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. Laura Bost says:
    Reply

    Midnight Rescue
    By
    Laura Bost
    *******
    One click from the skeleton key.
    Maddie was in!
    She clutched the black kitten close as she emptied the vial into the wine.
    “Hush now, little one.” She ducked back into the shadows.
    The rescued kitten’s purr threatened to unmask Maddie’s hiding spot as a pageboy banged into the room.
    He grabbed the wine jug and vanished upstairs into the witch’s roiling masquerade.
    “A toast!” cackled a witch.
    “Yes, bring the cat, we drink to the Halloween sacrifice!”
    May you choke on it! thought Maddie, creeping out the back door.
    Holy water in the wine, the perfect poison for witches.
    *******
    (I apologize, I tried to make a link-based submission, but I think it did not go through. Please enjoy this submission, and I apologize if it reached you twice. -Laura)

  2. Brenda Covert says:
    Reply

    You Don’t Scare Me by Brenda B. Covert

    The scowling pumpkin glowed.
    “Hello, Jack,” Nick said. “You don’t scare me.”
    A bat swooped low.
    Nick shivered but said, “You don’t scare me, bat.”
    Nick kicked leaves, and a black cat hissed.
    Nick jumped back. “You don’t scare me, cat.”
    A little clown stepped onto the path and tripped.
    Nick grinned. “Hello, clumsy clown! You don’t scare me.”
    The clown tilted its head and rattled.
    Nick crept closer. “Is that you, Alex?” He snatched the mask off the little clown.
    “Boo!” said the skeleton clown.
    Nick dashed away.
    The skeleton picked up its mask and grinned. “My first scare!”

  3. Vashti Verbowski (@VashtiDietitian) says:
    Reply

    RATTLE, RATTLE SKELETON
    by Vashti Verbowski
    99 words
    (Sing to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)

    Rattle, rattle skeleton.
    Shake your bones for tricks and fun.
    Creep and creak or shriek and scare,
    Sneaking up the haunted stair.
    Rattle, rattle skeleton.
    Shake your bones for tricks and fun.

    Knock your kneecaps, drop your jaw.
    Eat with zombies, bob and gnaw.
    Wear your mask and ask for treats.
    Run with werewolves, prowl the streets.
    Rattle, rattle skeleton.
    Shake your bones for tricks and fun.

    Hide with vampires, spooks and ghouls.
    Follow pirates to their jewels.
    Tie-up mummies with a stitch.
    Drink a potion – kiss the witch.
    Rattle, rattle skeleton.
    Rest your bones, your tricks were fun.

  4. Martha Findley says:
    Reply

    Thanks for this contest. It was so challenging and so much fun! I have 3 entries. Here’s the first:

    CORONA’S EVIL PLAN By Marty Findley 99 words

    Corona, the crazy creepy creature from the canyon cave, raised his ugly skeleton head and slithered outside into the deep darkness. It was Halloween! People were scouring their neighborhood for treats. “It’s a great time to scare them!” considered Corona. “No one will notice me since all are in costumes and masks.” He stealthily crept along the sidewalk. Suddenly, he met a small child dressed up as a bottle of hand sanitizer. “Gadzooks!” exclaimed Corona as he fled back to his cave. “What a bummer,” he sighed. Between those masks and the clever costume his evil plan was thwarted!

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

  5. Martha Findley says:
    Reply

    Littlest Witch’s Wild Ride By Marty Findley 99 words

    It was Halloween night but tears rolled down Littlest Witch’s face. All the other witches were mounting their brooms to soar through the night sky. She didn’t have her learner’s permit yet to drive her broom so she was left behind. Suddenly, Big Bat swooped down from the sky. “Want a ride?”” he squeaked. “Yes, please!” replied Littlest Witch. As they flew across the golden orb of the harvest moon, children below wearing masks and costumes gazed upward in wonder and cheered! Later, Littlest Witch blissfully entered her house and crept silently to bed. What a crackerjack exhilarating Halloween!

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

  6. Martha Findley says:
    Reply

    Shy Skeleton’s Dance By Marty Findley 100 words

    All ghosts, ghouls, and goblins please come as a pair, The hair-raising Halloween Ball’s sure to scare!

    Shy Skeleton thought, “Why, what fun! I must go! Will someone go with me? I surely don’t know.”

    Shy Skeleton sat all alone by the wall, But in his brave mask was beginning to bawl.

    “I’m fearlessly frightening and I will not weep! With bone-chilling fun I will crawl and I’ll creep!”

    Bones began to jiggle, guests started to snap; Bones rattled and wiggled, as friends cheered and clapped!

    Come monsters and bats wearing fanciest pants See spine-tingling sights; watch Shy Skeleton dance!

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

  7. Deborah Agranat Sullivan says:
    Reply

    A Night Out…(91 words)
    by Deb Sullivan

    This will be fun
    I’ll just jump in the dish,
    Like a chocolate delight
    Or a red Swedish Fish.

    No one will notice
    I’m not like my peers,
    As I creep through the wrappers
    Without any fears.

    All the skeletons, witches,
    And mask wearing folk,
    Will think I’m a treat
    It’s my little joke.

    That all of the children
    Perhaps parents too,
    Will happily eat me
    I’m one of the crew.

    I did it! I did it!
    I’m sly like a fox,
    “Hey raisin,” Twix shouts.
    “Get back in your box.”

  9. kaleegwarjanski says:
    Reply

    Sorry! My entry is listed twice. Feel free to delete one and this comment. I don’t want to clog up the feed. Thank you! Excited to read everyone’s stories!

  10. HelenAddyman says:
    Reply

    See Billy Bony by Helen Addyman

    See Billy Bony
    Creep down the street,
    Mask up, hood up,
    It’s time for Trick or Treat.
    Tapping on the window,
    Cackling at the lock,
    It’s that ghoulish time of year,
    Knock, knock, knock.

    Hear Lassie Lady
    Bark at the door,
    Growl on, snarl on,
    Pawing at the floor.
    Chasing through the garden,
    Snapping at Bill’s feet,
    Skeletons have tasty bones,
    Halloween Treat!

  11. Laura Howard says:
    Reply

    SCARE SCHOOL
    By Laura Howard

    My teacher screamed, “I do believe
    Tomorrow is All Hallow’s Eve
    So grab your masks and cast a spell
    For this year’s creepy show and tell!”

    Ghost was ghastly, Witchy scowled
    Spider skittered, Werewolf howled
    “You’re up next,” my teacher said
    My bones turned cold, they filled with dread

    I went to give a shrieky shout
    Instead I coughed the candles out
    A frightened skeleton in the gloom
    The only sound… impending doom

    But then my bones began to quake
    My ribs did rattle, bang and shake
    My classmates all began to bawl
    Turns out I’m scary after all

  12. Sue Lancaster says:
    Reply

    Is it Time? (87 words)

    Ben secured his mask in place and entered the room.

    He gasped.

    His mum was on the bed; a skeleton of her former self.

    She looked gaunt and pale, like the life had been sucked out of her.

    Ben tried not to look away, but found eye contact hard.

    “Is it time?” he asked, hesitantly.

    “Yes,” his mum whispered, her eyes red. “It’s time.”

    A smile crept over Ben’s face.

    “Thank goodness,” he said. “Now, let’s go trick or treat!

    Your make-up looks great by the way.”

  13. Sue Lancaster says:
    Reply

    The Skeletons’ Masked Ball (50 words)
    By Sue Lancaster.

    Skeletons’ Masked Ball,
    Having a blast, all
    Skeletons dancing,
    Skeletons prancing,
    Skeletons moving,
    Skeletons grooving,
    Skeletons leaping,
    Skeletons creeping,
    Skeletons jumping,
    Skeletons bumping,
    Skeletons hopping,
    Skeletons bopping,
    Skeletons munching,
    Skeletons crunching,
    Skeletons drinking,
    Skeletons clinking,
    Skeletons swilling,
    Skeletons spilling,
    Skeletons slipping,
    Skeletons tripping,
    Skeletons tumbling,
    Skeletons crumbling,
    Pile of bones.

  14. Jamie Donahoe says:
    Reply

    Halloween Masquerade
    by Jamie Donahoe

    Gorg wasn’t sure what this “Halloween” was, but he wanted to be part of it. “Trick or treating” sounded fun. On the big day, he chose his outfit carefully and headed out.

    But the trick or treaters turned him away. “What a creep! That kid didn’t even bother to dress up!“ jeered someone wearing a skeleton costume.

    Poor Gorg. All he wanted was to fit in. He went home, tore off his Human Child mask and gazed at his reflection. A tear rolled from each of his five eyes. Next year, he’d go trick or treating just as he was.

    (100 words)

  15. readmybook2002 says:
    Reply

    The Curse Of Halloween
    By Bru Benson

    Every year on Halloween night, there is a time which children dread. It creeps upon them as the night grows old. Children cry and wail. Some have a tantrum. The Mom, or Dad, or older brother or older sister, sometimes it’s your friends, whoever you’re with, mask their smile; they know it’s coming too. Dress up like a skeleton, a mummy, or a villain if you wish. You can’t hide from it. It won’t get scared. It knows. The Last House on Halloween is here for you. “Time to go home now.” “Nooooooooooo!”

    93 words

  16. lizluvselephants says:
    Reply

    HALLOWEEN HESITATION (99 words)
    By Beth Volkmann

    I quiver, I shake!
    I creep and I hide!
    Nothing can make me
    venture outside.

    It’s dark and it’s spooky!
    Skeletons roam.
    Zombies and witches,
    monsters that groan.

    I thought I was ready!
    I thought I would try!
    I’m not really scared.
    I’m just feeling shy.

    How ‘bout a flashlight?
    A hand to hold tight?
    I guess that could work –
    it might be alright.

    I’ll get my mask,
    a bag for the loot!
    I can be brave
    in my Superman suit.

    I jump down the stairs!
    I’m ready to run!
    I don’t want to miss
    all this Halloween fun!

  17. Colleen Owen Murphy says:
    Reply

    Great start-off story Susanna!! I am looking forward to reading as many entries as I can! Good luck to everyone!

  19. nataliecohn0258 says:
    Reply

    The Phantom of the Library by Natalie Cohn

    Today’s the day I’ll unmask the phantom of the library. The phantom stood there in a dark loose outfit and half crescent shaped mask.

    A skeleton decoration dangled from the ceiling above the phantom as he read stories to kindergarteners. I crept behind the bookshelves trying to peek, but couldn’t see. I inched closer pulling out the picture revealing who he really was. Should I reveal his true identity or let him be? Oh, no he winked at me. Should I run? No, I’ll wait until he’s done.Then afterwards I’ll hug the Phantom of the library because he’s my dad.

  20. allison straus (@straushaus) says:
    Reply

    Trick or Treat
    by Alli Straus

    On Halloween night I go door to door
    But lurking is no easy task.
    For my cape is too long
    My bag is not strong
    And I can’t see out of my mask.

    It’s the promise of candy that keeps me on track
    I continue to creep and demand.
    Give me nice treats
    For skulking the streets
    Trick or treat is what I command.

    Skittles for skeletons, Whoppers for witches,
    Gum for the ghosts who go boo.
    These ghoulish confections
    Have my utmost affection
    But only the king-size will do.
    What’s this? A pencil? Ugh.

  21. Judy Sobanski says:
    Reply

    NO BONES ABOUT IT
    By Judy Sobanski

    Two skeletons, Tib and Fib went trick or treating for the first time.
    Creepy howls and screams echoed from the house by the cemetery.
    “Let’s go there first,” said Tib.
    They straightened their spines and knocked on the door.
    C-R-E-E-A-A-K! A little masked girl appeared.
    “Peanut butter cup?” she asked.
    The skeletons’ jaws dropped. They picked them back up, screamed, and rattle-clacked away.
    “That was horrible!” said Tib.
    “I couldn’t believe my eye sockets! Peanut butter cups! Disgusting!” said Fib.
    “I am DONE with Trick or Treat!” said Tib.
    “Me, too,” said Fib shaking his skull. “No guts for it!”

  22. nataliecohn0258 says:
    Reply

    Second entry, I couldn’t decide which one to enter: Family Business by Natalie Cohn

    Two little Skellys got ready for Halloween. Papa skeleton handed them masks.
    Mama skeleton put on their costumes. Indiana Bones crept behind them, leash hanging in mouth.

    They puffed out their chests. They were ready for their first haunted house.

    “Are you boys ready to scare all the monsters?” Papa skeleton asked.

    They rattled, shooked and shivered but this was their family business. They didn’t want to disappoint.

    “We’re totally skeller!” They both said.

    Little Skellys Boooooooed, shrieked, and scared monsters so bad they scattered like spiders.

    Papa and Mama skeleton cheered, and Indiana Bones loved to play dead.

  23. Marilyn R Garcia says:
    Reply

    Tattered Treats

    Tattered Bones, the skeleton,
    was waiting near the street
    to scare each kid who dared to come
    a’knockin’ trick-or-treat.

    Gumballs, chocolate, lollipops
    were set out in plain sight.
    The kids would have to pass him first –
    and he’d prepared a fright.

    He spooked the pointy-hatted witch,
    who screamed and dropped her broom,
    masked crusaders, dinosaurs –
    a dragster squealed and vroomed.

    But then a furry rattelbone
    came creeping all alone
    and slobbered when it caught the scent
    of rattling Tattered Bones

    Now Tattered Bones is scattered bones
    sprawled upon the ground,
    his femur turned into a treat for
    a Halloweening hound.

  24. Anna Ouchchy (@AnnaOuchchy) says:
    Reply

    HALLOWEEN SURPRISE
    by Anna Ouchchy

    The friends met on the corner,
    decked out to beat the band,
    a skeleton, a ghost, a witch
    with candy bags in hand.

    They knocked on every knocker.
    They pressed on every bell.
    The evening’s trick-or-treating
    was going very well.

    The night began to settle
    with shadows dark and creepy.
    Their feet began to drag.
    They felt a little sleepy.

    Their faces hot and itchy,
    their tongues like styrofoam.
    It’s time to ditch the masks, one said.
    It’s time to head for home.

    The skeleton protested.
    “Masks off? Don’t be silly!
    I was never wearing one.”

    “Uh-oh! Where is Billy?”

    (100 words)

  25. Darcee Freier says:
    Reply

    A Spider’s Tale by Darcee A. Freier

    Creep heard the horror stories. She would NOT be a potion ingredient. She crawled into the depths of her skeleton home, spinning barricades along the way. She wove sticky cobwebs across the skull’s mouth and eyes. Then hunkered down.

    Scritch. Scratch. “Anyone home?”

    “NO!” Creep hissed. She peeked out.

    “Your house terrifies,” squeaked Mousey. “Won’t you spin some fright around my burrow?”

    “Really?”

    “Yes,” replied Mousey, “to scare off coyotes.”

    Creep spun a fiendish face. Neighbors clamored for frights, too. The prairie teemed with Creep’s monstrous masks.

    She scurried safely home, and field mice trick-or-treated where coyotes feared to tread.

  26. Sarah SarahH says:
    Reply

    Grandfather’s Clock
    (WC 99)
    By Sarah Heaton

    Tick
    Wensley looked up from his diorama.
    Tock
    The clock in the hall gave its regular tick-tock.
    But now
    Tick
    Wensley felt it
    Tock
    Echoing through his skeleton.
    Tick
    Was it louder than usual?
    Tock
    “Trick or treat in 5 minutes!” called his mom.
    “Coming!” said Wensley, gluing the last piece in place. He masked up and ran downstairs.
    Tick
    An eerie shadow crept across the desk, resting on the diorama.
    Tock
    It plucked the miniature clock from the scene.
    Tick
    Then crept past the silent clock in the hall into its room.
    And closed the door.

  27. Jamie Donahoe says:
    Reply

    Second entry. This one is for the younger set; I wrote it for my little friend Olivia and her Hop-Hop.

    Halloween Peeps
    by Jamie Donahoe

    “Everyone here?” called Mama Hop-Hop, gathering up her chicks for their Halloween outing.
    “Peep!” called Little Hop-Hop.
    “Peep!” called Littler Hop-Hop.
    “Creep!”
    “Creep? What’s creep?” asked Mama Hop-Hop, slightly bewildered at the strange response.

    “Me!” said Littlest Hop-Hop, removing his skeleton mask. “I am being creepy for Halloween. Did I scare you?”

    “Oh you!” laughed Mama Hop-Hop. And the whole family went “creep”, “creep”, “creep” into the Halloween dusk.

    70 words

  28. Dawn Young says:
    Reply

    Dawn Young 100 words

    MYSTERY GUEST

    Sam and Karah entered the building. There in the hall stood a bony skeleton.
    “Who’s that?” whispered Karah.
    “Maybe it’s Mr. Head, our P.E. teacher,” guessed Sam.
    “No, he is much taller. I bet it is Mrs. Myers, the librarian. She loves to dress up,” suggested Karah.
    “Could it be Mr. Jones, the custodian?” asked Sam.
    As they settled into class the morning announcements appeared on the monitor. The skeleton crept on to the screen, took off his mask, and smiled at the camera.
    “Happy Halloween, bony friends,” laughed Mr. Skelly, the principal.
    “I hope everyone has a Bone-i-fied Day!”

  29. daniellesharkan says:
    Reply

    Nelly O’Skelly
    Danielle Sharkan
    100 words

    Every year, Nelly eagerly awaited Halloween.

    Every year, she starred in a haunting display of cobwebs, witches, and ghouls adorning Rose Mansion.

    But not this year.

    Time crept by.

    She sat and stared, willing the closet door open.

    She glanced at the pile of discarded decorations, terrified of her fate.

    Creeeaak….

    A hand reached in,

    noticed her broken fibula,

    and tossed her aside.

    NOOOOOOO!

    I will not be forgotten!

    Rummaging through the pile, she gathered old scraps and fastened materials.

    When the mighty, masked, Nelly O’Skelly emerged from the closet, vowing that no skeleton would ever again be tossed aside.

  30. cjones567 says:
    Reply

    Hi, good luck everyone! Here is my Halloween story. Its 96 words. It’s entitled First Halloween. Hope you like it 🙂

    First Halloween

    Tom’s first time out, fear on his face,
    His costume’s on and mask in place.

    Ghosts and ghouls glide through the dark,

    Werewolves howling in the park.

    Mummies stumble, monsters creep,

    Vampires wake up from their sleep.

    Witches wailing, black cats howling,

    Iron gates with gargoyles scowling.

    Moonlight shines on skeleton bones,

    Frankenstein just grunts and moans.

    Don’t be scared, knock the door,
    See the pumpkin on the floor.

    Tom sings his song, he tells a joke,
    He hides the candy in his cloak.

    He visits houses one by one,
    And finds that Halloween is fun!

    Thanks for reading 🙂 Carol Jones

  31. Lori Himmel says:
    Reply

    Hi Susanna, I wanted to see if I could delete my link and repost it sometime today? I messed up my blog and have a new link for the contest. If not, it’s no big deal, it still works for the judges.

    Thank you, Lori

    Lori Himmel 312.405.0511 lorihimmel.com youngwritersworkshop.co @lori_himmel * 2020 Honorable Mention for Let’s Take a Walk and The Very Haunted House * 2019 In Trees Tall and Green, rated a 1 at Rate Your Story * 2017 RMC-SCBWI Golden Pen Award Finalist for Waiting for Kai

    >

  32. Rebecca Thill says:
    Reply

    One Noisy Halloween

    In the dead of night,
    branches crack,
    and old trees groan.
    Spiders scatter
    to parts unknown.

    The wind breathes deep,
    and grabs the leaves,
    under a pale moon,
    on this Hallows eve.

    A lone wolf creeps,
    down a dim-lit path.
    His soul-shaking howl,
    a sign of his wrath.

    Rain plip-plops from the onyx sky,
    and masks the snore,
    of a bear nearby.

    Lightning flashes,
    and thunder roars.
    Then out from the shadows,
    it crawls on fours.

    It moans and climbs,
    from six-feet deep.
    With so much noise,
    how can a skeleton,
    get his sleep?

  33. susaninez0905 says:
    Reply

    Polly’s Not-So-Perfect Potion
    By: Susan Summers
    WC: 100

    Out thumped the potions book.
    “This year, no witch for me.”
    Polly’s cauldron waited by the fire as ingredients were collected.

    “A skeleton, to shape the costume. No creepy mask for me. A caramel, for sweetness.
    A feather, for a light personality, and licorice for flavor.”
    She dropped each ingredient into the pot and stirred while whispering the spell.

    Then, she drank it.
    Polly raced to the mirror.

    “What?! Fur! Did you put an ingredient in?” She glared at the cat.
    “Perhaps.”
    “I wanted to be a princess, not a quokka!”
    “They’re adorable. You’ll get lots of candy. You’re welcome.”

  34. Kathiann Weatherbee (@WeatherbeeBooks) says:
    Reply

    Masquerade
    By Kathiann Weatherbee

    Invitations arrived for a big masquerade.
    No one was going; I won’t be dismayed

    Wearing the best outfit you’ve ever seen
    Arrived at the mansion on that Halloween

    The ballroom looked creepy with candlelight glow
    What’s under the masks we all wanted to know

    As the night wore on the laughter increased.
    The clock struck at midnight, all movement then ceased.

    One at a time each guest took off his mask.
    How is this possible? I couldn’t dare ask!

    Nothing but skeletons stood in a trance.
    Until one leaned over and asked me to dance!
    (95 words)

  35. ashleehashman says:
    Reply

    HOWL-O-WEENIE
    by Ashlee Hashman

    AAAOOOOHHHH!

    Barkley twirled in circles, twisting his long body into a donut-shaped tornado of fur and slobber.

    His tail thump-thumped along with “Monster Mash.”

    Today was his favorite day of the year.

    Today was the day his mismatched ears and snaggle-toothed underbite didn’t make him feel like Frankenstein’s monster.

    Ding dong. He sprung to the door, Superdog cape and mask securely in place.

    “Trick or treat!” A skinny skeleton and pink-clad princess stood on the stoop.

    Barkley howled a greeting.

    Not even the creeping alley cat could ruin his night.

    This day was made for ghostly guests and weird-looking weenies.

  36. Stephanie Mena says:
    Reply

    TRICK OR TREAT? stephmena7299@gmail.com
    “Happy Halloween, skeleton. Ready for the evening?” Joe asked.
    “October 31st just crept up on me. I hoped to gain some weight. This mask doesn’t keep me warm. I need some meat on my bones.”
    “You know you are just wearing a costume, don’t you, Franky?”
    “Oh, a Costume, yeah. Sure, Joe.”
    “Come on, I’m not really a Goblin. I never eat humans. I love dogs and horses.”
    “I don’t like dogs. They bury bones. “
    “Look, Franky, you’re not a real skeleton. Let’s go.”
    “I finally found my vampire fangs, Joe. Come on, it’s trick or treat time.”
    “Franky?!”

    • Ashley Congdon (@AshleyCCongdon) says:
      Reply

      My youngest refused to wear his costume because he saw clips of the movie, The Mask. I think he thought he wouldn’t be able to take it off. This story reminded me of that 😄. Good luck!

  37. Michelle S. Kennedy (@MichelleSKenned) says:
    Reply

    Loved your poem, Susanna! Thank you for doing these contests! Here’s my entry: (I did variations of the word creep (Creepers) and mask (Masking)

    Skelly the Skeleton (WC 97)
    By Michelle S. Kennedy

    Skelly from Skellington
    dines on Beef Wellington,
    solely on Halloween night.

    Covered in gelatin,
    masking his skeleton,
    Skelly cooks up his delight.

    Buried bones hibernate.
    Smells make them activate.
    All rising up, taking flight.

    Others might gawk at him,
    tear him from limb to limb,
    stealing his food just for spite.

    Creepers haunt ghoulishly.
    Skelly is coolishly
    sneaking to stay out of sight.

    Hiding clandestinely
    lets him digest, you see.
    Really, he’d rather not fight.

    Skelly from Skellington
    eats his Beef Wellington
    savoring every last bite.

    Appetite pacified.
    Totally satisfied.
    No room for dessert… but he might!

  38. Kelsey Ebben Gross says:
    Reply

    TRUDY’S TOOTHY HALLOWEEN
    By Kelsey Gross

    Tooth Fairy Trudy rubbed her hands together and grinned.

    “It’s Halloween! Many toothy creatures will be out tonight!”

    First she spotted a skeleton.

    “Ooh! Magnificent molars!”

    She flew closer…

    Crunch, clack, its teeth GNASHED!

    “EEEK!!” Trudy flitted away.

    A vampire sauntered past.

    “Ooh! Pointy ones!”

    “Mmmm! Do fairies have…blood?” he asked.

    “AAAHHH!” Trudy skittered backwards.

    A werewolf creeped by.

    “Ooh! Choice chompers!”

    But then…

    … the werewolf peeled off its mask!

    Trudy slumped. It was just a boy.

    He touched his tooth. “It’s wiggly!”

    A princess handed him a candy apple. “Try this!”

    He took a bite,

    …and Trudy beamed.

  39. Mary Bleckwehl (@MaryBleckwehl) says:
    Reply

    These are so great! Here’s my try: Class Pet Trickery! by Mary Bleckwehl

    At midnight on Halloween Eve, the dark heat ducts that Ricardo crept through felt greasy and steamy. Finally he was in his fourth grade classroom. Wiping his forehead with his red plaid shirtsleeve, Ricardo heard a squeaking sound. Maybe just Emmett, the class pet rat.

    Climbing inside the skeleton piñata wasn’t easy. This will teach Dwight Atkins to stop bullying me, Ricardo thought, as he drifted off to sleep.

    Thirteen hours later, Miss Carter’s room was buzzing with masked princesses, pirates, and ninjas. Suddenly Dwight’s piñata burst open raining candy and one very fat rat wearing a red plaid shirt.

  40. Roo Parkin – Children’s Author (@RooParkin) says:
    Reply

    Hola Halloween!
    by ‘Boo Darkling’

    Morty McCreak was a skeleton freak
    who just didn’t dig darkness or doom.
    The mere squeak of a rat or the flap of a bat
    sent him clattering out of the room.

    Halloween Balls made him put up his walls
    and a creep-tastic mask wasn’t fun –
    Trick or Treat was a strain, so he jumped on a plane
    to go whiten his bones in the sun.

    Morty was shocked, his bones pleasantly rocked,
    all the beaches and streets were alive.
    This ol’ Mexican rave brought some glitz to the grave,
    Yep, this ‘Day of the Dead’ was his jive!

  41. susaninez0905 says:
    Reply

    Oops, I goofed and posted a link to my site and the story in the comments. Please remove the link to the site if that makes things easier for you. I just got so excited! I love this contest and reading these entries. 🙂

  42. rebeccacwoodall says:
    Reply

    BOO!
    by Rebecca Woodall (@woodall_becky)
    100 words

    ‘But why can’t we go trick or treating?’ moaned Phoebe, all dressed and ready to go in her skeleton onesie.
    ‘Because of the lockdown,’ said Mum, for the 100th time.
    ‘But it’s Halloween!’ Phoebe stomped her feet, and sulked on the sofa.

    CREAK!
    ‘What’s that?’
    CREAK!
    Phoebe went to investigate, creeping through the living room door.
    ‘Ah ha!’ she shouted but nobody was there.
    CREAK!

    ‘BOO!’ A ghoulish figure jumped out from the shadows.
    ‘Argh!’ Phoebe screamed.
    She could hear the muffled sound of giggling from behind the mask.
    ‘Thomas!’

    ‘Happy Halloween!’ he laughed. ‘Come on, let’s go scare Mum!’

  43. anneuro says:
    Reply

    Haunted
    by Anne Lipton
    (100 words)

    My flesh and blood have ghosted me.
    I cannot thrive alone.
    When creatures great and small creep by,
    I offer them a home.

    My mask’s alive with beating wings.
    Green vines adorn my gown.
    The spiders spin a silken veil
    beneath my leafy crown.

    Phantom breezes shriek through me,
    a banshee’s keening moans.
    The din of bats and raven calls
    lend dark, foreboding tones.

    A family approaches me,
    undaunted by my groans:
    “I’ve never seen such character.”
    “This house has lovely bones.”

    They labor to restore my sheen
    with skeleton intact,
    but every single Halloween,
    they add the creatures back!

  44. cowboymarty says:
    Reply

    100-Word Count “Doin’ the Skeleton Dance” 10th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest! Submission: (99 Word Count) Picture Book – Storyteller Academy Student –

    Creepy D’s – By Martha Holguin

    Night must fall on Hallows EVE
    Before MIDNIGHT they will CREEP
    SKELETONS, GOBLINGS, GHOSTLY things
    Scaring children in their SLEEP.

    Creepy Dreams will haunt them
    LINGERING, HOWLING, FRIGHTFUL things
    Cover your HEAD, your TOES, your KNEES
    Do not WAKE stay sound ASLEEP.

    Devilish MASKED VILLAIN friends
    LINGERING, LURKING, WICKED things
    Monster Mummies in their DREAMS
    FRIGHTENING them . . . to SMITHEREENS!

    CREEPY D’s will come again
    SPOOKY, FRIGHTFUL VILLAN friends
    Lurking LOOKING DO NOT WAKE
    For at MIDNIGHT they will FADE.

    DARK and EERIE haunting places
    LINGERING, GLOWING EVIL FACES
    Luring children wanting sleep
    Know it is only HALLOWEEN.

  45. Marla Yablon says:
    Reply

    Trick or Treat
    Who’s dancing down the street at night
    This spooky Halloween?
    The rattling sound she makes is like
    A boney tambourine.

    You might think she’s a little girl,
    If you don’t get too near.
    The dark night makes it look as though
    There’s nothing there to fear.

    She wears a mask, a sweet child’s face,
    That covers up a grin
    Of ivory teeth that clack inside
    A skull that needs some skin.

    So, if she creeps up to your house,
    Don’t open up your door.
    A skeleton’s shrieked, “Trick or Treat!”
    Will stop your heart with horror.

  46. KeelyWrites says:
    Reply

    Such fun! Thanks for another wonderful contest, Susanna!

    Halloweensie Contest Entry

    Skellie’s Closet

    It’s Halloween night
    with the moon on the rise.
    Out come masked goblins,
    ghouls, and ghosts to surprise.

    One little skeleton
    cowers with fright
    inside his closet,
    this holiday night.

    Too scared to come out,
    too scared to be seen
    Mama pleads candy
    while, sick, he turns green.

    “They all will look!
    They all will point!
    And what if they laugh
    at my tendonless joints?”

    “Little Skellie,” says Mama,
    “There’s no need to fear
    for all those who love you
    are gathered round here.”

    Slowly Skellie creeps out
    from shadow to light,
    willing to come
    though his complexion was white.

  47. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR CATHY

    Skelly B. Skeleton
    Cathy Chester cchester25@aol.com

    Excited, I wait for one day each year,
    when I know I’ll fit in without any fear.

    I click when I walk; I clack under my mask.
    Keeping myself tethered is often a task.

    I stumble to each house yelling, “Trick or treats,”
    alongside ghoulish ghosts in flowing white sheets.

    We dare you to scare us on each Halloween,
    with those creepy creatures that make us all scream!

    The night is ended, though we all want to stay.
    My one-day friends call, as each goes their way,

    SKELLY,
    Don’t wait for Halloween, come play any day.

  48. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR DIANA

    When Skally nearly didn’t show his face – Diana Webb

    Skallywag the skeleton had lost his mask and couldn’t go trick or treating without it. It wasnt under the pumpkin , behind the cobwebs , inside the creepy crawly nest.
    ‘You’d better help with the washing up instead’ said his mum.
    Not a happy Skally he began handing her the plates cups and spooky spoons from their all night breakfast. And there it was. Stuck in the ghost rack. His mask!
    Out of his skull with excitement Skally ran to join his friends. But where exactly would his mask go?

  49. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR COURTNEY

    Sammy Goes Home
    By: Courtney Rubo

    Sammy the skeleton waited in anticipation. Today was Halloween! All month, as he hung from the rack in Hector’s Halloween Emporium, he watched children pick out Frankenstein masks and Werewolf statues to decorate their homes.

    “I hope someone chooses me,” said Sammy.

    “Kids want creepy decorations,” said Peter the pumpkin, “Not some smiling skeleton.”

    “I don’t want to be creepy,” admitted Sammy.

    A shriek from down the aisle caught Sammy’s attention. A little girl clung to her dad.

    “You pick whatever decoration you like,” said her dad.

    She saw Sammy. A wide smile adorned his face. “That one!” she shouted.

  50. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR DONNA

    GRRRRRRRRRR!
    by Donna Kurtz
    Thunder BOOMS!

    Lightning FLASHES!

    Z-Z-Z-A-A-P-P-P!

    “My Skeleton-Monster’s alive!” Doctor Frankenbeans cheers. “Say, ‘You-Are-My-Master.’”

    “Rrrr. . . ”

    “Not even close—try again.”

    “Grrrr!”

    “Still awful.”

    “GRRRRRR!”

    Skeleton-Monster smashes through the wall.

    Fairie-Princess, wearing her sparkly silver-sequined mask, walks down the road.

    “GRRRRRRRRRR!”

    “Totally-creepy look, guy—but your growl needs work.” Fairie-Princess takes Skeleton-Monster’s giant-sized boney hand. “Halloween party-time, Big Boy.”

    At the party, Skeleton-Monster wins the—

    —Bobbing-For-Apples Competition—

    —Caramel-Popcorn-Ball-Eating Event—

    —Totally-Creepiest-Costume Trophy—

    —and Monster-Mash-Dance-Contest, whirling Fairie-Princess across the floor.

    She giggles. “What fun, Strong-Silent-and-Scary! How do you feel?”

    “GRRRRRRRR—RRRRRRRR—RRRRRRRR–RRREAT!”—roars Skeleton-Monster—“HAPPY HALLOWEEN!”

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