The 10th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest ~ aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!!!

Viper fangs and dragon claws. It’s time for. . .

The 10TH Annual HALLOWEENSIE CONTEST!!!

Halloweensie Pumpkin

~ for children’s writers ~

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 skeleton, creep, and mask.  Your story can be scary, funny, sweet, 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 over 325 fantastic entries last year, so I know you can do it!)  Also, you may use the words in any form – e.g. skeletons, creepy/crept, masked/unmasked, 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 Saturday October 31st by 11:59 PM Eastern Time and add your post-specific link to the list below.  There will be no Tuesday Debut, 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 MamaWritesByNightlight 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!  And please do not submit entries in more than one place because it becomes confusing.

The Judging: in a grueling marathon over the following days, my devoted assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to 3 6 9 12? top choices (give or take… you know how hard it is to choose!) which will be posted here and voted on for a winner on Wednesday November 4th or Thursday November 5th (if the judging takes longer than we expect if could be later…but we will do our best!)  The winner will be announced on Monday November 9th (good lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise 😊 )

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.
  • 6. PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS! Large numbers of entries make it easy to cut entries that haven’t been entered as we asked.

The Prizes:  SO AMAZING! What a generous community we have to donate so much awesomeness!!! 😊

1 – Get Your MS in Tip Top Shape With Vivian Kirkfield!

Vivian is offering a PB MS Critique (fiction or nonfiction/rhyming or prose), along with a 30 minute Skype or FB video chat to discuss, along with a read-through of the revision. And top it all off she will also help you with a query/cover letter edit to go with your polished up ms! WOW!

Vivian Kirkfield is the author of SWEET DREAMS, SARAH (Creston Books, 2019), PIPPA’S PASSOVER PLATE (Holiday House, 2019), FOUR OTTERS TOBOGGAN (Pomegranate 2019), MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD (Little Bee, January 14, 2020), and more…

Making Their Voices Heard Screen Shot 2018-12-05 at 10.39.16 PM

2 – Penny’s Two Cents – an incredible opportunity for any picture book writer!

Sometimes it’s helpful to chat with a published author about your writing journey. Penny Parker Klostermann is offering her two cents. The prize includes General/Big-Picture Feedback on one picture book manuscript + One 30-Minute Chat (Rhyming or prose-750 words or under) Penny doesn’t claim to have it all figured out, (by any means) but she’s happy to share her two cents based on what she’s learned and continues to learn on her journey as an author.

Penny is the author of THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT (Random House 2015) (now available in board book and with matching pajamas! 🙂 ) and A COOKED-UP FAIRY TALE (Random House 2017)

Penny Klostermann Cooked-Up Fairy Tale 2c5b9-dragon2bcover

3 – Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyme or prose) from Carrie Finison, author of DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS (Putnam, July 2020) and DON’T HUG DOUG (forthcoming from Putnam in January 2021.)

Carrie-Finison-200x300 Screen Shot 2019-10-27 at 8.35.37 AM Don't Hug Doug

4 – Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Lydia Lukidis, author of NO BEARS ALLOWED (Blue Whale Press 2019) and many educational titles.

Lydia Lukidis        No Bears Allowed

5 – Picture Book Manuscript Critique (fiction or nonfiction) from Teresa Robeson, author of Queen of Physics (Sterling, 2019) and Two Bicycles In Beijing (Albert Whitman, 2020)

Picture Picture Picture6

6 – Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Kirsti Call author of The Raindrop Who Couldn’t Fall (Mazo Publishing, January 2019),  Mootilda’s Bad Mood (Little Bee, September 2020), as well as COW SAYS MEOW (HMH) and COLD TURKEY (Little Brown) which will release in 2021.

  Kirsti Call

7 – Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Ellen Leventhal, author of DON’T EAT THE BLUEBONNETS (Spork 2017), LOLA CAN’T LEAP (Spork 2018), and HAYFEST A HOLIDAY QUEST (ABCs Press 2010)

Ellen Leventhal       Don't Eat The Bluebonnets

Hayfest     Lola Can't Leap

8 – Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Heather Gale, author of Ho’onani Hula Warrior (Tundra Books, October 2019)

Heather Gale

9 – a personalized signed copy of The King Cake Baby  and 15 Minute “Ask Me Anything” Video Chat with Keila Dawson, author of The King Cake Baby (Pelican 2015), No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History (Charlesbridge 2020), and Opening The Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book (forthcoming from Beaming Books, January 2021)

Keila Dawson

10 – Making Picture Book Magic Self Study – an online picture book writing class – any month of winner’s choice!

MPBM

11 – a personalized signed copy of EITHER  ROCK AND ROLL WOODS (PB) or an ARC of SPIRITS AMONG US (MG) from author Sherry Howard

Sherry Howard (4)Cover Rock and Roll Woods Spirits Among Us

AND a personalized signed copy of TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE (Abrams Appleseed, May 2020) by Gabi Snyder

twodogsonatrike_cov gabi-snyder-profile-pic

12 –  a personalized signed copy of NOT SO SCARY, JERRY (Spork, 2017) by Shelley Kinder

Jerry shelley-kinder_orig

AND a personalized signed copy of MARS’ FIRST FRIENDS: COME ON OVER ROVERS! (Sourcebooks 2020) by Susanna Leonard Hill

Please join me 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, recommending them for school visits, or supporting them in any other way you can dream up 😊

Now then, my pretties! It’s past the witching hour in the dead of night – very appropriate for a Halloween story, don’t you think? – and the time has come for me to embarrass myself my sample entry which should fill you with confidence in your own MUCH MUCH better efforts!!!

Halloween
A pumpkin moon
A ghostly ship
A still lagoon
Tattered sails
Like swirling mist
Ancient rigging
Creaks and twists
Skull and crossbones
Striking fear
Warning sailors
Far and near
Captain Jack
Comes thump-a-peg
Limping on
His broomstick leg
“Steady now,”
breathes Captain Jack,
“Mustn’t blow
our sneak attack!”
Silently
The ghost ship glides
Closer . . .
Closer . . .
On the tides
Guided through
The murky blue
By the ghastly
Skeleton crew
Stealthily
it comes abreast
creeping
uninvited guest
nearing windows
warm with light
no idea
of their plight
Captain Jack
Deceit complete
Unmasks and shouts out, “Trick-or-treat!”

It’s truly spooky how willing I am to embarrass myself for you! 😊😊😊 

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 3 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 169!!! fabulous entries that are posted in the comments
below! (Hopefully each one is a link, but thanks to the new wordpress, I’ve redone the list twice with uncertain success!)
 
  1. Midnight Rescue – Laura Bost
  2. You Don’t Scare Me – Brenda B. Covert
  3. Rattle, Rattle Skeleton – Vashti Verbowski
  4. Corona’s Evil Plan – Marty Findley
  5. Littlest Witch’s Wild Ride – Marty Findley
  6. Shy Skeleton’s Dance – Marty Findley
  7. A Night Out. . . – Deb Sullivan
  8. See Billy Bony – Helen Addyman
  9.  
  10. Scare School – Laura Howard
  11. Is It Time? – Sue Lancaster
  12. The Skeletons’ Masked Ball – Sue Lancaster
  13. Halloween Masquerade – Jamie Donahoe
  14. The Curse of Halloween – Bru Benson
  15. Halloween Hesitation – Beth Volkmann
  16. The Phantom Of The Library – Natalie Cohn
  17. Trick Or Treat – Alli Straus
  18. No Bones About It – Judy Sobanski
  19. Family Business – Natalie Cohn
  20. Tattered Treats – Marilyn Garcia
  21. Halloween Surprise – Anna Ouchchy
  22. A Spider’s Tale – Darcee A. Freier
  23. Grandfather’s Clock – Sarah Heaton
  24. Halloween Peeps – Jamie Donahoe
  25. Mystery Guest – Dawn Young
  26. Nelly O’Skelly – Danielle Sharkan
  27. First Halloween – Carol Jones
  28. One Noisy Halloween – Rebecca Thill
  29. Polly’s Not-So-Perfect Potion – Susan Summers
  30. Masquerade – Kathiann Weatherbee
  31. Howl-o-weenie – Ashlee Hashman
  32. Trick Or Treat – Stephanie Mena
  33. Skelly The Skeleton – Michelle S. Kennedy
  34. Trudy’s Toothy Halloween – Kelsey Gross
  35. Class Pet Trickery! – Mary Bleckwehl
  36. Hola Halloween! – ‘Boo Darkling’ (Roo Parkin)
  37. BOO! – Rebecca Woodall
  38. Haunted – Anne Lipton
  39. Creepy D’s – Martha Holguin
  40. Trick Or Treat – Marla Yablon
  41. Skellie’s Closet – KeelyWrites
  42. Skelly B. Skeleton – Cathy Chester
  43. When Skally Nearly Didn’t Show His Face – Diana Webb
  44. Sammy Goes Home – Courtney Rubo
  45. GRRRRRRRRRR! – Donna Kurtz
  46. Teeth Love HalloweenToo! – Donna Kurtz
  47. The Halloween Fair – Donna Kurtz
  48. Skeleton And Ghostina – Gail Hartman
  49. Little Bonesy Loves Halloween! – Paul Kurtz
  50. Mousey’s Batty For Halloween! – Paul Kurtz
  51. Spider-Claws Is Comin’ To Town – Paul Kurtz
  52. A Bone-afide Friend – Kristen Reinsel
  53. Wendy’s Sugar Spell – Caitlin Eslinger
  54. A Very Scary Halloween – Kerrie Elizabeth Godding
  55. Haunted Hallo-weave – Cathrene Valente Youngquist
  56. Spider’s Can’t Dance! – Cathrene Valente Youngquist
  57. The Beady Eye – Libby Hartwell
  58. Stitch – Amy Duchene
  59. Halloween Surprise – Sarah Hawklyn
  60. Four Dancing Skeletons – Isabel Rodriguez
  61. First Trick-or-Treat – Carol Samuelson-Woodson
  62. BIG Boney Story – Yolanda Danyi Szuch
  63. Skeleton Knights – Islancy Guada
  64. Halloween, This Year – Nina Nolan
  65. The Arnold Rock – Polly Sheldon
  66. Skeleton’s Scare – Erin K. McCabe
  67. Skeleton’s In The Closet – Karen Keesling
  68. Vampire And Skeleton Go Shopping – Jay Reece
  69. Haiku – Corine Timmer
  70. Opportunity Wanders – Florbela Nienaber  
  71.  
  72.  
  73. The Skele-Mummy – Linda Staszak
  74. All On A Halloween Night – Linda Staszak
  75. Creep A Little Closer – Yvonne McCutchen
  76. Moonlight Party – Yvonne McCutchen
  77. Stella Decorates – Melissa Warren
  78. Candy Heist – Sarah Hawklyn
  79. Pillows In Pants – Christine Menke
  80. The Masked Skeleton – Deborah Dolan Hunt
  81. Mask Required – Lucretia Schafroth
  82. Psyched Out – Karen Pickrell
  83. The Case Of The Missing Skeleton – Karen Pickrell
  84. All Hallows’ Eve – Liz Kehrli
  85. My Worst Thirty-first – Obbverse
  86. Scary Mary – Geraldine Jones
  87. Sweet Escape – Allison Strick
  88. Bones: A Love Story – Keatley Eastman
  89. Phoebe’s Magic Stew – Linda Hofke
  90. Paco And The Skeletons – Katie Schwartz
  91. Lester Skeleton’s Halloween Hunt – Ford Waight
  92. Little Frankie Patches Things Up – Rozana Rajkumari
  93. Witch’s Fiery Broth – Corine Timmer
  94. Jack’s Halloween – Kara Sibilia
  95. The Jolly Skeleton – Linda Staszak
  96. Sammy Skeleton’s Warm Halloween – Lily Erlic
  97. Slinky Skeleton – Penelope McNally
  98. Annabelle’s Halloween – Penelope McNally
  99. The Hungry Corpse – Robert Schechter
  100. Little Goblin’s Halloween – Kathleen Mazurowski
  101. The Curse – Glenda Roberson
  102. Moving Day – Laura Bower
  103. Halloweenie – Lauren Harris
  104. Letter On The Door – Jessica Reed
  105. Sebastian’s Halloween – Polly Owen
  106. Skeleton’s Halloween Party – Polly Owen
  107. Halloween High Jinx – Stacey Miller
  108. Weensie’s Potion – Lisa Lee Furness
  109. The Nightmarish Place – Suzie Olsen
  110. I’m Not Scared – Desirae Moten
  111. What A Haul! – Diane Hanington
  112. The Halloween Trick – Aimee Larke
  113. A Skeleton’s Fright – Nadia Ali
  114. The Maple Tree Fright – Rebecca Allain
  115. Creepy Cookie Night – Annette LaFortune Murray
  116. The Night Stacey Saved Halloween – Autumn Haley (age 8)
  117. The Skeleton Ball – Jenny Caddy
  118. The Halloween Car Parade – Laura Bower
  119. The Halloween Ball – Crystal Lamb
  120. A Halloween Scare – Sarah Hetu-Radny
  121. Skeleton And Jack – Jennifer Bochonowicz
  122. Halloween – Marjorie David
  123. Ben’s Biggest Fear – Maria Pichler
  124. Skeletons – Patty Wright
  125. GHOST On The COAST – Becky Loescher
  126. The Scare Dare – Nancy Derey Riley
  127. Lonely Spider’s Dance – Danielle Sharkan
  128. Things That Go Cronk – Carla Bourne
  129. Grrrr! Brothers! – Susan Drew
  130. Midnight Mortal Ball – Nicola Thackrey
  131. The Monsters Of Halloween – Ryan Roberts
  132. The Perfect Halloween Present – Jenny Buchet
  133. Hopeless Heist – Karyn Curtis
  134. A 2020 Halloween Bash – Kristen Foote
  135. Boneyard Ballet – Jennifer Broedel
  136. Halloween Night – Di Litwer
  137. Tom Bones Goes Rogue – Marty Bellis
  138. A Bone-Fide Halloween Tale – Marty Bellis
  139. Dad’s Halloween – Lisa Lipsey
  140. Final Moments – E. Elle Bea
  141. How To Hug A Ghost – Cathy Lee Patterson
  142. Not This Year! – Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
  143. Shh! Party In My Room! – MeiLin Chan
  144. Little Witch – Tracy Detz
  145. A Pumpkins Story – Christine Graham
  146. Beware Of Humans – Janelle Springer-Willms
  147. Beware Of Skeletons – Lea Boyd (age 8)
  148. Little Badger’s Great Big Scare – Bridget Grey
  149. Lightning And A Mask Of Stars – Rhett Trull
  150. Creature Of The Night – Lindsey Aduskevich
  151. Thorny Lane’s Treasure – Rhonda Gatlin
  152. Argleby’s New School Adventure – Echo Roben
  153. A Cat-astrophic Halloween – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
  154. Two Can Play – JC Kelly
  155. Mia’s Halloween Celebration – Lily Erlic
  156. Seven Jack-O-Lanterns – Mary Arkiszewski
  157. A-Z: Who’s Behind Me? – Ashley Congdon
  158. The Attic Mask – Barbara DiMarco
  159. Not-So-Happy Halloween – Claire Schlinkert
  160. The Skeleton Creep – Tracy Curran
  161. The Brown, Brown Boots On The Cold, Cold Floor – Crystal Lamb
  162. Hedgehogs In The Garden – Nicola Holden
  163. Home Sweet Home – Mona Pease
  164.  
  165. All Bones – Desi Valle
  166. Hallowcake Cravings – Katie Pals
  167. Foggy Halloween – Denise Seidman
  168. Halloween Is Scary – Valerie McPherson
  169. The Sweetest Halloween Treat On Earth – Jill Burns 
 

1,001 thoughts on “The 10th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest ~ aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!!!”

  1. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR CARMEN

    NOT THIS YEAR!
    by Carmen Castillo Gilbert, Ph.D.
    (91 words)

    Wearing pumpkin costumes, the three cousins crept behind bushes, hearts pounding.
    They clutched their Halloween bags.
    The bullies from last year appeared before them.
    “GIVE US YOUR CANDY,” Skeleton, Superman, and Spiderman hollered.
    The cousins handed over their bulging bags.
    Agghh!
    Puke!
    Yuk!
    Rotten pumpkins.
    Wormy apples.
    Mushy tomatoes.

    “You ruined our costumes,” the bullies cried. “Who are you?”
    The cousins tore off their masks.
    We’re ¡LOS PRIMOS CALABAZAS! = THE PUMPKIN COUSINS!
    “Remember us from last year?”
    You guys are not going to take our Halloween candy!
    NOT THIS YEAR!

  2. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR MEILIN

    Shh! Party in My Room!
    by MeiLin Chan

    It is half past four.
    Ghosts had come before.

    It is half past five.
    Bats will soon arrive.

    It is half past six.
    Witches come for tricks.

    It is half past seven.
    In creeps Baby Kevin.

    It is half past eight.
    Skeleton is late.

    It is half past nine.
    Moonwalk in a line.

    It is half past ten.
    Shuffle like a hen.

    Dancing till eleven.
    Kevin is in heaven.

    It is almost midnight.
    Wave bye-bye to masked knight.

    Stair squeaks, floor shrieks, doorknob creaks.
    Lights off before Mommy peeks!

  3. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR TRACY

    LITTLE WITCH
    By Tracy Detz

    LITTLE WITCH

    By Tracy Detz

    The woods are alive on Halloween night,
    wolves howl at the moon and witches take flight.

    Black cats, snakes and poisonous toads,
    skeletons, spiders, and dead-end roads.

    Little witch crept through the forests of gloom,
    While over a bubbling cauldron, she loomed.

    Masked in a cloak and a black magic hat,
    The witchiest spells made her heart pitter-pat.

    But mom is a good witch, and she knows all,
    Watching me closely from her crystal ball.

    So, I fly all night on my wicked new broom,
    Spreading the love and dreaming of doom.

  4. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR CHRISTINE

    A Pumpkins Story
    By Christine Graham

    Spider webs upon the houses,
    Squeaking rats and bats and mouses.
    Pumpkins view the scary scene.
    Their smiles say, “Almost Halloween!”

    A skeleton comes creeping in
    With creaking bones and toothy grin.
    She’s thinking of some great cuisine:
    A pumpkin soup for Halloween.

    She hauls the pumpkins to her tomb
    They shiver, picturing their doom.
    They count the days that lie between
    Their kidnapping and Halloween.

    Then skeleton masks up to shop
    For spices so her soup will pop.
    The pumpkins rot. Their grins go mean.
    They won’t be soup this Halloween.

  5. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR JANELLE

    BEWARE OF HUMANS
    by Janelle Springer-Willms

    On the dark night of halloween,
    Two little skeletons played unseen.

    Hiding in the shadows near to home.
    Playing catch and poke my bone.

    Mum said, “beware of humans, my dears.
    They’re the creatures of your worst nightmares.

    They creep, they prowl and disturb your beds.
    Take you apart. Play catch with your heads.”

    The two made a new little friend that night.
    Another skeleton. What a delight.

    He took them to play trick or treat.
    Grabbed some candy and said, “c’mon let’s eat.”

    Off came his mask, a frightening surprise.
    Their worst nightmare (a boy) dressed in disguise.

  6. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR LEA

    Beware of the Skeletons
    By: Lea Boyd age 8

    “Hey Stella”

    “WOW Mom, you scared me!”

    “Oh sorry. Well… you know how tonight is… Halloween…”

    “Yeah, I don’t like where this is going. You’re acting very strange”

    “No no no.. it is good news!”

    “Yay So spill the beans!”

    “Ha! Okay so tonight you’re going trick-or-treating with your friend Molly!”

    “YAY!”

    “But beware… there are very dangerous skeletons out there.”

    “Okay…”

    “Stella went into her closet to get changed into her lobster costume and then turned around and saw a skeleton!”

    “MOM! MOM!”

    “The skeleton attacked Stella!”

    “And brought her to… Molly’s house” …ahh!

  7. Bridget Collier Grey says:
    Reply

    Little Badger’s Great Big Scare
    By Bridget Grey
    Twitter: @BeeGee915
    WC: 92

    Bucket ready, shoes are tied.
    Check the costume one more time.

    Out the door, walk down the street.
    Bucket fills with tiny treats.

    Skeletons and something hairy…
    Where’d they come from? This is scary.

    Little Badger starts to whine.
    Mama says “Go get in line!”

    Something creeps out from the bushes!
    Little Badger SHRIEKS and pushes!

    “It is scary – all these masks.
    Who’s behind it? Let’s go ask!”

    Holding Mama’s hand, and then
    “What’s your name?” …it is a friend!

    Friends help clean up treats with care.
    Run together – race you there!

    • Denise Seidman says:
      Reply

      Love this story! My children loved to trick and treat at night with friends and these sort of things happened. Thanks for bringing back those memories!

  8. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR RHETT

    LIGHTNING AND A MASK OF STARS (100 words)
    by Rhett Trull

    “El-TON! Ske-le-TON!”
    Clay’s teasing was like ink
    darkening the day.

    MOLLY: “Don’t listen. He’s a creep.”

    ELTON: “Well, he’s right. I look like a skeleton.”

    Little Elton.

    Skinny Elton.

    Elton who kept getting sicker.

    MOLLY: “More like a bolt of lightning!

    He doesn’t know how strong you are.”

    So…

    Elton was a lightning bolt for Halloween.

    Molly wore a mask of stars.

    When candy spilled, they helped.

    When capes tore, they mended.

    When Clay’s dog bolted,

    Elton shined a path.

    Molly coaxed her from the briars.

    And Clay took off his monster suit—

    “I’m sorry”—

    his words, candlelight

    against darkness.

  9. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR LINDSEY

    Lindsey Aduskevich
    CREATURE OF THE NIGHT

    Tonight’s the Scare-o-rama. I leave my mask home, for I am already a creature of the night.

    A salty-sweet smell permeates the air. Bloodthirsty, I creep closer to the stage, ready to scare. When my turn comes, I stay in the shadows and clear my throat. “I am a vampire. I am here to drink your blood.”

    The crowd is quiet before they erupt into laughter. “You’re not a vampire, you’re a fly!” yells a skeleton.

    “Muahahaha!” I laugh.

    “Mitsy! Quit skeetin around and come drink your blood!”

    “Yes, Mom,” I call over the screams of the crowd.

    -Mitsy Mosquito

  10. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR RHONDA

    Thorny Lane’s Treasure
    by Rhonda Gatlin

    Inky black was the night, but with sack, treasure map and glow sticks they were ready. Boney Bluetooth Skeleton and his friend Milktoast Ghost creep along the Thorny Lane in hopes of finding a treasure trunk. Boney Bluetooth and Milktoast wore their mask to protect them from the Microscopic Halloween Grungies.

    As they trudge down the lane the first trunk was covered in darkness. The treasure hunters sigh, but the search continues. The next three trunks on both sides of the lane were empty. Turning the corner there set the Treasure Trunk filled with many candies.

  11. Echo Roben says:
    Reply

    Argleby’s New School Adventure
    by Echo Roben
    100 words

    “Argh,” said Argleby as he walked into his new classroom.

    “Yeeps!” yelled the children as they fled the room.

    “Argh,” said Argleby as he approached children at a lunch table.

    “Yeeps!” yelled the students as they ran away.

    Nobody would befriend Argleby.  

    On Halloween, Arghleby forgot to wear his costume to school.  Walking down the hallway he saw witches, skeletons, and monsters.  

    “Argh!”  said Argleby, as he ran away from the creepy characters and hid underneath a table.
     
    The monster peeked under the table, “My costume worked!  My name’s Henry. What’s yours?”

    “Argh,” said Argleby.

    “Let’s be friends,” said Henry.

  12. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR ELIZABETH

    A Cat-astrophic Halloween
    Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf

    Jamie and Kevin were struggling into their costumes in the hall.

    “Too scared to go to the Epstein’s haunted house?” taunted Jamie.

    “Nah,” said Kevin, but he didn’t look his brother in the eye.

    Suddenly there was a crash. The cat crept out of the kitchen, leaving bloody paw prints.

    The brothers stared at each other as they heard manic laughter.

    As the kitchen door creaked slowly open, they grabbed each other.

    Just as they were about to run, a bloody, masked skeleton appeared around the door.

    “That cat,” said Mom’s voice. “She knocked the ketchup all over my costume!”

  13. writestuff99 says:
    Reply

    Two Can Play (100 words)
    JC Kelly

    What did I see in the closet this morning?
    A skeleton, of course, how boring.
    What’s stuffed inside my shoes? Mice.
    Of course, how nice.

    A vampire mask in the kitchen…didn’t make me shiver.
    And the pitcher of blood…didn’t cause me to quiver.
    I didn’t scream when I saw the giant spider…not a peep.
    I wasn’t surprised…because my brother is a creep.

    He does this every Halloween.
    He says that it’s fun and he’s not being mean.
    That’s okay…
    Two can play…

    Just wait until he goes to bed tonight…
    I’ve prepared the ultimate Halloween fright!

  14. lilyerlic says:
    Reply

    Mia is an innovative and creative girl. In this story, she thinks outside the box. There are craft instructions included in the full version of this picture book. I created the ‘candy dropper’ for this Halloween! 🙂

    Mia’s Halloween Celebration 100 words

    Mia loved Halloween celebrations but this year there were no parties because of Co-vid.
    “How can we celebrate Halloween if I can’t be with my friends?” asked Mia.
    “I’ll dress up in my creepy cat costume and mask. This will help me think,” said Mia.
    “I know, I’ll make a ‘candy dropper’. I’ll tape a paper bowl at the end of a skeleton cardboard tube,” said Mia.
    She called her friends, “Let’s social distance!”
    They agreed.
    On Halloween night, Mia’s friends lined up for a treat from the candy dropper.
    Flip Flop
    Candy Drop
    “Thank you,” they said, “Happy Halloween!”

    The End.

  15. markiszewski says:
    Reply

    SEVEN JACK-O-LANTERNS by Mary Arkiszewski
    90WC

    Seven jack-o-lanterns on a Saturday night
    Sat shivering on a fence in total fright

    As creepy skeletons clanked their knees
    And wicked witches did as they please

    Oh, why oh why couldn’t we just remain gourds?
    Left in the patch of farmer George

    Swirling ghosts blew to and fro
    As spider webs cast an eerie glow

    Then giggles and footsteps of costumes and masks
    Showed the little pumpkins and their fear soon passed

    That Halloween is for pretending, dress up and fun
    Filled with tricks and treats and friendship won

  16. Ashley Congdon (@AshleyCCongdon) says:
    Reply

    A-Z: Who’s Behind Me?

    by Ashley Congdon
    WC: 98

    It’s Halloween! 
    Time to trick-or-treat! 
    Rustle. Rustle. Crunch! Crunch!
    Who’s creeping behind me?

    Run!
    What if it’s an . . .
    Alien! 
    Bat,
    Creepy Cat, or
    Dragon!
    Eek! Evil Elf! 
    Frankenstein,
    Ghost, or
    Horseman! 
    Crunch! Scream!
    Ice Queen! 
    Jack-O-Lantern, 
    King Kong, or a . . .
    Leprechaun! 
    M-m-m . . . Monster!
    Ninja,
    Ogre, or a
    Pirate!
    Crunch! Dart! 
    Queen of Hearts!
    Reaper,
    Sorcerer, or a
    Troll!
    Uh-oh . . . Unmasked Mummy, 
    Vampire, or a
    Witch!
    Crunch! Run!
    X-Ray Skeleton!
    Yeti! Yikes!!!
    DEAD end! 
    It’s a . . .
    ZOMBIE!!!!

    “It’s MOMMY!!!! You left your bag for treats.”

    “Phew! It’s just you. It’s Halloween! Let’s trick-or-treat!”

    Rustle. Crunch!
    Now who’s creeping behind us?

  17. Barbara Falk DiMarco says:
    Reply

    The Attic Mask by Barbara DiMarco

    The mask in the attic had been worn before.
    Lulu picked it up and blew off thick dust.
    “Give me that!” ordered brother Luke.
    “You better not put that on.” warned Lulu.
    “Why not! Those stories are phony, just like your witch costume.”
    “Just find an old sheet. A ghost costume is creepy enough.” said Lulu.
    “This Halloween, I want to be different!” Luke said, putting the mask on.
    His body contorted.
    A skeleton.
    Bones.
    Poof!
    Dust.
    Lulu swept the dust with her witch’s broom and sprinkled it over the mask.
    “Mom!” she yelled. I need a new brother…again.”

  18. claireschlinkert says:
    Reply

    Not-so-happy Halloween
    by Claire Schlinkert
    (100 words)

    With spooky masks, we eagerly set out to ‘trick-or-treat’.
    In heavy fog, we headed down an unfamiliar street.
    We crept to where a lonely house stood shrouded in decay
    and in the mist, we missed the sign marked, “Danger! Keep away!”
    The creaking door swung open wide. We froze in icy fear:
    a levitating skeleton was beckoning us near.
    It offered squirming candies. How we longed to turn and run,
    but sorcery entrapped us till we’d swallowed every one.
    Then, as we stumbled homewards, we observed our skin glow green.
    Incessant voices in our ears howled, “Happy Halloween!”

  19. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR TRACY

    The Skeleton Creep
    By Tracy Curran

    On All Hallows Eve
    when I’m meant to be asleep
    I peep out at the graveyard
    where skeletons creep.
    They push aside their gravestones,
    rising from the ground.
    Have they come to haunt us?
    No!
    They simply…
    hang around.
    They melt into the shadows
    until they’re masked from view,
    scaring one other
    by playing…
    PEEK-A Boo!
    I really want to join them,
    play their games, hang out!
    But the teeny tiny problem is…
    MY BODY’S INSIDE OUT!
    If my bones were on the outside
    would they let me play?

    “No, but you’ll be welcome…

    WHEN YOUR RIBS ARE ON DISPLAY!”

  20. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR CRYSTAL

    The Brown, Brown Boots on the Cold, Cold Floor
    By Crystal Lamb

    I was slurping soup on Halloween night
    When…
    KNOCK…..KNOCK…..KNOCK
    “Who is it?”

    Creeeeeeeeeaaaaaaak

    In stomped two brown, brown boots on the

    cold, cold floor.

    I crept to the corner, clutching my napkin like a mask
    and waited.

    KNOCK……KNOCK…..KNOCK….
    “Who…..who is it?”
    Creeeeeeeeeaaaaaaak

    A bony, bony body floated in and placed itself on
    brown….brown boots…..
    on the
    cold…cold floor……….

    KNOCK……KNOCK…..KNOCK….
    “Who…..who is it?”
    Creeeeeeeeeaaaaaaak

    A skull floated and sat on the bony, bony body
    on
    brown, brown boots
    on the
    cold……….cold floor.

    “WHAT DO YOU WANT?!”

    The skeleton pointed:

    “You’re…eating…my…soup!”

    “It’s yours!” I said as I ran into
    the shivering
    night.

  21. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR NICOLA

    Hedgehogs in the Garden
    by Nicola Holden

    The 31st of October is a special night for hedgehogs, because that’s when they put on their Halloween masks before going to sleep for the winter months.

    That night, the hedgehogs crept into the garden for their Halloween snack. A fox was sniffing their treats and a cat was watching the fox.

    “Charge!!” ordered Captain Hedgehog, activating the security lights, lighting up the skeleton hanging from the tree, and illuminating the masked hedgehogs racing toward the food. The fox was scared and ran away, and the cat chased after him. Happy hedgehog Halloween!

  22. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR MONA

    Home Sweet Home
    by Mona Pease

    A young barn cat

    feeling ever so brave

    decided to run away.

    He hopped from his loft

    spiff spoff

    to creep and sneak into

    the dark black night.

    He didn’t know

    a storm was looming

    until thunder boomed

    Bang!

    The wind blew

    Whoosh!

    Bones of two skeletons

    creaked and cracked

    thwacked and whacked!

    As if that wasn’t

    quite enough fright

    out of the brush

    jumped scary creatures

    in masks and capes

    screeching,

    “Trick or Treat or we’ll eat your feet.”

    The not so brave cat spun around

    and run back home to his loft

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>MEEEOOOWWWW!

  23. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR DESI

    Title: All bones
    Word Count: 95
    By: Desi Valle

    Halloween was here!

    No “kid mask” required.

    Cree P. Bones just wanted to scare his friends.

    “Awesome costume!”

    “So real!”

    Compliments here, compliments there.

    “Not a costume! The real thing!”

    Cree was frustrated.

    What to do?

    “Watch. I’m eating candy! It will go right through me. You know, because I am a real skeleton.”

    Nobody listened.

    “Great disguise.”

    Not again.

    Cree ate all the candy he could find.

    Nom. Nom. Nom.
    Clunk. Clunk. Clunk.

    Audible gasps.
    Loud screams.
    Kids running away.

    “Your, your candy is on the, the floor.”

    Cree grinned.

    Finally.

    “Told you…. I am all bones.”

  24. volarevia says:
    Reply

    Hallowcake Cravings
    By Katie Pals
    100 words

    On Halloween—just this day—skeletons come out to play.

    By midnight they must be back to their graves.

    Some dance. Some sing. Sam sprints to the bakery.

    “Annual Hallowcake!” His grin fades seeing Dax Dog guarding.

    “Bones!” Dax lunges.

    Sam flees. Back to the graveyard until dusk.

    “Creep and crawl. Dax won’t see me if I’m small…AHH!”

    Sam bolts. Back to the graveyard until night.

    “I want Hallowcake! But it’s 11:53. Dax won’t notice if I’m not me!”

    With a furry mask and sweater, Sam strolls past Dax and opens the door.

    He devours Hallowcake as “Sam the Dog.”

  25. Denise Seidman says:
    Reply

    Foggy Halloween
    By Denise Seidman WC= 92

    On Halloween, a fog rolled in, thick as pea soup. My brother dared me to cut through the cemetery to treat-or-treat. I tiptoed inside.

    Tree roots tripped and branches grabbed me. I struggled to free myself. Trembling, I crept by a crypt when I felt a bony hand on my shoulder…

    I turned around to see a skeleton wearing a clown mask with blood dripping. I ran.

    Panting, by my door I heard the skeleton’s maniacal laugh. My blood chilled and heartbeat raced as I fumbled for the doorknob. Then everything turned…

  26. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR VALERIE

    HALLOWEEN IS SCARY!
    by Valerie McPherson

    Mama thought little Joey was scared by spooks that came to our door, so she sent him to bed early, snuggled with him, and read about bunnies.

    I decided to creep above her shoulder with my bloodiest mask.

    Brother shrieked and tried to get away. Mom pulled him back “Sweet, cuddly bunnies,” she read.
    Brother reached for me. Screamed again.
    Mom said, “Get away! You’re scaring him.”
    “No!” he cried, “Bunnies are scary!”
    He stood up, a bony, groany skeleton painted on his pajamas.
    Grabbing my hand, we raced to answer our door.

  27. jillburns7 says:
    Reply

    The Sweetest Halloween Treat on Earth
    by Jill Burns

    I crept into my little brother’s room and found him sleeping in his mask and skeleton costume.

    Life’s so unfair.

    No trick-or-treating for him this Halloween night.

    Instead, like a grand warrior, Pablo’s fighting for his life.

    “Wake up silly skeleton!” I hollered.

    Tons of treats tumbled from Pablo’s Halloween bag.

    Pablo’s eyes grew misty. “All mine?”

    I nodded. “Our neighbors said to stay brave and strong and get well. They love and miss you.”

    Our eyes exploded with happy tears as we clung to each other.

    And I know I had received the sweetest Halloween treat on earth.

Leave a comment