampamama smooched his pale cheek. “Time for trick-or-treating.”
    “But I need fangs now!” Fangsmith spied the candy bowl by the front door, grabbed what he needed and swooped to his room.
    He poked and prodded into the two shadowy holes of his mouth.
    “Ready,” Fangsmith shouted. “Happy Vampoween!”
    He flashed candy corn fangs and flew out the door.

  17. Jessica Conrad Bennett says:
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    Jessica Conrad Bennett's avatar

    SHADOW PLAY
    by Jessica Bennett (100 words)

    House creaks.
    Witch-hand branches scratch.
    Moon sails in ghostly clouds on Halloween night.
    Big sister, so grown up, hands out candy.
    She looks bored.
    I’ll fix that.
    Flashlight: check.
    Dracula cape: check.
    Candy corn fangs: check.
    The shadow creeps down the staircase ahead of me.
    Vampire wings flap, teeth bare.
    The monstrous shape crosses the door,
    touches her shoulder.
    “Marcellllaaa…” it hisses.
    Shrieks and screams!
    M&M’s everywhere!
    Mini candy bars fly like shotgun shells.
    Marcella sprawls among the rubble.
    “You almost scared me to death!”
    But now I crouch beside her,
    staring at the shadow
    still
    looming
    over
    us.

  18. Jodi McKay says:
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    Jodi McKay's avatar

    CANDY CORN: SWEET OR SCARY?
    By: Jodi McKay

    Cora loved everything about Halloween.
    It was all so perfectly scary except for,
    Candy corn.
    “Candy corn is too sweet,” she said. “And not at all scary.”
    On Halloween night, Cora put on her creepiest costume and set out to grab
    Some ghoulish goodies.
    Tink.
    “Who’s behind that bush?”
    She walked a little faster.
    Tink, tunk.
    “Who…who’s behind that shadowy tree?”
    She picked up the pace.
    Tink, tunk, tink
    “Who’s. Behind. Me?”
    “AHHHHH!”
    “It’s a CANDY CORN MONSTER!”
    Cora hightailed it home and never again doubted just how frightening
    candy corn could be.

  19. Kathy Mazurowski says:
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    Kathy Mazurowski's avatar

    Little Monster’s First Halloween

    Tickety-dee, Tickety-boo,
    What’s a little monster to do?
    It’s Halloween eve,
    the pumpkins are perfect,
    but I’m afraid of all the BOO.

    Tickety-boo, Tickety-dee,
    What’s a timid monster to be?
    It’s Halloween day,
    the witches are waiting,
    but I just want to hide in a tree.

    Tickety-dee, Tickety-boo,
    What’s a frightened monster to do?
    It’s Halloween night,
    the shadows are scary,
    but I’ll go trick-or-treating with you.

    Tickety-boo, Tickety-dee,
    What’s a brave monster to see?
    It’s Halloween time,
    the candy corn’s a treat,
    and I am happy to be me.

    Tickety-dee, Tickety-boo
    This little monster says
    Happy Halloween to you!

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  22. Marilyn O Underwood says:
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    Halloween Blizzard
    By Marilyn Underwood
    (98 words)

    They predicted a monster snowstorm.
    Owen didn’t believe it.
    He planned his costume.
    His parents bought candy.
    It was too early for snow.
    That morning the wind howled. Ominous clouds cast shadows. Fat white snowflakes fell. The Halloween blizzard arrived.
    “This is the worst Halloween ever!” cried Owen.
    Just before midnight the storm disappeared. Moonlight illuminated the landscape.
    Owen, and his parents and all the neighbors ventured out, toting sleds and scarves. Snowmen with chocolate bar eyes and candy corn teeth dotted yards. Laughter and songs echoed through the night.
    “This is the best Halloween ever!” shouted Owen.

  23. Brianna Zamborsky (@BZamborsky) says:
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    Brianna Zamborsky (@BZamborsky)'s avatar

    I am LOVING reading all these great stories everyone. This is gonna be a tough contest! I also love thinking about how I wasn’t alone in counting words and plotting and thinking about Halloween this past week. So fun to imagine hundred of us around the country and world doing the exact same thing 🙂 Gonna go check out the blog links now for more!

    • yangmommy says:
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      I agree, Brianna! The contest certainly revved up the Halloween spirit, plus it was a tough writing challenge. Fun all the way around, right?!:)

    • Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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      Your comment makes me SO HAPPY, Brianna! I’m thrilled that you’re having so much fun, and I too love thinking of everyone working on their stories! It’s amazing how the same parameters give rise to such a variety of great stories! And it turned out to be well over 100 of you doing it! 🙂

  24. Pingback: Susanna Hill’s 7th Annual Halloweensie Contest | candice marley conner
  25. Megan Walvoord says:
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    The Scary Sweet

    The monsters danced in the shadows as they knocked on every door.
    They trampled every neighborhood to increase their store.
    The creatures slithered down before the morning glow.
    They stacked their heavy bags in a neat row.
    The creator said, “Prepare to train for the night.”
    The candy corn was poured into the machine of fright.

    Ahhrroooo!
    The candy howled.
    The monsters growled.
    The sweets trained to scare.
    The corn perfected their glare.
    So, if you like candy corn as a Halloween treat.
    Beware to gobble it down, before it transforms into a monstrous sweet.

  26. Megan Walvoord says:
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    The Shadow

    Thorn shined his candy corn spikes and fluffed his fur.
    He walked through the neighborhood.
    “Trick or Treat!” he said.
    “What a sweet monster.”
    Sack overflowing, he started home.
    BUMP! He looked back.
    Nothing there.
    THUMP! He turned around.
    Behind him approached a looming shadow of a MONSTER.
    He tripped over the curb and fell backwards.
    “Don’t eat me! I’m too sweet!” he yelled.
    He looked up. Nothing.
    He stood up and glanced around.
    His eyes gazed down to find his own shadow smiling back at him.
    Thorn stomped home. His stomach growled as he unwrapped delectable candies with his claws.

  27. vijikc says:
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    The Neighborhood Kid
    by Viji Chary

    The new neighborhood kid, Clarence is trying hard to be my friend. He clings to me – on the walk to school, in class, at recess, and during lunch. Even my shadow gives me a break.
    On Halloween night, I dressed up as Sully, the monster. So, he came as Mike Wazowski.
    That night, some kid snickered at me.
    “Leave him alone,” Clarence yelled.
    The bully tripped me and ran away with my candy sack.
    Clarence helped me up. “Are you okay?”
    From his candy sack, he gave me my favorite candy, candy corn.
    I guess he is my friend.

  28. Kathy Elstad says:
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    Dancing in the Moonlight!

    Shadow was dancing in the Halloween moonlight.

    A purple and green monster with two big, big eyes said, “I love to dance! May I join you?”

    They danced and danced until — strange singing was heard.

    Monster said, “Wait, let’s use my magical candy corn to find our way back!” They dropped candy corn as they walked down the wooded path.

    They came upon a cackling witch stirring a magic potion.

    What, what did she need —a shadow and a monster! Yikes! Off they went, following the glow of the candy corn.

    Soon, “Let the dancing begin!” could be heard!

  29. Pingback: Goblin’s New Blood – Halloweensie Competition – Jilanne Hoffmann
  30. Jilanne Hoffmann says:
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    Susanna, I LOVE your story! I didn’t think I’d get one done this year, but reading your story this morning inspired me. I wrote one in rhyme! Woohoo!

    Can’t wait to read the others. I’m suddenly feeling very Halloweensie….

  31. artistjerrybennett says:
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    “Knock, Knock” (98 words)

    Knock, knock. 
    I grunt and continue watching cartoons.
    My cat, his shadow resting across the door, says I should answer.
    And all I have is candy corn.
    Blergh.
    “MEOW,” commands Hombre.
    I grunt out of my chair, grab the candy and go to the door.
    I stare for a moment.
    I open.
    A three foot Elsa beams.
    “Trick or treat!” She sings.
    I grunt.
    She takes her tiny hand’s worth. I close the door.
    “You’re ten year’s old! You should like trick or treating, you monster!” Hombre says.
    I grunt, walking back to my cartoons.

  32. yangmommy says:
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    Gobblewolly’s Halloweensie Treasure
    By Jennifer Buchet (100-w)

    Halloween was almost over. Gobblewolly hurried, lugging his candy bag to Jenny’s house.

    Something shimmered ahead. Coins? Gems? Gobblewolly never met a shiny he didn’t like! He quickly stuffed the golden nuggets into his pockets.

    Suddenly, a monstrous shadow crossed his path.

    Dog!

    Gobblewolly fled, jumping over pumpkins and scurrying under scarecrow feet. The bag ripped. Candy scattered!

    Dog never met a treat she didn’t like.

    There was no time to get Jenny another gift.

    “Tricks on me,” he sighed. “Alright….me new-found loot for you.”

    Emptying his pockets, Gobblewolly gave Jenny most of his beloved treasure—heaps of golden candy-corn.

    The End
    PS I’m in awe of everyone’s talent, both here in the comments & on the blogs–wow!! Thanks for the fun contest, Susanna! (Although I’m entirely sick of candy corn now ;> )

  33. Sydney O'Neill says:
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    RAVEN’S TRICK (100 words)
    by Sydney O’Neill

    Raven slapped on his Halloween mask. Silently, he swooped onto a shadowy branch of the chocolate-covered-cherry tree. He’d have to trick to get his favorite treat at Sugar Monster’s farm, but how?

    Oops. A chocolate-covered cherry dropped. Splat. Sugar Monster looked up.

    “Aaaargh!” Sugar Monster charged, baring broken yellow teeth.

    “Eeeek!” Raven’s wings flapped wildly. Dozens of chocolate-covered cherries dropped. Splat Splat Splat

    Plump cherries rolled over jumping-jelly-bean vines. Pods popped open. Jelly beans sprang everywhere, pelting Sugar Monster.

    “Yiiiiii!” Sugar Monster fled.

    “I’ll remember that slick trick,” said Raven. He filled his craw on ears of scrumptious candy corn.

    (Sugar Monster didn’t like that story, so I tried again.)

    SUGAR MONSTER’S REVENGE (97 words)
    by Sydney O’Neill

    Sugar Monster guards his farm,
    especially on shadowy Halloween eve,
    when Raven, the treacherous candy-corn bandit,
    swoops in with tricks up his feathery sleeve.

    Sugar Monster counters thefts
    with popular (dubiously useful) defenses.
    Scarecrow retreats from unbearable squawking.
    Kitty Cat naps through the foulest offenses.

    Sugar Monster plots revenge.
    Contaminate candy corn. Make the thief sick.
    He punctures a hole in each candy-corn kernel.
    In squirms a gummy worm. That’s a slick trick!

    Sugar Monster celebrates,
    assuming the bird flew home nauseous and miffed.
    But he’s understandably shocked and befuddled
    when Raven returns to deliver a gift.

  34. Pingback: Halloweensie 2017: Monster’s Delicious Treat? | Linda Schueler
  35. Sheri Rad says:
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    Corny Smile Costume (94 words)
    By Sheri Rad

    Billy’s old costume was too small this Halloween.
    His friend would be a scary monster.
    Billy wanted something less frightening.
    A dark shadow fell across the room. “Aaaah, Dad!” he screamed through
    his fingers.
    “I’ve got it! I know what to be.”
    He pulled on Mom’s wig, his Sunday suit, and Dad’s shoes.
    Then he gawked at his reflection.
    “I need a toothy smile, but I’ve lost three teeth.”
    An idea popped into his head.
    He stuck candy corn into his gaping spaces and put extras in his pockets.
    “Happy Halloween, Mr. President,” he sang.

  36. Deborah Boerema (@Deborah_Boerema) says:
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    Unveiled Terror (100 words)
    by Deborah Bence Boerema

    Fear of Halloween monsters has kept Jack hiding since nightfall. He’s had nothing to eat but stale candy corn. His rumbling stomach and aching muscles now coax him from his cramped refuge.

    With his first cautious movement, chaos erupts! Jack’s body is bound. His legs tangle. A hood envelops his head. Something grabs Jack and whips him into the air.

    Jack gasps in horror when he glimpses a ghostly shadow through his veil. The cover is torn from his face, thrusting him into brightness. He trembles as a voice cackles,

    “Jack, you silly dog! Stop dragging the sheets off my bed.”

  37. Claire Wrenn Bobrow says:
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    TRICK OR TREAT? (95 words)
    by Claire Wrenn Bobrow

    Candy corn littered the path to the front door.
    Howard pushed the bell, his shadow shivering in the soft moonlight.
    Whoosh! White as bone, a barn owl floated graveyard quiet over his head, ruffling his hair and sending shivers up his spine.
    Only it wasn’t a shiver.
    It was a fingernail, long and red, now tapping his shoulder.
    “Aaaahhhhh!” yelled Howard, as maniacal laughter erupted behind him.
    He stumbled sideways, tripping on tattered garments, tumbling into a ghastly face contorted with glee.
    The Bride of Frankenstein!
    “TRICK!” screamed the monster –
    his nemesis! His nightmare! His…
    neighbor?!

  38. Pingback: The 7th Annual Halloweensie Contest | David McMullin
  39. Hilda Burgos says:
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    HALLOWEEN WITH MY SISTER (99 words)
    by Hilda Eunice Burgos

    My sister is mad.
    Mami made her take me out
    Apartment hopping
    In matching bunny costumes.
    “You’re an annoying shadow!”

    “Trick-or-treat,” we yell
    With fake smiles on our faces
    For the open doors.
    I bounce back to the stairwell
    And bump into the monster.

    He snatches my bag
    And leaps upstairs, out of sight.
    I cry, breathe, cry more.
    My sister holds me tightly
    While rocking me back and forth.

    I feel safe and warm,
    My hand inside my sister’s
    As she leads me home.
    She gives me her candy corn,
    Which sticks to my teeth. We laugh.

  40. Katherine Rothstein says:
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    SHARKCULA
    By Katherine Rothstein

    Captain Skor’s pirate crew treasure Halloween.
    Under the full moon, they sailed far and nigh plunderin’ for mouthwatering sweets.

    “Commence the chocolate feast,” the crew cheer.
    “And NEVER brush our teeth!”

    With a jolt, Skor’s ship bumped and swayed.
    The crew scurried to the lookout, spying a monstrous shadow swirling below.
    “Arrgghhh, Pirates BEWARE. Sharkula’s come to Trick-or-Eat!” shouted Skor.
    “Yer not chompin’ me candy corn loot!”

    “No candy for me,” snarled Sharkula.
    “I came for you…

    …to pull my loose tooth.”

    Skor smiled, drew his sword, casting Sharkula’s tooth into the sea.

    “You’re off the hook…” warned Sharkula. “…until next Halloween!”

    • blbachmann says:
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      I really love this story!! Very fun and I love that the pirates plunder for sweets and never brush their teeth! haha! Also, Sharkula is a fun title and character. I can just imagine that there is a page turn after “I came for you …” to reveal that Sharkula wants his tooth pulled. Adorable!

  41. Marilyn Garcia says:
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    Monster Ball (94 words)

    In every shadow monsters hovered,
    as trick-or-treaters soon discovered.
    The monsters labored at their craft –
    they spooked the children, who then laughed.

    Now that tricks and treats are done
    it’s time for monsters to have fun.
    They beat the drums and blare a horn
    and fuel up on some candy-corn.

    Samba, shimmy, promenade –
    pause to swig some lemonade.
    Tango, two-step, twist and shout –
    dance until they’re tuckered out.

    “Let’s hear it for our monster band –
    Clap, cheer, give a hand!”
    Then off to monster bed they crawl
    to dream of next year’s monster ball.

  42. Barbara Falk DiMarco says:
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    Happy Halloween Volcano
    Barbara DiMarco

    Volcano began to bubble, feeling spiteful and mean.
    Parades, candies and costumes…she hated Halloween.
    “I’m much too big for dress-up. Candy corn is no delight.
    I’m going to smoke, spit, and spew all over Halloween night!”
    She cast a vengeful shadow by the moon’s beamy glow.
    A towns boy in a monster mask hollered, “She’s ready to blow!”
    Volcano rumbled warning, “Better start to run!”
    Just then she spotted a weenie dog dressed in a hot dog bun.
    Volcano did blow that eve, but it caused no one fright.
    She erupted into a fit of laughter on Halloween night.

  43. Chambrae Griffith says:
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    Boogley’s Halloween
    By Chambrae Griffith
    100 words

    Boogley brewed up something sweet,
    a candy-corny scrumptious treat.
    But when the shadows crept around,
    no trick-or-treaters could be found.
    “I wish they’d knock upon my door.
    Don’t be frightened, I won’t roar.”
    He brushed his fangs, shined up his horns,
    cleared the webs and trimmed the thorns.
    He heard a creak, “Is ss-someone there?”
    He grabbed his tasty treat to share.
    The breeze howled in, lights flickered low,
    then Boogley saw an eerie glow.
    A monster with a crown and wand,
    gleaming eyes and curls of blond.
    He backed up slow, in full retreat,
    that’s when she shouted…
    “TRICK-OR-TREAT!”

  44. Summer Hinderer says:
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    Pumpkin Patch
    By Summer Hinderer

    There was a pumpkin patch that was scary
    All the monsters were too hairy
    The witches ate all of the candy corn
    The ghosts kicked the pumpkins until they were torn
    Scarecrows created frightening shadows
    Bats would holler out loud bellows
    No one would visit this place
    As it was such a disgrace

    • Corine Timmer says:
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      Your pumpkin patch is a wicked place! Halloween mayhem 🙂 Wouldn´t it be fun if a daring little girl or boy were to play a trick on this unruly company of ghosts, monsters, bats, scarecrows, and witches. Or maybe scarecrow has a surprise up his sleeve? I can picture this as a slightly longer story. Love it!

  45. Chambrae Griffith says:
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    Victor Frank Bakes a Monster
    By Chambrae Griffith
    100 words

    Last Halloween I baked cookies, this Halloween I’m baking a monster!
    I have no recipe but I’ll manage.

    I mix:

    1 head of broccoli (Monsters are terrifying, so is broccoli.)
    2 bags of candy corn (Monsters need ears.)
    1 gallon of milk (It’s good for bones.)
    1 bottle of blood red ketchup (Self-explanatory.)
    A dozen slimy eggs (The slimier the better.)
    And lots and lots of sugar (I’ve heard too much sugar makes you cranky.)

    Ta-da, monster batter!

    As it bakes a shadow rises, it’s working! It’s moaning, and groaning and…
    “Victor Frank! What have you done?”
    “My mom-ster’s alive!”

  46. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR KAREN

    HARRY’S FAVORITE NIGHT
    by Karen Koepcke Morgan
    91 words

    His nostril’s flared as the earthy scent of autumn leaves

    drifted upwards, while they crunched and crackled under-paw.

    The shadowy creep of darkness settled over the rooftops

    as he and his friends tromped from doorstep to doorstep

    with their laden bags of goodies.

    The candy corn he’d snitched from his sack between houses

    left a sweet, lingering hint of happiness each time his tongue

    swept over his front fangs and furry lips.

    He anticipated the joy of sorting and stashing

    his hard-earned booty.

    Halloween was Harry Monster’s favorite night.

  47. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR JUDY

    The Monster
    The monster stomps across the room,
    dark shadow on the floor
    hands stretched out in front of him
    as he begins to roar

    He grabs the treats from little kids
    left crying and forlorn
    The monster’s searching high and low
    for bags of candy corn

    This happens every Halloween
    and feared by every youth
    The candy grabbing monster
    feeding his sweet tooth

    Although he seems real scary
    nasty,
    grumpy bad,
    this monster is not Frankenstein,
    It’s just my hungry dad.
    © 2017 Judith Valko

  48. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR GAIL

    THE CANDY CORN MONSTER
    By Gail Lenhard

    Twas the night before Halloween and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
    The pumpkins were carved and lit with flashlights, with hopes of children screaming in fright.
    When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I ran from my chair to see what was the matter.
    A huge shadow appeared on the garage with arms wide; I jumped, screamed, and almost cried.
    The Candy Corn Monster was at it again; stealing candy from all our friends.
    I heard him shout Happy Halloween to all and to all a good night!

    • Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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      Nice twist on the familiar holiday rhyme, Gail! And that nasty monster – stealing everyone’s candy and then having the nerve to say “Happy Halloween to all and to all a good night!” Nice job! Thanks for joining in the contest!

  49. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR LAURIE

    “The Chilling Search for Candy Corn”
    By Laurie Kaiser

    It’s Halloween and Henry has to find the candy corn before his grandmother gives it all away.

    But he’s also afraid to look. He’s seen orange eyes glowing in the dark. He’s heard growling and smelled a slimy scent that can only belong to a monster.

    As he tiptoes into the dining room, a chill tingles his spine. He hears chomping and sees a shadow move behind the curtains. With shaking hands Henry pulls aside the curtains.

    There is the monster munching his candy corn. Henry shrieks. The monster shrugs.

    “Relax,” he says. “I saved you some.”

  50. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR ROBIN

    The Candy Corn-Eating Contest

    by Robin Brett Wechsler

    (word count: 99)

    Frank and Stein dumped their trick-or-treat loot on the table.

    Victor had stayed back to finish his Monster project.

    “Candy corn!” shouted Stein.

    “I can eat more than you,” challenged Frank.

    “I want some!” cried Victor.

    “We’re not sharing.”

    Frank and Stein shoved fistfuls of tricolor kernels into their mouths.

    A shadow appeared in the hallway. Victor’s monster loomed and stared.

    “Candy?” Victor asked. Monster nodded.

    Victor seized the treats. “Here.”

    “I feel sick,” groaned Frank.

    “My stomach!” winced Stein.

    Frank and Stein spotted the monster. They shrieked.

    “I share …” said Victor.

    Monster handed Frank and Stein an eyeball.

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