The 12th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!

Hi Everyone. Posting of finalists is delayed. I’m not exactly sure when they’ll be up, but it will be as soon as possible. Likely another week.

Eye of newt and dragon fang! It’s time for . . .

The 12th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest!!!

~ for children’s writers ~

THE CONTEST: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in word count) using the words slither, treat, and scare.

  • 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.
  • You may use the words in any form i.e. slithery (yes, it’s a word, we looked it up 😊), treated, scary, etc, 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!

POST: your story in the comment section of the Official Contest Post (that’s this one!)( between Right NOW this very second! and 11:59PM Eastern Monday October 31st (So you have 3 full days to post – today, tomorrow, and Monday.)

  • 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 of the Official Contest Post so that people can come visit your blog, but all entries must be posted in the comment section of THIS Post between right now and Monday October 31st at 11:59PM Eastern.
  • 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! [susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com Please place your entry in the body of the email including your title, byline (that means who the story is by – you! – so for example, By Jane Doe) and word count at the top – NO ATTACHMENTS! and please do not submit any entries before the official opening of the contest at 12:01 AM Saturday October 29th. They will not be accepted.
  • 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 😊

THE JUDGING: over the following days, 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 Saturday November 5th (though if the judging takes longer than expected it might be a little later – we will do our best! But fair warning I have two school visits that week and a long drive Friday.) The winners will be announced Tuesday 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!

⭐️ Rhyme & Meter Self Study Course – Renee LaTulippe Renée M. LaTulippe is the author of The Crab Ballet (Cameron Kids/Abrams, 2022) and Limelight: Theater Poems to Perform (Charlesbridge, 2024) and has poems published in many anthologies including No World Too Big, Night Wishes, School People, National Geographic’s The Poetry of US, One Minute Till Bedtime, Poems Are Teachers, ThankU: Poems of Gratitude, and A World Full of Poems.

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (Rhyming or Non-rhyming, Fiction or Nonfiction) with written feedback AND a 30-minute Zoom Chat with children’s author Vivian Kirkfield, author of PIPPA’S PASSOVER PLATE (Holiday House, 2019), SWEET DREAMS, SARAH (Creston Books, 2019), FOUR OTTERS TOBOGGAN (Pomegranate, 2019), MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: THE INSPIRING FRIENDSHIP OF ELLA FITZGERALD AND MARILYN MONROE (Little Bee Books, 2020), FROM HERE TO THERE: INVENTIONS THAT CHANGED THE WAY THE WORLD MOVES (Clarion Books, 2021), and SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING (MoneyPenny Press Ltd, 2010)

⭐️ 30 Minute Zoom Ask Me Anything with Rosie Pova author of IF I WEREN’T WITH YOU (Spork, April 2017), SARAH’S SONG (Spork, September 2017), SUNDAY RAIN (Lantana Publishing, March 2021), THE SCHOOL OF FAILURE: A STORY ABOUT SUCCESS (Yehoo Press, May 2022), and for Middle Grade readers, HAILEY QUEEN PRANKING MAKES PERFECT: THE ALIEN ENCOUNTER (Spork, April 2017) Rosie does a lot of school visits and presentations, should that happen to be of interest for your Ask Me Anything.

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyming preferred) with Andrea Denish, author of EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE (Astra Young Readers, March 2020), and THE WAY WE SAY HELLO forthcoming from Starry Forest Books February 7, 2023

⭐️ Picture Book Critique (non-rhyming) with Becky Scharnhorst, author of MY SCHOOL STINKS! (Flamingo Books, July 2021) and THIS FIELD TRIP STINKS! (Flamingo Books, August 2022)

⭐️ Connecting With School Librarians! Fabulous Opportunity for published or soon to be published authors! Winner’s Choice of either a Zoom or phone chat about how to connect with school librarians and get their ear or an Ask Me Anything Zoom or phone chat about K-8th grade author visits from a librarian’s POV from Kathy Halsey. Kathy Halsey is Storyteller Academy’s Community Manager and Ambassador. She enjoys writing picture books, humor, and nonfiction. Kathy’s active in SCBWI and blogs with other kid lit writers on the GROG. She serves on the Choose to Read Ohio Advisory Council and speaks at educational and literary conferences. Kathy’s a former K-12 school librarian and children’s bookseller. She writes monthly author studies for the Reading for Research Month along with Keila Dawson.

Writer, librarian, bookseller, blogger Kathy Halsey

⭐️ 30 Minute Ask Me Anything Zoom Chat (anything relating to writing/publishing) with Penny Parker Klostermann, talented author of THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT (Random House 2015) and A COOKED-UP FAIRY TALE (Random House 2017) as well as the forthcoming SPIDER LADY: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid WWII Army (Astra/Calkins Creek 2025) and another as yet unannounced 😊

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (Rhyming) PLUS Zoom Chat from developmental editor Lou Piccolo! Lou studied English Literature, creative writing and teaching at university in South Africa. After working as an EFL teacher in France for twenty years, she studied proofreading and editing before becoming a developmental editor of children’s and young adult’s literature for independent authors. She is a graduate of Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab – Punching Up Prose With Poetry course and Making Picture Book Magic, the in-house writer for Editions Entrefilet’s language-learning magazine ‘Go English Kids’ for children of 8-12 in France, and a traditionally published author of MG and YA fiction with Burlington Books.

Developmental Editor, Lou Piccolo

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique PLUS Zoom Chat with Ellen Leventhal! Ellen is the author of DON’T EAT THE BLUEBONNETS (Spork, 2017), LOLA CAN’T LEAP (Spork, 2018), HAYFEST: A HOLIDAY QUEST (ABCs Press, 2010), and A FLOOD OF KINDNESS (WorthyKids, 2021)

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyming or non-rhyming) with Kelly Conroy whose poems have been published in 5 anthologies (10.10, wee words for wee ones, October 2021; BETTER THAN STARBUCKS, January 2022; THINGS WE EAT, Pomelo Books, March 2022; THINGS WE FEEL, Pomelo Books, July 2022; WHAT IS A FRIEND, Pomelo Books, October 2022) and also the author of a rhyming board book due out in 2025.

⭐️ 30 Minute Picture Book Zoom Critique Session with Lynne Marie

Lynne Marie is the accomplished author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten – art by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic 2011), Hedgehog’s 100th Day of School – art by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play — art by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares — art by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling 2019 and Scholastic 2019),  Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World — art by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books 2019) and The Three Little Pigs And The Rocket Project — art by Wendy Fedan (Mac and Cheese Press 2022) and American Pie — art by Dea Lenihan (Dancing Flamingo Press, April 12, 2022)

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (Rhyming or Non-rhyming, Fiction or Nonfiction) with a recording of first read-through by children’s author and poet Sarah Meade, contributor to HOP TO IT: POEMS TO GET YOU MOVING (Pomelo Books, 2020!)

⭐️ 20 Minute Zoom Ask Me Anything with Darshana Khiani, author of HOW TO WEAR A SARI (Versify, June 2021), I’M AN AMERICAN (Viking Books for Young Readers, May 2023), and THE BOYS OF KOH PANYEE (coming Fall 2023)

⭐️ Rate Your Story Speed Pass from Lynne Marie

And maybe I’ll have some extra picture books to add in here and there to sweeten the pie. . . 😊

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, recommending their books for school and library purchases, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊

Happy Writing! Happy Reading! And Happy Halloween!

For those of you having trouble commenting, I apologize for the fact that my site is apparently very temperamental! I can suggest the following: if you’re trying to post comments from a phone or tablet, try a computer – sometimes it works better than way. Chrome seems to work better with this site than some of the other browsers, although one dedicated individual, determined to be able to comment, has reported that she finally managed with Microsoft Edge. Thank you for trying – it’s so important for all of you to get to hear from each other!

Now, let the Halloweensie begin!

The 239 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. Apparition Preparation For A Scary Halloween – Royal Baysinger
  2. Attack Of The Zornaks – Royal Baysinger
  3. Down In the Halloween Cave – Royal Baysinger
  4. Sisters – Sara Kruger
  5. Halloween Nightmare – Helen Lai
  6. The Follower – Marla Yablon
  7. A Frightfully Fun Time – Susan E. Schipper
  8. The Halloween Dream Team – Jenna Elyse Johnson
  9. Skeleton Sam Settles The Score – Jennifer Cowan
  10. Slug Slime – Vashti Verbowski
  11. Ghost Recipes – Julia Pierre Hammond
  12. Rainforest Halloween – Heather Kinser
  13. On Snail-O-Ween – Heather Kinser
  14. The Frightful Fugitive – Anne Lipton
  15. Little Witchy – Elizabeth Myer zu Heringdorf
  16. Get Your Glow On – Corine Timmer
  17. Sally The Slug Has A Sweet Tooth – Eleanor Ann Peterson
  18. In The Middle Of A Snack – Bridget Magee
  19. Coming Around – Emily Durant
  20. Piper’s Pickle – Colleen Murphy
  21. Safe From Scares – Sarah Meade
  22. Claudia Maude Clickerticker’s Costume Shop – Sarah Meade
  23. What Do Witches Eat? – Kelly Clasen
  24. Ghouldilocks And The Three Shares – Claire Blumenfeld
  25. Closer – Reed Hilton-Eddy
  26. SSSSSScary – Jen Subra
  27. A Shady Halloween – Jennifer Lowe
  28. Help! – Elizabeth James
  29. Arabella’s Halloween Treat – Colleen Fogarty
  30. Trick Or Treat? – Corine Timmer
  31. The Coolest Halloween Costume – Carmen Castillo Gilbert
  32. Green Goulash Stew – Claudine Pullen
  33. The House With The Good Candy – Vanessa Konoval
  34. The House Creatures’ Halloween – Lauri Meyers
  35. When Good Luck Struck – Molly Ippolito
  36. The Haunted House Halloween Challenge – Marty Bellis
  37. Demon On The Line – Laura Polasek
  38. The Spooky Halloween Parade – Janet Krauthamer
  39. Mrs. Cleary’s Cats – Susan Eyerman
  40. A Halloween Twist – Cheryl Simon
  41. Wilhelmina The Witch – Ashlee MacCallum
  42. Halloween Hater – Blaire Moore
  43. The Halloween Bake-Off – Rose Cappelli
  44. Trick-Or-Treat, Shoes To Eat – Ashley Sierra
  45. Tricks Before Treats – Danielle S. Hammelef
  46. Happy Halloween – Stephanie R. Mena
  47. A Batty Halloween – Melissa Chupp
  48. Who Whispers In The Dark? – Erika Romero
  49. Interview With The Vampire – Helen Lai
  50. Slug Life – Kim Wagner Nolan
  51. Sapling’s Halloween – Lori Sheroan
  52. Nothing Scared Alicia Bones – Christine Evans
  53. The Mask – Su Ko
  54. DON’T FLUSH YOUR GOLDFISH DOWN THE TOILET OR HE WILL COME BACK TO GET YOU ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Sue Ko
  55. Going As Myself – Marianna Sacra
  56. Halloween Snack – Debra Daugherty
  57. Halloween-ing – Lori Himmel
  58. Something Wriggling This Way Comes – Amy Chini
  59. Edgar Allen Crow – Kathleen Jacobs
  60. Queen Slug’s Halloween – Kelsey E. Gross
  61. Pull Of The Moon – Darla Christie
  62. There’s One In Every Class – Linda Staszak
  63. Snollooween – Katie McEnaney
  64. A (little) STEM Halloween – Jilanne Hoffman
  65. Trick For Treat – Linda Starszak
  66. Mattie, The Scaredy Tabby Cat – Janet Parkinson Bryce
  67. Nothing Scares Me – Karen Condit
  68. ‘Twas Halloween Night – Sharon Coffey
  69. A Hotdog Halloween Hullabaloo – Sharon Coffey
  70. Their Trick, My Treat – Carol Van Gorp
  71. Interview With The Vampire – Helen Lai
  72. Halloween Night Light – Daniella Kaufman
  73. Do Goblins Gobble? – Sally Yorke-Viney
  74. Witchy-licious Stew – Charlotte Dixon
  75. The Ghouliest Ghouls – Marta Cutler
  76. The Scariest Bear – Marta Cutler
  77. Halloween Is Different This Year – S.S. Lee
  78. The Rattlesloth – Russell Wolff
  79. The Eyes Have It – Marta Cutler
  80. A Scare Affair – Lori C. Evans
  81. Halloween Haul – Stephanie Maksymiw
  82. Halloween Is Magic – Kristen Littlefield
  83. Command Performance – Jamie Donahoe
  84. Zombie In The House – Isabel Rodriguez
  85. A Wise Disguise – Jill Purtee
  86. Truck-Or-Treat – Mia Geiger
  87. The Halloween Dare – Marty Findley
  88. Witch’s Brew – Marty Findley
  89. A Halloween Tail – Katie Lee Reinert
  90. Creepy People – Sharon McCarthy
  91. Happy Halloween – Elaine D’Alessandro
  92. Scared Sssssilly – Julie Lerczak
  93. A Spooky House – Gail Hartman
  94. A Halloween Smile – Tonnye Fletcher
  95. A Scary Dare – Mona Pease
  96. Stop Your Bellyaching Soup, A Jump Rope Song – Debbie Meneses
  97. A Spell Of Transformation – Meagan T. Gentry
  98. First Flight – Paul Kurtz
  99. I Scare You, You Scare Me – Paul Kurtz
  100. Spiders vs. Snakes – Linda Schueler
  101. Pot Of The Witch – Reed Ambrose
  102. Snake In The Grass – Judy Sobanski
  103. Beware Or Be Scared – Norah Colvin
  104. Bat’s First Halloween – no author listed
  105. Children Of The Bog – Melissa Miles
  106. In Through My Window – Eric Sondergeld
  107. A Squishy Scare – Stephanie Henson
  108. The Last House – Janet Smart
  109. Jack-O-Lantern – Darcee A. Freier
  110. Beak-A-Boo! – Jill Lambert
  111. Jackie Saves Halloween – Brittany Richman
  112. The Treat – S. E. Cottrill
  113. Little Vampire’s First Halloween – Sharon Dalgleish
  114. Franny Fruit Bat’s Friendly Halloween – Amy LaMae Brewer
  115. Chicken’s First Halloween – Emma Hay
  116. Moldy Mayhem – Sue Lancaster
  117. Sea Monster – Patricia Nozell
  118. A Halloween Lullaby – Brigid Finucane
  119. Tricky Treats – Lisa Lowe Stauffer
  120. KA-RUNCH! – Donna Kurtz
  121. Scary-Fairy – Donna Kurtz
  122. Halloween Hop – Carole Gerber
  123. Halloween Treat – Krista Legge
  124. Sara’s Hairy Halloween – Jesse Anna Bornemann
  125. Scary Goat Scam – Elenore Byrne
  126. Goulentine – Michelle S. Kennedy
  127. My Teacher Is A Creature – Mary Ann Cortez
  128. The Haunted House – Karen Morgan
  129. Trick or Treat: A Forest Halloween – Sarah Marhevsky
  130. Shadows Come Crawling – Marlee Fuller-Morris
  131. Slithering Snake – Deborah Hunt
  132. Jack-oh-no! – Pollu Mendoza
  133. Jack’s Lament – Steve Jankousky
  134. Sense The Way – Sarah Hetu
  136. Slither and Hiss: Trick or Treat? – Cathrene Youngquist
  137. Pumpkin Jack – Jennifer Weingardt
  138. The Peanut Butter Cup Song – Hannah Roy LaGrone
  139. Gregory’s First Halloween – Morgan Lau
  140. Scary Treats – Ken Major
  141. Super Scary Sausages – Chris James
  142. Midnight Snack – Deborah Foster
  143. How To Trick-or-Treat If You’re A Snake – Abigail Mumford
  144. Scarecrows Of Halloween – Helen Ishmurzin
  145. Sneaky Snake – Jan Suhr
  146. Who’s There? – Dawn Renee Young
  147. Space Rangers And Skeletons – Cynthia Mackey
  148. A Halloween For Willard – Krista Harrington
  149. On Halloween Night – Amanda Flinn
  150. Early Worm’s Halloween Birthday Wish – Curtis King
  151. Sweetie The Parrot – Barbara DiMarco
  152. The Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest – Laura Straut
  153. Boo – Jean Martin
  154. Pete The Smallest Pumpkin – Tiffany Hanson
  155. Candy Corn’s Revenge – Tiffany Hanson
  156. A Martian’s Halloween – Angela Calabrese
  157. Candy Monster – Patricia MacMillan
  158. Igor’s First Halloween – Danna Zeiger
  159. You Can’t Scare Me – Danna Zeiger
  160. Pumpkin, Skeleton, Wolverine – Brenna Jeanneret
  161. Tricky Treats – Ashley Sutphen Delaney
  162. Little Sister Saves The Night – Laurie Kaiser
  163. The Sweetest Treat – Christina Shawn
  164. All Hallows’ Eve – Sasha Sirisena-Green
  165. Pumpkin Cat’s Turn – Bru Benson
  166. Frankenslug – Ryann Jones
  167. The Costume – Nina Nolan
  168. The Best Halloween Ever – Dianne Borowski
  169. Tricked – Geraldine V. Oades-Sese
  170. Trista’s Treat Or Trick? – Krissy Massey
  171. The Scariest Costume Of All – Abby N. Wooldridge
  172. Halloween is the BEST, but. . . – Andi Chitty
  173. It’s A Tricky Afterlife – Katie Schwartz
  174. Spider’s Halloween – Cassy Clarcq
  175. Slimon’s Halloween – Imelda Taylor
  176. The Zombie Flop – Liz Kehrli
  177. Melanie Monster – Lindsey LeBlanc
  178. Switch Witch Swap – Julie Fruitticher Schroeder
  179. S-S-Selma – Nancy Forbis-Stokes
  180. A Halloween Adventure – Gregory E. Bray
  181. Enter If You Dare – Trista Herring Baughman
  182. Snake’s Sweet Treats – Nadia Ali
  183. Costume Crisis – Keatley Eastman
  184. Tricked By The Treats – Elizabeth Muster
  185. Halloween Friend – Thelia Hutchinson
  186. My Dreadfully Dangerous Walk – Susan Twiggs
  187. Slither, Treat, Scare: A Halloween Story – Lynn Greenway
  188. I’m Not That Scared – Allison Gray
  189. The Halloween Prize – Mary Rudzinski
  190. Portia Pumpkin Proclaims – Judy Caldwell Hughes
  191. Pookie The Pomeranian’s Halloween Wish – Stephanie Jackson
  192. Boo The Ghost Gets Beaten – Stephanie Jackson
  193. Costume Drama – David Cobb
  194. Slither Spook – Jessica Milo
  195. Samira’s Potion – Jessica Milo
  196. Sabrina Squirrel Does Not Scare Easily – Liz Gill
  197. Snake’s Stealthy Solution – Kira Barrett
  198. What Did You See? – Kathleen Mazurowski
  199. Father Knows Best – Janice Kay
  200. The Costume – Amy Duchene
  201. Trick Or Treat – Laura Seely-Pollack
  202. Many Happy Resquirms – Diana Webb
  203. Theodore Turkey’s Halloween Hunt – Mary-Catherine Amadu
  204. Ghost Finds His Groove – Cindy Greene
  205. Weird Halloween Treats – Una Belle Townsend
  206. The Jabberwocks Of Halloween – Jenny Bowman
  207. Sooner And Sooner Every Year! – Stephanie Henson
  208. A Slimy Halloween: Halloweenie Competition – Erin Buhr
  209. Candy Night – Anne Weaver
  210. Growing Candy Apples – Hannah Roy LaGrone
  211. Sister’s First Halloween Night – Linda Hofke
  212. Calling All Campers to the Camp Spooky Halloween Campfire – Jamie Rodarte
  213. A Pumpkin Named Rattlesnake Pete – Pat Finnegan
  214. Pumpkin Pride – Pat Finnegan
  215. Gardenia Ghost – Katie Walsh
  216. I Am Always a Cat – Amanda Littlefield
  217. Scaredy Snake – Kathy Hill Crable
  218. Classroom Costume Conundrum – Cynthia Reeg
  219. A Beckoning Spell – Les Degnan
  220. Halloween Eve – Tarsia Rhyne
  221. Which Witch Will Win? – Lucretia Schafroth
  222. The Spider Web House – CJ Penko
  223. The Monster of Barlow’s Bakery – Jill Burns
  224. A Candy Break For Mongoose And Snake – Katie Schwartz
  225. Kid Cobra’s Halloween – Denise Seidman
  226. Costume Not Required – JC Kelly
  227. Lucinda Blackletter – Karen Pickrell
  228. Candi Corn – Liz Kehrli
  229. Glass Lizard Halloween – Maria Marshall
  230. Scaredy Cat And The Haunted Hunt – Samantha Cora Christian Haas
  231. Graduation Night – Naz Alibhai
  232. New Friends – Sarah Hawklyn
  233. Sam Wasn’t Afraid – T. May LeGrys
  234. Black Cats Get A Bad Rap – Colleen Dougherty
  235. Dad’s First Trick or Treat – Annette Bethers
  236. Skeletons Need Teddy Bears Too – Sharon Jackson
  237. Sam And Dusty Trick Or Treat – Julianna Helt
  238. Lost – Brenda Covert
  239. The Snakertons – Emily Holewczynski

2,677 thoughts on “The 12th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!”

  1. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR PAUL

    Fright Flight!
    By Paul Kurtz
    98 words

    The moon grins like a Cheshire cat—
    I morph into a scary bat,
    To soar on autumn’s chilly breeze
    And snake and slither through bare trees.

    “It’s Halloween,” I cheer. “Hooray!
    I love this treat-filled holiday.”
    A giant jack-o’-lantern ROARS!
    “He’s bigger than ten dinosaurs!”

    He chases me—I’m tired, afraid.
    A rooster crows as bright stars fade.
    To my relief, it’s nearly day—
    The huge squash, groaning, rolls away.

    In bed, I try hard not to snore,
    And morph into a kid once more.
    I laugh. “Mom, if you only knew
    On Halloween night what I do!”

  2. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR PAUL

    I Scare You, You Scare Me
    by Paul Kurtz
    80 words

    I scare you,
    You scare me,
    We’re a monster family.
    With a great big howl and a shriek from me to you,
    Won’t you shriek and scare me too?

    Scaring is such a treat—
    Folks flee fast on flying feet!
    Slither, fly, crawl, gallop, swim or run—
    Halloween is loads of fun!

    I scare you,
    You scare me,
    We’re a monster family.
    With a great big howl and a shriek from me to you,
    Now let’s scare each other—
    BOOOO!

  3. Linda Schueler says:
    Reply

    Spiders vs. Snakes
    by Linda Schueler
    86 words

    Spiders sneaking down the street

    Snakes slithering, the elite

    What happens when the two meet?

    Snakes and spiders whip out cleats

    For the 3rd annual Halloween Scary Soccer Meet!

    Spiders scuttle

    Snakes save

    Who’ll be slinking away in defeat?

    Score! And score! And score again!

    And one more time…

    It’s a tie!

    Snakes and spiders take a seat

    Spiders confer

    Snakes concur

    Snakes and spiders join teams; how sweet!

    And as one they sneak and slither down the street

    Snakes and spiders sing “Trick or treat!”

  4. Reed Ambrose says:
    Reply

    Pot of the Witch
    By Reed Ambrose
    98 Words

    Wiggling, giggling, walk!
    The witch rolled out her pot!
    It’s what she did
    To scare the kids.
    Wiggling, giggling, walk!

    Snippety, clippety, chop!
    The witch cut up a lot:
    A hair, a bean,
    And something green!
    Snippety, clippety, chop!

    Slippery, slithery, plop!
    The witch filled up her pot!
    The snake slid in
    And lost its skin.
    Slippery, slithery, plop!

    Snaggletooth, babble-poof, wah?!
    The witch stirred in her pot:
    A caw, a purr,
    A magic word!
    Snaggletooth, babble-poof, wah?!

    Trickery, trick-or-treat, knock!
    The witch served up her slop!
    She spooned it in
    Their pails of tin.
    Trickery, trick-or-treat, yuck!

  5. Judy Sobanski says:
    Reply

    SNAKE IN THE GRASS
    Judy Sobanski – 99 words

    See the house at the end of the street?
    Take a risk for a Halloween treat?
    There’s a snake in that yard,
    that you can’t disregard,
    and, trust me, you don’t want to meet.

    See it slither around all the trees?
    A Constrictor, the type that will squeeze,
    ‘til your eyeballs bulge out,
    and you’ve no breath to shout,
    “Let GO of me snake! Pretty please?”

    Are you scared? Are you starting to shake?
    Then run away now from that snake!
    (Nobody knows
    it’s an old garden hose.)
    Now the treats are all mine to partake! WOOOHWAAAAA!!!

  6. Norah says:
    Reply

    Beware or be Scared
    by Norah Colvin
    99 Words

    Nathara expected her ginormous jelly Poisonous Pythons, individually sealed for hygiene safety, to make the children’s eyes POP! And they did. Laced, through the fence the treats were irresistible. Children ignored the “BEWARE” sign. They failed to read the small print “Open only after midnight.” They didn’t flinch when Nathara laughed, “Mwahahaha!” and found no reason to be scared when she hissed, “Enjoy eating children!” They couldn’t wait to tuck into the squishy, sweet, stickiness of the enormous Poisonous Pythons and ripped the seals apart. Nathara’s slippery servants slithered free and wrapped the trick-or-treaters in their squishy sweet stickiness.

    Beware or Be Scared — a Halloweensie story

  7. nightpig (@nightpig12) says:
    Reply

    Bat’s First Halloween
    68 words

    Baby bat pricks her ears.
    Crunch, chirp, buzz-ing below.
    Ant, cricket, mosquito —
    Treats, not tricks. Do not fear!

    Explore the forest floor.
    Strange creatures knock and ring.
    Eyes shut, to mama cling.
    Squirrel zombie opens door!

    Squeak! Mama, please, go home!
    Slithering, slurping …
    Scary noises nearing—
    Slugs sipping pumpkin foam!

    So much heard and seen!
    Soothing song, misty hug,
    A bite of candy bug,
    Happy first Halloween!

  8. melissamiles1 says:
    Reply

    Children of the Bog
    100 Words
    By Melissa Miles

    Halloween night,
    adults of Reaper’s Bog
    beseech their children
    to stay close for trick-or-treating.

    For every Hallows-Eve, a lone child
    is swallowed up by the bog,
    and the terrifying creatures within.

    Do they slither, scamper, or snatch?
    Growl, grimace, or gnaw?
    No child’s ever returned to tell.

    Betsy Braveheart isn’t scared.
    Stuffing her princess costume
    behind a tree, she pulls a slingshot
    from her pocket,
    creeps to swamp’s edge…
    and waits.

    At dawn, only her costume’s recovered.
    She’s joined the bog children.
    Sadly…
    Betsy’s scribbled note,
    roughly jammed into a gnarled tree’s hole,
    goes unnoticed.
    “They were human once too!”

  9. esonderg says:
    Reply

    In Through My Window (a monorhyme)
    99 words
    By Eric Sondergeld

    In through my window on Halloween night
    They slithered, they crawled, some even took flight

    So big and scary they gave me a fright
    They ate all my treats, oh how impolite!

    I wrestled them hard, with all of my might
    But that didn’t stop them at all … not quite

    Could it be that they’re afraid of the light?
    I jumped out of bed and turned one on bright

    Boy was I lucky, because I was right
    They flew out the window, what a great sight!

    From now on I’ll shut my window at night

    Every night

    Tight!

  10. Stephanie (Lupo) Henson (@stepha_henson) says:
    Reply

    A Squishy Scare – (Please use this version, thanks)
    By Stephanie Henson 2022
    stephahenson@msn.com
    @stepha_henson Twitter
    97 words

    Children at the Halloween Faire eat their way through sweet and salty treats.

    From within the core of the last candy apple, a wriggly worm resides.

    Unsuspected and undetected, the tainted fruit sparkles and speaks to the costumed crowd,

    One order away from impending doom.

    Scooped off the shelf, the apple is shared.

    Smiles turn to frowns as the caramel winds down,

    Two children fight over the last bite with sticky fingers.

    Pushing and prying, smooshing and crying,

    The glistening apple plummets toward the ground—

    Cracked open wide, the worm slithers out unbothered.

    A squishy scare averted!

  11. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR JANET

    The Last House
    by Janet Smart
    100 words

    THE LAST HOUSE

    “Are you sure this is the right place?”

    “I’m sure.”

    My brother and I slithered down the spooky path to the last house of our trick or treat travels.

    Ghosts dangled from tree limbs.

    Spooky jack o lanterns’ eyes burned bright.

    The porch light flickered.

    We trod up the squeaky steps, one by one.

    A witch cackled and stirred a creepy cauldron filled with candy.

    “I’m glad we saved this house for last.”

    “Me, too.”

    “Boo!” yelled Grandpa from behind the door. “Did we scare you?”

    “How do you like my outfit?” cackled the wicked witch.

    “Grandma! Is that you?”

    This is also posted on my blog at

    Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch
    http://creativewritingintheblackberrypatch.blogspot.com/

  12. Darcee Freier says:
    Reply

    Jack-O-Lantern by Darcee A. Freier
    98 words

    Pirates, skeletons, and zombies are out tonight. I shiver on the porch stoop.
    My glowing eyes and toothy grimace don’t keep the hordes away. They climb the steps, pound upon the door, and demand treats.

    I’m scared, but I cry, “Boo!” No one notices. I holler, “Beware!” No one hears.

    But below, in the bushes, something slithers.
    “Eek!” I shriek. My light flames out. I shake so hard I tumble down the stairs, roll under the leaves and see …
    a mouse? She scurries in though my grin and curls up.

    Hidden and safe, we wait out Halloween. Together.

  13. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR JILL

    Thank you, Susanna, and prize donors for sponsoring this fun contest!
    Here is my entry:

    BEAK-A-BOO!
    By Jill Lambert
    WC: 100

    Scary season is upon us.
    Victor Vulture is my name.
    My bony beak is quite unique,
    sensing dead things is my game.

    For Halloween, a treat that slithers.
    I’ve been soaring hard today.
    Something rich before I roost…
    perhaps a carrion puree.

    Egads! I grossed you out a bit.
    Roadkill dining is a feat.
    My stupendous stomach acid
    thwarts diseases on the street.

    Can you now appreciate
    services that I provide?
    I’ll resume my twilight quest:
    gooey goodies, putrified.

    Beak-a-boo, I smell you,
    rotten zombie down below!
    I’m not used to meals moving.
    Here I come, I hope you’re slow!

  14. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR BRITTANY

    Jackie Saves Halloween
    By Brittany Richman

    First Lady Jackie Kennedy dressed to impress.

    Her
    Hats,

    Sunglasses, and

    Chanel suits . . .

    were absolute PERFECTION!

    But Jackie attracted a crowd.

    And on Halloween that posed a problem—a BIG problem. How could she

    Take her children trick-or-treating?

    Make them feel normal?

    Enjoy a peaceful evening?

    Jackie’s mind churned with ideas. Then she got to work.

    She
    snipped,

    stitched and

    styled.

    Then she slithered right in . . . slipped on gloves . . . and strapped on boots.

    There!

    Not too scary.

    In fact, absolute PERFECTION!

    No one would suspect Jackie in THAT.

    Until . . .

    “Hey, is that Secret Service?”

    Uh-oh! RUN!

  15. Sue Cottrill (@secottrill) says:
    Reply

    The Treat
    S.E. Cottrill
    100 words

    Promptly at the stroke of dark, Mr. Slither hobbled outside.
    He would take care of those little hooligans.
    Pumpkin orange spilled across his yard.
    He flipped a switch.
    The lifeless mess buzzed, crackled, and slowly pushed up to loom high overhead—
    it’s gaping mouth set to gobble up scared passersby!
    News of the monstrosity traveled fast.
    Trick-or-treaters bravely approached.
    The old man listened to each time-honored plea and grunted, “Enter.”
    As each stepped into the fray, shadows lurched and shivered.
    Would they survive?
    Mr. Slither smiled.
    Screams would tell happy stories of Halloween tumbles in the Pumpkin Pounce bouncy house.

  16. sharonkdal says:
    Reply

    LITTLE VAMPIRE’S FIRST HALLOWEEN
    by Sharon Dalgleish
    100 words

    I’m going on a treat hunt.
    I’m going to get some good ones.
    What a creepy night.
    I’m not a scaredy bat.
    Tumble over tombstones.
    Hide from the gargoyles.
    Watch out for witches.
    Swoop past the werewolves.
    Zigzag through the zombies.
    Slither with the space slugs.
    Jump over Jack-o’-Lantern.
    Hang from the haunted house.
    Reach into treat bowl …
    Aaaauuuuugh! Garlic!
    Back away quickly.
    Hang from the haunted house.
    Jump over Jack-o’-Lantern.
    Slither with the space slugs.
    Zigzag through the zombies.
    Swoop past the werewolves.
    Watch out for witches.
    Hide from the gargoyles.
    Tumble over tombstones.
    Slam the coffin shut!

  17. A Brewer says:
    Reply

    Franny Fruit Bat’s Friendly Halloween
    By Amy LaMae Brewer
    100 words

    Franny woke up with the moon on Halloween.
    Franny did not want to be scary.
    “I want to have a friendly Halloween,” she said smiling through the night.
    She flew to Oren Owl’s house to read him a book.
    She played hide and seek with the Bilby brothers.
    She decorated her tree with friendly carved pumpkins.
    She waited for Cynthia Snake to slither first for cake.
    Franny wrapped special treats for everyone on Halloween.
    When the sun came up Franny said, “And to all, a good day.”
    Then she wrapped in her wings and went to sleep.
    Happy Friendly Halloween!

  18. Emma Hay says:
    Reply

    CHICKEN’S FIRST HALLOWEEN
    by Emma Hay
    100 words

    Chicken was a Kitten, who was not very brave.
    If he felt a scare, he would always hide away!

    Until one dreadful night, he could not flee in fright.

    There where monsters banging at his door!
    And was that a vet he just saw?

    Through Chicken’s house they would soon slither and creep!
    Laughing and stomping and calling out trick or treat!

    Chicken took a deep breath. The time was now!
    He flashed sharp teeth and let out a mighty howl!

    It worked! The monsters disappeared, Chicken thought in shock!
    Or so it seemed, until he heard another Knock, Knock!

  20. Sue Lancaster says:
    Reply

    Moldy Mayhem (99 words)
    By Sue Lancaster

    As the sun slithered low, and the day turned to night,
    Meg and her maggot mates squealed with delight.
    “A hollowed-out pumpkin!”
    “So rotten and sweet!”
    “This moldy old flesh is our favorite treat!”
    They wriggled inside and savoured their feast,
    but soon were disturbed by a big, scary…
    BEAST!
    The maggots shrieked: “Aaaaaaargh!”
    The beast blurted: “Eeeeewwww!”
    Then inside his wolf mask, a grin slowly grew.
    “This maggot-filled lantern, surrounded by flies,
    will easily win me the best-pumpkin prize!”
    He scooped up the carcass, and squirming inside,
    Meg and her mates…
    went along for the ride!

  21. ptnozell says:
    Reply

    SEA MONSTER
    (100 words)

    Jessie flailed in the churning ocean.
    Eel slithered past, hissing, “Sea Monster, you glow in this moonlight.”
    “Dahling,” crooned Octopus. “You look horribly monstrous! Join our aquatic, haunted Halloween parade.”
    “A devilish treat that you’re here, Monster,” squeaked Squid.
    Jessie sobbed. “Don’t call me ‘Monster’! I’m a branch. Or I was until…
    FLASH!
    SPLASH!
    Oh, I’ll never escape this watery grave!”
    “Go with the flow,” cackled Clownfish. “The two-legs will choose you as the scariest sea creature and pluck you from the waves like driftwood. No joke!“
    Feeling less waterlogged, Jessie floated, practiced sea-monster moves, and dreamt of sunny shores.

  22. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR BRIGID

    A Halloween Lullaby
    by Brigid Finucane 100 words

    Costumes bright,
    Masks on tight.
    Into the night
    We go.

    Whose steps come near?
    Are there monsters here?
    One,
    two!
    Boo to
    you!

    Goblins prowling, black cats yowling,
    Creaky doors groan and sigh.
    Werewolves bay to the moon, “awhoo!”
    A Halloween lullaby.

    Who slithers near?
    Are there monsters here?
    One,
    two,
    three!
    Boo to
    me!

    Witches scary, ghostie, fairy,
    “Trick or treat!” children cry.
    Knock the door, ring the bell, oh my!
    A Halloween lullaby.

    Who shivers near?
    Are there monsters here?
    One,
    two,
    three,
    four!
    We’re at your
    door!

    Eyes closed tight,
    Sweet delight.
    Into our dreams
    We go.

  23. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR LISA

    TRICKY TREATS
    By Lisa Lowe Stauffer
    (100 words)

    Last Halloween, we peppermints were left behind, stored in a cabinet.

    This year our tricky plan will make sure we’re treats.

    Whee! Into the bowl with candy corn, chocolates, and boxed jellybeans.

    Our plan: Scare up costumes . . .

    “Jellybeans! Boo!”

    They jump so high it knocks their boxes off.

    “Oops, sorry,” we fib, then wiggle-slither inside the empty boxes.

    Perfect disguise.

    Ding-dong!

    Tiny Batman grabs US!

    We party in the bag as he trick-or-treats along the street.

    Later—

    Our flaps open. Shaka-shake . . . Thunk!

    “Peppermints? Yuk!”

    We’re shoved into a cabinet.

    Drat! Stored again!

  24. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR DONNA

    KA-RUNCH!
    by Donna Kurtz
    100 words

    “Lisa, this spooky house will have great treats—read that sign.”

    HALLOWEEN PARTY – WELCOME

    We enter. “Danny, this is a bad idea—”

    KA-RUNCH—KA-RUNCH—

    “What’s that scary noise? Danny, let’s go—”

    The floor tilts.

    “—Yoww!”

    KA-RACKK

    The back wall crumbles—humongous teeth grind.

    I grab the door knob. “Locked!”

    We slide forward.

    “NOOO—” Danny shrieks.

    Clutching a broom, I tickle the ceiling.

    AHHH-KA-CHOO

    The door explodes open, hurling Danny and me onto the lawn—

    “UMPHH!”

    “OOOFF!”

    Slithering like a worm, the house disappears.

    “See that?” Danny gasps.

    I shudder. “Next Halloween, we go to a movie!”

  25. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR DONNA

    Scary-Fairy
    by Donna Kurtz
    96 words

    “Halloween’s here,” sighs Blue Fairy.
    “No one ever thinks I’m scary.”

    Drinking Witchie’s brew makes changes—
    Fairy morphs and rearranges.

    Werewolf-Fairy’s scary tricksies
    Frighten gremlins, elves, and pixies.

    Zombie-Fairy’s fluids spatter—
    Trolls and ogres shriek and scatter.

    When she slithers like a snakey,
    Screaming goblins leap in lakey.

    Fanged Bat-Fairy swooping, gliding—
    Ghosts and monsters running, hiding!

    Franken-Fairy scares the ghoulies—
    Mummies jump in ponds and poolies.

    At a party, morphed disguises
    Wins thrilled Fairy treats and prizes!

    Heading home she’s yawning, sleepy—
    Shifting shadows dark and creepy.

    Charging monsters make her shiver—
    Scaredy-Fairy jumps in river!

  26. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR CAROLE

    Halloween Hop
    95 words
    By Carole Gerber

    Hank, a barnyard rooster, and his girlfriend, Geraldine,
    are hosting a dance party at the coop this Halloween.

    “Slither slow,” Hank chortles.
    “Shake a leg!” clucks Geraldine.
    “There’s a treat for the best costume at our hop this Halloween!”

    A ballerina chicken struts by in her tutu.
    “Great outfit!” Hank announces. “Your shoes are darling, too.”

    A scary yellow chicken wears fangs that drip fake blood.
    Geraldine shouts: “Gruesome! That outfit is a dud.”

    After seeing all the costumes, the two announce their pick:
    The winner wears her birthday suit—
    she’s a newborn chick!

  27. Krista Legge says:
    Reply

    HALLOWEEN TREAT
    WC 100
    By Krista Legge

    Patrick’s mom had a special Halloween surprise.

    Patrick’s eyes shot open, the darkness blanketed his room.
    Creeeeeaak!
    “Hellooooo,” his voice quivered.

    Click Clack, Click Clack!
    “Is someone there?” squeaked out of Patrick’s throat.

    Scared was an understatement. Patrick felt terror slither through his body.

    He sat straight up, his blanket being pulled from his bed.

    Leaning over to turn on his light, he felt warmth growing near his face.

    The light clicked on and ….

    SLURP!! There, nose to nose with Patrick, was a tiny, furry puppy.

    Patrick’s mom giggling in the doorway, “Happy Halloween! Hope you like your treat”

  28. jesseannabornemann says:
    Reply

    Sara’s Hairy Halloween
    By Jesse Anna Bornemann
    Word Count: 100

    Sara watched the sun slither lower behind the Fangworths’ garage. “I’ve made a mistake,” she thought.

    “Who vants pizza?” announced Mrs. Fangworth.

    “Meee! Thanks, Mom!” squealed Vicki.

    “Save room for blood-orange cake! Special treat for a Halloween birthday!”

    Sara glanced at her knuckles as she grabbed a slice. Was that fur? Were her teeth pointier? She’d been looking forward to her best friend’s sleepless sleepover for weeks, but Vicki had never seen her after dark. Werewolves scare everybody—even vampires.

    The cake glowed. “Happy birthday, dear Vicki,” Sara sang. “Happy birthday to…A-ROOOOO!”

    Vicki shrieked. “…can we play hair salon next??”

  29. Elenore Byrne says:
    Reply

    Scary Goat Scam
    Elenore Byrne
    WC 97

    Billy and Maribelle thought it unfair
    that the Halloween treats were not evenly shared.
    Bored with their thistle and grass-loaded diet,
    “Oh Candy” sighed Billy, “I’m eager to try it.”

    They made themselves costumes to scare the town silly,
    smeared mud on their beards and tossed hay willy-nilly.
    They covered their horns, pinned their beards tightly down
    and with eyes glaring brightly they clomped into town.

    The villagers fled as their fear slithered out,
    scattering treat bags and candy about.
    The goats quickly gobbled the treats left behind,
    “Not bad” Billie said, “But these bags taste divine!”

  30. Michelle S Kennedy says:
    Reply

    https://www.michelleskennedy.com/post/susanna-leonard-hill-s-12th-annual-halloweensie-poetry-contest-2022

    GOULENTINE (WC 100)
    By Michelle S. Kennedy

    Ghoulentine wanted a mate by his side.

    Someone to love— so he looked for a bride.

    He searched high and low, and underneath too.

    WHO would he find? He hadn’t a clue.

    Until…

    Slithering out, from behind an old shed,

    Red steely eyes with a look of the dead…

    Ah! She’s THE ONE. Love at first sight!

    The wedding took place in fire that night.

    Passionate flames burned every ember.

    Halloween’s magic. An eve to remember.

    Treats were passed out. The bride was a scare!

    Goulentine beamed (and looked debonair.)

    Masquerade music eerily played,

    Together Forever— The ghost and decayed.

  31. M.A. Cortez says:
    Reply

    My TEACHER IS A CREATURE
    By Mary Ann Cortez 94 words

    My teacher is a creature.
    A hungry wolverine.
    I watched her transformation
    take place on Halloween.

    She tried a piece candy.
    One bite – and madly smiled.
    She scarfed down creepy cupcakes.
    the sugar turned her wild.

    She ransacked all our cubbies
    hunting for more treats.
    Sniffed through all our lunch bags.
    We shivered in our seats.

    She slithered down the aisles
    her eyes transfixed and wide.
    She flipped and went bananas!
    We thought we’d better hide.

    Her sugar surge expired.
    A scary gruesome scene.
    Don’t EVER feed a teacher
    sweet treats on Halloween.

  32. Karen Morgan says:
    Reply

    The Haunted House
    by Karen Morgan
    100 words

    The rickety old place gave me the creeps.
    I slunk up to the door, wood stairs creaking under my weight. My mask was doing a decent job of hiding how scared I was. If not for the dare, I wouldn’t be here. Was the treat worth it? Something slithered around the corner of the porch. A drumbeat came from my chest. Bump, thump, bump, thump. Then footsteps. A turn of the knob. A squeak, a crack, then…
    gnarled hands holding out a bowl of giant-sized candy bars.
    A sweet voice said, “Take two. Not many trick-or treaters tonight.”

  33. Teacher on Hiatus says:
    Reply

    Trick or Treat: A Forest Halloween
    by Sarah Marhevsky
    99 words

    Autumn leaves rustled under the rats’ paws.

    “Was that a snake?” Peanut whipped around.

    Berry held her prize acorn and chittered. “Just our paws. And some wind. Are you afraid of the breeze?” She blew on Peanut. “I’m not afraid of anything!”

    “If I scare you, can I have your treat?”

    “Not that you’ll get it, but sure.” Berry nibbled her acorn protectively.

    Peanut’s hairless tail slithered; the leaves rustled again. She lifted the tip in Berry’s direction.

    “Snake!” Berry dropped her acorn and fled.

    Peanut snatched her prize and nibbled. “Glad to see you’re not afraid of anything!

  34. mfullermorris says:
    Reply

    Shadows Come Crawling (100 words)
    By Marlee Fuller-Morris

    Every Halloween at bedtime,
    As I’m about to fall asleep,
    That’s when the shadows all come crawling.
    Towards my bed the darkness creeps.

    There’s a specter slithering by me!
    There’s a phantom on my wall!
    There’s a ghoul hiding in my closet!
    Or am I imagining it all?

    Maybe the phantom’s just my bookcase,
    The specter’s a lamp upon my desk.
    But at night, shadows look scary,
    How will I ever get some rest?

    Phew! Here comes my fearless kitty,
    A defender no ghoul could ever defeat.
    I can finally close my eyes now,
    Tomorrow, kitty gets an extra treat.

  35. Deborah Dolan Hunt says:
    Reply

    Slithering Snake
    Deborah Hunt
    Sammy Snake was curled on the giant Frankenstein.
    “Trick or Treat!” the kids shouted.
    Sammy slithered down Frankenstein’s arm to the candy cauldron.
    “Treat!” Bobby yelled. He reached into the bowl.
    Sammy popped out. “Happy Halloween.” His tongue flickered.
    The kids ran away.
    Sammy pouted. “Why are all the kids scared of me?”
    “Snakes, get a bad rap,” Charlie Cat meowed.
    More kids were coming.
    Sammy had an idea. He sat on the giant pumpkin.
    “Trick or treat!” the kids shouted.
    “Trick.” Sammy balanced some candy on his head.
    The kids giggled.
    “You’re the coolest snake.” They took some candy.

  36. PollyMBooks (@pollymbooks) says:
    Reply

    Title: Jack-oh-no!
    By Polly Mendoza
    WC: 45

    Jack-o-lantern
    Jack-o-grin
    Jack-o-eyeballs
    Jack-o-fin?!

    Jack-o-teeth
    Jack-so-dark
    Jack-oh-no!
    Jacks-a-shark!

    Jack-o-kay
    Jack-all-right
    Jack-to-normal
    Jack-no-fright

    Jack-so-twisty
    Jack-so-turny
    Jack-so-slithery
    Jack-so-wormy

    Jack-o-rattle?
    Jack-a-wake
    Jack-oh-no!
    Jacks-a-snake!

    Jack-o-kay
    Jack-all-right
    Jack-to-normal
    Jack-no-fright

    Jack-so-big…but
    Jack-so-hairy
    Jack-so-werewolf?
    Jack-so-scary!

    Jack-A-gain?!
    Jack-E-nough!
    Jack-I-am
    Jack-O-tough

    Jack-U-are
    Jack-U-know
    Jack-U-shine
    Jack-U-glow!

    Jack-is-joy
    Jack-likes-treats
    Jack-is-fun
    Jack-likes-sweets

    Jack-is-bright
    Jack-is-seen
    Jack-says-happy
    Hall-o-ween!

    https://www.pollymbooks.com/jack-oh-no

  37. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR STEVE

    JACK’S LAMENT by Steve Jankousky (99 words)

    I sat on the porch eager for carving time.

    What would I become? Sweet? Funny? Scary?

    I’ve heard a good knife cuts like pumpkin butter.

    But I felt scratching, clawing, and gnawing!

    My tender flesh finally gave way and something slithered inside me!

    I had looked forward to the gentle scraping of a kitchen spoon, but instead was treated to the painful tearing of my pulp and the greedy gnashing of my seeds.

    That night, my brethren glowed with flickering candlelight, but I was unlit.

    Inside my hideous gaping maw sat a plump little squirrel. Feasting on my innards.

  38. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR SARAH

    SENSE THE WAY
    96 words
    Sarah Hetu

    Tap. Tap. Clank.
    My red-and-white cane finds our garbage can.
    Thunder and I turn left.
    Knock knock.
    “Trick-or-treat!”
    “Nice costume, Milo!”
    We leave. I count steps. …twenty-eight…twenty-nine…
    “Milo!”
    Sounds like Candice.
    “Aren’t you scared by yourself?”
    I pat Thunder. “No.”
    “Happy Halloween!” She leaves.
    But…I lost count.
    Where are we?
    Thunder tugs right.
    Is it?
    I breathe in…cut grass…the Sanderson’s just mowed.
    I listen. Main Street is behind us.
    I reach out…and feel the Mahoney’s wooden fence.
    Thunder is right.
    Back home, Thunder slithers out of his harness.
    I give him extra treats…
    …and nobody sees!

  39. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR CATHRENE

    100 words
    Slither and Hiss:
    Trick or Treat?
    by Cathrene Valente Youngquist

    Two young snakes were ready for Trick or Treat.

    Slither wore a spooky bow tie. Hiss wore a princess crown.

    Each snake caught a mouse. They plopped them into their sacks.

    A witch came to the door with her cauldron of treats.

    “Trick or Treat!” cried the snakes.

    She dropped a candy into each sack.

    Slither and Hiss each pulled out a mouse. “Thank you,” they said.

    “Eeek!” The witch flew away on her broom.

    The treats rolled across the ground.

    “Imagine that, scared of a mouse,” said Slither and Hiss.

    They gathered up all the treats and headed home.

  40. jenweingardt says:
    Reply

    Pumpkin Jack
    by Jennifer Weingardt
    96 words

    One dark Halloween night, Pumpkin Jack stood guard on the porch armed with a wicked smile and a flashy light. When creepy creatures approached for treats, he gave them a terrifying look in case they had mischief in mind.

    At midnight, a shadow with a pointy hat slithered up the porch dragging a lumpy bag. Scared for his life, Pumpkin Jack put on his spookiest face.

    “It’s me!” squealed a little witch as she slipped out of her costume. “I live here.”

    Relieved, Pumpkin Jack gave her a goofy, toothy grin as she hugged him tight.

  41. Hannah Roy LaGrone says:
    Reply

    The Peanut Butter Cup Song
    by Hannah Roy LaGrone
    96 words

    Dashing down the street
    with a pumpkin to fill up;
    Hunting for one thing:
    a peanut butter cup!

    No lollipop will do,
    No gum or fruity snacks,
    I’ve fixed my eyes upon the prize—
    I’m focused to the max!

    || Oh, trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat is here!
    Oh what fun! It’s Halloween, the sweetest time of year. ||

    A bag without this treat
    Is such a scary sight.
    I’ll search until it’s mine–
    I’ll look around all night.

    Aha! My gem appears!
    I race to lock it up.
    OH NO!!!! My brother slithered off
    With my peanut butter cup!

    (Sing along on my blog at https://wordpress.com/post/theworldasourclassroom.wordpress.com/225)

  43. greengirlblueplanet says:
    Reply

    Gregory’s First Halloween
    By Morgan Lau
    88 words

    The doorbell drummed.

    Gregory sneaked and peaked around every corner.

    Up then down the stairs.

    Gregory slithered into the sliver of the couch when the…door…creaked…open.

    The kids shrieked, “trick or treat!”

    Gregory shivered with dread.

    When the sound drifted, Gregory was lifted out of the couch’s crevice.

    “You scaredy cat!” Gregory was snuggled with hugs until…

    “bing bong! ding dong!” made Gregory’s heart race and eyes burst.

    This time, it was a friend.

    With a toy.

    For Gregory.

    “It’s your first Halloween, Gregory!”

    Gregory grimaced with bunny ears.

  45. kmajor2013 says:
    Reply

    Word Count: 97

    SCARY TREATS

    By Ken Major

    The witches schemed on Halloween.
    “Let’s make the night unreal.
    We’ll cast a spell on all the treats,
    Then watch the kiddos squeal.”
    The treats grew large and sprang to life.
    They yelled, “We’ll make you pay!”
    The kids turned pale at such a sight,
    And bolted right away.
    The nutty snacks formed angry packs
    And candy corn played Taps.
    The chocolate bars smashed into cars,
    While others set up traps.
    The candies joined to march as one.
    They SLITHERED here and there,
    Then harmonized a spooky chant…
    “WE’RE SCARY TREATS-BEWARE!
    WE’RE SCARY TREATS-BEWARE!!
    WE’RE SCARY TREATS-BEWARE!!!”

  46. chrisjameswrites says:
    Reply

    Super Scary Sausages

    100 words
    Chris James

    Super scary sausages come on this fateful night,
    Here to haunt your Halloween – be careful or they’ll bite!

    Super scary sausages; those horrid Halloweiners,
    Dripping in tomato sauce, there’s really nothing meaner.

    Super scary sausages they truly are the wurst,
    They’ll eat all of your candy ‘til their bulging bodies burst!

    Super scary sausages those fearful Frank-ensteins,
    Slithering around the floor in slimy, snaking lines.

    Super scary sausages howling at the moon,
    For all our sakes let’s hope that Halloween is ending soon!

    But every year the sausage carnage ends with a defeat.
    Super scary sausages, a werewolf’s favourite treat!

  47. Deborah Foster says:
    Reply

    MIDNIGHT SNACK
    By Deborah Foster
    100 words

    Slither, Slither.
    Tiptoe, CREEEEAK.
    shh.
    The moon is bright.
    It’s time to sneak.

    Down the hallway.
    Stop to see.
    zzzz.
    The coast is clear.
    I smirk with glee.

    ‘Twas a night of
    costumed fun.
    oooOO.
    With bags of treats
    the night was done.

    Now I creep and
    Tiptoe light.
    grrrr.
    A shadow’s there!
    I freeze with fright!

    Stepping slowly,
    Then a whirl!
    phew.
    It’s just the dog…
    “You scared me, girl!”

    In the kitchen
    hidden high.
    mmm.
    I reach the snacks
    “Success!” I sigh.

    Then I heard a
    great big SNAP!
    AHH.
    “I caught you Dad!
    You like my trap?”

  48. abby mumford says:
    Reply

    HOW TO TRICK-OR-TREAT IF YOU’RE A SNAKE
    By Abigail Mumford
    95 words

    My fellow friends with ssscales. Learn from my mistakesss.

    (1) Craft costume. Ssstart with a sssock or an empty toilet paper roll.

    (2) Make map. Choose houses with low doorbellsss.

    (3) Ssscare people. However, if you dress like Gumby or a giraffe, the ssscreams won’t be as loud.

    (4) Take treatsss. Note: if mice give you a bellyache, sssteer clear of those lollipopsss with gum in the middle.

    (5) Consume candy. There’s no way to hold a bucket, ssso you must eat it immediately.

    (6) Ssslither home. Don’t forget to brush your fangsss before bed!

  49. helenishmurzin says:
    Reply

    SCACRECROWS OF HALLOWEEN
    by Helen Ishmurzin
    97 words

    Celtic scarecrow, celebrate the night
    With samhain feasts and bonfires burning bright.

    Roman scarecrow, see your customs spread
    With Feralia, Goddess of the dead.

    Middle Ages scarecrow, time to pray
    For saints and martyrs on All Hallows’ Day.

    Pilgrim scarecrow, sail across the seas
    Bring Hallows’ Eve to New World colonies.

    Scarecrows of the southern states, beware,
    The scarecrows of the North don’t like a scare.

    So slither serpents, ghoulies go away,
    Scarecrows, dress as birds and bugs today.

    Go house to house and ask for things to eat
    And call this awesome custom trick or treat.

  50. Jeannette Suhr says:
    Reply

    Sneaky Snake w/c 100
    By Jan Suhr

    “We’ll make a scary pair
    On eerie Halloween night,”
    hissed Snake to Pumpkin
    flickering bright.

    “I’ll slither among your seeds.
    Poke out my head. Flick my tongue.
    Children will scream and screech.
    Their candy will be flung.”

    “I can’t scare children,” Pumpkin said.
    I want them to laugh and grin.”
    “You smile wide. I’ll twitch and flick.
    Make them jump and bump and spin.”

    Snake’s plan was almost perfect
    except that Pumpkin’s strands,
    were tangly and choky.
    He became a twisted band.

    “Come here children,” Pumpkin smiled.
    “This is a welcoming scene.
    Take treats to fill your bags.
    Happy Halloween!”

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