The 11th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!

***FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE***

Sorry for the delay in posting finalists, everyone! So many great entries – it’s really hard to narrow the field and it’s taking us longer than expected. I will do my best to post them no later than Monday afternoon, sooner if I can. Thank you all so much for your patience, and have a great weekend!

Witch’s wart and wing of bat! It’s time for. . .

The 11th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest!!!

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~ 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 word count) using the words glow-in-the-dark, goosebumps, and goodies.

  • Your story can be poetry or prose, scary, funny, sweet, or anything in between, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words. Get it? Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people 😊
    
  • You can go under the word count but not over!
  • Title is not included in the word count.
  • Also, being super clear for this year, glow-in-the-dark counts as 1 word (even though it looks like 4 😊)
  • You may use the words in any form i.e. glowed-in-the-dark, goosebumpley, goody (“Oh, goody!”, goody-two-shoes etc.), whathaveyou 😊
  • You are welcome to enter more than one entry – just remember you’ll be competing against yourself 😊
  • No illustration notes please!

And yes, I know 100 words is short, but that’s part of the fun and the challenge! We got just shy of 300 fantastic entries last year, so I know you can do it!

POST: your story in the comment section below between right now this very second and Sunday October 31st at Midnight – the witching hour! Please include your title, word count, and byline with your entry so that if your posting handle is MomNeedsAVacation I’ll still be able to tell who wrote your entry 😊

  • For those of you who would also like to post on your blogs, please feel free to do so! You are welcome to include the link to your blog with your entry in the comment section below so that people can come visit your blog, but all entries must be posted in the comment section of This Post between now and Sunday October 31st at Midnight.
  • If you have difficulty posting your entry to the comments, which unfortunately sometimes happens, you may email your entry to me and I’ll post it for you! Contact button above or [susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com Please place your entry in the body of the email including your title and byline at the top – NO ATTACHMENTS! They will not be opened.
  • I know how hard you all work on your entries, and how anxious you are to get them posted, but please try to be a little patient if your entry doesn’t show up immediately. Many comments have to be manually approved, and it sometimes takes me a little while to post entries that come in by email. I promise I will get to everything as soon as I can. I try never to leave my desk during contests, but sometimes it’s unavoidable 😊
  • Side Note: WordPress will not properly format entries written in the shape of a pumpkin (or anything else!) or with fancy or colored fonts or unusual spacing. No matter how great it looks in whatever program you compose it in, be forewarned that when you post it in the comment section it is going to be basic and I am not able to change that for you, I’m afraid.

THE JUDGING: in a grueling marathon over the days following the contest close, my devoted assistants and I will read and re-read and narrow down the entries to a finalist field of about 12 which will be posted here for you to vote on I hope by Friday November 5th (though if the judging takes longer than expected it might be a little later – we will do our best!) The winner will be announced Monday November 8th (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. Use of all 3 required words and whether you came it at 100 words or less.
  • 4. 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.
  • 5. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc.  If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best 😊  Use and flow of language, correctness of mechanics, excellence of rhyme and meter if you use it, PROOFREADING!
  • 6. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another.
  • 7. How well you followed the Submission Guidelines – agents and editors expect professionalism. This is a chance to practice making sure you read and follow specified guidelines. If you don’t follow agent and editor submission guidelines, they won’t even read your submission.

THE PRIZES: So amazing! What wonderful, generous people we have in our kidlit community! Just wait til you see what you can win!

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique by Dawn Young, author of THE NIGHT BAAFORE CHRISTMAS (WorthyKids, 2019), COUNTING ELEPHANTS (Running Press Kids, 2020), THE NIGHT BAAFORE EASTER (WorthyKids, 2021), THE NIGHT BAAFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (WorthyKids, 2021), and the brand new ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS (WorthyKids, October 19, 2021)!

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⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (nonrhyming) by Janie Reinart, author of WHEN WATER MAKES MUD: A STORY OF REFUGEE CHILDREN (Blue Whale Press, 2021)

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⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (biography) by Lindsey McDivitt, author of NATURE’S FRIEND: THE GWEN FROSTIC STORY (Sleeping Bear Press, 2018), TRUTH AND HONOR: THE PRESIDENT FORD STORY (Sleeping Bear Press, 2020), and A PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE: NELSON MANDELA’S HOPE FOR HIS NATION (Eerdman’s Books For Young Readers, 2021)

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⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyming or any) or First 10 Pages of a longer MS (winner’s choice) by Kenda Henthorn, author of the forthcoming BAA, BAA TAP SHEEP (Sleeping Bear Press, April 15, 2022)

Kenda works in the aviation industry now so it’s no surprise that her writing inspirations and aspirations are sky-high, too.  She resides in Oklahoma and when the winds aren’t sweepin’ down the plains, Kenda enjoys acting, flying, kayaking and riding horses or her motorcycle.  (Vroom-vroom!)She has served as a Regional Coordinator for the Oklahoma SCBWI and a Best in Rhyme Award committee member and judge.

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⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyming or lyrical) by Randi Sonenshine, author of THE NEST THAT WREN BUILT (Candlewick March 2020) and the forthcoming THE LODGE THAT BEAVER BUILT (Candlewick Fall 2022)

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⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique by Danielle Dufayet, author of YOU ARE YOUR STRONG (Magination Press, March 2019) and FANTASTIC YOU (Magination Press, September 2019)

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⭐️ Storyboard Notebook – a great way to draft your picture books! PLUS a deck of What’s The Story Cards to inspire the drafts! PLUS the Making Picture Book Magic Self Study Course to help you craft your draft!

⭐️ Personalized signed copy of ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS by Dawn Young PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

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⭐️ Personalized signed copy of BRANCHES OF HOPE: The 9/11 Survivor Tree by Ann Magee PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

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⭐️ Personalized signed copy of MIMIC MAKERS: Biomimicry Inventors Inspired by Nature by Kristen Nordstrom PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

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⭐️ Personalized signed copy of A PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE: Nelson Mandela’s Hope for His Nation by Lindsey McDivitt PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

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⭐️ Personalized signed copy of THE NEST THAT WREN BUILT by Randi Sonenshine PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

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⭐️ Personalized signed copy of 13 WAYS TO EAT A FLY by Sue Heavenrich PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

⭐️ Winners of the 6 signed picture books above may also receive their choice of any one of the following writing craft books to go along with their picture book:

Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded Edition: A Hands-On Guide From Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers by Mary Kole
The Writer’s Guide to Crafting Stories For Children by Nancy Lamb
Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career by Nancy I. Sanders
Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Beginning Readers and Chapter Books by Nancy I. Sanders
Making a Living Writing Books for Kids: Tips, Techniques, and Tales from a Working Children’s Author by Laura Purdie Salas

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 birthday, 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 and library visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊

Happy Writing! Happy Reading! And Happy Halloween!

Now, let the Halloweensie begin!

The 294 entries listed below are linked to where they appear in the comments so you can click on the titles and get right to them! (Assuming WordPress cooperates . . . fingers crossed!) Anyone who feels kind can start at the bottom of the list so those entries get some comments too! 🎃 😊

  1. Isolated For Halloween – S. J. Little
  2. A Halloween Time Machine – Sara Kruger
  3. Weather’s Trick, Witch’s Treat – Abby N. Wooldridge
  4. Halloween Is LIT! – Anne Lipton
  5. Kit’s Costume – Kari Ann Gonzalez
  6. Mean Halloween – Heather Ferranti Kinser
  7. A Witchy Switch – Katie Schwartz
  8. The Porchlight – Chris Garcia-Halenar
  9. Bruce Goose – Jessica Hinrichs
  10. Undersea Halloween – Vashti Verbowski
  11. Sweet Swap – Daniella Kaufman-Schloss
  12. The Halloween Witch – Trista Herring Baughman
  13. The Lonely Pumpkin Head – Elle Jaufret
  14. Hallows’ Eve – E. A. Peterson
  15. Whose Cat Is THAT? – Beth Stillborn
  16. This Pumpkin’s Not For Picking – Laura Howard
  17. The Jimjam – Carrie Karnes-Fannin
  18. Trick Likes Treats, But So Does Swoop – Melissa Valente
  19. The Haunted House High Up On The Hill – Sue Lancaster
  20. Tricked The Treats – Katie Fischer
  21. A Helpful Ghost – Emily Durant
  22. The Wraith On My Wrist or Ghostie Lost In City Mist – Sally Yorke-Viney
  23. Three Little Geese Do Halloween – Linda Williams Swanson
  24. A Glowing Solution – Nicole Loos Miller
  25. Warning: May Contain Sugar – Amy Leskowski
  26. How Hannah Saved Halloween – Colleen Murphy
  27. Double Meaning Halloween Knight – Debbie Meneses
  28. Untitled – Shariffa
  29. The Scavenger’s Feast Ball – Sarah Hetu-Radny
  30. ‘Tis The Season, Candy Eaters – Hannah Roy LaGrone
  31. Greta’s Glow-In-The-Dark Goosebumps – Susan E. Schipper
  32. Bobbing For Apples – Lyn Jekowsky
  33. The Perfect Pumpkin – Barbara Kimmel
  34. No More Sugar! – Sarah K. Rose
  35. Fairy-Fire – Vanessa Konoval
  36. Creepy Cook-Off – Sarah Meade
  37. Macy & Lucy’s Halloween – Sarah Meade
  38. Ghostly Linens – Stephanie Maksymiw
  39. Happy HOWL-oween – Lindsey Hobson
  40. Three Glowing Bats – Sherry Roberts
  41. Halloween Family Secret – Jennifer Mary Grolemund
  42. A Sick Day – Jany Campana
  43. The Pied Pumpkin Of Halloween – Marta Cutler
  44. Creatures From The Couch – Julie Hansen
  45. Alligator The Ghost – Marta Cutler
  46. Goose-Zilla – Linda Staszak
  47. Welcome To The Skeleton Dance – Sue Heavenrich
  48. Teal Halloween – Kathleen Lowry
  49. The Gloves – Stephanie Rondeau
  50. Ghoulie Rulies – Brenda Whitehead
  51. Tricky Treaters – P. J. Purtee
  52. Garth’s Game Changer – Darcee A. Freier
  53. Nabbed! – Abby Voss
  54. The Wart-Covered Tree – Danielle Arndt
  55. The Last Fall Firefly – Meagan T. Gentry
  56. Who Cares If It’s Cold? – Allison Strick
  57. Glenda’s Goosebumps – Susan Burd
  58. The Candy Thief – Meagan T. Gentry
  59. Halloween Hero – Rose Cappelli
  60. The Halloween Ball – Marta Cutler
  61. Scary-Go-Round – Catherine Catcho
  62. The Scariest Monster – Marty McCormick Bellis
  63. Fright Night – Marty Findley
  64. Halloween Eve – Barbara Renner
  65. Wilbur Werewolf – Deb Buschman
  66. Teeny Owl’s Spooky Halloween – Janet Parkinson Bryce
  67. No Room For Monsters – Jill Stuck
  68. Ghost House – HC Morris
  69. Boogie Man’s Bright Idea – Jenn Shetsen Wierda
  70. Swamp Beast Falls For Sweets – Jilanne Hoffman
  71. Have You Seen My Monster – Alan Elliott
  72. Halloween Hang-Ups – Russell Wolff
  73. Mark Lights The Way – Karyn Curtis
  74. Halloween Pie – Jill Stuck
  75. The Costume – C. E. King
  76. I’m Coming To Get You – Pat Holloway
  77. The Frightmare – Linda Staszak
  78. Frankie & Gigi: Trick Or Feet – Kira Barrett
  79. Home For Halloween – Melissa Miles
  80. Not The Costume I Wanted – Michelle S. Kennedy
  81. Goosey Glender’s Fall Feast – Bartybear
  82. Halloween Scavenger Hunt – Denise Seidman
  83. Stink Fairy’s Hallo-smelly-ween – Stacey Miller
  84. Hallowmas – Danielle S. Hammelef
  85. Goosebumps For Mother Goose – Lynne Marie
  86. How Do You Tickle A Ghost? – Kizzi Hutcheson
  87. Dragon Magic – Melissa Rotert
  88. Gretyl Hobbled Into Halloween History – Royal Baysinger
  89. Shiver And Sugar! – Abby Voss
  90. Monster Feast – Abby Voss
  91. Are You Ready To Trick-Or-Treat? – Corine Timmer
  92. Christmas In October – Vanessa Konoval
  93. Spooky ABCs – Alan Elliott
  94. Dragon And Pirate’s Halloween – Alan Elliott
  95. Tiny’s Halloween Flight – Carolyn C. Snelling
  96. Rainbow Bridge – Corine Timmer
  97. Great-Aunt Broomhilda – Josh Cohen
  98. Cirque Fantome – Kizzi Hutcheson
  99. A Knock On The Door – Pamela Swanson
  100. Trick-Or-Treat Nightmare – Cindy Sommer
  101. Worth The Climb – Armineh Manookian
  102. Thank You, Trick-Or-Treaters! For Protecting Your Mother – Sharon McCarthy
  103. Beware, Out There – Julie Lerczak
  104. The Haunted Bathroom – Jill Lambert
  105. Plan Bee – Jenny Morales
  106. “BOO!”K Spooky Halloween – Laura N. Clement
  107. The Witch’s Mistake – Jennifer Kaap
  108. Itsy B. Spider – Molly Ippolito
  109. Too Many Goodies – Rachel Krackeler
  110. Ghostmetics – Rozana Rajkumari
  111. Santa’s Halloween – Jen MacGregor
  112. My Scariest Halloween Night – Les Degnan
  113. Winnie Trick-Or-Treats – Dorothy Kohrherr
  114. Camping Surprise – Meredith Flory
  115. Halloween Hunt – Mary Ann Featherston
  116. The Glow-In-The-Dark Bowl – Kathy Scott
  118. The Haunted House – Carmen Castillo Gilbert
  119. Once Upon A Halloween – Colourbeam
  120. A Witchy Potion – Susan Summers
  121. A Giant Surprise – Susan Summers
  122. Hollow-Eeek! – Karen Keesling
  123. Once Upon A Halloween – Nadia Ali
  124. Halloween Battle: (Vampire) Squid vs. (Goblin) Shark – Laura Bower
  125. Happy, Happy Halloween – Claire Freeland
  126. Mr. O’Leary’s House – Nina Nolan
  127. Phantom Festival – Lynn Moore
  128. The Surprise Halloween Friend – Cindy Greene
  129. Goosebumps – Amy Flynn
  130. Ninja Goose And The Halloween Hi-Yah! – Deborah Foster
  131. Tricky Treat – Patricia Nozell
  132. A Halloween Snack – Debra Daugherty
  133. Escaping Planet Taradiddle – Colleen Daugherty
  134. First Halloween Treat – Natalie Cohn
  135. My Last Trick-Or-Treat – Reed Hilton-Eddy
  136. Glowing Ghost – Lauri C. Meyers
  137. hALLYween SPELL – Paul Roncone
  138. Halloween Love – Marla Yablon
  139. Cockroach’s Glowing Problem – Lori Himmel
  140. Scaredy-Cat Pat And The Haunted House – Sara Dean
  141. Let The Real Halloween Begin! – Lori Evans
  142. Ixchel’s Belizean Halloween – Blanca Manzanilla
  143. Emy Is Always Right – Katharyn R. Benessa
  144. Tricky Treat – Ann Grilli
  145. Jack’s Pumpkin Plan – Diana Murrell
  146. Lights In The Dark – Ivanka Dimitrova
  147. Fraidy Cat No More – Jennifer Cherry
  148. Galactic Trick-Or-Treat – Tiffany Hanson
  149. My Ghost Bubble Friend – Sheila R. Schmotzer
  150. R-R-R-Rattled – Gennie Gorback
  151. Glow-In-The-Dark Goodies – Leslie Collins
  152. Moonlit Love – Liz Kehrli
  153. Un-Spooky Halloween – Krista Legge
  154. Stella Shines – Laura Barens
  155. Tabby The Trouble Maker – Dawn Renee Young
  157. The Nameless Ghoul – Imelda Taylor
  158. How The Jack-O-Lantern Found His Real Smile – Sheri Palmer
  159. Halloween Chase – Connie Newbauer
  160. Spidey Sparkles – Angelique Lamour
  161. Never Trick A Witch – Tiffany Hanson
  162. Halloween Monster – Tiffany Hanson
  163. The Halloween Sleepover – Kelsey E. Gross
  164. Goose Bumped – Jen Subra
  165. The Rock – Trista Herring Baughman
  166. Halloween Pumpkin – Shariffa
  167. A Tricky Tattoo – Gregory E. Bray
  168. Brave, Adalaide – Katie Walsh
  169. March Of The Skeletons – Jill Richards Proctor
  170. Little Night Terrors – Obbverse
  171. The Mansion On Maple – Glenda Roberson
  172. The Graveyard Picnic – Gabrielle Cardwell
  173. Halloween Heebie-Jeebies – Karen Pickrell
  174. A Few Of The Scariest Things: A Parody To The Tune Of My Favorite Things – Ingrid Boydston
  175. The Witch Of Jekyll Island – Shampa Enayet
  176. FEELINGUNSEENONHALLOWEEN – Nicola Beach
  177. Hank’s Halloween Costume? (A Riddle In A Story) – Ken Major
  178. All Hallow’s Eve – Stacey Miller
  179. Molly’s Ghost – Hobbo
  180. The Witch’s House – Emma Wood
  181. My Word – It’s Halloween! – Jamie Donahoe
  182. Switched On And Off – Diana Webb
  183. A Night With Gran – Diana Webb
  184. Boys Will Be Boys – Matt Snyder
  185. Flicker Of A Cat’s Tail – Jacqui Boulter
  186. Pumpkin Train – Kathy Raggio
  187. The Alien – M. Waknitz
  188. Jellyfish George’s Halloween – Scott Kinder
  189. Skeleton’s Halloween – M. Waknitz
  190. Twyla Z. Witch – Lori Dubbin
  191. Witch’s Brew – K. Sibilia
  192. It’s Halloween – Elizabeth Muster
  193. Capture The Goodies On Halloween – Ames Jegen (age 11)
  194. (Not) A Very Scary Story – Linda Staszak
  195. Halloween Helpers – Ellen Seal
  196. Halloween Warning – Stephanie Henson
  197. Leaping Lizards! – Sharon Match
  198. Graveyard Bully – Jean James
  199. The Greatest Night Of The Year – Krista Harrington
  200. Halloween Hide And Seek – Melissa Wrex
  201. Trick Or Treat Night – Emily Keifer
  202. Oscar’s Irresistible Brew – Lucretia Schafroth
  203. All Hallow’s Eve At The Roller Rink – Bonnie Kelso
  204. My Halloween Crew – Alana DeVito
  205. Post Halloween Goals – Amy Reitz
  206. The Card Game – Cathy Lee
  207. Quiet Night – Thelia Hutchinson
  208. Trick-Or-Treat, Night Animals!: A Halloween Story – Mary Catherine Amadu
  209. A Halloween Tail – Janice Kay
  210. An Inch – Susan Leigh Needham
  211. Underwater Halloween – Judy Sobanski
  212. The Lonely Scarecrow – Sarah Atherton
  213. The Little Witch – Deborah Hunt
  214. Waking The Dead – Nancy Derey Riley
  215. A Not-So-Sweet Halloween – Erika Romero
  216. It’s Halloween In Toothytown – Kristen Littlefield
  217. Until It’s Safe – Brittany Saulnier
  218. First Halloween – Karen deWilde
  219. You Are What You Eat – Alexa Tuttle
  221. Once Upon A Halloween – Carrie O’Leary
  222. Goodie Ghost’s Halloween Screams – KJ Albright
  223. A Bunny Can Dream – Becky Walker
  224. Ogre’s Halloween – Barbara DiMarco
  225. Monster Lipstick – Kathi Morrison-Taylor
  226. Ghoulies Grand Soiree – MaryAnn Cortez
  227. Haunting Gnomes – Lindsay Moretti
  228. Goosebumped Ghoul And Scattered Skeleton – Sarah Kohls Roberts
  229. Not This Time – Sandhya Acharya
  230. How To Sneak A Halloween Treat – Alicia Meyers
  231. I Wish. . . – Amy Duchene
  232. Bram’s Hunt – Michaela Almeida
  233. Terrific Toothpaste! – Heather Gallagher
  234. The After Party – Samantha Sinclair
  235. The Final Hour – Ashlee MacCallum
  236. Halloween Gala – Tonnye Williams Fletcher
  237. Halloween Bites – Melissa-Jane Nguyen
  238. Double, Double Toilet Trouble – Stephanie Amargi
  239. Henley’s Haunted House – Jeannette Suhr
  240. Disguise Surprise – Nancy Derey Riley
  241. Enough – David McMullin
  242. Witches Aren’t Supposed To Be Afraid Of The Dark – Ally Piper
  243. Frankenpixie – Paul Kurtz
  244. Scaredy-Monster – Paul Kurtz
  245. Halloween’s The Worst! – Donna Kurtz
  246. Bunny’s Bored! – Donna Kurtz
  247. The Goblin Market – Aly Kenna
  248. Wilfred The Wizard – Nicola Thackrey
  249. Halloweenie – Jana Mattern
  250. The Last House On Halloween – Bru Benson
  251. Ghostly, Ghastly, Goosebumps – Janet F. Smart
  252. Astronaut Aidan – Kaye Wright
  253. The Halloween Dare – Erin Cleary
  254. Dracula’s First Halloween – Eleanor Cullen
  255. Pumpkin Dawn – TSW Sharman
  256. A Southern Halloween – Trista Herring Baughman
  257. The Candy Monster – Judy Cooper
  258. The Halloween Potty – Andrew Hacket
  259. It Absolutely Will Be A Fine Night – Susan Krevat
  260. Halloween Goodies – Una Belle Townsend
  261. It’s Dark In Here – Sue Ko
  262. Eyelashes – Sue Ko
  263. Fall – Sue Ko
  264. Too Dark – Rae Harkness
  265. Boo – Mary Ann Napolitano
  266. Much Too Goody – Sarah Hawklyn
  267. Candy Surprise – Julianna Kurtz
  268. Halloween Surprise – Judy Egan
  269. Trick-Or-Treat At 20 Below – Matthew Lasley
  270. Gotcha! – Pat Finnegan
  271. The House Next Door – Aundra Tomlins
  272. No Grownups! – Penny McNally
  273. The Halloween Party – Claire Schlinkert
  274. Can We Please Skip The Costumes? – JC Kelly
  275. How Would She Know? – Meredith Adams
  276. The Day After Halloween – Haven Blough
  277. Brujita’s Treat – Desi Vee
  278. Spooky Investigates – Jessica Murray
  279. The Best Medicine – Becky Falkum
  280. You Ain’t Nothin’ But A Hot Dog – Joyce Schriebman
  281. Witches Holiday – Nadia Nakib
  282. Halloween Hocus Potion – Shelley Kinder
  283. Goats And Goblins – Briana Joy McCormick
  284. Next Halloween – JC Kelly
  285. Pirate’s Halloween – Marjorie David
  286. Silly Goose – Sarah Marhevsky
  287. All’s Fair In Spook And Scare – Patricia J. Weaver
  288. Smartie Treat – Steena Hernandez
  289. Haunted Hunt – Dea Brayden and Linsday Brayden Ellis
  290. The Glow-In-The-Dark Goodies – Christopher Singleton, Sr
  291. Witches Woods – Bevin Rolfs Spencer
  292. Invite A Witch To Your Halloween Party?! – Holly Vagley
  293. Pumpkin’s Halloween – Holly Vagley
  294. Halloween Moon – Martha Holguin

2,962 thoughts on “The 11th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!”

  1. S. J. Little says:
    Reply
    S. J. Little's avatar

    Isolated for Halloween
    By S. J. Little
    Word count: 99
    URL: https://sjlittle.ca/uncategorized/isolated-for-halloween/

    “It’s no fun if we can’t go out for Halloween,” Jess moped.
    “COVID’s too rampant,” Dad explained.

    Later, Dad whispered, “You got them?”
    Mom handed him a bag.
    “Glow-in-the-dark paint. Perfect!”
    They worked hard. Finally they finished.
    “Now wait until tonight.”

    At supper, Mom smiled sneakily. Jess didn’t notice.
    Dad glanced at Mom. “Time for lights out.”
    Jess frowned. “It’s not bedtime.”
    Dad flipped off the lights.
    The room transformed. Goosebumps tickled Jess’ spine. Everything glowed.
    Mom uncovered goodies.
    Jess licked her lips.
    “Time for glow-in-the-dark foosball?” Dad asked.
    Jess grinned. It would be an exciting night after all.

  2. savoringeverymoment says:
    Reply
    savoringeverymoment's avatar

    A Halloween Time Machine
    By Sara Kruger
    Word count: 99
    URL: https://savoringeverymoment.wordpress.com/2021/10/28/a-halloween-time-machine/

    Friend, why the frown?
    Too few goodies this year?
    No fear! I’m Jack:
    Your Halloween time machine.
    Light my candle; hold on tight
    (my grin is a great place to grasp).
    We’ll hit up the house with unsupervised bowls
    And the one with large chocolate bars.
    We’ll fly past the one that just hands out stickers
    Wait–
    You actually want those glow-in-the-dark stars?
    Ah. Your sis can’t have sweets.
    You’re filling her bag this time.
    That gives my pumpkin skin goosebumps all over!
    All right, we’ll show her
    What we know is true:
    Halloween is awesome without candy, too.

  3. Abby Wooldridge (@ANWBooks) says:
    Reply
    Abby Wooldridge (@ANWBooks)'s avatar

    Weather’s Trick, Witch’s Treat
    (96 words)
    Abby N. Wooldridge

    One dark Halloween, the wind stole her hat.
    The storm broke her broom and frightened her cat.

    Rain splashed her cauldron and spilled all her brew–
    soaked her glow-in-the-dark socks and new shoes.

    She picked up her wand and uttered some spells.
    Her cottage soon filled with wonderful smells.

    The potion she made–this magical stew–
    chased goosebumps away and calmed her cat Boo.

    Without her black hat, she reached for a hoodie–
    warm cozy hands, pockets of goodies.

    Tricks from the weather she turned into treats.
    The witch grabbed her spoon and sat down to eat.

    http://abbywooldridge.com/2021/10/28/halloweensie-2021/

  4. Anne Lipton says:
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    Halloween is LIT!
    by Anne Lipton
    (97 words)

    Let’s go trick-or-treating down in Jack O’Lantern Park
    and gather all the goodies that we know glow in the dark.

    We’ll catch the one-celled wonders dropping stars in Lost Lagoon,
    snatch dragonfish and jellies that eclipse the Harvest Moon.

    We’ll scoop up giant slime mold sure to make our goosebumps ooze
    and bitter oyster mushrooms bound to brighten witchy brews.

    But bioluminosity depends on cells that live,
    and when such life has ghosted, they have zero light to give.

    So let’s go trick-or-treating down in Jack O’Lantern Park
    and forage only photos to preserve that lovely spark!

  5. Kari Gonzalez says:
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    Kit’s Costume
    By Kari Ann Gonzalez
    WC: 99

    “Finally, Halloween!”
    Kit couldn’t wait to go trick-or-treating.
    The ooey-gooey goodies, the goosebumps, the KIDS!
    All he needed was a bit of black paint
    and he could be part of it!
    One last glob…
    “Purrrrfect!”
    Under the moon’s glow-in-the-dark light
    Kit crept to the corner and peeked.
    “Look Mum, a kitty!”
    Kit beamed,
    finally walking freely.
    And with so many people in sight!
    Kit marched with creative costumes,
    devoured thrills, chills and too-much candy
    Until…
    He felt a wave of wet.
    “SPRINKLERS!”
    Kit raced to stay dry
    but, the paint had…
    “Run! SKUNK!”

    “Well…that had been fun.” Kit sighed.

    URL: https://www.karianngonzalez.com/blog

  6. Heather Kinser says:
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    MEAN HALLOWEEN
    By Heather Ferranti Kinser
    Word count: 100
    URL: https://www.heatherkinser.com/blog/halloweensie-2021

    On mean Halloween, the Greedy Green Ghoul
    ignored every Halloween trick-or-treat rule.

    Instead of a necklace that’s glow-in-the-dark…
    it carried a torch with a fiery spark.

    Instead of a “thank you” for Halloween hosts…
    it cursed them with goosebumps and cackling ghosts.

    We offered to share—a candy-corn trade.
    It took without asking—a sugar-sack raid!

    It gobbled my goodies, pilfered your treats,
    lifted our candies, robbed us of sweets!

    We tangled it tight…in a tied-taffy knot.
    (That Halloween meanie deserved what it got!)

    Hey. It’s okay. Don’t worry or pout.
    Later, the meanie just licked its way out.

  7. Katie Schwartz says:
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    A WITCHY-SWITCH
    by Katie Schwartz
    Word count: 100

    Study spells. Chant all night
    mummy’s bone, cadaver’s bite!

    Last year’s hex for something scary
    evoked a goody-two-shoes fairy!

    Yuck…enchanting! Ugh… delightful!
    zero goosebumps. So unfrightful…

    “Hocus-Pocus pointy shoes….
    calling witches, snitches, shrews…

    a glowing-in-the-dark phantasma,
    gelatinous putrescent plasma!”

    Cyclonic winds…a specter – nigh –
    descending from the stormy sky!”

    Dare I look? An eensie peek…

    Nooooo… MARY POPPINS??

    EEEEK!!

    Foolishly, I tempted fate…
    my super-spell is out of date!

    Someone’s cackling…“Raven-Sue!
    Return anon, I’m boiling stew.”

    Mama? Chortling like a witch??
    She’s sugar-sweet. A witchy-switch!

    Here comes Ma…astride a broom!
    Next year I’m staying in my room…

  8. ChrisGarHal 🏳️‍🌈🍷 (@XanMaxBooks) says:
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    ChrisGarHal 🏳️‍🌈🍷 (@XanMaxBooks)'s avatar

    THE PORCHLIGHT
    by Chris Garcia-Halenar
    Word Count: 99
    URL: https://www.xanmaxbooks.com/blog

    “This is humiliating – can we go home now?”
    Xander was cranky. No other 6th grader had to wear matching glow-in-the-dark skeleton costumes with their 3-year-old brother.
    “one mo, pweeeeze,” little Max begged.
    Xander sighed, grabbed Max’s hand and yanked him to the final house.
    The porch light flickered.
    A boy dressed as a skeleton opened the door. His costume was different – he looked REAL.
    Max whimpered.
    The light flickered again. The boy vanished.
    “Where did he go?” Xander’s neck prickled.
    A voice whispered from behind, “Trick-or-Treat.”
    Ker-plunk!
    Their goodie baskets were full.

    Even 6th graders still get goosebumps.

  9. Jessica Hinrichs says:
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    BRUCE GOOSE
    By Jessica Hinrichs
    100 words

    Halloweensie 2021

    Bruce Goose had a problem. He had no goosebumps.

    Who ever heard of a goose with no goosebumps? Ridiculous.

    Bruce determined this would be the Halloween he got his goosebumps back, so he asked his friends to scare him, and scare him good!

    Duck dressed as a vampire and circled overhead.

    Sheep dressed as a glow-in-the-dark skeleton and shimmied and shook.

    Pig dressed as a witch and cackled a spooky spell. “Honkus Ponkus!”

    But still, no goosebumps.

    Then, Lucy Goose—Bruce’s crush—held out a treat bag. “Wanna share my Halloween goodies?”

    And she planted a kiss smackdab on Bruce’s beak.

    GOOSEBUMPS!

  10. Vashti Verbowski (@VashtiVerbowski) says:
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    UNDERSEA HALLOWEEN
    By Vashti Verbowski
    (97 words)

    A storm was brewing and a cold current chilled the sea…

    Squid and Octo were ready for Halloween!

    “I’ll be the sneakiest squid in the deep—those big tunas will think I’m a cloud of bioluminescent plankton, and then BOO! I’m a whale shark!”

    “Ooh, you gave me goosebumps. I wish I could glow-in-the-dark.”

    “But Octo, you’re a shape-shifter!”

    “Of course! I’ll camouflage as coral, and then BOO! I’ll gobble my goodies up.”

    “Good one Octo! Those jellies won’t know what’s coming.”

    Meanwhile…

    “We jellyfish are not going to be goodies this Halloween! We’ll be ghoulies…

    BOO!”

  11. Danni Schloss says:
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    SWEET SWAP
    By Daniella Kaufman-Schloss
    Word Count: 99

    Jo dumped her Halloween haul on the floor.
    Watched glistening goodies scatter galore.
    Some treats she loved, but lots were a flop.
    Jo declared, “More to bring to the family sweet swap!”

    Grouped and displayed in piles neatly made,
    she and her brother barter treats for trade.
    “Give you an eyeball for candy corn bark?”
    “That costs two,” brother said. “Wrapper’s glow-in-the-dark.”

    Could Jo give him two? Yes! She had lots!
    She scooped up the bark. Tossed him her whole box.
    With goosebumps, Jo marveled at her new stash.
    Her favorite treats saved from a fate in the trash.

  12. booksbytrista says:
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    The Halloween Witch
    by Trista Herring Baughman
    Word Count: 94

    It was Halloween night
    and a witch went zoom
    as she flew through the air
    on her twisted old broom

    She zigged, and she zagged
    as she soared through the night
    then she cackled out loudly
    and gave me a fright

    Covered in goosebumps
    I zipped up my hoodie
    and I jumped as she threw me a bag full of goodies.

    There was trick-or-treat candy,
    glow-in-the-dark bugs,
    a jack o’ lantern necklace,
    and a Halloween mug!

    I heard her exclaim
    as she rode out of sight
    “Happy Halloween, all!
    Have a spooky good night!”

    Blog Bloggity Blog Blog

  13. Elle Jauffret (@ElleJauffret) says:
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    THE LONELY PUMPKIN HEAD
    by Elle Jauffret

    Every time Monstrue tried to play with children, they ran away screaming.

    Having a glow-in-the-dark pumpkin for a head and skeleton limbs was frightening to humans.

    She wandered through the spooky woods, failing to find a friend, and crossed a pumpkin patch on her way home.

    “Nice costume,” said the farmer. “I’m out of goodies. Take the ugly pumpkin if you want.”

    Goosebumps rushed through Monstrue. The gourd was beautifully misshapen and rotten.

    “Thanks!” She rushed to the graveyard, planted the pumpkin, and chanted a spell.

    Wishing for a friend.

    The next night, pumpkin-children like her rose from its sprouts.

  14. eleanorannpeterson says:
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    Title: Hallows’ Eve WC99 by E.A.Peterson

    Luch’s family was on the run.

    Bright yellow twin lights beamed in the cold October night.

    Masked animals were on their tails.

    “This way. Quick!” squeaked Dad.

    Squishing their bodies through a tiny hole, they scurried through a maze.

    The ground shook as the church bells rang.

    Luch got the goosebumps. “Mom! I’m hungry.”

    “No worries, little one. Tonight, you’ll have your fill. It’s Hallows’ Eve.”

    Dad stuck his nose through a crack. “It’s safe. Let’s go.”

    Luch admired the candles glow-in-the-dark.

    There was a spread of goodies laid out on the top of the tombstones.

    Happy Halloween, Luch!

    https://eleanorannpeterson.com/susanna-leonard-hills-annual-halloweensie-writing-contest/

  15. Beth Stilborn says:
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    Whose Cat is THAT?
    by Beth Stilborn
    100 words
    URL: https://www.bethstilborn.com/its-halloweensie-time-heres-my-story/

    “Cassie! Stop petting that cat!”

    “It shouldn’t be outside on Halloween.”

    Cassie picked it up, along with her witchy broom and treat bag.

    The door opened.

    “Trick or treat!” yelled Willow.

    “Is this your cat?” asked Cassie.

    “Here are your goodies, but it’s not my cat.”

    Every house, same question, same answer. Cassie’s arms ached. The cat yowled.

    One house left. The SCARY, glow-in-the-dark house.

    “I have goosebumps,” said Willow.

    “I’m knocking anyway,” said Cassie.

    The door creaked.

    An old lady pounced.

    Willow screeched.

    The cat purred.

    “You’ve brought my Tabitha back!”

    Cassie cheered. “That’s the best treat of all!”

  16. Laura Howard says:
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    THIS PUMPKIN’S NOT FOR PICKING
    By Laura Howard
    98 words

    Rumbles in the pumpkin patch,
    Vines glow-in-the-dark,
    Sucking life and goodness,
    They smother, sprout and arc.

    Glistening in the moonlight,
    Appears a slimy head,
    The patch has spawned a monster,
    And it fills my heart with dread.

    I thought they were just rumours,
    This grisly, gourdy guy,
    Who roams the streets on Halloween,
    And smells like putrid pie.

    His tendrils scratch your windows,
    His hollow eyes burn bright,
    With fleshy skin like goosebumps –
    A fearsome, freakish sight.

    So grab those chocs and goodies,
    Quick, let’s run to mine,
    Oh no, I see him coming,
    He’s here… it’s PUMPKINSTEIN!

  17. carriekarnesfannin2 says:
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    THE JIMJAM
    by Carrie Karnes-Fannin

    (WC 99 – URL: https://www.carriekarnesfannin.com/the-endpapers/the-jimjam-a-halloweensie-story )

    Black licorice,
    two bruised apples,
    a toothbrush…

    What kind of neighborhood is this?!?

    “Guys! C’mon, c’mon…one more.”

    Your friends shrug.
    They peel off, their glow-in-the-dark buckets
    heavy with full-sized goodies.

    Even your goosebumps have goosebumps
    in the shivery October air.

    You trudge on.

    Under a broken streetlight,
    on a shadowed street,
    the house
    ​waits.

    It gives you
    heebie-jeebies…the willies…
    the jimjams.

    You mutter,
    “I wouldn’t live here as a ghost,”

    Still…
    you knock.

    It opens–
    empty, wide.

    “Oh, aren’t you a sweetie?” A nothing beckons.
    “Come! We’ll fill that bag right up.”

    No treats for you tonight–
    you’re tricked.

  18. melissakayvalente says:
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    TRICK LIKES TREATS,
    BUT SO DOES SWOOP
    By Melissa Valente
    (wc: 99)

    “Toe of newt and wing of bat…”
    That’s Trick. She loves treats. Every Halloween she uses spells to steal kids’ candy.

    “Why must witches always use bits of bat for spells?”
    This is Swoop. He loves sweets. This Halloween he has a plan.

    “I want the witch’s goodies, but must avoid that gloopy soup.’

    Swoop flits in and turns towards the pumpkins.
    Woah! Bats’ eyes glow-in-the-dark! Ping!
    ‘Eeeeeeee’ says Swoop.

    ‘Ooooohh’ says Trick, surprised. “Goosebumps!’

    Swoop swoops. He scoops the loot, then flicks his wings towards the open window.

    ‘Woohoo!’ he says, scattering goodies as he goes.

    Children cheer.

  19. Sue Lancaster says:
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    Here is my rhyming entry for 2021, coming in at exactly 100 words:

    The Haunted House High Up on the Hill
    By Sue Lancaster

    Across a front door where no one dared roam,
    Spider had woven a web-tastic home.
    Dead in the middle, she stifled a cry.
    “What?!” grumbled Goosebump, a ghost floating by.
    “Halloween’s coming, the ONE night they call!
    Children won’t notice… my cobweb will fall!”
    Goosebump replied: “I know what to do…”
    Then into the derelict mansion he flew;
    He reappeared holding a luminous potion,
    Splattered it over the web in one motion.
    When tricksters arrived for their goodies, they spied
    A cobweb that glowed-in-the-dark, stretching wide.
    “Best not approach,” someone sounded unsure,
    He scurried away…

    To try the BACK door!

    Blog: https://sequinsue.wordpress.com/2021/10/29/the-haunted-house-high-up-on-the-hill-halloweensie-entry/

  20. katiefischerwrites says:
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    Tricked the Treats
    By Katie Fischer
    WC 93
    https://katiefischerwrites.com/2021/10/29/halloweensie-2021/
    —-

    Knock knock
    “Trick or treat!”
    “Yay, the night is right and I’m ready to shine!”

    ~Tumble
    ~Thud
    ~Thunk

    Thunk?
    “What’s going on? Where’re the kids?” I ask.
    A low, sweet voice chuckles, “Welcome to The Bucket.”
    “Bucket?” Something’s wrong, this is giving me goosebumps.
    The voice continues, “They always carry we goodies in a bucket before eating us.”
    “Eat? They’re going to EAT us?”
    “Obviously, candy is meant for munching mouths. Don’t you know that?”
    “No, that’s not right…”

    A hand grabs.

    ~Crack
    ~Snap
    ~Shake

    “I’m a glow-in-the-dark bracelet. I’m meant to SHINE!”

  21. Emily Durant (@emilydurwrites) says:
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    A Helpful Ghost
    By Emily Durant
    WC 98

    Ben tripped on a root
    (Or a rock, or a stump?)
    He flew through the air,
    Landed hard with a THUMP!

    His trick-or-treat goodies
    Flung over the ground.
    On his knees in the dark,
    Ben fumbled around.

    Scooping into his bag
    All the treats he could get.
    Goosebumps on his arms
    With his costume now wet.

    He found what he could,
    And started to stand,
    When someone reached out
    And gave Ben a hand.

    The arm glowed in the dark.
    There was a charge in the air.
    Ben looked up to say “thanks”…
    But no one was there.

  22. syorkeviney says:
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    Sally Yorke-Viney
    Word Count: 100

    The Wraith on my Wrist or Ghostie Lost in City Mist

    The fog was cold and clammy
    It coated city trees
    That’s when I heard a ghostie,
    Just moaning in the breeze.

    His nose was full of boo-gers
    “I’m feeling pale and weak,
    I’ve lost my ghoulie “besties”
    While playing Hide and Shriek!”

    “When at the Day Scare center,
    Where all glow-in-the-dark,
    The mist dampened our spirits,
    While haunting Central Park!

    “I’ve got goosebumps”, he told me
    I should be heading home!”
    “I gobbled all my goodies!
    I’m feeling so alone!”

    So if you hear boo-hooing
    And something grabs your wrist
    Just help that little ghostie,
    Who’s lost in city mist!

  23. Linda Williams Swanson says:
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    Three Little Geese Do Halloween
    by Linda Williams Swanson
    Word Count 100

    Three little geese were glum.

    “It’s Halloween.”

    “We want gooseberry gummy goodies.”

    “But we don’t have costumes for Trick or Treating.”

    Waddling along a row of glow-in-the-dark mushrooms, they hatched a plan.

    They had no costumes, so they would perform tricks for the big geese in their pond.

    Together they would bump each goose with their heads and then honk, “What did we just give you?” All the bumped geese would know the answer.

    Do you?

    “Goose Bumps!”

    The big geese loved the tricks and gave the little geese gobs of gooseberry gummy goodies.

    Everyone had a honkingly Happy Halloween!

  24. Nicole Loos Miller says:
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    A GLOWING SOLUTION
    By Nicole Loos Miller (98 words):

    Wenda Witch put the finishing touches on her party decorations, when…
    WHOOSH!
    A huge gust of wind knocked the power out!

    “Oh, broomsticks!”

    Candles? All out!
    Lanterns? No oil!

    Wenda grabbed her cauldron and spellbook.
    In went candy bones, and birthday wishes, lovely dreams, and silly giggles.
    She stirred and chanted, chanted and stirred:
    “Goody-goody-goosebumps, and
    The full moon’s silver light,
    Brighten up this gloomy mood
    And ease my party’s plight!”

    Glow-in-the-dark ooze shimmered in the cauldron.

    Wenda splattered it on the doors, floors, and ceiling beams. And not a minute too soon…
    Knock
    Knock
    Knock
    “HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!”

  25. Amy Leskowski says:
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    WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SUGAR
    By Amy Leskowski
    92 words

    A wander the wrong way allowed me to witness
    what wee wads of sweets do to witches:
    Goodies give Gwendolyn greenish-gray gums.
    Imogene instantly itches.

    Hilda heaves hard, hurling harmonized hiccups.
    Bellatrix barks between blinks.
    Griselda gets goosebumps that glow-in-the-dark.
    Sherilynn shivers, then shrinks.

    Bronwyn blows bubbles beneath burp-y breaths.
    Sage suffers snail-spewing sneezes.
    Yoselin yawns year-long yo-yoing yodels.
    Winifred’s wart weeps and wheezes.

    Marnie’s mole morphs into multiple masses.
    Tina’s tongue thickens, then twitches.
    So if sugary samples should spill from my sack,
    I’ve vowed I will warn all the witches.

    https://motherhoodblockparty.net/halloweensie-warning-may-contain-sugar/

  26. Colleen Owen Murphy says:
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    How Hannah Saved Halloween
    By Colleen Murphy

    A wicked storm blows out the lights
    up and down the street.
    With costumes set, the children fret,
    “They’ll cancel trick-or-treat.”
    Except for hopeful Hannah who,
    as always, starts to plan,
    certain she will find a way
    to shift from can’t to can.
    She first imagines fireflies,
    “Too scattered to control.”
    She next considers candlelight.
    “Too hard to hold and stroll.
    Aha!” she says as goosebumps form.
    “A perfect resolution!
    We’ll use my sticks that glow-in-the-dark
    for lighting substitution!
    I’ll ride throughout the neighborhood,
    deliver while it’s bright,
    then everyone can still collect
    their goodies when it’s night.”

    How Hannah Saved Halloween

  27. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR DEBBIE MENESES

    Double Meaning Halloween Knight

    Sir Halloween Knight, Sir Halloween Knight,

    A goosebumpy night for Halloween Knight.

    “I mustn’t withhold. Friends need me tonight.”

    Brave horseback he rode. He galloped outside.

    “I’ve goodies prepared for darkness I’ve spied.”

    “Ten Jack-o-Lanterns, I found to have cried.”

    Upset with concern, all empty, inside.

    “Here’s flameless candles, for children you guide.”

    Ghosts fluttered a-left, then fluttered a-right.

    They bumped into walls, too dark without sight.

    “Wear glow-in-the-dark, rings vibrantly bright.”

    In papers it read, “He lit up the site.”

    Yes. Halloween night, rescued by Sir Knight.

    Sir Halloween Knight, Sir Halloween night

    A goosebumpy night for Halloween Knight.

  28. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR SHARIFFA

    What is that burning bright
    In the middle of the night?
    Deep,murky silent night
    Glowing ominous what a fright!!

    I froze, stunned what a plight
    Where do I turn left or right?
    It’s mesmerizing, cannot fight
    My eyes, it’s eyes locked tight

    Heckles going up, mine and his
    Goosebumps up my spine amiss
    In my pocket a goodie please!
    I put it out the creature to appease

    It approaches, in terror I freeze
    I grope,stumble into the abyss
    Dow, down, down, ahhh,aaaaah!

    It’s grip tightens around my neck
    Furry, clammy grasp cannot shake
    Suddenly, eyes open I am awake

  29. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR SARAH

    Word Count: 96
    Byline: Sarah Hetu

    (Title:) THE SCAVENGERS’ FEAST BALL

    “Scavengers!” Spider Crab says, “trick-or-treat?”

    Fish and crustaceans fill the table.

    “Halloween costumes first!” Remora and Zombie say.

    “Biggest fish head to the best dressed!” Great White says.

    Crab inspects the goodies. Just one bite….

    “Hey!” Great White says.

    Crab turns, eye-to-tooth with Great. “Goosebumps and ghouls! You look horrific! I mean, ‘Halloween-o-riffic!’”

    “Where’s our feast?!” Remora and Zombie demand.

    “I have an idea,” Crab says. He scuttles off…and returns with a swarm of glow-in-the-dark jellyfish. “Dance-off instead?”

    “Yes!” Great shouts, “Forget food! Cue the music!”

    The scavengers boogie for hours…

    …and order fast food afterwards.

  30. Hannah Roy LaGrone says:
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    ‘Tis the Season, Candy Eaters
    by Hannah Roy LaGrone
    99 words
    Sing along on https://theworldasourclassroom.wordpress.com/2021/10/29/tis-the-season-candy-eaters-halloweensie-entry/

    Deck yourselves out, trick-or-treaters; Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    ‘Tis the season, candy eaters! Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    Don we now our wild apparel, Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    Seeking goodies by the barrel. Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

    Jack-o-lanterns blaze before us, Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    Glowing-in-the-dark, they’re gourd-geous! Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    Follow these to candy treasure; Fall-la-la-a-la-la-la-la-la
    Scarf it down–it’s such a pleasure. Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

    Grinning wide, I fill my tummy, Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    I will fear no ghost or mummy; Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    Don’t have goosebumps, chills, or shivers, Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    But inside, my belly quivers… Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

    Might have overdone the gobbling… Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    Walking home is mostly wobbling. Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    Maybe next year I’ll remember: Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
    Save a few treats for November! Fall-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

  31. seschipper says:
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    Greta’s Glow-in-the-dark Goosebumps
    By Susan E. Schipper
    WC 100

    “Great Goblins”, muttered Greta, the anxious little witch! She wanted to join all of the other witches flying around the Halloween sky! It would be marvelous to glide on her broomstick frightening everyone! However, there was one problem…whenever Greta became excited her goosebumps would glow-in-the-dark. All of the witches would cackle uncontrollably at the sight!
    One Halloween, thick fog formed over Tombstone. Worried witches wondered how they would be able to fly about frightening inhabitants there! Greta had a plan! She would lead the way using her glow-in-the-dark goosebumps! “Goody” cried the witches!
    Greta saved Halloween….at least for the witches!!!

  32. Lyn Robbins Jekowsky says:
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    BOBBING FOR APPLES
    By LYN JEKOWSKY
    WC, 91

    In the gloom of a dark Halloween night, wind howls through the trees. I scurry up the creaky step’s of my friend Tim’s porch to bob for apples. In the glow of jack-o-lanterns I confront
    an enormous silver tub filled with apples. I peer in. The apples are floating in black, slimy, glow-in-the-dark liquid.
    A-EEEE, MUA-HAHAHAHA
    Goose-bumps run up and down my arms. Shivers creep up my spine.
    Spiders wiggle-jiggle around the apples and over the edges of the tub.
    I dash lickety-split down the porch steps, forgetting my goody bag.

  33. Barbara Kimmel says:
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    THE PERFECT PUMPKIN
    By Barbara Kimmel
    100 words

    Zoey loves Halloween – the costumes, goodies, jack-o’-lanterns that glow-in-the-dark, and, most of all, picking the perfect pumpkin.
    “Hurry, Poppa!” Zoey zigzagged through the pumpkin patch, examining each one. “No… no… no.”
    Poppa pointed to a big, bright, round-as-a-basketball pumpkin. Zoey shook her head and kept searching. When she reached the end, she turned around, lowered her head, and started back. With no pumpkin.
    Suddenly, she stopped.
    “Over here!” Zoey jumped up and down, pointing to a stemless, speckled, lopsided pumpkin.
    “The one with GOOSEBUMPS?!” asked Poppa.
    “It’s one-of-a-kind! It’s perfect!”
    Poppa looked at Zoey and smiled. “Yes,” he nodded. “Perfect.”

  34. Sarah Rose (@sarahkrose1987) says:
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    No More Sugar!
    By: Sarah K. Rose
    99 words
    URL: https://sarahkrose.weebly.com/blog/2021-halloweensie

    “No more candy tonight!”

    If Mom was in charge of Halloween, neighbors would pass out packages of roasted Brussel sprouts instead of chocolatey goodies.

    But, Mom was sleeping. The glow-in-the-dark pumpkin sat on the counter. With goosebumps on the back of my neck, I tiptoe to the kitchen and stuff my pockets with candy.

    In my room, I gobble up every last morsel.

    “Yum. Delicious!” I lick chocolate off my fingers before falling asleep on top of sticky wrappers.

    In the morning, Mom’s voice wakes me from my sugar coma.

    “Spinach and scrambled eggs!”

    “Ughh….”

    My stomach churns.

    Perhaps Mom does know best.

  35. Vanessa Kay (Konoval) (@vanessakaybooks) says:
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    Fairy-Fire
    by Vanessa Konoval

    Mormor and I stomped homeward through the damp, dimming birch woods, baskets full of gathered autumn greens.

    I stopped. “Mormor? Are those mushrooms edible?”

    She peered closely. “Ah-h-h! No. But they’ll be our Halloween goodies nonetheless.” She sat down on a log wordlessly.

    “…Mormor?”

    “Shh!”

    Goosebumps prickled across my shoulders despite my thick sweater.

    I shivered.

    Then, night fell in earnest.

    “Mostly, they’re ordinary mushrooms,” I heard Mormor saying. “But before a storm – especially on Halloween night…”

    An eerie green light spread as the mushrooms began to glow in the dark.

    Mormor’s eyes reflected the otherworldly gleam. “…Fairy-fire!”

  36. Sarah Meade says:
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    CREEPY COOK-OFF
    By Sarah Meade
    98 Words

    It’s the Halloween Creepy Cook-Off!
    The ghost judges float about.
    Dracula displays bloodcurdling brownies.
    Mummy’s got ghastly goodies.
    Wolfman’s whipped up goosebump noodles.
    “Fried spider fritters,” says Frankenstein with a flourish.
    “Sorry I’m late!” Witchy calls. “I made . . . pumpkin pancakes.”
    Frankenstein frowns.
    “NOT creepy!” Wolfman howls.
    “At all,” Mummy mutters.
    Dracula snickers.
    “Wait,” Witchy whispers.
    She hits the lights.
    Suddenly something sinister
    drizzles
    down
    over
    the pumpkin pancakes.
    “Glow-in-the-dark syrup?!”
    The special sauce reveals . . .
    “Frightful faces!”
    The pancake mouths open . . .
    “BOO!”
    Dracula gasps.
    Mummy moans.
    Wolfman yowls.
    Frankenstein faints.
    “And the winner is . . . Witchy!”
    “BONE appétit!” Witchy cackles.

    Halloweensie 2021

  37. Sarah Meade says:
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    MACY & LUCY’S HALLOWEEN
    By Sarah Meade
    100 words

    Macy Moose and Lucy Goose are best friends, but–
    Macy likes everything creepy.
    Lucy prefers cute.
    Macy’s a monster-moose with oozing antlers.
    Lucy’s an angel-goose with a glow-in-the-dark halo.
    Ding-dong!
    “Trick or treat!”
    “Goody!” Macy whoops. “Gooey eyeballs!”
    “Creepy,” Lucy mumbles. “I prefer pumpkin pops.”
    “A haunted house!” Macy points. “Onward!”
    “No way!” Lucy spit-spat-sputters.
    Macy hurries ahead, leaving Lucy . . .
    alone.
    Lucy grump-slump-flumps.
    Then she flip-flap-flutters behind bushes.
    She waits . . .
    When Lucy spies oozing antlers–
    “BOO!”
    Macy shrieks. “Lucy! You gave me goosebumps!”
    Lucy laughs. “You mean MOOSEbumps.”
    “Creeptastic!” Macy giggles. “Eyeball?”
    “Still too creepy.”
    “Pumpkin pop?”
    “Now you’re talking!”

    Halloweensie 2021

  38. stephaniemstories says:
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    Ghostly Linens
    By Stephanie Maksymiw
    Word count: 90

    Fred hates being a ghost.

    He wants to be a Jedi with a glow-in-the-dark lightsaber, but instead he’s a bedsheet.

    “No one’s gonna give candy to a twin sized linen,” he whined.

    Fred’s mom cut holes for the eyes and put it over his head. She can’t afford a fancy costume this year. She hugs him and sends him out with his friends.

    Later, Fred races home with goosebumps. “Mom, look at all these goodies! I got more than anyone. Everyone loved my homemade costume. I love being a ghost.”

  39. Lindsey Hobson says:
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    Happy HOWL-oween
    By Lindsey Hobson
    90 words

    The moon is big and full.

    It makes my eyes glow-in-the-dark.

    It glints off my fangs and my claws.

    And when I throw back my head and HOOOOOOOOOWL it’s enough to give anyone goosebumps!

    “Hurry up, slowpoke!” my sister growls.

    I rush down the path behind her. My mouth is watering just thinking about all the goodies I’ll gobble tonight.

    We run up to the door and get into position, claws out, fangs visible.

    Then my sister rings the bell.

    As the door creaks open, we yell–

    TRICK OR TREAT!

  40. muskoshe says:
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    THREE GLOWING BATS
    by Sherry Roberts
    Word Count: 92

    Three little bats
    Glowing little bats,
    See how they try
    To fly in the sky.

    They ran away
    With the ghosts and ghouls,
    They glow-in-the-dark like little jewels.
    See them run from house to house,
    Oh, how they played.
    They’re not afraid.

    Three little bats
    Funny little bats.
    Waving their bags
    See how they brag.

    They’re laughing and giving
    each other a bump.
    They’re freezing
    And covered in big goosebumps.
    The bags are so full, they look like a hump.
    Filled with goodies,
    Lots of goodies.

    What funny bats,
    Three little bats.

  41. jennifermaryg says:
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    Halloween Family Secret
    by Jennifer Mary Grolemund
    wc: 98

    Violet’s parents have one scary rule on Halloween night.
    DO NOT GO IN THE BASEMENT!

    Violet usually obeys.
    But, this year, she ignores the warning.

    On the basement door, she finds a glow-in-the-dark message.
    DO NOT ENTER!

    Goosebumps flood her arms, but she opens it.
    Violet creeps down the stairs and sees another glowing sign.
    TURN AROUND NOW!

    She swats at cobwebs and keeps going.
    In the darkest corner is an old coffin with a terrifying note.
    DO NOT OPEN!

    Violet lifts the lid and screams!
    It’s overflowing with…goodies!

    “So that’s where they hide the best candy!”

  42. Jany Campana says:
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    A SICK DAY
    By: Jany Campana
    WC 31

    It’s ghastly.
    The grim reaper can’t do his job with goosebumps that glow-in-the-dark.
    This eerie sight frightens ghosts, ghouls and goblins.
    So grab the goodies.
    Tonight’s Halloween.
    Tomorrow–back to work.

  43. Marta Cutler says:
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    The Pied Pumpkin of Halloween
    By Marta Cutler
    (100 words)

    Pumpkin rose from his perch
    His smile all aglow
    “Come my children!” he beckoned
    “Off to the feast we go!”

    Into the night they went
    Witches, pirates, and ghosts
    Goody bags swinging in time
    As they followed their marching host

    Past their houses he led them
    With glow-in-the-dark cheer
    Into the deep, dark forest
    “Ducklings, you’ve nothing to fear!”

    “Goblets of chocolate await you!”
    “Plates of buttercream cake!”
    Their heads filled up with sugar
    Listening to that old rake

    When they spotted the ghouls
    They realized with great alarm
    The feast was them—how they knew?
    Goosebumps on their arms!

  44. Julie Hansen (@SenoraHansen) says:
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    CREATURES FROM THE COUCH
    By Julie Hansen
    Word Count: 97

    Goodies sorted,
    counted, reported.
    Couch creatures rise;
    searching for food
    through glow-in-the-dark eyes.

    Bunny-Bun feasts
    on marshmallow beasts.
    Franklin devours:
    sugar eyeballs,
    sweet ghosts and bat-shaped sours.

    Gummy crawlies
    satisfy dollies,
    toy hand reaches,
    fumbling, stumbling—
    the tabby cat screeches.

    Goosebumps inflate,
    Must investigate.
    Coast is all clear.
    Back to my bed;
    creatures feed without fear.

    At dawn’s first light,
    they slink out of sight.
    Mom eyes the theft.
    “Creatures did it!
    Look! There’s some goodies left:

    “Waxy red lips,
    Spicy fingertips,
    drops of honey…”
    Huh—that’s funny.

    These just happen to be
    stuff that’s icky to me.”

  45. Marta Cutler says:
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    Alligator the Ghost
    By Marta Cutler
    (100 words)

    Alligator dreamed of being a ghost.
    So, when Halloween try-outs were announced, he was first in line.
    “Unusual size,” said one ghost.
    “More to scare!” said Alligator.
    “Unusual colour,” said another.
    “Good for tree hiding!” said Alligator.
    “Can you glow-in-the-dark?” they asked.
    “I have a candle!” said Alligator.
    “Float through walls?” they asked.
    “No. But I can do this!” said Alligator.
    He opened his enormous jaws and drew a mighty breath.
    ‘BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” he roared.
    CRACK!! The Goosebump Meter split in half.
    “Welcome to the team,” said the ghosts.
    “Goody!” said Alligator.
    “No goody. Just boo,” they said.
    “Right!” said Alligator.

  46. Linda Staszak says:
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    This is always so much fun–Thanks!

    GOOSE-ZILLA
    By Linda Staszak
    97 words

    Zelda wiggled her tail feathers and waddled out the door.
    “Scary costume,” she said. “Gives me goosebumps.”
    Her friend Sparky rolled his eyes. “Duh, you’re a goose. What are you supposed to be?”
    “I’m Goose-zilla,” Zelda said.
    Sparky snorted. “Godzilla wasn’t a goose.”
    “No problem.”
    But at each house, when Sparky got goodies and the humans said. “No treats for geese,” Zelda’s eyes squinted.
    Finally she honked.
    Her bill twisted.
    And her super-deluxe monster fangs glowed-in-the-dark.
    “Take it all!” The human screamed, dropped the candy and slammed the door.
    “Cool,” said Sparky. “We’re gonna need bigger bags.”

  47. Sue Heavenrich says:
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    Welcome to the Skeleton Dance
    by Sue Heavenrich
    90 words

    Milo peeled off the glow-in-the-dark stickers and pressed the arm bones to his sleeves. He stuck leg bones to his black leggings and put the rib cage on his T-shirt. Then he grabbed his goody-bag and hopped down the stairs.

    “Where are you going?” asked Mom.

    “To the Skeleton Dance!” With a tappity-tap, Milo stepped outside and joined the other dancers. Spin. Stomp. Clackity-clack! Milo whirled and twirled. His shiny stickers glowed brighter than anyone else.

    But when the street lights flicked on, he got goosebumpy.
    Their bones were real.

  48. Kathleen Lowry (@lifeontamiami) says:
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    Teal Halloween
    Word Count: 100
    By: Kathleen Lowry
    @lifeontamiami

    Heart racing, jumping at the door, I call for mama,“Let’s go!”

    Finally, a Halloween that’s safe for me. No more watching as kids’ buckets overflow with dangerous treats that’ll make me sick. Tonight, I get to trick-or-treat!

    Surrounded by a sea of orange, I see no pumpkins for me.

    Mama promised. The neighbors said…
    Tears sting my eyes, “Halloween’s not for me.”

    Then I see…

    Teal pumpkins galore! I dash door-to-door collecting bubbles, glow-in-the-dark stickers, and more.

    Crashing through the door I heap my goodies on the floor. Gazing at my treasure, goosebumps rise, “This is all for me!”

  49. Steph Rondeau says:
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    THE GLOVES
    Stephanie Rondeau
    WC:99
    URL: https://stephanierondeauwrites.wordpress.com/2021/10/29/halloweensie-2021/

    The whole town is out for Trick-or-Treat.
    Mom is wearing her glow-in-the-dark gloves so I don’t lose her.
    But—
    Bump!
    Shuffle!
    Pull!
    Suddenly—
    Twisting, turning.
    Surrounded by goblin masks, goodie bags, ghostie eyes.
    Goosebumps now.
    “Mom?”
    A werewolf snarles,
    A vampire sneers,
    A skeleton scratches my arm.
    Panic now.
    “Mom? Where are you?”
    Searching, scouring…
    scared.
    Finally, I spot her gloves.
    Pushing through the crowd,
    grasping for hands.
    I grab hold, squeezing tight.
    As the hands squeeze back,
    I look up.
    “Mom you’ll—
    AHHHH!!!“
    Peering down at me,
    A blank stare,
    eyes shrouded in darkness,
    a Jason mask.
    “MOM???”

  50. Brenda Whitehead (@BrendaW_Prof) says:
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    Ghoulie Rulies
    by Brenda Whitehead
    100 words

    Ghoulies! Attention! It’s Halloween night! Three little rulies will maximize fright:

    1) All little ghoulies are scared of the light; so glow-in-the-dark—crank up the bright!
    2) Nightmarish costumes won’t yield any screams; goosebumps abound when you dress like sweet dreams!
    3) As for the goodies, steer clear of the sweets! We all know that spiders are ghouls’ favorite treats.

    But WARNING to all little ghoulies undaunted: NEVER go tricking to houses un-haunted!

    TOO MUCH exposure to un-haunted lights, and sweet-dreamy sights, and sugary bites,
    Can turn little ghoulies from naughty to nice…

    …and Santa’s the price!!!

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