The 8th Annual Halloweensie Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!

***Update November 12th***
We’re pretty close to having the finalist list, but even if it was ready in a couple hours, that wouldn’t give enough time to vote today and I have previously scheduled blog posts for Tuesday Debut tomorrow and Would You Read It Wednesday on Wednesday, so the finalist list will be posted on Thursday November 15th.  Apologies for the delay, but there were a LOT of good entries and the judging process has been harrowing! 🙂 

***Update November 5th***
So sorry everyone but the other judges and I need more time – my fault not their’s.  Work deadlines, family needs, and 234 wonderful entries from you guys that all deserve careful and thoughtful consideration mean that I’m just not able to post finalists today.  I will get them up as soon as I possibly can but I think Wednesday or Thursday is likely.  Sorry for the delay!

Wool of bat and howlet’s wing!  It’s time for . . .

The 8th 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 shiver, cauldron, and howl.  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 235 fantastic entries last year, so I know you can do it!)  Also, you may use the words in any form – e.g. shivery, cauldrons, howling, 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 Wednesday 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, especially 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 5th (sooner if possible, later if necessary!)  The winner will be announced on Thursday November 8th, 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: (it is currently 1:40AM and I’m at the stage where I’m going to make mistakes, so I will finish posting the prize list properly in the morning.  Apologies for the delay!)

First, the amazingly awesome prize I promised!

– Skip The Slushpile with Editor Hannah Lambert of Little Simon!!!
The lucky winner of this prize will get to place the picture book manuscript of his/her choice directly into editor Hannah Lambert’s hands!  (In case you are wondering, Hannah is the editor of all 4 of my books in the WHEN YOUR… series.)  Hannah will read the manuscript and then send you an email to let you know she’s read your story.  She will include a brief mention of something she likes, and something you can work on. (Not a full critique.)  Of course what makes this prize so incredible is that if you send her a really, really good manuscript the dream could come true! 🙂 So good luck to whoever wins this!  Hannah is particularly interested in mss with a very low word count, and always has an eye out for excellent holiday stories.
(with thanks to Tania Guarino for thinking up the idea of skipping the slush pile!)

– several picture book manuscript critiques from amazing critiquers (details to come – I need to spread my generous volunteers out over 3 contests, so, planning…)

 – 2-Pack of Personalized Signed Picture Books by the lovely and talented Tania Guarino, author of MEET THE QUACKERS (Spork, 2017) and GARDEN PARTY: A COUNTING ADVENTURE (Spork, 2018)
tania-guarino_1_orig Quackers Garden Party

– a personalized signed copy of NOT SO SCARY JERRY by the wonderful and gifted Shelley Kinder

shelley-kinder_orig   Jerry

– Bundle Of Books – assorted PBs, MGs, YAs (details to come) – generously donated by KidLit411

– an e-pub or PDF copy (winner’s choice) of Linda Ashman‘s Nuts And Bolts Guide To Writing Picture Books. OR paperback of Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication.

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 finished at 1:30 AM and 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!

Tricky Witches (100 words)

On a dark All Hallow’s night,
Shivering with cold and fright,
Tiny trick-or-treaters dare
To approach the witches’ lair.
Past the lighted edge of town
Black-cloaked witches stand around.
Something sticky, thick, and hot
Bubbles in their potion pot.
“Come and get it!” witches lure.
“It’ll warm you up for sure!”
Ghostly howls warn, “Stay away!
Don’t be fooled by the bouquet!
Cauldron’s contents might smell sweet,
But that’s trickery, not treat!”
Little candy-hunters flee!
Plan has worked out perfectly.
Witches cackle gleefully,
“Now there’s more for you and me!”
Final check, the brew is done.
“Fresh hot chocolate anyone?”

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 122!!! 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. When The Shivers Moved In – Kaye
2. Luna’s Mysterious Costume – Sara A
3. Pet Cemetery Picnic – Corine
4. Fright Night Stew – Dee
5. Halloween Night – Karen
6. Belinda’s Broken Brew – Keatley
7. Mummy’s Mess – Diana
8. New Halloween Cauldron – Kathleen
9. There Was An Old Witch – Dianne
10. Trick Or Treasure – Anne
11. A Seedy Story – Connie
12. The “Wolf” At The Door – Charlene
13. Halloween Sleepover – Pat
14. Little Cauldron’s Halloween Surprise – Ingrid
15. A Halloween Bite – Debora
16. Who Needs – Joan
17. Cauldron Conundrum – Danielle
18. Pete And Re-Pete – Heather
19. Stitchy Witchy Brew – Jennifer B
20. The Lost Boys – Michael
21. Full Moon Rising – Michael
22. Truly Boo – Mary
23. The Last Piece – Carrie
24. One House Left – Tara
25. Mission Halloween – Monica
26. The Family Resemblance – Debora
27. One Chilly Halloween – Debora
28. Skellie Ton’s Encounter – Laura
29. Monster Vacancy – Laura
30. The Halloween Ball – Sylvia
31. Mrs. Tank’s Pennies – Jennifer M
32. Midnight Feast – Becky
33. Halloween Prize – Kirsten
34. Three Pig-Witches – Su
35. The First Corner – John
36. Potion Commotion – Jennifer Bu
37. If You Can’t Beat Them… – Linda
38. A Brew For You – Diana
39. A Horrid Witch’s Brew – Erin
40. Halloween Stew For Two – Anne B
41. A Halloween Scene – Michelle K
42. The Skeletons On Halloween – Michelle K
43. Wolfie’s Pumpkin – Joan
44. What’s Cooking? – Jill
45. Halloween Friends – Kay
46. Not This Halloween! – Carmen
47. A Calm Halloween – Jessica
48. Festival – Beth B
49. School Screams – Lu
50. It’s Only Pretend – Jill L
51. The Candivore – Jill L
52. Shiver, Cauldron And Howl – Lisa
53. A Bite Of Soup – Megan
54. The Gathering – MaryLee
55. Are You Sure? – Jim
56. A Halloween Haiku – Michelle K
57. Festive Feast – Jamie
58. Halloween – Amy
59. The Best Night For Little Ghouls – Beth S
60. Trouble – Bonnie
61. H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N K-I-D-S G-E-T C-A-N-D-Y – Michelle K
62. Opposite Day: A Halloween Scare – John
63. Midnight Fright – Patricia
64. Trick Or Treat – Linda
65. Snap Apple Fright – Corine
66. Worst Costume…Never – Rich
67. Witch’s Welcome – Elaine
68. Fright Fight – Nannette
69. The Halloween Ship – Laura B
70. A Gold Wand For Wanda – Laura B
71. Safe – Dawn D
72. Stage Fright – Michelle Kl
73. Dusty Bones Has No Guts – Andrea
74. Who’s The Scariest? – Mona
75. Chef Crone – Diana
76. Calling All Witches! – Anne S
77. Halloween Dinner – Sara G
78. Tis The Season(ing) – Judy
79. Itchy, Itchy, And Twitch – Patricia
80. A Witch Is In The Kitchen! – Jeannie
81. Avocado And Toast – Rebecca
82. The Scary Costume – Karen
83. Trick-or-Treat – Amy B
84. Three Little Pumpkins – Karen
85. Oh Drat! – Kathy
86. Witchy, The Transylvanian Sheepdog – Karen
87. Fright School – Lucretia
88. Ghosts, Witches and Wolves, Oh No! – Amy R
89. Grandma’s Secret – Susie
90. Transylbirdia – Debbie
91. Little Bat’s First Halloween Journey – Linda
92. Mischief Night – Tania
93. The Scariest Night Of The Year – Susie
94. Pumpkin Sky – Cassandra
95. Halloween Punch – Gyeong
96. Winifred Waited – Gail
97. The Night Of The Candy – Jennifer H
98. Untitled – Anna
99. Untitled -Ella
100. The Question Of The Cat On The Pumpkin At Hallowe’en – Jane
101. The Halloween Scheme – Susan
102. A Witch Can Switch – Nancy
103. Guess Who – Mia
104. Little Wolfs Howlween – Beth
105. Gordie Goblin’s Potion – Jen
106. Bubble Bubble – Jen
107. The Missing Treat – Cheryl
108. Stir The Pot – Linda S
109. No Bones About It – JC
110. Trick-Or-Sweet – Lauren
111. Spooky Spies II: The Spookening – Samantha
112. Halloween Surprise – Linda B
113. Last Halloween – Susan V
114. Eat Up Your Carrots – Susan V
115. The Creepy Cupcake CATastrophe – Karen G
116. No Chocolate For Dogs – Shae
117. Double, Trouble, Bubble… – Deborah A
118. Tricky Halloweensie Velvet – Virginia
119. The Sleepy Pirate – Jennifer C
120. Three Little Witches – Debbie V
121. Courageous Cauldron Queens – Katrina
122. One Sweet Halloween – Darcee

841 thoughts on “The 8th Annual Halloweensie Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!”

  1. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR KAYE

    When The Shivers Moved In
    By Kaye Baillie
    Word Count: 98

    The Shiver family moved into our street on Halloween. No need for this weird bunch to dress up. I snooped through their window to see Mrs Shiver stirring her cauldron! Her ten shiny-haired children lined up then sipped the bubbling brew before leaving for trick-or-treat.
    When each Shiver child knocked on a door, people froze, then the children helped themselves to candy.
    I had to warn Mom! They were heading for our house.
    Too late! She opened the door and froze! Then she howled with laughter. “I’ve heard about humans. You’re so darn cute. Here, have some candy.”

  2. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR SARA

    Luna’s Mysterious Costume by Sara Ackerman

    Costume complete, Luna grabbed Shiver’s leash and set off.

    “Trick or Treat, Dr. Fillatooth!”

    “What a creative cavity!” Luna patted her black paint and shrugged. “Come Shiver!”

    “Trick or Treat, Bola Strike!”

    “Aren’t you the cutest bowling ball!” Luna inspected her bulging papier-mâché and sighed. Shiver licked her.

    “Trick or Treat, Mr. Webb!”

    “One-legged spider?” Luna flicked her yarn handle and drooped. Shiver snuggled her.

    Luna tugged Shiver up a gloomy hill. Shiver howled.

    “Trick or Treat?”

    “You’re the spiffiest cauldron in town!”

    Luna beamed, Shiver wagged, and Nita Potion gave them an armload of licorice and a toad, too!

  3. Corine Timmer says:
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    Pet Cemetery Picnic
    By Corine Timmer
    http://www.bicadeideias.com

    Pet Cemetery Picnic (100 words)

    “I don’t like trick-or-treating,” Lily said. “Why don’t we have a pet cemetery picnic?”

    Alfie shivered at the thought.

    “Don’t you wonder what ghost mutts do on Halloween?” Lily continued.

    “I guess,” Alfie mumbled.

    So, they filled a picnic basket with treats and set off . . .

    “Look! There’s a ghost in the cemetery!” Alfie howled.

    “Don’t be such a wuss,” Lily said. “It’s a man.”

    “I am the critter-sitter,” the man explained, while stirring in a cauldron. “Who wants some pet stew?”

    Alfie’s knees wobbled. 

    Then, out of nowhere, dogs and cats appeared and joined in the feast.

  4. Pingback: Zadie’s Halloween Surprise | Imagine the Possibilities
  5. Pingback: Halloweensie is Here! My Entry – The Botched Concoction – Nancy Riley Novelist
  7. MD Knabb says:
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    Susanna Leonard Hill – what a rousing romp of stories already posted. Here’s my entry. Thanks for the fun Halloweensie. Dee Knabb

    FRIGHT NIGHT STEW

    Halloween night, when monsters prowl,
    Zellie brews a treat quite foul.
    HOWL. HOWL. HOWL!
    Fright Night Stew.

    She fills a cauldron to the top
    with swamp water, muck, and pig pen slop.
    PLOP. PLOP. PLOP!
    Fright Night Stew.

    Dumps in fish scales and bone meal dust,
    bat wings, toadstools, and lawn chair rust.
    BOOM! COMBUST!
    Fright Night Stew.

    First, small ghoulies plead for a taste,
    but shiver, shake and show distaste.
    “EEW. EEW. EEW!
    Not Fright Night Stew.”

    Zellie grins.“I beg your pardon,
    Sweets for you. Stew for my garden.”
    “PHEW. PHEW. PHEW!
    No Fright Night Stew.”

  8. Pingback: A Witchy Halloweensie | candice marley conner
  9. Karen Morgan says:
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    HALLOWEEN NIGHT
    by Karen Koepcke Morgan
    95 words

    Peering over the bushes, a shiver runs through me.
    I stare at a coven of witches gathered around a cauldron.
    Their brew steams and bubbles.
    A mix of roots and newt.
    A pinch of this and that.
    A bony finger held aloft.
    Incantations said aloud.
    Cackles pierce the air.
    The wind howls through the trees above me.
    The cloak of dark lay heavy.
    I turn and flea.
    Rip the mask from my face.
    Dig deep within my bag and grab a treat.
    Across the yards and through the park.
    I find my way back home.

  10. Keatley Eastman says:
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    Is it weird that I get extra excited when I have to keep my stories to 100 words? Here’s my entry:

    Belinda’s Broken Brew
    by Keatley Eastman

    Belinda’s best cauldron went bonkers one night.
    All her concoctions were full of…delight?
    She dropped in a shiver–out popped a kiss.
    She snuck in a slither–out poured some bliss.
    In went a howl–out came a grin.
    A giggle rang out when a wriggle fell in!
    She dribbled in cackles, a moan, and a shrug–
    Out sprang some cuddles, a wink, and a hug.
    She threw up her hands, no more could be done.
    She had to admit, the cauldron had won.
    This was a curse, nasty and mean!
    Belinda was stuck with a nice Halloween.

  11. DianaLynn Gibson says:
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    Mummy’s Mess

    A shiver skipped-skipped down the skeleton’s spine,
    For joining him here was the famed Frankenstein,
    Eight bats, an old owl and a cat on the prowl,
    A witch with her cauldron, a wolf – MUST he howl?

    Then, eeks turned to shrieks and the oohs turned to boos.
    The mummy’s white wrappings were awful bad news.
    For they were unrolling and blowing away,
    Leaving the mummy in dire dismay.

    A giggle burst out of the group gathered there
    That switched to a chuckling, chortling affair.
    But mummy guffawed as he hung ‘round outdoors –
    His underwear proudly displayed dinosaurs!

  12. viviankirkfield says:
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    Oh my gosh…still morning of the first day and there are already two dozen entries! Susanna…this Halloweensie is going to be stellar! I can’t wait to read all of these wonderful stories! Thank you for creating such a vibrant platform for the kidlit community!!!!

  13. Kathy Mazurowski says:
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    New Halloween Cauldron
    By Kathleen Mazurowski

    What’s a witch supposed to use
    to stir up all her secret brews?

    I need a pot that makes cats shiver.
    I want a pot that makes bats quiver.

    A shiny cauldron doesn’t howl,
    doesn’t moan, and doesn’t growl.

    The perfect pot has secrets, potions-
    a creepy pot with strong emotions.

    Under spider webs and bones,
    I hear a pot with spooky groans.

    The proper pot for Ghoulish Stew,
    I’ll soon be brewing some for you!

  14. diannemoritz says:
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    THERE WAS AN OLD WITCH 96 words

    By Dianne Moritz

    There was an Old Witch who brewed up a stew.
    She stirred her cauldron and brewed up a stew,
    That bubbled and boiled and really stunk. PEW!

    There was an Old Witch who tossed in some bugs.
    She tossed in some bugs, with heaps of slugs.
    She tossed them right in to flavor the stew,
    That bubbled and boiled and really stunk. PEW!

    With a quick shiver, Old Witch swallowed that stew.
    She gulped. She guzzled… until she was through.

    Then…
    ABBRA, KADABRRA, JIGGITY, JOG!
    She howled out a spell. Now her cat is a frog!!

  16. anneuro says:
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    Anne Lipton's avatar

    Trick or Treasure
    By Anne Lipton

    Karma was a witch who liked to make things, not simply spell them into being
    .
    One dark night, Karma saw another witch tossing a cauldron. Karma shivered in horror. “May I have that?” she asked.
    .
    “My trash can?” asked the witch.

    “No,” said Karma, “the cauldron.”

    The witch howled. “This old thing? Will you make it disappear?”

    “I’ll give it new life.”

    Karma flew home with the cauldron dangling from her upcycled broom. She scoured rust, hammered out dents, and seasoned the cauldron with oil. Then Karma repaid the witch’s generosity with some homemade Halloween treats, fresh from the cauldron.

  18. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR CONNIE

    A Seedy Story
    Connie Bergstein Dow

    On this spooky Hallow’s Eve,
    Jackie soon began to shiver.
    Sliding slowly down the path,
    Through the woods, along the river.

    Hoots and howls were all around,
    In the forest, close to midnight.
    Jackie’s orange smile was fixed,
    Three teeth gleaming in the moonlight.

    One bright candle lit the way,
    Through the shadows in the valley.
    Passing cauldrons, ghosts and ghouls,
    Jackie beamed and didn’t dally.

    On she rolled, and then she heard,
    Music sweet and so entrancing.
    Harvest Hoedown! Jack was there!
    Grinning wide, they started dancing.

  19. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR CHARLENE

    The “Wolf” at the Door
    by Charlene Bogner Taber

    On Halloween a pint-size witch
    Went door-to-door without a hitch,
    A plastic cauldron in her hand,
    Collecting candy, as she’d planned.
    But at the last house on the block,
    In answer to her timid knock,
    She heard a long and mournful howl,
    Followed by a fearsome growl!
    “Is that a wolf?” the young girl cried
    As the front door opened wide.
    She shivered as she looked around,
    And then she saw ———— a basset hound!
    She thanked his owner for the treat,
    Then laughed and scampered down the street.

  20. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR PAT

    Halloween Sleepover
    by
    Pat Finnegan
    (100 words)

    Vampire, Ghost, and Mummy played a trick.
    They spooked everybody the night before Halloween.
    Finally, exhausted, they searched for a place to sleep.
    “What a lovely cauldron!” said Vampire.
    In jumped Vampire.
    In jumped Ghost.
    In jumped Mummy.
    Shivering, they cuddled up and fell asleep.
    The next morning, Witch got ready for Halloween.
    She cleaned her hat.
    She tuned up her broom.
    And she dragged her cauldron to the door.
    “Why is this so heavy?”
    She peeked inside.
    “Out!” howled Witch.
    Out went Vampire.
    Out went Ghost.
    Out went Mummy.
    In went the candy, and Witch was ready for Halloween.

  21. Karen (@kelasalvia) says:
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    Karen (@kelasalvia)'s avatar

    I love this contest! It’s so fun writing and reading the Halloweensies!

    I was just about to post mine when I noticed that my software counts hyphenated words like trick-or-treater as 1 instead of 3. Is that how we should count it?

  22. ingridboydston says:
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    I LOVE Halloweensie time and usually wait to post ( I like to drag it out), but I think I might have another story brewing so here goes…

    Little Cauldron’s Halloween Surprise
    By Ingrid Boydston
    100 words

    Little Cauldron sighed. Blustery winds whistled through cracks in the attic walls. Distant howls and a full moon confirmed his suspicion. The witching hour was near.

    Ah, the witching hour! Cauldron missed the good old days spent boiling potions for witches and ghouls. “Oh well, another Halloween will come and go without me.”

    SQUEEEEAAAK! The attic door swung slowly open, spilling light everywhere. “Look mom! I knew we’d find the perfect trick-or-treat bag up here in the spooky old attic!”

    Now face to face with a tiny, smiling witch. Cauldron shivered with happiness. Maybe he wouldn’t miss Halloween after all!

  23. diannemoritz says:
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    THERE WAS AN OLD WITCH 95 words

    By Dianne Moritz

    There was an Old Witch who brewed up a stew.

    She stirred her cauldron and brewed up a stew,

    That bubbled and boiled and really stunk. PEW!

    There was an Old Witch who tossed in some bugs.

    She tossed in some bugs, along with some slugs.

    She tossed right in to flavor the stew,

    That bubbled and boiled and really stunk. PEW!

    With a quick shiver, Old Witch swallowed that stew.

    She gulped. She guzzled… until she was through.

    Then…

    ABBRA, KADABRRA, JIGGITY, JOG!

    She cast a spell. Now her cat is a frog!!

  24. diannemoritz says:
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    revised
    THERE WAS AN OLD WITCH 96 words

    By Dianne Moritz

    There was an Old Witch who brewed up a stew.

    She stirred her cauldron and brewed up a stew,

    That bubbled and boiled and really stunk. PEW!

    There was an Old Witch who tossed in some bugs.

    She tossed in some bugs, with heaps of slugs.

    She tossed them right in to flavor the stew,

    That bubbled and boiled and really stunk. PEW!

    With a quick shiver, Old Witch swallowed that stew.

    She gulped. She guzzled… until she was through.

    Then…

    ABBRA, KADABRRA, JIGGITY, JOG!

    She howled out a spell. Now her cat is a frog!!

    • Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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      That is some stew she stirred up in her cauldron, Dianne – makes me shiver just to think of it! And I found myself wondering if something had gone awry…did she really want her cat to be a frog?! 🙂 Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun!

  25. Debora says:
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    A Halloween Bite
    by Debora Hoffmann
    (95 words)

    We huddled together in the murky darkness. An eerie howl pierced the night, and one by one, we were snatched away. Bobbing and weaving to avoid being taken did no good.

    Big Red D. was the first to go. Then Mac, Brae, Pippin, and sweet Gala vanished. When Granny Smith disappeared, I knew my time had come.

    I was the last one . . . the last apple floating in the cauldron. From out of the gloom of that Halloween night, Dracula loomed over me, the next one in line to take a bite. Shiver.

  26. Joan @Fluffmonkey10 says:
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    WHO NEEDS HALLOWEEN?

    Who needs a witch on this Halloween day?
    Who needs a witch with her cauldron at bay?
    Who needs a shiver, some cats and some bats?
    Monsters in costumes in tall witches’ hats.
    Mummies and giants and creatures in flight.
    Howls in the darkness and looking to fright.
    Who needs them, I wonder, and tremble in bed.
    Who needs that scaring, the boos that I dread.
    Who needs the parties and candy and such.
    And bobbing for apples is just way too much.
    Wait! What was I thinking!
    I need the costumes, the boos and the scares.
    I need the candy that Halloween shares.

  27. Danielle Hammelef says:
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    CAULDRON CONUNDRUM
    By Danielle S. Hammelef

    The eve of Halloween night,
    While brewing potions, I caught a fright.
    My cauldron cracked and broke in two.
    I tried some tape and then some glue.
    I called the cauldron service hotline.
    The wizard said even magic wouldn’t fix mine.
    I shrieked. I howled. I stamped my feet.
    I tossed my cauldron to the street.
    I grabbed a tub, a substitute.
    I tossed in toe of toad and snoot of newt.
    “What’s this?” I cried and shivered with dread.
    My tub made yummy soup instead!
    Rather than whipping up tricks to scare,
    I dished out tasty treats to share.

  28. Pingback: Baba Yaga meets the Halloweensie challenge – Baba Blogga Yaga
  29. JessicaReinerHarris says:
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    Oh no, typos! Here is a typo-less version!

    People assume every witch has a cat,
    And frightens while wearing a pointy black hat.
    But there exist witches outside of this mold.
    A lovely one’s living nearby, so I’m told.

    Instead of a cat, her familiar’s a pup!
    There’s no evil potion inside of her cup.
    On Halloween night, when the moon’s just a sliver,
    This beret-wearing witch cuddles with her dog, Shiver.

    He howls at the sky. He licks Mama’s face.
    There’s tea in her cauldron, it’s her happy place.
    There’s no need to scare. They nap for a spell.
    They are together, and so all is well.

  30. Heather Preusser says:
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    Pete and Re-Pete (100 words)

    By Heather Preusser

    Pete the pirate-wizard bounded downstairs. “I’m ready!”

    His pint-sized younger brother Re-Pete wasn’t far behind. “I’m ready too!”

    “Shiver me timbers!” said Pete. “You can’t wear the same costume.”

    “I’m a pirate-wizard too,” said Re-Pete.

    Pete turned into a ninja-fairy.

    So did Re-Pete.

    Pete transformed into a cowboy-doctor.

    So did Re-Pete.

    “Hold your horses!” howled Pete. “Can’t you be something – ANYTHING – else for Halloween?”

    “All I want to be is you,” Re-Pete said, his eyes big as cauldrons.

    Pete’s heart melted like chocolate in a pocket.

    “Let’s go trick-or-treating, partner,” Pete said and moseyed out the door.

    So did Re-Pete.

  31. Jennifer Broedel (@JBroedelAuthor) says:
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    STITCHY WITCHY BREW
    By Jennifer Broedel
    100 words

    Party time looming and closet shelves bare,

    Hazel VanBazel howled, “Nothing to wear!”

    Flipping through frocks, she fell down in a slump.

    “This clothing won’t cut it. I look like a frump!”

    She danced to her cauldron with sheets from her bed,

    satchels of sequins, and spider-silk thread.

    In flurries of fabric, she sang out a spell,

    tumbled in buttons, then folded it well.

    The pot gave a shiver and spit out a gown,

    sure to make Hazel the talk of the town.

    She twirled in her tulle and sashayed in her sash,

    ready to shine at her Halloween bash!

    (Sorry, I don’t have a blog link…but you can find me on twitter: @JBroedelAuthor)

  32. Pingback: The 8th Annual Halloweensie Contest | Carole Lynn Jones
  33. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY #1 POSTED FOR MICHAEL

    The Lost Boys
    By Michael Neuenschwander

    Ashton and Blake found themselves alone under the dark castle of Budapest. They shouldn’t have left their parents, especially on Halloween. The fake witches had put away their cauldrons, the kids dressed as goblins were now tucked in their beds. All except them. Blake shivered as he wondered how they got lost. They quickly passed the dark castle walls hoping to find help. The boys stopped. From the ancient rampart above they heard a low growling. They ran. Then a piercing, dark howl. They screamed. The huffing of a hunting creature scrambling down the battlement. And then all was quiet.

  34. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY #2 POSTED FOR MICHAEL

    Full Moon Rising
    By Michael Neuenschwander

    Its horrible howl came closer with every slashing of the door. The witch stirred the cauldron frantically, as her trembling hands added the ingredients for the potion which could save her. She dropped the last ingredient. Too late. It was in the house. She grabbed her wand as its teeth sunk into her leg. Everything went black.

    When she woke up, she staggered to the broken door. Was she safe? Was it over? Only as the full moon’s light touched her skin and it began to shiver and crawl did she realize that it wasn’t over. It was only beginning.

  35. Mary VP (@laugh_ol1) says:
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    TRULY BOO
    By Mary Vander Plas (100 words)

    A cute little ghost
    whose first name is Boo,
    must hide who she is
    like most phantoms do.
    She loves Halloween:
    bright costumes that shimmer,
    fierce werewolves who howl,
    hot cauldrons that simmer.
    No need to dress up
    when the day comes around.
    Ghouls moving through streets.
    Frightened shivers abound.
    When Halloween’s done,
    her identity hidden;
    be true to herself?
    It’s sadly forbidden.
    This year she feels brave
    and as many have done,
    Boo reveals who she is
    Her secret undone.
    Now she glides through the streets,
    no longer in fear.
    A ghost who’s accepted
    each day of the year!

  36. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR CARRIE

    THE LAST PIECE

    By CJ Penko / Twitter: @cjpenko / 100 words

    3 … 2 … 1 … 6:00!

    Lights go on around the block.

    Children start to howl and scream.

    Candy yells “IT’S HALLOWEEN!”

    The bag is opened. I’m on top!

    I have the perfect candy spot!

    Right up front for all to see,

    I can’t be missed – “Pick me! Pick me!”

    One by one my friends are snagged.

    I’m the last piece in the bag.

    3 … 2 …1 … 8:00.

    Lights go off around the block.

    I shiver and I’m all alone,

    And wish someone would take me home.

    Just then a witch makes one last stop

    And drops me in her cauldron pot!

  37. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR TARA

    ONE HOUSE LEFT
    by Tara Cerven
    99 words

    ONE HOUSE LEFT

    It was Halloween. One house left. Did I dare?

    That house terrified me.

    A blood-red harvest moon loomed above it. Ungodly howls escaped its windows. Bats circled in the moon’s glow.

    I decided with a shiver that it was time to conquer my fear. Sweat trickled down my face. Visions of being thrown into a boiling cauldron invaded my thoughts.

    I knocked on the door, fist trembling. Who should open it but my teacher, Mrs. Andrews.

    My heart skipped a beat.

    Was Mrs. Andrews an actual witch??

    I realized with a shudder that I was about to find out.

  38. Monica Acker (@MonicaAcker1) says:
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    MISSION HALLOWEEN
    by Monica Acker
    100 words

    Marcy peered into the cauldron at the lilac liquid within. One more ingredient. DRAT! Her fingers probed only a hole. Time was scant. THEY were close.

    Marcy flew to Allwart Superstore.

    The wind howled. Marcy shivered. THEY were getting closer.

    She shuffled past a tantruming toddler, leaped over a spill in aisle six, and stopped to help an old lady reach olives because kindness first.

    Finally, the last ingredient. Marcy sped home.

    She added the azucar.

    Ding-dong. THEY were here.

    “Trick or treat!”

    Small hands reached into the cauldron.

    Small hands emerged clasping scrumptious chocolates. The children squealed with delight.

  39. Debora says:
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    The Family Resemblance
    by Debora Hoffmann
    (100 words)

    “Look at those cutesy lights, spider webs, and inflatable characters and that cauldron filled with candy,” Grandpa Walter grumbled. “Halloween isn’t the same as in my day. It was scary.”

    As they watched trick-or-treaters from the porch, Wyatt asked, “When did you enjoy Halloween, Grandpa?”

    Walter thought. “It’s been almost 20 years!”

    “My teacher said a full moon happens on Halloween every 19 years!” volunteered Wyatt. Glancing up, he saw the moonrise. “A full moon!”

    He howled. Grandpa howled beside him. With a shiver, Wyatt looked at Grandpa, who grinned. Together they bounded off the porch and into the night.

  40. Debora says:
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    One Chilly Halloween
    by Debora Hoffmann
    (100 words)

    Warren Werewolf howled at his skeleton friend, Skinny Bone Jones, for complaining he was cold. Again.

    Skinny whined, “Can’t you hear my bones shivering? Hey, I’m hungry. I wonder what’s in that cauldron over there.”

    “You’re always hungry,” Warren grumbled. “We need to be scaring children.”

    They staggered toward the cauldron, but it was brimming with candy. “Sugar doesn’t stick to my ribs,” Skinny sighed.

    As they turned away, from behind the cauldron sprang three ghoulish figures screaming, “Booooo!”

    “Ahhhhh!” shrieked Warren and Skinny, lurching away as fast as they could.

    The ghouls, three children, removed their masks and giggled.

  41. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY #1 POSTED FOR LAURA

    SKELLIE TON’S ENCOUNTER
    by Laura G

    Skellie Ton was having fun
    On All Hallows’ Eve.
    He hit the street to trick-or-treat
    crunching through the leaves.
    But suddenly from a tree
    a cauldron fell upon him.
    Though he was dead, he grabbed his head
    and howled, “Ow, my noggin.”
    He looked up high. A witch did cry,
    “Sorry lad. That’s mine.”
    Skellie froze. A shiver rose
    all up through his spine.
    Still dazed a bit, the street not lit,
    Skellie turned to flee.
    It was a sight for in his fright
    he ran into the tree.

  42. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY #2 POSTED FOR LAURA

    Monster Vacancy by Laura G
    My house lost it’s monster and I’m in a jam.
    Halloween’s coming but I have a plan.
    I called reinforcements. Demons and pests.
    Howling wanted. Please come do your best.
    I held my breath on Halloween night.
    Only one ghost arrived, glistening white.
    I put on the cauldron, set it to brew,
    Safely conducted a quick interview.
    Though doubtful about her blood-curdling skill,
    I hired her instantly paying her bill.
    To my satisfaction, my shivering fright,
    I’d chosen wisely that October night.
    When children approached to say ‘trick-or-treat’
    Every kiddo ran screaming straight for the street.

  43. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR SYLVIA

    The Halloween Ball by Sylvia (96 words)

    I crouch in the shadows.

    I watch. I wait.

    Long black hair rises on the back of my neck. The Halloween Ball is about to begin!

    I shiver. My teeth chatter.

    Music plays. Glasses clink!

    Witches and goblins enjoy apple cider served from a smoking cauldron.

    No time to waste. I step into view.

    Yes, they see me.

    Muffled cries and soft whimpering gather speed. Howling overtakes the room.

    Who am I?

    I am the Math Teacher assigned to chaperone tonight’s party at Parkview Elementary School.

    Happy Halloween!

  44. Jennifer Matarese (@JennyMatarese) says:
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    MRS. TANK’S PENNIES – Jennifer Matarese

    “Trick-or-Treat!” We yelled at Mrs. Tank’s door.

    “She’s not here, Jenny,” my sister Laura said. “She left some pennies in that plastic cauldron.”

    “She’s probably asleep, she’s like 100,” I said as I grabbed a cold penny.

    “Don’t take all of them!” Laura said.

    “Please, what am I going to do with a penny anyway.”

    The wind rustled the trees.

    AROOOO!

    “Scaredy cat!” Laura said. “Don’t shiver. It’s just Benny the dog’s howl.”

    “It’s, it’s, it’s…!” I pointed at the window.

    Mrs. Tank transformed into a werewolf!

    As we ran home, I hoped that penny was a lucky one.

  45. Becky Scharnhorst says:
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    Midnight Feast
    By Becky Scharnhorst

    Two hairy feet tiptoed past tired trick-or-treaters sound asleep in bed.
    Clutching stolen loot, this devious dude hatched an evil plan.
    “I’ll take the best and leave the rest. They’ll never even know!”
    He monster-chomped Reese’s and gobbled up Snickers until his bloated belly burbled and gurgled, protesting his midnight feast.
    Suddenly, a knock caused him to shiver with fear.
    Sticky fingers covered candy breath just as Mom appeared.
    She placed a plastic cauldron beside the groaning heap.
    “Leftover candy. Want more?”
    Dad tried to smile, but howled in pain.
    “Eek! Not that! I’ll take broccoli any day.”

  46. Kirsten Ealand says:
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    Halloween Prize
    By Kirsten Ealand
    (100 words)

    Eve’s school gives a Halloween prize
    for the costume with the best surprise.
    Believe me competition’s hot
    But she just might win with the idea she’s got.
    With cardboard, scissors, paint and string
    Eve could’ve made most anything;
    A slime-filled cauldron, a spider-filled hat
    But they’d been done so she didn’t make that.
    Other outfits make kids shiver or scream
    But Eve has gone for a different theme.
    She attracts them with creative drama
    All dressed up as a cute, little llama.
    She may not howl, screech or hit
    But they’d better watch out … because she sure can spit.

  47. Su Moon says:
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    Hi Susanna,
    what a fun challenge!

    Three Pig-Witches
    By Su Moon
    47 words

    The Three Pig-Witch sisters shiver.
    Stirring their Halloween dinner.

    Lizard lungs, brains, guts of goblin
    all bubble in their burnt cauldron.

    One flavor missing from their stock—
    they smile when trick-or-treaters knock.

    The grandma wolf * sniffs something foul.
    Too late — the stew’s delicious— HOWL!

    *from Red Riding Hood

  48. Pingback: Halloweensie Contest – Eleanor Ann Peterson
  49. John Bryndal says:
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    ENTRY NUMBER 1 for John Bryndal (Sorry, I don’t have a blog)

    100 words version

    (Title) The First Corner…

    One Halloween, a mommy and two young kids passed a haunted house.

    Please Mommy! We wanna go in!
    It’s dark and scary!
    We don’t care!
    There are ghosts in there!
    We’re not scared!
    Really? But there are howling witches!
    We wanna go in!
    You shiver at skeletons and zombies!
    We wanna go in! We wanna go in!
    Well, okay…

    Around the first corner was a bubbling cauldron. And then…

    Aaaaah!!! Scary! Let us out!
    But we’re in already.
    We don’t care!!
    There are people behind us.
    Take us HOME!!!

    And so they slunk back out the entrance.
    Until next Halloween…

  50. yangmommy says:
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    POTION COMMOTION
    By Jennifer Buchet (100-w)

    One broom, one flight….one magical Halloween night.
    “Swizzle-zee, swizzle-zum, sizzle and simmer till it’s done!”
    Tabitha sampled her brew. Something was missing… garlic should do.

    SPRINKLE
    DASH
    MUDDLE…
    SPLASH!

    The cauldron crashed. The potion pitched. The broom set aflame!
    No broom, no flight! One horrid Halloween night.

    WAIL
    GROWL
    MOAN
    HOWWLLL!

    Tabitha paced. Tabitha pondered.
    Tabitha began again.

    “Swizzle-zee, swizzle-zum, sizzle and shimmer till it’s done!”
    Tabitha sampled her brew. Something was missing… dragon scales would do.

    BOOM
    CRASH
    CRACKLE
    BASH!

    Tabitha laughed! Tabitha danced! Tabitha shivered with glee!
    No broom? Alright! Tabitha soared on dragon wing that Halloween night.

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