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 ๐Ÿ˜Š
    ๏ปฟ
  • 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 ๐Ÿ˜Š)
  • You may use the words in any form i.e. glowed-in-the-dark, goosebumpley, goody (“Oh, goody!”, goody-two-shoes etc.), whathaveyou ๐Ÿ˜Š
  • You are welcome to enter more than one entry – just remember you’ll be competing against yourself ๐Ÿ˜Š
  • 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 ๐Ÿ˜Š

  • 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 ๐Ÿ˜Š
  • 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 ๐Ÿ˜Š)

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 ๐Ÿ˜Š  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 ๐Ÿ˜Š  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!

โญ๏ธ 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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โญ๏ธ 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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โญ๏ธ 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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โญ๏ธ 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 itโ€™s no surprise that her writing inspirations and aspirations are sky-high, too.  She resides in Oklahoma and when the winds arenโ€™t sweepinโ€™ 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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โญ๏ธ 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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โญ๏ธ 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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โญ๏ธ 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!

โญ๏ธ 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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โญ๏ธ 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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โญ๏ธ 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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โญ๏ธ Personalized signed copy of A PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE: Nelson Mandelaโ€™s Hope for His Nation by Lindsey McDivitt PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

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โญ๏ธ 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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โญ๏ธ 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!

โญ๏ธ 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! ๐Ÿ˜Š

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! ๐ŸŽƒ ๐Ÿ˜Š

  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
  220. Spider’s Halloween – Mia Geiger
  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

2,956 thoughts on “The 11th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!”

  1. horsewriterlady says:
    Reply

    TRICK-OR-TREAT NIGHTMARE
    By Cindy Sommer
    98 Words

    โ€œReady, Ben?โ€ Alex adjusted his cape.
    Ben grabbed his glow-in-the-dark teeth. โ€œLetโ€™s get goodies before the party.โ€
    They rushed from house-to-house dodging parades of pancakes, zombies, and a creepy cow.
    โ€œLove the cow!โ€ The boys laughed.
    Clip-clop, clip-clop!
    โ€œThe cow!โ€™ Alex whispered.
    Clip-clop, clip-clop!
    โ€œItโ€™s getting closer!โ€ said Ben.
    Clip-clop, clip-clop!
    Snorting and whinnying clothes with a tail trotted by.
    โ€œAhhhh!โ€ Alex and Ben bolted.
    At the Halloween party, the boys described their goosebumply experience.
    โ€œA galloping ghost!โ€
    โ€œA snorting spirit!โ€
    โ€œA neighing nightmare!โ€
    โ€œOur horse trashed our clothesline,โ€ said Emma.
    Alex and Ben grinned. โ€œWe can help.โ€

  2. Armineh Manookian says:
    Reply

    Worth the Climb
    By Armineh Manookian
    Word Count: 99

    โ€œIโ€™m tired of waiting.โ€ Andy slumped. โ€œThey NEVER come.โ€
    Goosebump nudged.
    โ€œYour costume!โ€
    Goosebump wiggled.
    โ€œThis leg goes here.โ€
    Goosebump wriggled.
    โ€œStay.โ€
    Goosebumpโ€”ran!
    Andy bolted down the hill.
    โ€œA puppy!โ€ cried a trick-or-treater.
    โ€œMeet Goosebump.โ€
    โ€œHe sounds like a goose,โ€ giggled another.
    โ€œI want a hug!โ€ said a third.
    Goosebump zigzagged between feet.
    โ€”DASH!
    โ€œFOLLOW HIM!โ€
    Winded, they reached Andyโ€™s house where Goosebump let them pet him.
    โ€œDo you have any candy?โ€ asked a trick-or-treater.
    โ€œWeโ€™ve got the best goodies,โ€ Andy said.
    โ€œAnd the best glow-in-the-dark decorations,โ€ said another. โ€œHappy Halloween!โ€
    Andy smiled. โ€œHappy Halloween!โ€

  3. sharonmariemccarthy says:
    Reply

    Thank you, Trick-or-Treaters!
    For Protecting Your Mother
    By Sharon McCarthy
    Word Count 99

    Thank you trick-or-treaters
    for jumping in leaves to get excited for Halloween night.
    When you are all done, cover the trees, flower beds, and shrubs.
    The armor of leaves will protect plants and animals from harsh winter months.

    When you decorate your lawn,
    add leaves to beautify it, don’t throw them away!
    The moist covering will produce goosebumps of glow-in-the-dark firefly eggs
    and other insects to sprout.

    When you get goodies next Halloween night, listen for night birds singing:
    thanks for the harvest of crawly treats you gave us too.

    Mother Earth loves you,
    Thanks for loving me too!

  4. Julie Lerczak (@JulieLerczak) says:
    Reply

    Beware, Out There
    By Julie Lerczak
    (100-word count)

    When the yellow moon hangs up high,
    And crinkly cornhusks litter ground,
    Beware! Beware, if you go out there!
    You might see witches zoom around!

    Do twisty shadows stir your fear?
    Do glow-in-the-dark eyes cause you fright?
    Beware! Beware, if you go out there!
    Thatโ€™s when bats make nightly flights.

    Are the pumpkins wearing evil grins?
    Do goosebumps skitter up your spine?
    Beware! Beware, if you go out there!
    Watch out for werewolves close behind.

    If grabbing goodies, door to door,
    And zany zombies join your fun,
    Beware! Beware, if they find you there!
    Nowโ€™s the time! Run, run, run!

  5. Jill Lambert says:
    Reply

    Thank you, Susanna, your assistants, and all generous prize donors, for another inspiring contest. So fun!

    The Haunted Bathroom
    By Jill Lambert
    (100 words)

    My crafty sisterโ€™s busy.
    She decorates all year.
    Halloweenโ€™s approaching.
    My stomach churns with fear.

    Sheโ€™s hanging creepy cobwebs,
    glues googly eyes on hoodies.
    Jack-oโ€™-lanterns grimace,
    overstuffed with goodies.

    Finally, sheโ€™s finished.
    โ€œNow letโ€™s trick or treat!โ€
    Following in costume,
    I panic, plant my feet.

    โ€œIโ€™m going to the bathroom.โ€
    Oh, no! The light is out!
    Turning toward the toilet,
    my gasp becomes a shout.

    Suspended in the darkness,
    an eerie greenish grin.
    Glaring eyes unnerve me.
    Goosebumps prick my skin.

    I lurch into the hallway.
    My sister hears me skid.
    โ€œDid you like my glow-in-the-dark
    creature on the lid?โ€

  6. Jenny Larson Morales says:
    Reply

    Plan Bee
    Jenny Morales
    Word Count: 100

    Everywhere Spider went,
    people screeched,
    โ€œAHHHHHH!โ€
    โ€œUGHHHHH!โ€ or
    โ€œYIIIIIIIIKES!!โ€

    Halloween was Spiderโ€™s chance for a change.

    โ€œIโ€™ll be a ladybug. Everyone loves ladybugs!โ€

    She found the perfect red leaf,
    painted five black spots,
    and set out to collect gobs of goodies.

    She beamed upon hearing . . .
    โ€œOOOOH!โ€
    โ€œAWWW!โ€
    โ€œCUUUUTE!โ€

    But when a breeze carried her costume
    toward the glow-in-the-dark moon,
    Spider sighed, knowing it was time for Plan Bee.

    Against a splintering bench, Spider and Bee displayed their sign:
    โ€œCare for a scare? Itโ€™s what we do best. Goosebumps guaranteed! Stick tips in the web!
    Forever frightening, The Creepy Creatures Club.”

  7. Laura Clement says:
    Reply

    โ€œBOO!โ€K Spooky Halloween
    By Laura N. Clement
    (100 words)
    Blog: https://clementcreations.blogspot.com/

    Boo Waillouder III hated Halloween.
    Ghost costumes were unimaginative- glow-in-the-dark paisley, animal prints,
    or sheets with holes.

    Booโ€™d never be caught dead in one of those, even for yummy gooey goodies.
    Heโ€™d rather hide in his favorite book.

    โ€œSorry itโ€™s checked out,โ€ said the Librarian.
    Crushed, Boo browsed, anger bubbling until, a surprising discovery!

    โ€˜Humans and Other Scary Creatures!โ€™

    OOOOO! Thought Boo. Having a most spooktacular,
    bubbled-up goosebumps all over scary idea!

    Heโ€™d just need a few thingsโ€ฆ

    โ€œAnd 1st prizeโ€ฆ,โ€ said the Librarian.

    โ€œHowdy,โ€ said Boo.

    โ€œโ€ฆfor Most Imaginative Costumeโ€ฆโ€

    โ€œEeekkk! Aโ€ฆ Human!โ€

    โ€œโ€ฆgoes toโ€ฆโ€
    โ€œHide!โ€

    โ€œโ€ฆBoo Waillouder III!โ€

  8. Jennifer says:
    Reply

    THE WITCHโ€™S MISTAKE by Jennifer Kaap (94 words)

    OH, GOODY, my first victim! Goosebumps prickle my warty body.
    โ€œTrick-or-treat!โ€
    At last I will turn these horrid children into delightfully frightful black cats!!
    It was an easy potion: dog tears, firefly butts, swamp mud, and a fingernail of salt. Looks just like king-sized chocolate bars!
    Yes, they all come running now. Greedy goblins!
    I stifle a cackle and waitโ€ฆ
    But instead of feline screeches and yowls, I hearโ€ฆ
    โ€œWoah! Check us out! We glow-in-the-dark! Best. Halloween. EVERRRRRR!!!โ€
    OH, BOO! I canโ€™t believe I mixed up the sugar and salt again. Worst. Halloween. Ever.

  9. Molly Ippolito says:
    Reply

    ITSY B. SPIDER (99 words)
    By: Molly Ippolito

    Itsy B. Spider climbed up the water spout. Out came the moon and, soon, Halloween night would be about.

    Itsy hated being bitsyโ€ฆ
    He wanted to be BIG, BAD, and BONE-CHILLING!

    If only I had strong legs like the tarantula,
    Or glow-in-the-dark eyes like the huntsman,
    Or razor-sharp fangs like the widow.
    Maybe then Iโ€™d bring about goosebumps.

    Suddenly, it began raining and Itsy slid onto the pavement. Two trick-or-treaters approachedโ€“bags of goodies in their grasp.
    โ€œLook! A cute, little spider!โ€
    โ€œLet me helpโ€ฆso you donโ€™t get squashed!โ€

    Grateful for being bitsy, Itsy climbed the water spout again.

  10. rbkrackeler says:
    Reply

    Too Many Goodies
    Rachel Krackeler
    100 Words

    One hundred witches flew through Halloween night. One had a headache; couldnโ€™t fly right.
    โ€œToo many goodies,โ€ her witchy mom said. โ€œNo!โ€ said the witchy girl, holding her head.

    Along with her headache, her belly felt ick. Her arms had goosebumps. She swayed on her stick.
    โ€œLet me help, let me help,โ€ said another little witch. โ€œIโ€™ll light your way with my glow-in-the-dark stick.

    โ€œThank you,โ€ said witchy mom, โ€œbut thatโ€™s not why sheโ€™s swaying. Too many goodies is what Iโ€™ve been saying.โ€
    โ€œWrong!โ€ said witchy girl, swaying on her stick. She popped another goodie, and thenโ€ฆ

    She got sick!

  11. rozanark says:
    Reply

    GHOSTMETICS
    By Rozana Rajkumari
    96 words

    My sister’s so unghoul.
    She never shares anything with me.

    Gl’oreal sent her Boo-berry lip gloss (that I’ve been dying to try).
    But she only shares with her BooTube channel subscribers.

    While reviewing the gloss on Halloween, she swipes thenโ€”shrieks!
    I get goosebumps. Her lips disappear!

    The video goes viral and she wails in her crypt.
    Mummy says no Howl-oween without her.

    So, I brew a cure from grandmummy’s book.
    She swipes my goop thenโ€”smiles.

    Her bootiful lips glow-in-the-dark. Perfect for trick-or-tricking.
    Even better, she now shares bags of goodies with me.

    My sister’s so ghoul!

    Blog – https://www.rozanarajkumari.com/post/halloweensie-2021

  12. Jen MacGregor ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ (@jen_macgregor) says:
    Reply

    SANTAโ€™S HALLOWEEN
    By Jen MacGregor
    98 words
    https://www.jenmacgregor.ca/halloweensie-2021.html

    โ€˜Tis Halloween evening, and up at the pole
    olโ€™ Santa sneaks into his sleigh, with one goal.

    โ€œI know itโ€™s not Christmas but I need a snack!
    Iโ€™ll gather some goodies andโ€”WHOOSHโ€”Iโ€™ll be back.โ€

    โ€œNow, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer andโ€”YIKES!
    I didnโ€™t expect to see skulls stuck on spikes!โ€

    โ€œMonsterly mayhem and ghouls on the streets?
    Galloping goosebumps! Now where are the treats?โ€

    But glow-in-the-dark decorations galore
    shock Rudolph so much that heโ€™s shook to his core.

    โ€œMy poor little reindeer have had such a fright.
    Weโ€™re outta this townโ€”good riddance, good night!โ€

  13. Leslie Degnan says:
    Reply

    MY SCARIEST HALLOWEEN NIGHT
    By Les Degnan
    96 words

    โ€œFollow the crow through the deep, dark wood,
    Past eyes that glow-in-the-dark.โ€

    โ€œWitches cackle their Halloween spell,
    Through trees, gnarly and stark.โ€

    โ€œI want to go home! This is creepy.โ€
    โ€œGoosebumps give me a chill.โ€

    โ€œIโ€™d rather be bobbing for apples.โ€
    โ€œHayrides are my Halloween thrill.โ€

    โ€œShhhh!โ€ says my brother. โ€œDonโ€™t wake him.โ€
    โ€œThe green, ghoulish, wart-covered imp!โ€

    โ€œWho?โ€ I croak, clutching my goodies.
    โ€œWho-who!โ€ answers owl. I go limp.

    โ€œLook!โ€ shouts my brother. โ€œWe made it!โ€
    โ€œTo the center with pumpkins alight!โ€

    I circle the edge of the corn maze.
    On my scariest Halloween Night!

  14. sebagoprincess says:
    Reply

    Dorothy Kohrherr Word Count: 99
    224 Federal Point Blvd
    Lawrenceville, NJ. 08648
    609-882-2799
    dorothykohrherr@aol.com

    Winnie Trick-or-Treats

    Dorothy K. Kohrherr

    Winnie, the witch, went Halloween trick-or-treating. She wore her glow-in-dark hat

    and carried a goodie bag. She hoped the neighbors would fill her bag with eyes of a newt

    and frog toes, not candy. Candy was dangerous. Just like water, it had the power to harm

    witches.

    Being a kid, Winnie ate the collected candy. Immediately, she was covered with

    goosebumps and YIKES! turned into a โ€œnormalโ€ girl. She knew she had to break the candyโ€™s

    spell. So, Winnie wiggled her nose, chanted wackadoodle, wackadoodle, and waved her magic

    wand, to once again, become the neighborhoodโ€™s favorite little witch.

  15. Meredith Flory (@meredithflory) says:
    Reply

    Camping Surprise
    By: Meredith Flory (Twitter: @meredithflory)
    Word Count: 100

    October camping promised spooky frights and cozy nights.

    Annie and Leah listened to fireside ghost stories with goosebumps.

    โ€œIt was you!โ€ Leahโ€™s Dad shouted, causing silly shrieks.

    Everyone finished their toasted goodies and yawned as the embers died.

    โ€œNo sleeping yet,โ€ said Annieโ€™s big sister, โ€œthe show hasnโ€™t started.โ€

    โ€œThe show?โ€ Annie asked.

    โ€œLay down and let your eyes adjust, youโ€™ll see.โ€

    The girls settled in as the purple sky filled with glow-in-the-dark points: the haze of the Milky Way, shining planets, A SHOOTING STAR!

    โ€œLeah, did you make a wish?โ€
    โ€œI already got it Annie.โ€

    They had goosebumps again.

  16. Mary Ann Featherston (@maryannfeathers) says:
    Reply

    Halloween Hunt
    By Mary Ann Featherston
    95 words

    โ€œPurr! Purr! Purr!โ€ said Maxine, excited for the Halloween party.
    Goosebumps popped out along her black, tail.
    She put a snazzy, red cowgirl hat on her head.
    She tied a red bandana around her neck.
    Where were her cowgirl boots?
    Maxine couldnโ€™t be a cowgirl without boots!
    Her glow-in-the-dark eyes scanned the closet.
    She rummaged through the toy box.
    Maxine peeped under the bed.
    No boots!
    Where did she last wear them?
    She creeped to her desk and looked beneath.
    Her boots! Goody!
    Maxine slipped them on her paws and scampered off to the party.

  17. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR KATHY SCOTT

    The Glow-in-the-Dark Bowl

    The glow-in-the-dark bowl sat on the counter.

    Hungry, on Halloween night, Kitty stalked to the kitchen.

    He stretched up to reach the goodies, but no luck.

    He hopped on a chair and walked across the stove.

    The pots clanged frightening him with goosebumps.

    His yellow fur stood straight up.

    Slipping, Kitty knocked the glow-in-the-dark bowl to the floor.

    The goodies scattered.

    The kitchen door opened.

    โ€œEek!โ€ said the girl. โ€œBad Kitty!โ€

    The girl picked up Kitty and went to bed.

    In the morning the glow-in-the-dark bowl sat on the counter.

  18. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR CARMEN

    Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
    cacegi@comcast.net

    THE HAUNTED HOUSE

    (word count: 96)

    Trick-or-treating is tonight,
    Follow me, I have a light.

    Goodies, ghouls, and so much more.
    Come on, friends, letโ€™s go explore.

    All together in the house.
    Walk this way. Oh, no! A mouse!

    Goosebumps up and down our spines.
    Please, please, please just stay in line.

    Duck down quick, a witchโ€™s broom,
    Up ahead, itโ€™s doom and gloom.

    Scary ghosts glow-in-the dark!
    Will they touch us? Leave a mark?

    Grab some candy from our hosts.
    Itโ€™s the best from coast to coast.

    Out the door, our tour is done.
    Now itโ€™s time to run, run, run!

  19. ColourBeamยฎ says:
    Reply

    Once Upon a Halloween
    100 words (exactly!!)
    A Devilish tale of a princess warewolf and her delicious prince.

    A prince riding past an abandoned cabin in the Forrest, peered through the window.

    In the moonlight, he made out the shadowy figure of a maiden chained to the floor.

    Grabbing an axe he broke in and searched hopelessly for the key. The maiden tried to make him leave.

    As the moonlight illuminated the floor, he grabbed the key and rushed to unlock her.

    As he did so, goosebumps grew down his neck. Glow-in-the-dark eyes glared and two white fangs, glistened in the light.

    Goody said the wolf licking his lips…

    Unfortunately, this fairytale did not have a happy ending.

  20. susaninez0905 says:
    Reply

    A Witchy Potion
    By: Susan Summers
    WC: 95

    Great green gobs of granulated gerbil toes,
    goodies ground with chocolate goo,
    and a pile of monkey poo.
    Stir and swirl –
    into a glowing witchy brew,
    just for Halloween.

    Last yearโ€™s potion wasnโ€™t gloppy, didnโ€™t stick.
    Needed lots more oomph and ick –
    so that kids would leave right quick!
    This one here –
    has the stuff to do the trick.
    Bring on Halloween!

    Add some goosebumps from a little scaredy-cat,
    with a toasted toady tail,
    scoop a bunch into the pail.
    Grab my broom –
    up into the air, I sail.
    Happy Halloween!

  21. susaninez0905 says:
    Reply

    A Giant Surprise
    By: Susan Summers
    WC: 99

    โ€œYou stole my goodies!” Glen grimaced. โ€œI want my candy back!โ€

    He jammed a gob of gum into his mouth.
    Slurps and pops grew as he chewed.

    The giant sniffed, “Gooseberry gum!”
    Glen grabbed the gum and threw it, โ€œha, right up his nose!”
    He raced for his candy.
    โ€œIโ€™ve done it!โ€

    Glen was gleeful, running away with his goodies, until — the giant sneezed.
    Goosebumps rose on his skin, โ€œoh noโ€ฆโ€
    Gallons of snot rained down.

    “It glows-in-the-dark! โ€ Glen gasped.
    โ€œWhat an awesome Halloween surprise!โ€
    Glen laughed, “you can keep the candy – I donโ€™t want to eat it now!โ€

  22. kskeesling says:
    Reply

    Hollow- Eeek!
    By Karen Keesling
    WC: 97

    Down a deep dark street, decorations and 1 pumpkin despair as โ€ฆ THEY come!

    5 Terrified tarantulas tremble to their toes.
    5 Courageous kids creep, clearing out cobwebs.
    4 Whimpering witches cackle in fear.
    4 Crafty costumes curse cauldrons with no goodies.
    3 Startled skeletons grow ghastly goosebumps on their bones.
    3 Twisted toilet paper rolls turn skeletons into mummies.
    2 Glow-in-the-dark ghosts silently scream.
    2 Flickering flashlights frighten phantoms to flee.
    1 Petrified pumpkin pouts.
    Whatโ€™s that? Oh noโ€ฆ
    Eeeek!!!

    It watches in horror as:
    1 Cheery child carves into 1 petrified pumpkin.
    Its insides turn to mush.

  23. Nadia A. says:
    Reply

    Once Upon a Halloween
    By Nadia Ali
    WC94

    Once upon a Halloween,
    Hansel and Gretel did trick and treat.
    Searching for beloved candy,
    until they heard a familiar voice.
    The cackle of the Witch from the Gingerbread House.
    Gretel got goosebumps and dropped all her goodies,
    which alerted the Witch,
    โ€œOh, itโ€™s you my pretty,โ€
    Hansel clicked full glare on his glow-in-the-dark costume.
    And though the Witch shielded her eyes, the neon light proved too much.
    And down, down into a shimmering puddle she melted on the street.
    Splish, splash, splosh.
    Children gathered and cheered, โ€œdo it again!โ€
    Once upon a Halloween.

  24. Laura Jensen Bower says:
    Reply

    Halloween Battle: (Vampire) Squid vs. (Goblin) Shark
    By Laura Bower
    99 words

    The vampire squid vs. the great goblin shark –
    a Halloween battle deep down in the dark.
    The first round is goodies. Squid hands out his fudge.
    “Itโ€™s sea-salted goodness,โ€ but YOU be the judge.
    The shark shares his taffy (the salt water kind).
    A sea creature hit! Squid is falling behind.
    Up next? Decorations. Shark scares with winged bats.
    But Squid causes goosebumps with ghoulish black cats.
    Itโ€™s time for Round Three. The sharkโ€™s dog costume barks.
    But Squidโ€™s scary skeleton glows-in-the-dark.
    The Halloween champion? Itโ€™s a close call.
    They both win first place at the Sea-a-ween ball.

  25. Claire A. B. Freeland says:
    Reply

    Happy, Happy Halloween
    by Claire Freeland
    WC 100

    Spooky ghosts and scary witches,
    Frankenstein with icky stitches.
    I get scared and shrink with fright
    At the Jack-o-lanternโ€™s light.

    Spooky, spooky Halloween

    Creepy spiders and weird black bats,
    Haunted houses, screechy cats.
    Goosebumps rise from head to toe.
    Do you mind if I donโ€™t go?

    Creepy, creepy Halloween

    Itchy costumes and eerie faces,
    Glow-in-the-dark, freaky places.
    It seems that I just wasnโ€™t meant
    For this trick or treat event.

    Scary, scary Halloween

    Crackling fires and cozy dens,
    Yummy goodies with my friends.
    Silly games and fun-filled play.
    Thatโ€™s how I like this holiday.

    Happy, happy Halloween

  26. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR NINA

    MR. Oโ€™LEARYโ€™S HOUSE (97 words)
    by Nina Nolan

    Mr. Oโ€™Learyโ€™s house is always creepy. But on Halloween, itโ€™s downright scary.

    Mangled monsters on the steps. Glow-in-the-dark skeletons at the door. Haunted music spilling onto the street. Dying to be heard.

    I tell myself heโ€™s just an old guy having fun. What can go wrong?

    But when Mr. Oโ€™Leary drops my favorite candy in my goody bagโ€ฆ

    his hand passes right through mine.

    I get goosebumps.

    All over.

    Then I think, if the only thing ghosts do is give us our favorite candyโ€ฆ

    then they arenโ€™t actually scary.

    And somehow, the rest of it isnโ€™t either.

  27. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR LYNN

    Phantom Festival
    Lynn Moore
    WC 100

    It was a dark and stormy Halloween as geese dressed up for the Phantom Festival.

    Jack-o-lanterns glowed-in-the-dark lighting the passageway through Spooky Hollow Swamp.

    Everyone feared the haunted swamp.

    Except Gary Gander. โ€œHonk-a-honk!โ€ He laughed at ghostly tales.

    The wind whistled a ghoulish oooooooo! The Jack-o-lanterns fizzled and sputtered out.

    An eerie darkness descended.

    โ€œWeโ€™ll miss the festival goodies!โ€ cried the geese.

    โ€œGoose to the rescue!โ€ Gary splashed beak-first into the swamp.

    Gary Gander the goose bumps his head on a boulder.

    โ€œNoooooooooโ€ฆโ€

    As Gary Gander fades, Jack-o-lanterns flickered on again.

    His ghost winks ironically, โ€œI didnโ€™t see that coming.โ€

  28. cinzialverde says:
    Reply

    The Surprise Halloween Friend
    By Cindy Greene
    Word Count: 98

    It was Halloween night, Chase was crossing the park,
    In the trees he saw something that glowed-in-the-dark.
    Chase was quaking, with goosebumps; he grabbed a big stick,
    When a ghost yelled, โ€œDonโ€™t hit me โ€“ this isnโ€™t a trick!
    I am not a piรฑata – no goodies inside,
    But Iโ€™ve got a good heart, so donโ€™t run and donโ€™t hide.
    I am lonely and wonder, Could you be my friend?
    I know thatโ€™s direct โ€“ hope that didnโ€™t offend.โ€
    Of course Chase said โ€œYES!โ€ as the ghost was so sweet.
    And together they went for their first โ€œtrick or treat.โ€

  29. amyflynnnd says:
    Reply

    Goosebumps
    By Amy Flynn
    WC = 100

    The note read:

    When smiles glow-in-the-darkest of nights
    Swing by my house for the scariest fright.

    Sure, I thought, it IS Halloween.

    I trick-or-treated until my goodie bag dragged, stopping when the jack-o-lantern smirks shined.

    I walked the winding driveway,
    climbed the rickety steps,
    and Bang, BANGED the knocker.

    The door CREEEEKKED open revealing a beast of a man.

    โ€œSCARIEST FRIGHT?โ€ he boomed.

    I nodded, trembling.

    Reaching behind the door he pulled out . . .

    A goose.

    A goose?

    He thump, thumped its body against me.

    โ€œI gave you goosebumps, ha ha ha.โ€

    The note was right. Lame jokes are truly frightful.

  30. Deborah Foster says:
    Reply

    Ninja Goose and the Halloween Hi-Yah! by Deborah Foster
    95 words

    Ninja Goose was having a ball at Fairy Tale Acresโ€™ Halloween Bash.

    After the pumpkin carving contest, playing corn hole, and finding the Hobgoblin in the haystack, her bag overflowed with goodies.

    Only the Haunted Corn Maze remained.

    โ€œAre you chicken?โ€ a pointy-eared sheep asked.

    โ€œNever,โ€ replied Ninja Goose.

    Left.

    Left.

    Right.

    Dead End โ€“ turn around.

    But then, through the stalks, came a pair of red glow-in-the-dark eyes.

    Ninja Goose shivered with goosey goosebumps.

    โ€œWh-Wh-Whoโ€™s there?โ€

    โ€œGive me your candy!โ€

    โ€œSheep? Is that you?โ€

    โ€œGRRRR.โ€

    โ€ HONK! HI-YAH!โ€

    โ€œOwwwwwww!โ€

    โ€œNo one steals goodies from Ninja Goose!โ€

    _________________________________
    If you have time to check out the story on my blog you can find it here: https://deborahfosterbooks.com/2021/10/29/time-for-a-spooky-season-story/
    I had a newfound friend create a cute illustration to go with the story – Thank you Anna!

  31. ptnozell says:
    Reply

    TRICKY TREAT

    (100 words)
    by Patricia Nozell

    Candy Floss. Taffy. Jaw Breakers. Halloween goodies galore!

    Goosebumps erupted like molars as Terry Tooth Fairy pictured heaps of teeth tucked under pillows. โ€œNOOOO!!!โ€

    Terryโ€™s Thanksgiving CANCELLED!

    Unlessโ€ฆ
    She hired help! Butโ€ฆ

    Sugar Plum Fairy โ€“ rehearsing.
    Elves โ€“ testing toys.
    Delivery services โ€“ booked for Cyber Monday.

    She couldโ€ฆ
    Divert sweet Halloween treats. Butโ€ฆ

    What if, like gummy worms, some slip-slid through piled-up ports?

    Perhaps a virus-caused cancellation. Unlessโ€ฆ
    The Result? Mere mask mandates.

    โ€œDoomed,โ€ Terry fumed.

    Untilโ€ฆ
    Glow-in-the-dark toothbrushes on dental-floss garlands lured Trick-or-Treaters. Terry tossed bubblegum-flavored toothpaste towards costumed marauders, as visions of drumsticks danced through her head.

    โ€œTricky treat!โ€

    Blog post: https://patricianozell.com/2021/10/29/tricky-treat/

  32. authordebradaugherty says:
    Reply

    A HALLOWEEN SNACK
    by Debra Daugherty
    100 Words

    Lacie squirmed to fit into her skeletal glow-in-the-dark costume. She turned off her bedroom lights and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

    โ€œIโ€™m so scary, I gave myself goosebumps. Iโ€™m sure to bag lots of goodies when I go trick-or-treating.โ€

    At the window she heard a knock. When she spied a neon green creature peeking in, she fainted.

    โ€œI didnโ€™t mean to scare her,โ€ the alien told his mother.

    โ€œItโ€™s okay, son. We couldnโ€™t eat that human anyway. Sheโ€™s nothing but bones.โ€

    โ€œLook! A witch and a dinosaur are headed this way! Letโ€™s snack on them!โ€

    CRUNCH! MUNCH! BURP!

  33. Colleen Dougherty says:
    Reply

    Escaping Planet Taradiddle
    By: Colleen Dougherty 100 words

    โ€œPsst! Human!โ€

    โ€œCool costume! Love the neon green unitard. The texture up your arms looks like goosebumps!โ€

    โ€œThatโ€™s my skin!โ€

    โ€œYour skin? Who are you?โ€

    โ€œI am Goody from Planet Taradiddle. I have to hide! People from my planet are looking for me. We work day and night on my planet! I wonโ€™t go back!โ€

    โ€œCome trick-or-treating with me. Youโ€™ll blend right in.โ€

    โ€œTrick-or-treating?โ€

    โ€œEvery Halloween we wear costumes, knock on doors, and get candy! Itโ€™s a blast!โ€

    โ€œReally? I love your planet!โ€

    โ€œUmm…we better tie my jacket around your waist.โ€

    โ€œOkay, but why?โ€

    โ€œYour butt glows-in-the-dark.โ€

    โ€œYours doesnโ€™t?โ€

  34. nataliecohn0258 says:
    Reply

    First Halloween Treat
    by Natalie Cohn
    word count: 99

    Curious, Ester, the alley cat, prowls the streets on his first Halloween.

    He didnโ€™t know what to expect.

    At every corner haunting creatures stir, causing goosebumps to prickle up Esterโ€™s skin.

    Watch out!

    A glow-in-the-dark skeleton, a ghost, and a mummy loom.

    He springs in the air dodging buckets full of goodies.

    Ester wonders whatโ€™s so special about Halloween?

    Then he sees two beady eyes and sniffs the air.
    With a pounce and a slurp, he enjoys his Halloween snack.

    Later, Ester curls up to sleep.
    Dreaming of what other meaty treats he could find next Halloween.

  35. Reed Hilton-Eddy says:
    Reply

    My Last Trick-or-Treat
    by: Reed Hilton-Eddy, 100 words

    It was the biggest house, once showy now spooky and scary with oodles of stairs that led to

    darkness; but this was my last Halloween.

    Leaves crunched and the wind cried.

    Alone except for goodies bumping in my bag.

    Ahead, a glow-in-the-dark hand on a curtain at the window. A ghost? A ghoul? Goosebumps form.

    Shadows surround me.

    At the top a door – large and looming.

    Knock, Knock.

    CRRREEEEEEK.

    A hand materializes from the darkness behind the door.

    PLUNK.

    I look in my bag.

    I am filled with horror.

    Looking back at me, one small box of โ€ฆ RAISINS!

    Blog post: https://reedandnicolebooks.ca/news/

  36. Lauri Meyers says:
    Reply

    Glowing Ghost (99 words)
    By Lauri C. Meyers

    Jayden grabbed his ghostly sheet
    And texted:
    Time to trick-or-treat!

    Friends said:
    Let’s wait…
    Meet at eight!
    His GOOSEBUMPS pricked. Itโ€™s dark that late.

    An idea struck, bring glowsticks to share!
    He wrapped the bracelets everywhere.

    He stepped outside; still too dim.
    A bright solution came to him.

    Headlamp on, ten flashlights to haul,
    Blinking lights, and a disco ball!

    โ€œBut my friends might know Iโ€™m full of frightโ€ฆ
    Wait! This costume hides my lights!โ€

    โ€œGOODIE time!โ€ he called. โ€œLetโ€™s go!โ€
    โ€œYou GLOW-IN-THE-DARK!โ€
    Oh no. They know.

    โ€œI forgot my light.โ€
    โ€œMe too.โ€
    โ€œMe three.โ€
    โ€œDonโ€™t be scared…Youโ€™ve got me!โ€

  37. Paul Roncone says:
    Reply

    hALLYween SPELL
    by Paul Roncone
    100 words

    The witchโ€™s house.
    Noah can tell.
    Ignoring his goosebumps, he rings the bell.
    Trick-or-treaters?
    She opens the door,
    But goodies arenโ€™t what heโ€™s looking for.
    โ€œI need your help.โ€
    Come in. Come in.
    โ€œI need a spellโ€•change me within.โ€
    I know something just for you.
    Her cauldron fills with boiling brew.
    Red candy apples,
    Orange pumpkin grime
    Yellow dried corn,
    Green swampy slime
    Blue ogre goo,
    Purple unicorn hair . . .
    KERPOOF!
    Rainbows erupt everywhere!
    Noah glows-in-the-dark.
    The witch explains:
    Spells canโ€™t help.
    Use your heart and brains.
    Monsters are mean;
    trolls are untrue.
    Love whom you love
    and always be you!

  38. mlyablonaolcom says:
    Reply

    Halloween Love
    by Marla Yablon
    83 words

    Pumpkins on porches and bags full of goodies
    Sweaters and jackets and skeleton hoodies
    Glow-in-the-dark eyes and hair that is green
    These are the reasons I love Halloween.

    Goosebumps from horror movies that are so scary
    Black cats and spiders with legs that are hairy
    Screams out of darkness from creatures unseen
    These are the reasons I love Halloween.

    When the leaves fall
    When the frost bites
    Bees stay in the hive.
    Halloween whispers the
    End of warm nights,
    And thatโ€™s when I feel alive!

  39. Lori Himmel says:
    Reply

    COCKROACH’S GLOWING PROBLEM https://lorihimmel.com/blog/

    COCKROACHโ€™S GLOWING PROBLEM
    By Lori Himmel
    100 words

    Cockroach bumped his glow-in-the dark carapace on a log.

    OOCH! OUCH!

    SHAKE!
    WRIGGLE!
    FLICK!

    โ€œNo light! Canโ€™t mimic Click Beetle! Iโ€™ll be eaten for sure. And on Halloween!โ€

    โ€œBioluminescence burn out?โ€ asked Firefly.

    โ€œNo glow? Not safe!โ€ said Railroad Worm, emitting colorful lights.

    โ€œCopycat,โ€ grumbled Click Beetle.

    Cockroach skittered to the entomologist.

    โ€œGolly, goosebumps! Bad case indeed.โ€

    โ€œOH, dread! Will I ever light up the night again, Doc? Whatโ€™s the cure?โ€

    โ€œTake two bacteria-filled gummies to restore your glow.โ€

    โ€œGoodie gumdrops!โ€

    Then,

    FLICK!

    Cockroach glowed as yellow as the full moon.

    โ€œFinally safe from predators! Letโ€™s trick-or-treat, Click Beetle!โ€

    โ€œCopycat.โ€

    • Lori Himmel says:
      Reply

      COCKROACHโ€™S GLOWING PROBLEM
      By Lori Himmel
      100 words

      Cockroach bumped his glow-in-the dark carapace on a log.
      OOCH! OUCH!
      SHAKE!
      WRIGGLE!
      FLICK!

      โ€œNo light! Canโ€™t mimic Click Beetle! Iโ€™ll be eaten for sure. And on Halloween!โ€
      โ€œBioluminescence burnout?โ€ asked Firefly.
      โ€œNo glow? Not safe!โ€ said Railroad Worm, emitting colorful lights.
      โ€œCopycat,โ€ grumbled Click Beetle.

      Cockroach skittered to the entomologist.
      โ€œGolly, goosebumps! Bad case indeed.โ€

      โ€œOH, dread! Will I ever light up the night again, Doc? Whatโ€™s the cure?โ€
      โ€œTake two bacteria-filled gummies to restore your glow.”
      โ€œGoodie gumdrops!โ€

      Then,
      FLICK!
      Cockroach glowed as yellow as the full moon.
      โ€œFinally safe from predators! Letโ€™s trick-or-treat, Click Beetle!โ€
      โ€œCopycat.โ€

    • Patricia Finnegan says:
      Reply

      Loved it when “cockroach skittered to the entomologist” and all of the other buggy biology treats you sprinkled throughout your story:-)

  40. Sara Dean says:
    Reply

    Scaredy-Cat-Pat and the Haunted House
    By Sara Dean
    (100 words)

    Lights glowed-in-the-dark. A werewolf howled. Patty, or โ€œScaredy-Cat-Patโ€ as the other kids called her, got goosebumps and turned around to leave. Two boys were behind her, pushing toward the door of the haunted house. They pushed Patty with them, right inside!

    She froze. Then she heard something. A girl was crying! โ€œAre you okay?โ€ Patty asked.

    โ€œIโ€™m scared,โ€ the girl said.

    Patty took a deep breath. โ€œLetโ€™s do this together,โ€ she said, and led the way, getting scared only twice, to the goodies waiting at the exit.

    โ€œYouโ€™re so brave!โ€ the girl said.

    Patty smiled. No more โ€œScaredy-Cat-Patโ€ for her!

  41. loricevans says:
    Reply

    Let the Real Halloween Begin!
    by Lori Evans
    (word count 100)

    I sag into my old porch swing,
    the end of a long trick-or-treat.
    The springs speak: skreak, squeak.
    Mists cling.
    Little ghouls giggle and homeward sneak.
    What is that thing?

    A ghostly outline glows in the dark,
    flitting about, furtive, hiding,
    past the neighborsโ€™, through my gate, sliding.
    Eyes empty, stark.
    A wail ascends, groaning, subsiding.
    Gaze resting long upon its mark.

    I grimly grip my goodie bowl, goosebumps rising on my skin.
    โ€œA-a-all Iโ€™ve got left is gummi bugs.โ€
    The figure shrugs
    and reaches in.
    With ghastly hand it grabs a bag,
    Then glides off with a gleeful grin.

    ————————-
    If you’d like to check out my story on Medium with art by my daughter:
    https://lori-c-evans.medium.com/let-the-real-halloween-begin-228054e8cfff

  42. Blanca Manzanilla says:
    Reply

    Ixchelโ€™s Belizean Halloween
    Word count: 100
    By Blanca Manzanilla

    โ€œGlow-in-the-dark skeletons and chocolate goodies I wish,โ€ says Ixchel as she rereads an old copy of Goosebumps.

    For Ixchel, Halloween is different. Pa and his friends dress up using banana leaves and animal face masks.
    There is no electricity, but they carry music and dance at every house in her village.
    In return, they get all kinds of local food and dessert treats.

    Ixchel always guesses who her Pa is, after all, sheโ€™s the one who taught him how to dance.

    At midnight, itโ€™s time for the TATA DUENDE folklore โ€“ a short old man with backward feet and no thumbs.

  43. Kate Benessa says:
    Reply

    EMY IS ALWAYS RIGHT — Katharyn R. Benessa
    (100 words)

    โ€œDaddy, Why are you putting tape on my costume? I donโ€™t like it.โ€

    โ€œYou canโ€™t really see the tape, Emy, but at night it glows in the dark to keep you safe.โ€

    โ€œGlows? Like a ghost? Now Iโ€™m a glow-in-the-dark ghostly mermaid?โ€ฆhmmmโ€ฆI like it! Iโ€™m ready for goodie-ness.โ€

    โ€œNot goodie-ness, Emy. Youโ€™re confusing goodness with goodies.โ€

    โ€œNo, Iโ€™m not. Iโ€™m ready, for goodie-ness sake.โ€

    โ€œOkay! Get your jacket so you donโ€™t get cold.โ€

    โ€œSo I donโ€™t get ghostbumps, right, Daddy?โ€

    โ€œGoosebumps, Emy.โ€

    โ€œNo, Daddy, itโ€™s Halloween. Theyโ€™re ghostbumps.โ€

    โ€œI canโ€™t argue with you, Emy.โ€

    โ€œBecause Iโ€™m always right.โ€

  44. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR ANN

    TRICKY TREAT
    by Ann Grilli
    Word count: 99
    Annie.wonderband@gmail.com

    Emma the lightning bug flew to the park.
    She sat all alone and glowed in the dark.
    Her wings became frosty and brittle and weak.
    Where were her friends? A tear hit her cheek.

    A spider beside her asked for a light.
    โ€œItโ€™s dark and itโ€™s cold on this Halloween night.
    Might I invite you to come home with me?
    I have yummy goodies. Iโ€™ll make you hot tea.โ€

    Emma got goosebumps. The offer seemed sweet.
    But spiders are tricky. I might be the treat!
    โ€œThank you, but no. I must move along.
    I realized just now I got the date wrong.โ€

  45. murrelld says:
    Reply

    Jackโ€™s Pumpkin Plan
    By Diana Murrell
    Word Count: 100

    Jack planned to carve a gruesome pumpkin: wide smile, guts spilling through its teeth.

    โ€œTomorrow,โ€ mom said, leaving the pumpkin on the porch.

    Jack worried. Critters skittered through the darkness looking for goodies. Squirrels love pumpkins! So, Jack built a glow-in-the-dark fortress. He watched until his mom insisted he go to bed.

    โ€œItโ€™ll be fine,โ€ she said.

    It wasnโ€™t. In the morning Jack found his pumpkin; its round head smashed, pumpkin brains dripping down the steps.

    โ€œOh no!โ€

    Then, Jack felt goosebumps rising.

    โ€œCan we leave it, mom? Please?โ€

    Trick-or-treaters collecting goodies, spied the pumpkin carnage.

    โ€œGruesome!โ€

    โ€œPerfect!โ€ Jack smiled.

  46. Ivanka Dimitrova (@Ivanka_D81) says:
    Reply

    Lights in the Dark
    By Ivanka Dimitrova
    Word count: 100
    URL: https://www.ivankadimitrova.com/halloweensie-2021

    The horses were restless on Halloween night.
    Glow-in-the-dark lights were blocking my sight.

    Something was moving and made my dog bark.
    What were those blinking two lights in the dark?

    When mom called for dinner, I wanted to eat
    But turning my back now was no easy feat.

    No goodies could tempt me to sit down and dine
    With goosebumpies crawling all over my spine.

    I followed the lights to an old cardboard boxโ€ฆ
    Whatโ€™s this I found?!
    A cute baby fox!

    That was just silly but gave me a fright.
    A fox, in a box, on a Halloween night.

  47. Jennifer Cherry says:
    Reply

    Fraidy Cat No More
    By Jennifer Cherry
    Word Count: 100

    A massive spider is sitting next to the house. Goosebumps crawl up my arms.

    โ€œThe best goodies are inside,โ€ I whisper, forcing myself up the sidewalk and towards the door.

    I climb rickety steps. Glow-in-the-dark snakes stare down at me from overhead. I hear my brothers laughing behind me, mocking me.

    I ring the doorbell. Spooky music plays. The door creaks open.

    Suddenly a mummy jumps out from behind the bushes.

    โ€œAHHHH!โ€ my brothers scream and run.

    Then the mummy winks a blue eye at me and hands me a full-size candy bar.

    โ€œWhoโ€™s the fraidy cat now?โ€ I yell.

  48. Tiffany Hanson (@Tiffany_Hanson7) says:
    Reply

    Galactic Trick-or-Treat
    By Tiffany Hanson
    99 words

    A flash in the sky interrupted my quest for goodies on Halloween. Goosebumps crept up my arms. Was it a ghost? A goblin?

    I decided to walk around back to investigate, grateful that I had on a mask to hide my face.

    I gaped. A glow-in-the-dark flying saucer was in my backyard!

    The door hissed and sprang open. I froze. Then three green aliens with large eyes emerged. They had sacks in their hands. Were they going to kidnap me and take me to space?

    โ€œTrick-or-treat!โ€ the aliens said, holding out bags for candy. I smiled. Best. Halloween. Ever.

  49. sheilaschmotz says:
    Reply

    MY GHOST BUBBLE FRIEND
    by Sheila R. Schmotzer
    70 words

    I love bubbles,
    So shiny and round.
    They glow-in-the-dark and donโ€™t make a sound.

    PUFF.
    Look at this big bubble.

    Oh, goody. He wants to be friends.
    We play chase. He always wins.

    Down he driftsโ€ฆ a clear little clump.
    PLOP.
    He tickles my nose. I get a goosebump.

    Yes, heโ€™s the bubble that I love most.
    POP.
    POOF.
    Where has he gone?
    My best friend bubble is now a ghost.

  50. Ghostie Gorback (@GennieGorback) says:
    Reply

    R-R-R-Rattled
    By Gennie Gorback
    98 Words

    “Remember the plan, Zuzu?” Fara’s skin goosebumped with excitement.

    “Ummโ€ฆ?”

    “We ring the doorbell, but instead of trick-or-treaters expecting goodies, Dad’ll be startled by this creepy pretend rat! Then we’ll say, ‘Tricked you!โ€™โ€

    The ratโ€™s glow-in-the-dark eyes followed Zuzu’s every move.

    “It looks r-r-r-real. Why’s it in a cage?”

    “So it looks more ferocious! Come on!”

    The rat gnashed its razor-blade teeth.

    Zuzu was having second thoughts.

    โ€œReady?โ€

    DIIIIING-DONG!

    The rat snarled.

    Dad opened the door and gasped.

    Fara fell down laughing.

    Suddenly, the cage door flew open and the rat zoomed toward their father.

    “Tricked yo- Dad?”

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