Viper fangs and dragon claws. It’s time for. . .
The 10TH Annual HALLOWEENSIE CONTEST!!!
~ 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…
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)
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.)
4 – Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Lydia Lukidis, author of NO BEARS ALLOWED (Blue Whale Press 2019) and many educational titles.
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)
6
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.
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)
8 – Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Heather Gale, author of Ho’onani Hula Warrior (Tundra Books, October 2019)
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)
10 – Making Picture Book Magic Self Study – an online picture book writing class – any month of winner’s choice!
11 – a personalized signed copy of EITHER ROCK AND ROLL WOODS (PB) or an ARC of SPIRITS AMONG US (MG) from author Sherry Howard
AND a personalized signed copy of TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE (Abrams Appleseed, May 2020) by Gabi Snyder
12 – a personalized signed copy of NOT SO SCARY, JERRY (Spork, 2017) by Shelley Kinder
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!!! 😊 🎃
- Midnight Rescue – Laura Bost
- You Don’t Scare Me – Brenda B. Covert
- Rattle, Rattle Skeleton – Vashti Verbowski
- Corona’s Evil Plan – Marty Findley
- Littlest Witch’s Wild Ride – Marty Findley
- Shy Skeleton’s Dance – Marty Findley
- A Night Out. . . – Deb Sullivan
- See Billy Bony – Helen Addyman
- Scare School – Laura Howard
- Is It Time? – Sue Lancaster
- The Skeletons’ Masked Ball – Sue Lancaster
- Halloween Masquerade – Jamie Donahoe
- The Curse of Halloween – Bru Benson
- Halloween Hesitation – Beth Volkmann
- The Phantom Of The Library – Natalie Cohn
- Trick Or Treat – Alli Straus
- No Bones About It – Judy Sobanski
- Family Business – Natalie Cohn
- Tattered Treats – Marilyn Garcia
- Halloween Surprise – Anna Ouchchy
- A Spider’s Tale – Darcee A. Freier
- Grandfather’s Clock – Sarah Heaton
- Halloween Peeps – Jamie Donahoe
- Mystery Guest – Dawn Young
- Nelly O’Skelly – Danielle Sharkan
- First Halloween – Carol Jones
- One Noisy Halloween – Rebecca Thill
- Polly’s Not-So-Perfect Potion – Susan Summers
- Masquerade – Kathiann Weatherbee
- Howl-o-weenie – Ashlee Hashman
- Trick Or Treat – Stephanie Mena
- Skelly The Skeleton – Michelle S. Kennedy
- Trudy’s Toothy Halloween – Kelsey Gross
- Class Pet Trickery! – Mary Bleckwehl
- Hola Halloween! – ‘Boo Darkling’ (Roo Parkin)
- BOO! – Rebecca Woodall
- Haunted – Anne Lipton
- Creepy D’s – Martha Holguin
- Trick Or Treat – Marla Yablon
- Skellie’s Closet – KeelyWrites
- Skelly B. Skeleton – Cathy Chester
- When Skally Nearly Didn’t Show His Face – Diana Webb
- Sammy Goes Home – Courtney Rubo
- GRRRRRRRRRR! – Donna Kurtz
- Teeth Love HalloweenToo! – Donna Kurtz
- The Halloween Fair – Donna Kurtz
- Skeleton And Ghostina – Gail Hartman
- Little Bonesy Loves Halloween! – Paul Kurtz
- Mousey’s Batty For Halloween! – Paul Kurtz
- Spider-Claws Is Comin’ To Town – Paul Kurtz
- A Bone-afide Friend – Kristen Reinsel
- Wendy’s Sugar Spell – Caitlin Eslinger
- A Very Scary Halloween – Kerrie Elizabeth Godding
- Haunted Hallo-weave – Cathrene Valente Youngquist
- Spider’s Can’t Dance! – Cathrene Valente Youngquist
- The Beady Eye – Libby Hartwell
- Stitch – Amy Duchene
- Halloween Surprise – Sarah Hawklyn
- Four Dancing Skeletons – Isabel Rodriguez
- First Trick-or-Treat – Carol Samuelson-Woodson
- BIG Boney Story – Yolanda Danyi Szuch
- Skeleton Knights – Islancy Guada
- Halloween, This Year – Nina Nolan
- The Arnold Rock – Polly Sheldon
- Skeleton’s Scare – Erin K. McCabe
- Skeleton’s In The Closet – Karen Keesling
- Vampire And Skeleton Go Shopping – Jay Reece
- Haiku – Corine Timmer
- Opportunity Wanders – Florbela Nienaber
- The Skele-Mummy – Linda Staszak
- All On A Halloween Night – Linda Staszak
- Creep A Little Closer – Yvonne McCutchen
- Moonlight Party – Yvonne McCutchen
- Stella Decorates – Melissa Warren
- Candy Heist – Sarah Hawklyn
- Pillows In Pants – Christine Menke
- The Masked Skeleton – Deborah Dolan Hunt
- Mask Required – Lucretia Schafroth
- Psyched Out – Karen Pickrell
- The Case Of The Missing Skeleton – Karen Pickrell
- All Hallows’ Eve – Liz Kehrli
- My Worst Thirty-first – Obbverse
- Scary Mary – Geraldine Jones
- Sweet Escape – Allison Strick
- Bones: A Love Story – Keatley Eastman
- Phoebe’s Magic Stew – Linda Hofke
- Paco And The Skeletons – Katie Schwartz
- Lester Skeleton’s Halloween Hunt – Ford Waight
- Little Frankie Patches Things Up – Rozana Rajkumari
- Witch’s Fiery Broth – Corine Timmer
- Jack’s Halloween – Kara Sibilia
- The Jolly Skeleton – Linda Staszak
- Sammy Skeleton’s Warm Halloween – Lily Erlic
- Slinky Skeleton – Penelope McNally
- Annabelle’s Halloween – Penelope McNally
- The Hungry Corpse – Robert Schechter
- Little Goblin’s Halloween – Kathleen Mazurowski
- The Curse – Glenda Roberson
- Moving Day – Laura Bower
- Halloweenie – Lauren Harris
- Letter On The Door – Jessica Reed
- Sebastian’s Halloween – Polly Owen
- Skeleton’s Halloween Party – Polly Owen
- Halloween High Jinx – Stacey Miller
- Weensie’s Potion – Lisa Lee Furness
- The Nightmarish Place – Suzie Olsen
- I’m Not Scared – Desirae Moten
- What A Haul! – Diane Hanington
- The Halloween Trick – Aimee Larke
- A Skeleton’s Fright – Nadia Ali
- The Maple Tree Fright – Rebecca Allain
- Creepy Cookie Night – Annette LaFortune Murray
- The Night Stacey Saved Halloween – Autumn Haley (age 8)
- The Skeleton Ball – Jenny Caddy
- The Halloween Car Parade – Laura Bower
- The Halloween Ball – Crystal Lamb
- A Halloween Scare – Sarah Hetu-Radny
- Skeleton And Jack – Jennifer Bochonowicz
- Halloween – Marjorie David
- Ben’s Biggest Fear – Maria Pichler
- Skeletons – Patty Wright
- GHOST On The COAST – Becky Loescher
- The Scare Dare – Nancy Derey Riley
- Lonely Spider’s Dance – Danielle Sharkan
- Things That Go Cronk – Carla Bourne
- Grrrr! Brothers! – Susan Drew
- Midnight Mortal Ball – Nicola Thackrey
- The Monsters Of Halloween – Ryan Roberts
- The Perfect Halloween Present – Jenny Buchet
- Hopeless Heist – Karyn Curtis
- A 2020 Halloween Bash – Kristen Foote
- Boneyard Ballet – Jennifer Broedel
- Halloween Night – Di Litwer
- Tom Bones Goes Rogue – Marty Bellis
- A Bone-Fide Halloween Tale – Marty Bellis
- Dad’s Halloween – Lisa Lipsey
- Final Moments – E. Elle Bea
- How To Hug A Ghost – Cathy Lee Patterson
- Not This Year! – Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
- Shh! Party In My Room! – MeiLin Chan
- Little Witch – Tracy Detz
- A Pumpkins Story – Christine Graham
- Beware Of Humans – Janelle Springer-Willms
- Beware Of Skeletons – Lea Boyd (age 8)
- Little Badger’s Great Big Scare – Bridget Grey
- Lightning And A Mask Of Stars – Rhett Trull
- Creature Of The Night – Lindsey Aduskevich
- Thorny Lane’s Treasure – Rhonda Gatlin
- Argleby’s New School Adventure – Echo Roben
- A Cat-astrophic Halloween – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
- Two Can Play – JC Kelly
- Mia’s Halloween Celebration – Lily Erlic
- Seven Jack-O-Lanterns – Mary Arkiszewski
- A-Z: Who’s Behind Me? – Ashley Congdon
- The Attic Mask – Barbara DiMarco
- Not-So-Happy Halloween – Claire Schlinkert
- The Skeleton Creep – Tracy Curran
- The Brown, Brown Boots On The Cold, Cold Floor – Crystal Lamb
- Hedgehogs In The Garden – Nicola Holden
- Home Sweet Home – Mona Pease
- All Bones – Desi Valle
- Hallowcake Cravings – Katie Pals
- Foggy Halloween – Denise Seidman
- Halloween Is Scary – Valerie McPherson
- The Sweetest Halloween Treat On Earth – Jill Burns
Susanna Leonard Hill 
ENTRY POSTED FOR DONNA
Teeth Love Halloween Too!
by Donna Kurtz
Teeth love costumes and trick-or-treating!
First house—
Tapp-Tapp
“Sugary candy-corn?” creepy ghost Izzy-Incisor says. “No thank-you. It gives us cavities.”
Second—
“Hard jawbreakers?” mummy Carlotta-Canine says. “No thank-you. They crack our enamel.”
Third—
“Sticky taffy?” snow-princess Bonita-Bicuspid in her sparkly, silver-sequin mask says. “No thank-you. It pulls out our fillings.”
Fourth—
“Licorice laces?” scary skeleton Maxy-Molar says. “No thank-you. They get jammed between Bonita and me.”
“Look, our dentist Dr. Dazzler’s house,” Carlotta says.
Tapp-Tapp
“Hurray,” Izzy cheers, “a toothbrush!”
“Wow,” Carlotta laughs, “toothpaste!”
“Yay,” Bonita giggles, “mouth-rinse!”
“Yahoo,” Maxy whoops, “dental-floss!”
“YIPPEE!” the friends cheer. “OUR BEST HALLOWEEN EVER!”
Ha! There was a dentist in neighborhood next to mine growing up that would give out toothbrushes.
ENTRY POSTED FOR DONNA
The Halloween Fair
by Donna Kurtz
I went to the Halloween Fair,
The skeletons rattled there,
A spider with eyes big as boo-berry pies
Got caught in the zombie’s hair.
Masked ghouls rode the carousel,
The mummies jumped on as well,
Their wrappings unwound, limbs plopped to the ground,
And gave off an awful smell.
The creepiest was the bat,
She flew in the witch’s black hat—
The witch gave a shriek and fell in the creek,
But what became of the bat,
The bat, the bat, the bat,
The bat, the bat, the bat?
SO much fun! I love it. I was singing it to myself as I read. 🙂
My favorite line – “Their wrappings unwound, limbs plopped to the ground,”
Great Job!
Halloween Fair sounds like a great idea for a book. Fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR GAIL
Skeleton and Ghostina
Gail Hartman
“You make a spooky pirate, Skeleton.”
“That’s a boo-tiful witch mask, Ghosthilda.”
“We’re ready for the Halloween party!”
Off they rode on Ghosthilda’s boo-cycle.
The boo-cycle wheel hit a rock. Skeleton and Ghosthilda flew into the air.
Skeleton landed splat in a mud puddle.
“Ouch, my funny bone broke!” cried Skeleton.
Ghosthilda took Skeleton home and bandaged his bone.
“Good as new,” said Ghosthilda.
“But my costume is ruined!” said Skeleton.
Ghosthilda grabbed the bandages and wrapped them around and around Skeleton.
“You make a creepy mummy,” said Ghosthilda.
“You make a boo-tiful friend,” said Skeleton.
This is adorable! What a boo-tiful friendship story!
Sweet story!
ENTRY POSTED FOR PAUL
Little Bonesy Loves Halloween!
by Paul Kurtz
“Nobody will trick-or-treat with me,” little Bonesy Skeleton sighs. “I’m too creepy.”
Hiding in a baby-blue bunny costume and mask, he joins kids collecting candy.
“Friends and goodies. Yay!”
“Here’s Mr. McNasty’s house,” Purple-Puppy says. “He has the yummiest treats, but he’s soooo mean.”
Knock-Knock
The door squeaks open.
“Trick-or-treat!”
Mr. McNasty scowls. “Blue bunnies? Pink kitties? Purple puppies? Halloween’s scary—you’re not. GO AWAY!”
“Awww, no treats,” Bonesy’s new friends wail.
Bonesy rips off his fuzzy costume and mask.
“B-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O!”
“EEEYOWW!” howls Mr. McNasty. “Take the whole bowl!”
Bonesy’s new friends hug him.
“Our scary hero!”
Bonesy loves Halloween!
This is adorable! Love Mr. McNasty’s comments and Bonesy’s scary solution.
Nice twist for Halloween costumes.
ENTRY POSTED FOR PAUL
Mousey’s Batty for Halloween!
by Paul Kurtz
“Last Halloween’s Creepy-Skeleton outfit flopped.”
Mousey slips on his bat-costume and mask.
“Yay, I’m super-scary!”
“Scary? HAH-HAH!” the rats laugh.
Sighing, Mousey wanders into the woods.
“HELP!—HELP!”
Witchy dangles upside-down from a branch.
Climbing up, Mousey gnaws.
KAA-FLUMPPH—
Witchy plops onto soft leaves.
“Thanks Mouseykins, here’s a reward—
PRESTO-CHANGO-FLITTER-FLUTTER!”
Mousey’s bat-wings billow.
“What?”
He rises—
“Whoa!”
—soars—
“Whee!”
—sees the rats below.
Z-O-O-O-M-M-M—
Mousey power-dives.
“SQUEE-YOWEE!—SQUEE-YAAHH!”
Rats scatter.
“HEE-HEE!” Mousey giggles.
“Handsome—” coos a voice, “—you’re driving me batty.”
Mousey turns his head.
A girl-bat bats her eyelashes.
Mousey winks at her.
Witchy cackles, “HAPPY HALLOWEEN!”
So cute! You packed a great story with lots of fun into 100 words.
So much action in this story.
ENTRY POSTED FOR PAUL
Spider-Claws Is Comin’ To Town
by Paul Kurtz
It’s time to put on
Your fangs, masks and hats,
And dress yourself up
Like zombies and bats—
Spider-Claws is coming to town.
He brings girls and boys
A creepy surprise,
Like skeleton-pops and chocolate-flies—
Spider-Claws is coming to town.
The pumpkin-moon is rising,
And Spidey’s nearly here—
He’s bigger than Godzilla’s mom,
So you better run in fear!
He’ll flatten the bank,
And smash up the mall,
Destroy all the schools,
Then crush City Hall—
SPIDER-CLAWS IS COMING TO TOWN!
B-O-O-O-O-O!
This is really fun – sounds even better when you sing it!
Most definitely made for singing!!
Spooky fun! I love “He’s bigger than Godzilla’s mom.”
What spooky twist!
ENTRY POSTED FOR KRISTEN
A Bone-afide Friend
by Kristen Reinsel
WC: 100
I look in the mirror.
Eye sockets—too wide.
Ribs—too narrow.
The kids at human school already call me “Creepy Evie,” not knowing what I hide beneath masks, leggings and hoodies.
It’s my first Halloween party. Rhada, the class pet, insists everyone “dress up.”
Ruffles, bows?!
Yuck.
I search the attic. A gown and veil… hmm.
Back in the mirror, I’m horrifyingly…
poofy.
Not happening.
Unicorn-barfing-a-rainbow hoodie wins.
I walk into school.
GASP!
Vampires, witches… skeletons?!
“Evie—ditch the disguise. It’s our day,” whispers a familiar voice.
“Wha…?”
With a bony grip, Rhada squeezes my hand.
Unicorn-barfing-a-rainbow hoodie 😄. I can see that being a popular to wear.
Love a kid that has her own style. Very clever and cute story. Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR CAITLIN
Wendy’s Sugar Spell, Caitlin Eslinger (100 words)
A creepy setting with the full moon rise.
Wendy the witch has a spell to terrorize.
She checks her brew, only missing an eye.
“I’ll throw in wolf hair and give that a try!”
The scalding caldron liquid turns blue.
In go four skeleton bones til they’re goo.
Something is missing, it’s still not right.
Wendy is conjuring on Halloween night.
A soul of a ghost and one blueberry pie.
“This will make up for the missing eye!”
The pot starts to burst with butterflies.
Wendy is ready with her brilliant disguise.
A child’s mask for an endless candy supply.
Nice build-up to reveal and all the fun ingredients. Blueberry pie 😀.
ENTRY POSTED FOR KERRIE
A Very Scary Halloween
By Kerrie Elizabeth Godding
Every. Single. Year. This year was no exception. Lucy always wanted to be a princess for Halloween. Except this year. Lucy wanted to be a scary, evil princess. Her Mom giggled when Lucy specifically asked if she could be a skeleton princess with a mask to hide her secret death-ray eyes. Together, Lucy and her Mom stitched and glued the creepiest princess costume ever. It was so scary, when Lucy tried it on, she was afraid to look in the mirror. Her Mom was so frightened, she ran out of the room. Lucy laughed, “This is the best Halloween ever!”
Lucy knee exactly what she wanted to be 😄.
ENTRY POSTED FOR CATHRENE
HAUNTED HALLO-WEAVE
Cathrene Valente Youngquist
‘Twas Halloween Eve and all through the night.
Creepy spiders wove happenings to give all a fright.
Ghosts rattled their chains, they moaned and they sighed.
Skeletons shook out their bones, they jiggled and jived.
Full Moon wore his cloud mask as he peered from on high.
Witches mounted their broomsticks. They streaked through the sky.
The old hags below stirred their potions and brew.
Eyeballs and bat lips they dropped in the stew.
At the first light of dawn haunted visions were banished.
The first rays of bright sun… creepy spiders had vanished.
So fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR CATHRENE
Spiders Can’t Dance!
By Cathrene Valente Youngquist
Little Spider and his family creepy-crawled to the Halloween Ball. Moon smiled through his cloud mask.
“SPIDERS CAN’T DANCE!” cackled Witch.
“Spiders weeeeave!” moaned Ghost.
“Spiders spinnnn!” rattled Skeleton.
“SPIDERS DANCE,” the family said.
By the ka-zillions they danced the Spider Dance! “Whirrr-whirrr.” They spun.They wove a silky web all around Halloween Grove.
Sun awoke and smiled. The party melted away, all but Little Spider and his family who creepy-crawled back home…
And yes, Spiders Dance!
Great lines: spider weave, spiders spin, spiders DANCE.
ENTRY POSTED FOR LIBBY
THE BEADY EYE (100 words)
By Libby Hartwell
Strolling through the woods Skeleton tripped. Urgh!
He reached down and found a dotted pink pebble.
“How pretty,” he said and took it home.
That night, as the rain fell, Skeleton heard a moan:
“Where’s my beady eye?”
Skeleton looked at the pebble and shook. Rattle.
He went to the window. Creep.
Wiping the pane, he saw a shadowy shape.
With billowing cape and a mask-covered face, it moaned:
“Who’s got my beady eye?”
Skeleton’s teeth chattered as he picked up the pebble …
and opened the door. Creak.
Peering into the rain-filled night he asked:
“Is this your beady eye?”
Interesting! I wonder what happens next.
ENTRY POSTED FOR AMY
Stitch – by Amy Duchene
Halloween creeping; feel the chilled air.
Time to plan costumes. What will I wear?
I totter and rattle. I shiver and shake.
Sit at my sew table. What shall I make?
I know! I’ve got it! How to stay warm…
Go as a body in human form!
Cover my bones with muscle and skin;
Mask all the parts that live within.
Stretch and measure, pin and sew.
Add dainty detail—even a bow.
Finally finished. All fits just right.
A perfect costume for Halloween night.
My skeleton shape, alive inside all.
Now toasty and warm for this holiday in fall!
Great job Amy! I love this one!
So creative and fun to read aloud. Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SARAH
Halloween Surprise By Sarah Hawklyn
Tonight was Halloween and Jojo was upset.
She had a costume she had made herself. She wore her sparkly pink tutu, a skeleton shirt, bones cut out of cardboard and a mask decorated with glitter.
But there was no trick or treating in her neighborhood.
To make matters worse, it stormed outside.
Suddenly she heard a horrible shrieking sound.
Were the Halloween monsters coming?
Would they creep up on her in the darkness?
She looked out the window …
and quickly opened the door to a tiny wet, black kitten.
She cuddled him close
.
“Maybe Halloween has come to me”.
So sweet! I’m glad she had a happy ending.
ENTRY POSTED FOR ISABEL
FOUR DANCING SKELETONS – Isabel Rodriguez
One dancing skeleton passing thru
Heard a BOO and now there’s TWO!
Two dancing skeletons made my flesh creep
A BOO and an E-e-e-e-e and now there’s THREE!
Three dancing skeletons passed my door
To join their friend so now there’s FOUR!
Four dancing skeletons, one with a mask
Where are they going? Why do you ask?
They’re on their way to their Monster friend’s Lab
Whose Halloween Party garb is oh, so fab!
The Wolfman and Dracula just couldn’t resis
To dance the Monster Mash and the Transylvania Twist!
The last line made me giggle! Great Rhyme!
Transylvania Twist. Clever!
ENTRY POSTED FOR CAROL
First Trick-or-Treat (89 Words)
By Carol Samuelson-Woodson
Mask fitted tight.
The full moon is shining.
Sam says,“We might
meet a monster or two.”
Eek! Creepy sight.
Bones are combining,
skeletons white
and quite gruesome to view.
Witches recite
spells, while they’re dining.
“Taste,” they invite,
(so polite) “our nice brew.”
Help! ghastly plight!
Werewolves assemble.
Sam warns, “They’ll fight
for a big bite of you.”
Home! Tucked in tight.
I sweat and tremble.
Sam says, “We might
die of fright.” (Many do.)
Suddenly light!
That glorious symbol
banishes night.
We’re all right! Dawn breaks through.
Nice! Great rhyming, throughout your story. Good luck!
Nice suspense! Good thing for dawn. Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR YOLANDA
BIG Boney Story (87 words)
by Yolanda Danyi Szuch
SKELETON, with bones bright white,
had no costume for that night.
Halloween was here at last,
and he needed something fast.
Then, a creepy GOBLIN said,
“Bring me bones from creatures dead:
from a rat and bat and cat,
from a frog and hog and dog.
I will make your mask and clothes,
cloaking you from skull to toes.”
SKELETON came back with bones.
GOBLIN worked with moans and groans.
Finally, the task was done.
SKELETON enjoyed the fun,
proudly rattling what he wore,
looking like Tyrannosaur!
Cute! Yes, he would need a lot of bones to be T-Rex! Very creative, good luck!
Nice ending, unexpected! Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR ISLANCY
SKELETON KNIGHTS
By Islancy Guada
S-keletons love dueling with monsters—fighting as bravely as
K-nights.
E-very corpse gathers on Halloween night, sharpening their
L-ances and swords carved from the finest tibia bones.
E-ven though skeletons have no guts,
T-heir spines are hard steel.
O-peration Save-The-Tombstones
N-ears.
S-keleton Knights creep through mist and fog—fearless, maskless, marching on!
C-emetery monsters
R-un or hide.
E-very creature fears the Skeleton-Knights.
E-scaping Tombstone-Raiders
P-ause to fight.
S-keletons creep through hallowed ground—fearless, maskless, fighting on!
M-oonlight scorches all it touches—
A-nother monster burns to ashes.
S-himmering bones swing and thrust.
K-night skeletons win the fight—Hooray, Tombstone-Saviors!
Very inventive use of the prompt words!
Unique structure! Skeleton knights is a great an idea. Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR NINA
HALLOWEEN, THIS YEAR
by Nina Nolan
Usually, I feel weird wearing a mask trick-or-treating. The eye holes creep down my nose. I can’t see where I’m going. So I go as a skeleton.
This year, because of the Covid thing, a mask felt normal.
I marched out sporting a big Sasquatch mask.
And crashed right into the first door I came to.
It was Mr. O’Leary’s.
Usually, he’s too shy to talk to anybody.
But he hollered, “Happy Halloween!”
Maybe he was trying to keep “social distance.” Because he was stretched way out of his upstairs window, throwing candy.
It was my favorite kind!
A very relatable story. Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR POLLY
The Arnold Rock
Now Arnold was a bony chap
Skinny! White! He loved a nap!
But couldn’t help the noise he’d make
When music made his skeleton shake
It happened at the oddest times
Like when his teacher read him rhymes
A click, a jolt, a creak, a clack
His throbbin’ body went full whack
Bones a banging, knees a knocking
Spooky Halloween Tik-Toking
Looks of horror, screams of fear
Drop your masks! A monster’s here!
Poor Arnold longed to softly sleep
His bones did not they craved to creep
out all the kids that Halloween
Click or Treat! Let’s hear you scream!
By Polly Sheldon
This is great, Polly! I love the thought of a poor Arnold Halloween Tik-Toking! Such a fun story. Good luck!
Go Arnold – get the party started!
That’s awesome he loved to dance. Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR ERIN
SKELETON’S SCARE
By: Erin K. McCabe
Creep, sneak, peek.
Skeleton crawled behind the cauldron, ready for Halloween!
“BOO!” Ghost echoed, shaking skeleton’s bones with fright.
Creep, sneak, peek.
Skeleton tottered behind the tomb, ready for Halloween!
“Boo!” Goblin shrieked, shaking skeleton’s bones with fright.
Creep, sneak, peek.
Skeleton wove through the web, ready for Halloween!
“Boo!” Witch wailed, shaking skeleton’s bones with fright.
Skeleton glided through the grove. How could he win the Halloween scare?
A mask? A costume? A wig?
Skeleton thought, hiding candies under the leaf pile, calling, “Snack time!”
Barren bowl sat silently on the table.
“NO CANDY!” His friends trembled with fear!
Yes! The fear of no candy. Good luck!
Skeletons in the Closet
By Karen Keesling
WC: 99
Hooray! It’s Halloween night.
I’ll give others a fright.
My big sister, Ella Lynn,
Always dresses as a skeleton.
And me, little Mary…
Can I be as scary?
Something frightful, creepy and dark…
Not the same old mask or shark.
I look around. And then…I’ve got it!
What is scarier than THAT closet?!
I’ll be the closet where Halloween costumes lay.
Our friends will be scared forever and a day.
They’ll scream and hoot,
I’ll steal their loot.
Then I’ll leave them to their grief.
Because what’s scarier on Halloween
Than a closeted candy thief?
My youngest tries to scare his big brother 😄. And he tries to steal his loot. Great story! Good luck!
Vampire and Skeleton Go Shopping by Jay Reece
“Hey Skeleton,” grab your coat we’re going mask shopping,” said Vampire.
“My heart’s not in it,” said Skeleton.
“Nothing to it, we’ll hide on the toy floor, and wait till closing time,” said Vampire.
“Why do you need a mask? Asked Skeleton.
“I’m not welcome at the Halloween party with these fangs! Said Vampire.
Last year was . . . problematic.”
“One eyeball?” suggests Vampire.
“You’d cheat at games,” said Skeleton.
“A cannibal then?”
“Wasn’t gnawing a problem last year?” said Skeleton.
“A skeleton?”
YES! I could go as your brother!”
“Come on Skeleton, we’ll be late,” screeched Vampire.
A fun and engaging story! Love the interaction between skeleton and vampire!
What a great image of Skeleton and Vampire going shopping 😄.
What fun! Thanks for hosting another Halloweensie, Susanna. I really enjoyed your entry. My first entry is a haiku (untitled). The text (haiku) is supposed to be centered but I don’t know if it will work here.
night of the creeps
Skeleton’s facemask
widening Jack O’Lantern’s grin
This haiku certainly sets the mood for Halloween, Corinne!
Thanks, Jilanne. Happy Halloween 🎃
I love haiku! Good job getting all the required words in there…very visual, too!
Thanks!
It’s jawdropping how you managed to fit all the required words in such a clever and pithy haiku, Corine. I love the tension/contrasting mood between “creeps” and “grin,” as well as how “creeps” may be read as a noun with multiple meanings (body-centric creeps or creepy beings) or as a verb (as in creeping around on Halloween night). Thanks for making Jack smile—and me, too. @AnneLipton
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Glad I made you smile 😊 Haiku found me and it’s made me a better writer. I can recommend it, especially for picture book writers/authors.
Great job getting a story in there and the required words. Good luck!
Thanks!
OPPORTUNITY WANDERS IN THE NIGHT
by Florbela Nienaber
The moon was full on Halloween night, there wasn’t a yowling cat or a swooshing bat in sight. Ben watched his brother creep just feet ahead in the twilight. They took a shortcut through the graveyard after the Monster Mask Party, but they wished they hadn’t. Ben hoped the skeletons stayed in their graves as they tried to reach the gate. His brother slid through it, and then signaled Ben to hurry through. Ben finally exhaled, but just as he reached for the gate, someone or something grabbed his shoulder. “UHHHHMMMM . . . want to play Fortnite sometime?” asked the lonely groundskeeper.
Ha, ha, very cute! Love the ending! Good luck!
Ha! Great suspense and ending.
ENTRY POSTED FOR LINDA
THE SKELE-MUMMY
By Linda Staszak 99 words
Lulabelle was determined–this Halloween she would scare somebody.
The little skeleton put on a frightful mask.
She crept toward a house.
But the lady smiled.
“Lulabelle, we heard your bones clacking.”
Lulabelle put on a witch’s hat.
But they said, “Lulabelle, we heard you coming.”
Lulabelle put on a vampire cape, but everyone giggled and pointed.
Her bones still clattered.
Hmmm…
what if she covered up like a mummy?
She twisted and twirled long strips around her until every bone was wrapped tightly.
She wiggled and pranced.
No clacking.
Boo!
Bwaahaahaa, the dreaded Skelemummy is on the prowl!
I love this story, Linda.
Good work!
Thank you!
Love the word skelemummy and how Lulabelle solved her problem!
Thanks so much! This is always so much fun!
What great determination by your MC. Good luck!
Thanks for reading it!
ENTRY POSTED FOR LINDA
ALL ON A HALLOWEEN NIGHT
By Linda Staszak. 81 words
One little, two little, three little skeletons,
Bone clacking, joint cracking, jaw smacking skeletons,
Loud gasping, hands clasping, three frightened skeletons.
All on a Halloween night.
Witch cackling, bat screeching, leaf rustling spookiness.
Creepy place, masks on face, trick-or-treat kookiness.
Ghouls howling, hounds yowling–all around ookiness,
All on a Halloween night.
Eerie-ness all around–ooh, what a frightful night.
Quivering, shivering, running with all their might,
Three little skeletons, home where it’s safe and bright.
All on a Halloween night.
This is adorable! Love your word choices throughout.
Thanks for your kind words! Had to try something different.
Cute – and descriptive! Fun to read, good luck!
Thanks Katie!
So clever! This is fun to read. Good luck!
Thank you!
ENTRY POSTED FOR YVONNE
Creep a Little Closer
By Yvonne McCutchen
In a dark dark cellar
I hear a strange strange sound!
FLICK….JERK….TWITCH
SO….I creep a little closer!
….just a little closer!
In the dark dark cellar
I feel something moving ahead!
SLIDE….THUMP….FLICK
So….I creep a little closer!
….just a little closer!
In the dark dark cellar
I see something in the shadows!
So….I creep a little closer!
….just a little closer!
In a tiny tiny voice
I whisper….”Who’s in here?”
In a growly gruff voice it replies….
THE MASKED SKELETON!
I can just imagine kids inching closer with each page turn, and then scattering at the last page turn. Well done!
Great build-up and surprise ending. Good luck!
Spooky!
ENTRY POSTED FOR YVONNE
Moonlight Party
By Yvonne McCutchen
The moon light shines bright
Through the window tonight.
Black cat’s silhouette stands tall
Against the bedroom wall.
Moon beams creep across the wooden floor
Its light crawls up,
…bottom to top…
And blankets the bedroom door.
Skeleton appears before the moonlit stage
To perform, Rattle Them Bones,
On his xylophone rib cage.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST……
The masked magician mummy entertains us
With amazing tricks of hocus-pocus.
We laugh until our sides might bust.
THEN ….
POOF!!!
He disappears into a pile of dust!
“On his xylophone rib cage”, great visual. Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR MELISSA
Stella Decorates
By Melissa Warren
CREEK….
“BOO!”
“AHHH!”
“Hahaha! Come on! It’s time to decorate for Halloween!”
Stella dreaded Halloween, she just didn’t like creepy things, which was odd for a skeleton. She looked at the decorating assignments.
Decorating List
Stevie – path
Sammy – garden
Sarah – yard
Stella – porch
Stella sadly watched her family decorate.
“What’s wrong Stella?”
“I can’t think of anything spooky or creepy.”
“Who says it needs to be spooky or creepy?”
Stella grinned and got to work.
It was time to unmask their decorations.
Stevie… spiders!
Sammy…mummies!
Sarah…tombstones!
Stella…rainbows, unicorns, flowers, butterflies!
It wasn’t spooky, but it was perfect.
I like how Stella chose what she liked. Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SARAH
Candy Heist by Sarah Hawklyn
This year was different.
This year the candy was outside.
Ralph was so excited as he planned his attack.
He waited patiently under the porch swing.
Perhaps after this skeleton he could creep in.
His mouth watered as he watched the monster choose.
Frankenstein with glow-in-the-dark mask came next.
Was now the right time? No one here. All monsters have gone.
Yes now. Go! Hurry, hurry!
Rushing in, he made his grab and was back in a tree before the next group.
He gripped his Peanut Butter Cup tightly in his paw.
A squirrel’s favorite.
What a great ending! I never expected the thief to be a squirrel but it makes perfect sense.
What a great surprise ending! Good luck!
Love Ralph! Love how he goes from spectator to participator. Glad he claimed a treat in the end.
ENTRY POSTED FOR CHRISTINE
PILLOWS IN PANTS by Christine Menke
Twelve, tall; its HALLOWEEN YA’LL
Laura, a SKELETON; SHOVES (7) SIBLINGS’ PILLOWS in my PAPA’S PANTS.
SUSPENDERS, his HAT; tonight I’m FAT!
Painted MUSTACHE . . . . my MASK!
Laura yells, TRICK OR TREAT!
Neighbors whisper, “Aren’t they TOO OLD?”
Dark, “I have to PEE!”
Laura giggled, WAIT, more CANDY!
Darker, “UGH, my bladder is BURSTING!”
Laura guffawed, WAIT, 3rd floor gives BIG SNICKER BARS!
LAST STEP UP . . . . Papa’s pants ENTANGLE!
LAURAAAAAAA, HELPPPPPP! FALLING . . .PEEING!
TUMBLING OVER SOFT PILLOWS . . . LAUGHING, PEEING!
GOING HEAD OVER ON FEATHERS . . . LAUGHING, STILL PEEING!
Moon darkness,
MOMMMMMMM, tricks are CREEPY, but
neighbors stealing our PILLOWS is quite FREAKY!
Pillows in pants 😄. Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR DEBORAH
The Masked Skeleton
Deborah Dolan Hunt
98 words
Sammy the skeleton jumped out of the bushes. “Boo!”
Connor waved. “Happy Halloween.”
Sammy grumbled.
Clara giggled. “Sammy, you’re not creepy enough to be scary.”
“Let’s go trick-or-treating,” said Connor.
“No, thanks.” Sammy stomped away.
Sammy spotted some kids. He ran over to them and shouted, “Beware!”
The kids ran past him to the next house. “Trick or treat!”
Sammy put on his silly mask that was not creepy or scary and went to find his friends.
Everyone scattered as he walked by. He spotted Connor and Clara and ran up to them.
They screamed and ran away.
I’m glad he got his scare in the end. Good luck!
Thanks so much for posting this for me Susanna and thanks for all of your hard work in setting up this fun contest. Best, Deb
Nice job, Florbela. Fun surprise ending!
Thank you! This is so much fun and a great way to write with specific word count and guidelines.
ENTRY POSTED FOR LUCRETIA
Mask Required by Lucretia Schafroth
“Mom! I need a mask!” screeched Skeleton. “Where’s my creepy one?!”
Skellie rushed around their tomb. No luck!
“Hallo-chella’s in an hour,” he moaned. “I can’t go unmasked!”
Crypt-Kickers, his band with Zombie and Mummy, was performing. They’d practiced 31 lifetimes, perfecting their eerie, haunting sound. This Halloween, they planned to win the grand prize: a Ghoul guitar!
“Hamper?” suggested Mom. Skellie rifled through laundry.
Sock? No.
T-shirt? Nah.
Bandana? Nope.
His boney fingers snagged black leggings. Hmmm…
Skellie yanked one leg over his head and pulled. Tie off! Snip…snip! There!
His improvised balacava worked! Now for that guitar…
Word count: 100
This is great and I love how he figured it out by himself.
I liked how he solved his problem. Good luck!
Psyched Out
by Karen Pickrell
karenpickrell@gmail.com
100 words
The skeleton on the gate should have been a warning. But I don’t scare easily.
I’m not afraid of creepy crawlies in the night. Usually.
And little masked critters don’t frighten me. Much.
The flashing lights are only an illusion. So I’m told.
And the eerie music doesn’t freak me out. Most of the time.
The grisly hand rising from the grass is just pretend. I think.
And the caution tape on the door isn’t real. I hope.
Ding Dong.
Creeeeaaak. “Gooooooood Evvvvvvening.”
I am brave. I am fearless. I am … going to trick or treat … NEXT year.
Good job! The ending made me giggle!
I’m glad you liked the ending! Thanks for reading it.
So funny 😄. Great ending!
Thank you for reading it, Ashley! I’m glad you enjoyed the ending.
The Case of the Missing Skeleton
by Karen Pickrell
karenpickrell@gmail.com
100 words
The skeleton in room 4 disappeared on Hallows’ Eve.
Ms. Jones said, “It’s like it just walked off.”
“Creepsville,” Rodney Appleton said, donning his sinister Halloween mask.
But I don’t scare easily.
Nope. On the contrary. I took it as a personal challenge.
I wrote in my notebook, The Case of the Missing Skeleton by Nan Z. Drew, famous detective.
That’s me.
I could look high and low.
But why waste all that time trying to find a bag of bones?
Instead, I turned to my trusty hound, Hardy,
held up the picture of the missing person,
and said, “Fetch.”
This is cute! Love the names and ending.
Thank you, Sarah!
This one is good! I had a detective case story too! The last line made me giggle!
Thank you, Deborah! I’m glad you enjoyed the last line.
So clever! Loved it.
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it.
Ha, ha, love it! Fun to read, cute names, and nice ending! Good luck!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your encouraging comments.
Cute and clever! A great chapter book series. Good luck!
Thank you, Ashley! I’m glad you liked it.
All Hallows’ Eve
By Liz Kehrli
Church bells echoed as the sky darkened.
Fiona’s small hand grasped her glowing, handmade candle.
A tear drizzled down her chubby cheek.
She should be sleeping, but it was All Hallows’ Eve.
The music and mischief were magical-
creepy costumes,
skeleton masks,
brightly burning bon fires.
Evil spirits were banished,
friendly souls beckoned.
She longed for Granda.
Fiona missed his legendary stories
and sweet-smelling pipe.
Granda only allowed her to wear his favorite hat.
Nobody else.
She squinted through the smoke,
searching for a glimpse,
hopeful…
The bells went silent.
Another tear.
Wait-
a familiar scent.
Fiona gasped!
What a cliffhanger Liz? Is there more? Does Fiona find her Granda or is it someone else?
So sweet! Great ending!
Thanks for the opportunity, I’ll just use the comments as I probably won’t put it on my site as it’s a far cry from my usual offerings. Looking at the other entrants it’s definitely more for the older child. 100 words, needed every one!
My Worst Thirty-first.
Last Halloween I had a nightmare of a night,
Hunted by ghastly ghosts, goblins and imps, a haunting sight,
While witches, werewolves, vampires criss-crossed my street
Behind my door I hid, wetting my lips, whiter than a sheet.
They were out for blood, all out to get me-
But all locked out, unless one had a skeleton key.
They pounded on my door, crowded round my stoop
As I cursed myself for being such a stupid nincompoop,
Once they’d left, the relief on my face, this clown couldn’t mask it,
Stupid me hadn’t stupidly refilled the halloween treats; stupid basket.
I love how you used the word skeleton! Great Job!
Oh no! The dreaded running out of candy.
Getting into Halloween mood reading all the amazing entries. Scary Mary is written in memory of
my sister-in-law Avril Mary who inspired this poem. She loved dressing up as a witch every Halloween, even in her eighties.
Scary Mary
A cheery neighbour that we know
This autumn morning waves hello
But all is not as it may seem
Tonight, my dears, it’s Halloween
As Mary morphs to witchy freak
Her garden lawn begins to creak
From flowered beds and veggie patch
Old gravestones thrust, and skellies scratch
Spooky masks in gloom of night.
Creepy shadows in dusky light.
Mary cloaked, black hat and broom
A familiar figure in the gloom.
Strewn from her Cauldron of assorted fare.
Disgusting or delicious, beware, take care!
‘Frogs eyes, snails or scrumptious sweet?’
‘Your choice my dears, trick or treat?’
Scary Mary is great and what a fab neighbour to have. Lots of lovely language. I particularly love the set up of ‘Tonight, my dears, it’s Halloween.’ It sets the tone perfectly. Good luck!
This is beautiful!
Love this, Geraldine – and particularly the story behind it! Best of luck.
What a sweet dedication and story.
Sweet Escape
100 words
By Allison Strick
Pucker trembled in the trick-or-treat bag.
He had lost so many friends tonight.
Still, his heart filled with hope.
The gluttonous vampire finally slept.
Had Pucker’s disguise worked? Would he be spared this Halloween?
He crept past his friends’ wrappers, lifeless and hollow as skeletons.
Nearly there.
Soon he would be free and could shed his Dark Chocolate Bar mask.
Once out of the child’s bedroom, Pucker sighed in relief.
But wait–footsteps! Adult footsteps.
“Yummm. Dark chocolate!”
Pucker froze. He’d been spotted.
Rip.
“What? Sour cherry licorice lips?! Gross!”
Thump.
Though discarded in the garbage can, Pucker grinned.
It worked.
I’m glad Pucker survived! 🙂
What a unique point of view!!!!
Great POV and personality. Nice ending! Good luck!
Suspenseful, scary fun!
My favorite contest of the year!
Bones: A Love Story
“A Halloween Ball!” Lafta longingly sighed,
“What clever maneuver could get me inside?”
(For Mummy decorum expressly forbade
A Skeleton guest at the Mum-masquerade.)
Undaunted, she crept in at seven o’clock,
Impeccably swathed in a masking tape frock.
She charmed the Queen’s son with a sweet pirouette.
“I might,” Lafta whispered, “Fool everyone yet!”
But catching her tape on a dowager’s shroud,
Her costume unraveled in front of the crowd!
The onlookers gasped—but their host cracked a grin,
“Your wrappings were hiding the treasure within.”
Their boundless romance has endured ever since,
The skeleton girl and her Halloween prince.
What a sweet love story! 🙂 Great job!
Nice story, perfect meter and rhyme.
Very good work, Keatly.
This made me smile. Some lovely details, like the masking tape frock, wrapped up in great rhyming.
This is an amazing story! One of my favorites! Great Job!
What a fun story! “Your wrappings were hiding the treasure within.” What a great line. I could see this expanded into a book. Good luck!
Thanks for the fun challenge, Susanna, and for all your hard work putting it together. Also, a big thank you to all those who have donated prizes this year. You are all so generous.
Here’s my entry.
Phoebe’s Magic Stew (100 words)
by Linda Hofke
On Halloween all witches must appear their very best,
and poor old Phoebe Pulchritudinous doesn’t pass the test.
But Phoebe, being wise, knows exactly what to do–
she gathers the ingredients to brew a magic stew:
One skeleton of skunk, two forked cobra tongues,
three tarantulas, four Gila monster lungs,
five southern masked weaver nests, six muddy boots,
seven poison apples and eight fire-bellied newts.
Boil…bubble..thicken. Done! She slathers up her skin.
Hairy warts and pimples grow upon her nose and chin.
Phoebe’s feeling confident. Her creepy face…just right!
She’ll surely scare the people trick-or-treating Halloween night.
(I know pulchritudinous isn’t a word kids use. I debated if I should make her last name Splendiferous or Prettyface but decided that kids might find the sound of pulchritudinous to be absolutely hilarious and they could, perhaps, learn a new fun word.)
Linda this is really fun!! I love the magic stew idea, and I love the rhyme, plus I learned a new word.
thanks so much, Jessica.
This is so much fun to read!
thanks, Natasha. Glad you liked it.
pulchritudinous was exactly the right word!! Great story.
hey, roomie!
did you enter? I’ll have to search for yours
and Thanks! I just love the sound of pulchritudinous.
So fun! I like how integrated the numbers into the story. Good luck!
thanks so much, Ashley.
I like how yours followed the alphabet and had a nice twist at the end. Good luck to you, too!
Ahhrrooooooh! Love your contests, thank you Susanna! And thanks to all the donors also for their generosity and prizes to be won. Fun, inspiring and a boost to ‘spirits’ everywhere!
Paco and The Skeletons (98 words)
By Katie Schwartz
Coffins, masks and moonlight.
“Tonight we’ll get our chance!
When Hallow’s Eve commences,
us skeletons will dance!”
Jookin and a-jiving.
Oldy-moldy bones.
“We’re dying for refreshments!”
They skulk across the stones.
Paco comes a-sniffing.
“Pee-yew!” Oh-oh, he spies
“Skeletons!” A-creeping ‘round
with decomposing eyes!
Staring, drooling, hungry!
“Bones, we have a guest!”
Inching toward the little pup,
as if they were possessed!
Paco bolts like lightning.
“Arf, arf, I’ll dig a pit!”
The skeletons give chase, and then –
entombed! A perfect fit!
Is that the north wind moaning?
Yowling, haunting tones!
Just little Paco, “aahhh-rrrooo-ooooh!
Num-num, dee-licious bones!”
I love your descriptive language and MC. Paco is adorable and ends up with the perfect treat in the end! Such a cute take on this prompt, Katie. Fabulous!
Thank you! Halloween is quite a spirited holiday, I think!
Great job, Katie! Such a fun story and action-packed! Good luck with your entry!
Thank you, writing it was fun, and challenging! Good luck with your submission!
Such a fun story!
Thank you for reading!
Haha! Cute story! What a clever little pup!
“We’re dying for refreshments!” Nice play on words 😄.
Lester Skeleton’s Halloween Hunt
By Ford Waight
One Halloween, Janey was creeping about her bedroom looking for the bones of Lester Skeleton, who had hidden them, as he did every Halloween.
“Cold… Warm… Hot!” cheered Lester, when Janey found a foot beneath her pillow.
“Hot!” And Janey giggled from behind her wolf mask at the leg under the bed.
“Hot!” A hand in her hamster cage.
“Hot!” Toes in her dollhouse.
“Hot!” Teeth in her slippers.
“Hot!” A whole arm hanging up in her wardrobe!
“Now a song to put me back together again,” said Lester Skeleton.
And he sang:
“Them bones, them bones, them dry bones…”
Nice ending! Good luck!
Thanks so much, Ashley 🙂
Little Frankie Patches Things Up
By Rozana Rajkumari
(Wc 90)
The ghost, the mummy, the skeleton,
and the witch were dead to each other.
It was not always so, their friendship
decomposed due to a grave mistake.
And Little Frankie wanted to patch them up.
So he invited them to his Halloween party.
One by one they crept in and
one by one he unmasked them.
“See, we have so much in common.
We’re all humans inside,” said Little Frankie.
Now that they were together he felt whole.
As he was part ghost, part mummy,
part skeleton, and part witch.
Love this story! Very creative wordplay, and the message is heartwarming! A wonderful story, told in just a few words! Good luck!
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Great wordplay! Nice they came together in the end. Good luck!
Thanks so much, happy you liked the story 🙂
I haven’t had much time this year but you know I love Halloweensie. Thanks for hosting another contest. I’ll try and read as many as I can this weekend. Happy Halloween 🎃 Here’s my second entry.
Witch’s Fiery Broth
By Corine Timmer
100 words
Witch’s Fiery Broth
“Why do you fart through your mouth?” Skeleton asked Dragon.
“Jeez! I never thought about it like that,” Dragon said.
“I wish I could fart jet flames,” Skeleton continued. “Wouldn’t that be a cool trick?!”
Dragon groaned, “Halloween won’t be fun without my flame.”
“What do you mean?” Skeleton said.
“Haven’t you heard about the new face-mask rule?” Dragon snapped.
“Face mask! You?! Oh, no!”
“I have an idea,” Witch chuckled, while adding lentils and metal-rich rocks to the creepy-crawly soup. “When you feel a burp coming on, drink this. Then close your mouth. The flame will fire from your butt!”
What a pair! I could see this as a graphic novel that would keep readers in stitches, Corine! Hilarious! Best of luck in the contest.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Glad you enjoyed it. I hadn’t thought about a graphic novel. Perhaps I should 😉
Love Boo’s ‘Day of the Dead’ entry ‘bringing glitz to the grave’. Well done Roo
Thank you for hosting such a fun contest! Here’s my entry, told from a Jack O’Lantern’s perspective:
Jack’s Halloween (79 words)
By Kara Sibilia
Ghostly ghouls fighting friendly duels,
dancing down the street.
Eagerly awaiting tonight’s
yearly trick-or-treat.
Do monsters creep while children sneak
sweets from candy bowls?
Well, don’t ask me, for I won’t speak.
I mask what I know.
As my light flickers, skeletons snicker
at my goofy grin
Still I don’t make a move, don’t shake, don’t stew;
keep my voice within.
But when the night is all through,
I yell a big…BOO!
It’s Jack’s turn to cause a fright!
I’m glad Jack got to be a participant in the end! Boo!
That’s cute. I like the thought of Jack just biding his time until all is quiet then finally getting his turn.