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 STEPHANIE

    BOO THE GHOST GETS BEATEN
    by Stephanie Jackson

    “Trick or treat” echoed in the streets.
    “Boo!” growled Woo the cat, creeping closer.
    “Who?” Boo swayed in the wind.
    Woo batted the ghost.
    Boo’s insides rattled.
    Could she scare him away?
    “Want to get beaten? Hang out with me!”
    The cat glared.
    His eyes flared. “You’re full of it,” said Woo.
    He slithered down the tree.
    “Maybe,” said Boo.

    Creepers, insect heroes
    and witches approached.
    A blinded Dracula with dripping fangs
    swung a long stick.

    Woo watched.
    The wind whistled.

    The stick swung.

    Boo burst open.
    Candy spilled everywhere.
    It was bootiful!

    “Drat!” said the cat. “I wanted that!”

  2. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR DAVID

    Costume Drama
    By David Cobb
    WC 98

    “My Halloween costume is the most eerie-sistible,” declared Vampire.

    “I think that’s some very witch-ful thinking,” teased Wizard.

    “He’s right,” nodded Jack O’Lantern, “I’m the one who looks gourd-geous!”

    “You’re all hisss-terical!” said Snake, “This slithery outfit is mamba one.”

    Zombie groaned. Anyone with half a brain would find him the scariest.

    “Well, I think you all look fa-boo-lous!” interrupted Ghost.

    “Agreed!” added Mummy, trying to wrap things up. “And it’s about time we went trick-or-treating.”

    Werewolf smiled. “Yes, let’s go eat, drink and be hairy!”

    “Finally!” cheered Skeleton, “I can’t spend a minute longer in this living room.”

  3. Jessica Milo says:
    Reply

    SLITHER SPOOK
    (72 words)
    by Jessica Milo

    Slither hither,
    hiss hello.
    Send ‘em chills—
    head to toe.

    Ding-dong!
    Knock-knock-bang!
    Don’t forget:
    bare your fangs.

    Shhh…quiet.
    Crawl and creep.
    Slow and steady.
    Not a peep.

    Go on now—
    slink on by.
    Give a scare!
    A shrieking cry!

    Ghosts and witches,
    pirates, clowns—
    running off
    In their gowns.

    You see that?
    Down the street?
    More are coming!
    Let’s trick—a treat!

    Slither hither,
    Sneak past, hurry!
    Wriggle, squiggle,
    Watch ‘em scurry!

    HISSSSSSS!

  4. Jessica Milo says:
    Reply

    SAMIRA’S POTION
    (100 words)
    by Jessica Milo

    Samira dreamed of being young again…

    …of flying on her broomstick once more, searching for scared children.

    Centuries had passed since she had such a tasty treat.

    She did remember one potion that could bring youth—

    Or death.

    Taking a chance, she brewed the potion and took a sip, making her insides slither.

    KNOCK,
    KNOCK,
    KNOCK.

    Was the Grim Reaper at her door with death on his breath?

    Suddenly, Samira’s bones cracked and contorted until….

    Her wrinkly skin was smooth as leather boots.
    Her gray hair, now shiny black.

    When she opened the door…

    “TRICK-OR-TREAT!”

    Her dreams had come true.

  5. Liz Gill says:
    Reply

    Sabrina Squirrel Does Not Scare Easily
    (100 words)
    By Liz Gill

    Sabrina was once a most nervous young squirrel
    At a whisper of danger her whiskers would curl
    One night she decided to challenge her fear
    When a delicious Halloween pumpkin was near
    Candlelight glowed in the hollowed out form
    Keeping the flesh of the pumpkin meat warm
    A shape slithered past at the edge of the light
    The thought of a snake gave Sabrina a fright!
    She stayed strong and focused on getting her treat
    And she soon had her cheeks full of sweet pumpkin meat
    Feeling much braver than she used to be
    Sabrina will no longer scare easily

  6. Kira Barrett (@KiraBWrites) says:
    Reply

    Snake’s Stealthy Solution
    (100 words)
    By Kira Barrett

    Snake felt confident. After a few unsuccessful Halloweens, he had finally figured out how to go trick-or-treating.

    First Attempt: Coil into the shape of a spring; grip bag in mouth.
    Outcome: Bounced off a porch step. Got stuck in a jack-o’-lantern.
    Second Attempt: Slither through town; pull wagon with tail.
    Outcome: Wheel mishap. Smushed tail and cracked fang.

    Now, under the Halloween moon, Snake wove and twisted the perfect solution.
    Then, he waited patiently.

    “Honey, ready to scare some neighbors?”
    “Yes!”
    Five little fingers gripped Snake’s scales.
    “If I can’t carry a bag,” he hissed, “I’ll be the bag.”
    “AAAHHHH!”

  7. Kathy Mazurowski says:
    Reply

    What Did You See?
    by Kathleen Mazurowski
    73 words

    Children ready to Trick or Treat.
    It’s an autumn walk down
    Slithering Street.

    Ginger leaves crunch under feet.
    Crisp apple bites
    add something sweet.

    Ruby maples stretch and bend
    like licorice whips shared
    with a friend.

    Chocolate bark snaps off a tree
    …Thunk… on the ground
    but doesn’t scare me.

    Brewing cider fills the air.
    Cinnamon spice
    everywhere .

    Sights and sounds on Slithering Street
    It’s a change of seasons,
    a tasty treat.

  8. Janice Kay Alexander says:
    Reply

    Father Knows Best
    by Janice Kay
    WC 100

    “Stay away from Malum’s mansion,” Father warned, “especially tonight!”
    Obedience wasn’t Rebell’s strength.
    With loving foresight, Father filled an elaborate cage with mice.
    Knock, knock.
    Malum cackled behind the door.
    “A walking snake; how convenient. He’ll be treated to MY trick tonight.”
    Malum appeared offering a plate of warm cookies. He didn’t look scary.
    Wrong again.
    Crunch, munch.
    Rebell’s costume felt tighter.
    His horror grew as each limb disappeared.
    Malum’s magnificent malevolence manifested.
    Rebell’s last human thought – Father’s warning.
    His forked tongued tasted the air as he slithered home.
    With aching heart, Father’s premonition realized, he opened the cage door.

  9. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR AMY

    The Costume – Amy Duchene

    Skelly’s bony frame slumped as he entered school, backpack slithering behind, scaring up dust. He hated Halloween, that morbid day when the flesh-covered kids dressed up to celebrate with candy.

    But as a skeleton, where would he stash a treat? He didn’t have pockets let alone a stomach.

    He watched them parade in… a footballer, a dragon… One girl’s costume was a skull painted on her face. She looked just like him.

    Aha!

    “Can I borrow that hoodie?” he asked a classmate. He put it on.

    “Perfect. I look just like a live kid. And it even has pockets!”

  10. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR LAURA

    Trick or Treat
    By: Laura Seely-Pollack
    Word Count: 70

    A ghost came to my door; I gave him a caramel.

    A witch came to my door; I gave her some licorice.

    A monster came to my door; I gave her a chocolate.

    All evening there were scary, slithery, shadowy creatures knock, knock, knocking at my door.

    Soon all the treats were gone.

    It wasn’t until I crawled into my bed, late that night, that I realized… it wasn’t Halloween.

  11. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR DIANA

    Many Happy Resquirms ( 96 words)

    Spiraliza the spider was celebrating her 8th birthday with a special treat. She was having all her leggy hairs coloured luminous gluminous ghoulish gloupy green. So she sat in front of the mirror at the salon but she was so excited that she couldn’t wait to scare people and she scuttled off before all the shampoo was rinsed away. So her legs were all slithery. She slipped and she slithered and slithered and slipped all the way to her birthday cake. And all the guests were so scared they sang Happy Birthday to Glou by mistake.

    Diana Webb

  12. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR MARY-CATHERINE

    THEODORE TURKEY’S HALLOWEEN HUNT
    By Mary Catherine Amadu (@mc_amadu)
    WC: 100

    Theodore was feeling foul.
    It was Halloween.
    He needed a disguise,
    or soon Farmer would dress him.

    Theodore tried a scary mummy costume.
    “Sweet!” Cat purred.
    That ruffled Theodore’s feathers.

    His stint as skeleton was short-lived.
    Sheepdog spotted him. “Treat?”
    Skeleton was out. No bones about it.

    His slithery snake outfit wasn’t better.
    “I could eat you up,” Owl hooted.

    “How do I avoid being dinner?”
    Theodore exclaimed.

    “Cross the road!” suggested Hen.

    Theodore chewed it over.
    “No. That’s a chicken move.”

    But when Farmer came,
    and dressed him as Poultrygeist,
    Theodore realized…

    he’d crossed to the other side, regardless.

  13. cinzialverde says:
    Reply

    GHOST FINDS HIS GROOVE
    By Cindy Greene
    95 words

    ‘Twas the dance competition
    at Halloween Fest,
    Alone, poor Ghost moaned, “Rats,
    I’ll never be best.

    I can’t mash like a monster,
    my moonwalk is bad.
    I can’t slither or shuffle,
    I’m scared I’ll be bad!”

    But laughing and smiling,
    folks danced to and fro,
    Ghost thought “That looks fun,
    I could give it a go.”

    Ghost glimmered with glee,
    as he sailed ‘cross the floor.
    And when Witch won, Ghost cheered,
    then said, “Let’s dance some more!

    “We all move uniquely –
    it’s totally neat.
    For me dancing with friends
    is a Halloween treat.”

  14. Una Belle Townsend says:
    Reply

    Weird Halloween Treats

    By Una Belle Townsend

    100 Words

    Halloween treats are weird and scary. Neighbors give me prunes, pickles, and turnips. Yuk!
    This year I visited a new neighbor. “Come upstairs,” she said.
    The stairs collapsed at the top and became a warm, chocolaty waterfall. I tasted it, but the lady let out a hideous scream. I tried to leave, but there were no stairs. I slithered down the waterfall. Dripping in chocolate, I landed on a white, spongy cushion surrounded by a brown cracker. I was now part of a giant s’mores bar! I ran home. Next year, I’ll just stay home and make my own s’mores.

  15. jennyb_writes says:
    Reply

    The Jabberwocks of Halloween
    by Jenny Bowman
    86 words

    Twas’ dark and dim on hallowe’en
    among the maize-lined rows
    where children cloaked as jabberwocks
    were lost among the throes.

    Beware the scarey-crow who guards the fields,
    with eyes that glow and claws that catch.
    Beware the caws that cry from crows
    who peck at eyes and flesh.

    For in the haunted maze
    they’ll wander, lost for days
    unless…
    They trick the scarey-crow with treats
    and jack-o-lantern jest

    and dressed as jabberwocks run free
    to slither through the night unseen
    celebrating Halloween
    among the spookily dressed.

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

    Sooner and Sooner Every Year!
    By Stephanie Henson 2022
    @stepha_henson Twitter
    95 Words

    Silver slithers and settles down my Halloween costume,

    Shimmering and shining under the moonlight.

    Emerald green with cascading triangles made out of felt.

    Cut with care and creativity.

    Ornaments delicately placed throughout, dangle with delight.

    Popcorn garland strung along and circled all around,

    Tinsel and a tinfoil star complete the untimely ensemble.

    An unusual sight on this spooky night.

    A sneak peek at where Santa puts the presents.

    Comes sooner and sooner every year!

    A Christmas Tree that Trick or Treats!

    Is there anything scarier?

    A December staple taunting us in October?

    Ask my parents!

  17. Erin Buhr says:
    Reply

    A Slimy Halloween: Halloweenie Competition
    By Erin Buhr
    Word Count: 100

    In the crisp twilight,
    a rumbling tummy wakes Spencer the snail.
    Tentacles out,
    Dinner sniffed,
    Coast is clear.

    Mucus secrets as he sliiiiiiithers
    and sliiiiiides forward.

    THUMP THUMP THUMP the ground vibrates.
    A bunny, princess, and ninja run past. Trick or treat!

    Spencer halts.
    Trick? He is scared
    but sliiiiiiides forward.

    THUMP THUMP THUMP.
    A bat, skeleton, and zebra trot past.
    Trick or Treat!

    Treat? Spencer brightens.
    What is this odd parade?

    His slimy trail climbs up, up, up.
    It’s hard, orange,
    not juicy.
    A trick?

    Reaching the top he stumbles,
    then down down down he tumbles.
    Ah! A treat.

  18. annemweaver says:
    Reply

    CANDY NIGHT
    by Anne Weaver
    100 words

    Costumes on,

    grab your gear,

    Candy Night is almost here.

    Sun is set,

    route is mapped,

    we won’t leave one house untapped.

    Trick or treat,

    check the haul.

    Chocolate! Gummies! Eat them all.

    Wrapper pile,

    empty tote,

    taffy slithers down my throat.

    Not enough.

    We need more!

    I know somewhere we can score.

    Candy out,

    down the road,

    now we’ve hit the motherlode.

    “Just take one?”

    I think not.

    Ditch the sign and grab the lot!

    Lights come on,

    time to run!

    If my mom finds out, I’m DONE.

    Just a scare,

    so we think?…

    Doorbell footage has us linked.

  19. Hannah Roy LaGrone says:
    Reply

    Growing Candy Apples
    By Hannah Roy LaGrone
    100 words

    Luna, an apprentice witch,
    practiced in her yard—
    charming sprouts to grow from seeds
    and waiting (that was hard!)…

    to conjure up enchanting trees!
    The wait seemed without end;
    weeks, months, YEARS passed by before
    the heavy boughs would bend…

    bearing juicy apple treats
    she would have gladly shared.
    But should it really take this long?
    She’d started to get scared…

    that maybe fruit would NEVER come,
    But finally, they grew!
    On a moonlit Halloween,
    she stirred a candy brew…

    greeting trick-or-treaters
    whose costumes slithered past.
    The sweet fruits of her labor (yum!)
    had all paid off, at last.

    (Also posting to my blog at TheWorldAsOurClassroom.wordpress.com)

  20. Linda (@HofkeWrites) says:
    Reply

    Sister’s First Halloween Night
    by Linda Hofke
    (99 words)

    A (Spooky) Halloween Night

    Moonlight shadows slither across the sidewalk. Creepy things are all around— spiderwebs, scarecrows, skeletons, Jack-o-lanterns flickering gruesome grins.

    It’s a spooky Halloween night.
    Sis grabs my hand and holds on tight.

    We pass witches, white sheet ghosts and even Frankenstein. Sis starts to whine a little.

    I tell her “It’s just Halloween night.
    They’re not real. It will be alright.”

    First house. Ring the bell. Grandma opens the door. “Well, well. What have we here? A cow and a bee!” She gives me and sis treats.

    It’s a spooky Halloween night.
    But sister’s smile now shines bright.

    Next stop…Grandpa’s.

  21. Jamie says:
    Reply

    Calling All Campers to the Camp Spooky Halloween Campfire
    By: Jamie Rodarte
    Word Count: 99

    Camp Spooky doesn’t scare me.
    Not one ghoulie ghost story bit.
    The camp counselor costumes aren’t even creepy.
    Whatever, I’m just here for the s’mores and treats.
    Some kids say real ghosts visit the campfire.
    I say pass four chocolate rectangles my way.
    Blow, blow, blow!
    I love when my marshmallow slithers off the skewer.
    Let the gooey times rock n’ roll, Camp Spooky!
    Really, a flashlight under the chin, people?
    A haunted cabin!
    My skin has bumps.
    Do you hear that?
    My spine has shivers.
    Can we sleep with the cabin lights on?
    This is far too scary.

  22. Patricia Finnegan says:
    Reply

    A PUMPKIN NAMED RATTLESNAKE PETE
    by
    Pat Finnegan
    (28 words)

    Beware! Here comes Rattlesnake Pete.

    This pumpkin will trick but not treat.

    Rolling hither and thither,

    He’ll hiss “BOO!” then slither

    to scare all the kids on the street.

  23. Patricia Finnegan says:
    Reply

    PUMPKIN PRIDE
    by
    Pat Finnegan
    (100 words)

    One tiny pumpkin sat on the vine.

    “Grow, Pumpkin, grow,” chanted Witch.

    When scary bugs slithered close, Ghost shouted “Boo!”

    “Grow, Pumpkin, grow,” chanted Ghost.

    Mummy watered during four months of sunshine.

    “Grow, Pumpkin, grow,” chanted Mummy.

    Cool weather came; Pumpkin stopped growing.

    “Pumpkin’s perfect!” said Witch, Ghost, and Mummy.

    “Let’s bring him to the contest at the Trick-or-Treat Fair!”

    Carved pumpkins… Warty pumpkins… Tasty pumpkins…

    But no pumpkin beat Pumpkin.

    Witch, Ghost, and Mummy beamed with pumpkin pride

    Their precious Pumpkin won grand prize —

    WORLD’S HEAVIEST PUMPKIN

    FUN FACT: The Guinness World Record for heaviest pumpkin is 2,702 pounds.

  24. https://katiewalsh.blog/ says:
    Reply

    GARDENIA GHOST
    By Katie Walsh
    To the tune of ‘The Addams Family’
    95 Words

    Gardenia was a sweet ghost
    Much cheerier than most
    She really didn’t belong
    She sang a different song.

    Tweedle Dee Dee
    Tweedle Dee Doo

    Tweedle Dee Dee
    Tweedle Dee Doo

    Tweedle Dee BOO!

    She heard about a contest
    Much scarier than the rest
    She practiced, and she fine-tuned
    Under the harvest moon.

    Tweedle Dee Dee
    Tweedle Dee Doo

    Tweedle Dee Dee
    Tweedle Dee Doo

    Tweedle Dee BOO!

    Her song made guests all quiver
    The judge began to slither.
    A treat so sweet its frightful
    She wins for most delightful!

    Tweedle Dee Dee
    Tweedle Dee BOO!

  25. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR AMANDA

    I AM ALWAYS A CAT
    By: Amanda Littlefield
    WC: 100

    I want to be a cat this year.
    I am always a cat.
    Dad says, “How about a snake?”
    If I were a snake, I could slither down the street but…
    I am always a cat.
    Mom says, “What about a cupcake?”
    Cupcakes are my favorite treat, but…
    I am always a cat.
    “You could be a pirate,” says Grandma.
    My pirate hat looks great, but…
    I am always a cat.
    “You should be a ghost,” says Grandpa.
    I could say, “boo!” and scare my brother! But…
    I want to be a cat this year.
    I am always a cat.

  26. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR KATHY

    SCAREDY SNAKE
    By: Kathy Hill Crable

    “I won’t be scared!”
    Said the snake who came to the door,
    “of ghosts, goblins or children galore.”

    “That bunch of green grapes, the princess in pink,
    worries me as much
    as that skunk who doesn’t stink.”

    “I’ll hiss! Slither!
    Hide my fear!
    That’s sure to send that astronaut off into the stratosphere.”

    Snake gathered his courage,
    arched up his back,
    and opened the door – just a crack.

    Monsters, firefighters, even an aluminum foil knight,
    Smiled and yelled,
    “Trick or Treat! It’s Halloween night!”

  27. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR CYNTHIA

    CLASSROOM COSTUME CONUNDRUM 100 Words
    by Cynthia Reeg

    Wendy couldn’t wait for the date.
    The Spookiest
    The Scariest
    The very best-iest day of the year–
    HALLOWEEN!

    Tons of sweets to eat!
    Trick-or-treating down every street.
    AND
    the Crockerton Elementary Costume Contest.

    Wendy wanted to win
    BUT…
    she could
    NOT
    choose an outfit.

    Should she be high-flying Super Girl?
    Or a snow-white unicorn?
    Or a glittery, slithery giant python?

    She made an adorable witch.
    And a high-scoring soccer player.
    But those seemed too bland.

    She needed haunting pizazz—
    monster-size brains,
    spirited bravery,
    hearty flair!

    What-oh-what should she be?
    Ah-yes!

    Wendy wowed as…
    Ms. Marzoni,
    her favorite teacher!

    TOP PRIZE!

  28. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR LES

    A Beckoning Spell
    By Les Degnan
    WC: 95

    It’s All Hallow’s Eve!
    Where is my broom?
    I’ll scare little children.
    I’ll zip and I’ll zoom.

    By the full moon,
    I’ll grab children’s treats,
    And turn all their candy,
    To smelly, old beets!

    I’m tricky and ugly.
    Unfriendly and green.
    It must be here somewhere!
    Now I’m feeling mean!

    What are those words,
    I must evoke?
    Come to me broom!
    This spell is no joke.

    Shake and shimmer,
    Slither and creak,
    Bring back to me,
    That which I seek!

    There you are broom!
    And just in time.
    The witching begins,
    At midnight’s chime.

    BONG!

  29. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR TARSIA

    Halloween Eve
    By Tarsia Rhyne

    “Time for bed,” Mom says on un-Halloween Eve nights!
    Already? I’m not tired! I fuss and I fight.
    Tonight is different. I slither into bed,
    With visions of candy corn, dancing in my head.

    Ghosts will be crawling and goblins creeping.
    Witches and monsters will all be trick or treating!
    And me? I’ll be… Guess if you dare!
    With Blood and fangs, you’re in for a real scare!

    Spooky! Scary! Fun! I can’t wait!
    “Get up honey, time for school. Don’t be late!”
    What? It’s morning? Did I even dream?
    It’s the day I’ve been waiting for! Happy Halloween!

  30. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR LUCRETIA
    Which Witch Will Win?
    by Lucretia Schafroth
    100 words

    Drusilla worried. The witch HAD to win this Halloween’s “Frightful Food-fest” contest.
    First prize: all-you-can-eat chocolate treats!

    Suddenly, her scheming cousin swooped down.

    “Whatcha makin’ for `Food-fest, Dru?” Elektra demanded.
    “Thinking—”
    “Thinking you’ll lose to me—again?!” Elektra cackled.

    Drusilla cringed at Elektra’s “prediction.”

    “Gotta conjure scary recipes. Later, Ele-gator!”
    Dru skedaddled.

    Spicy spider spaghetti? Bat bone bouillabaisse?
    To guarantee a win, her entry needed a special, sabotage-proof ingredient.
    “A potion!”

    First, the judges tried Elektra’s Slithering Snake Stew.
    “Hmmm,” they murmured.

    When the judges tasted Drusilla’s caldron, they gasped, “Dreadfully … delicious!”

    “The winner is —”

    “Drusilla!”

    Her “Excellent Elixir” worked!

  31. CJ Penko says:
    Reply

    CJ Penko/ cjpenko.com / 100 words

    THE SPIDER WEB HOUSE

    From her web on the roof, Spider watched the family lug out the Halloween decorations.
    The boy wanted to win “SCARIEST HOUSE.”
    But apparently, the lights went on the roof…
    So, Spider slithered to the door.
    But the wreath hung on the door.
    Maybe the porch??
    Treat territory.
    Come on! The bushes?!?
    Scarecrow stakes.
    Decorating was done, and Spider was webless. Then… the storm came.
    All night it blew.
    The boy watched his decorations fall.
    Spider grinned. Then started working.
    All night she wove.
    Halloween morning
    The townspeople were terrified to find the house encased in spider webs.
    1st Place.

  32. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR JILL

    The Monster of Barlow’s Bakery
    by Jill Burns 97 words

    Mom stopped at Barlow’s Bakery.

    “I don’t want to trick or treat here.”

    “Why not?” she asked.

    “I’m scared. Mr. Barlow turns into a monster on Halloween night.”

    “Who said?”

    “Everyone. His one eyeball glows and slugs slither out of his scarred face.

    “Do you know he’s a hero?”

    “No.”

    “Long ago he rescued a family from a flaming car. He lost one eye and scorched his flesh.”

    We stepped inside.

    Mr. Barlow greeted us. “Happy Halloween!”

    With misty eyes, I gave him a hug.

    “Cider and doughnuts?” he asked.

    “My favorite,” I said.

    Mom smiled and winked.

  33. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR KATIE

    A CANDY BREAK FOR MONGOOSE AND SNAKE
    by Katie Schwartz
    98 words

    Python slithered from his den
    Trick-or-treating time again!

    “A juicy mongoose is a treat.
    I’m huntin’ one that’s chubby, sweet!

    “There’s a goose! Oh, that’s not right!”
    Goose spotted snake, flew out of sight.

    Mongoose woke…All Hallow’s Night.
    Pumpkin lattes…Snake-Delight!

    A little squirmy worm – no way!
    Mongoose ate him anyway.

    Python slithered toward a rat
    Blehhh! Too hairy – that was that.

    A den of snakes…just one unlucky…
    Mongoose bit…and spit. “Eeey-yucky!”

    Look! Parade – in town, with treats!
    Nothing scary…yummy sweets…

    “Hello Mongoose.” “Hi Big Snakey!”
    Neither was the least bit shaky!

    Catching candy…sharing too.
    “Seeya!” “Next year!” “Toodle-ooo!”

  34. Denise Seidman says:
    Reply

    KID COBRA’S HALLOWEEN
    Denise Seidman WC=100

    On Halloween, Kid Cobra wanted to go trick-or-treating. He slithered into a clown costume.

    The red clown nose ….
    FELL OFF!

    Snakes have no noses.

    The crown of the king’s costume was too big and it …
    FELL OFF!

    Kid Cobra shimmied into a monster costume and was spooktacular!

    Knock! Knock!

    A Zombie answered.

    “S-s-s-sick or s-s-s-sweet!” Kid Cobra hissed by the door.

    The Zombie’s eye twitched and…
    FELL OFF!

    Scared, Kid Cobra raised his hood and let out a groaning moan, “Argh!” ‘

    “Thought you wanted something sick!” The Zombie grunted. “Here’s some treats!”

    Kid Cobra darted away with the goodies.

  35. writestuff99 says:
    Reply

    Costume Not Required
    (100 words)
    By JC Kelly

    “Mama, can I wear a costume this year?”
    Mama laughed.

    “Can I be a bird? That would be easy,
    I already have wings?”
    Mama giggled.

    “How about a black cat who slithers through the night?
    I already have pointy ears.”
    Mama chuckled.

    “What about a scary vampire?
    I already have a pair of fangs.”
    Mama chortled.

    I was getting desperate…
    “How about Batman?”
    Mama actually snorted.

    “Why would you want to be anyone else?” asked Mama.
    “Halloween is the night when we get treated like celebrities.
    Everyone screams and shrieks when they spot us bats gliding in the night sky!”

  36. Karen Pickrell says:
    Reply

    Lucinda Blackletter
    By Karen Pickrell
    93 words

    Lucinda Blackletter wanted treats for Halloween.

    Slithery treats.
    Spooky treats.
    Scary treats.

    She put on her pointy black hat and started baking.

    Lucinda stirred,
    and poured,
    and popped out the wobbly treats.

    She sampled the confections. One morsel slid down her throat. Gulp.

    Then Lucinda packaged up the treats and left a note for her neighbor:

    You’ve been Boo’d!

    She rang the doorbell and hid.

    Arial and Helvetica came to the door, gobbled up the goodies, and left something for Lucinda Blackletter, too.

    After all, they knew it was her by her handwriting.

  37. Liz Kehrli says:
    Reply

    Candi Corn- 100 words
    By Liz Kehrli

    They paused at the spooky house, in their matching candy corn costumes.
    “I’m sure those scary stories aren’t true, Tina,” said Candi, holding out her hand. “Want some?”
    “No,” answered Tina. “And you should stop eating those candy corns! You’ll turn into one!”
    “I wish!” Candi said, laughing.
    They knocked on the massive door.
    Creeeeeeaaaaak!
    A witch appeared.
    “Trick or treat!”
    “How ‘bout a trick?”
    “Sh-sure,” mumbled Candi.
    Suddenly, Candi slithered inside her costume, which throbbed, then tightened around her.
    She gasped for air as the material melted into her skin.
    “Be careful what you wish for,” the witch snickered.

  38. Maria Marshall (@MariaMarshall_) says:
    Reply

    Glass Lizard Halloween
    by Maria Marshall
    WC 99

    Leg-o-less slithered to the clearing.
    This year, he HAD to be a Witches’ companion.

    But Victor chose Viper.
    Bertha donned Boa.
    Kyle teamed with Blue Krait.

    “Eww,” Lucinda screeched, “NO legless lizards.”

    One by one, snakes wrapped brooms, hats, shoulders, and wands;
    excited to scare the ghouls and goblins and sneak Frankie’s’ treats.

    Leaving Leg-o-less curled up alone.

    BRRRRM!

    Lance rode up on a cordless broom.
    “I can’t fly, yet. But I’m scary,” he cackled.
    “I’m not a snake,’ said Leg-o-less, “but I can slither & be scary.”

    They zoomed up the path together snagging treats and scattering shrieks.

  39. Samantha Christian Haas says:
    Reply

    Scaredy Cat and the Haunted Hunt
    By Samantha Cora Christian Haas
    100 words

    While trick-or-treaters knocked on doors and filled their bags with sweets, Alley waited for her turn to eat.

    But Alley preferred something savory. And fresh.

    She hid under a quilt of leaves until the neighborhood was quiet and the glow of jack-o’-lanterns faded. That’s when little critters would come out to nibble on warm pumpkin flesh.

    Hunting on Halloween night was easy — as long as Alley was sneaky.

    When Alley reached inside the carved mouth, she snatched a furry mouse. But as she pulled out the tasty morsel, a snake slithered over her paw and gave the cat a scare!

  40. nazalibhai says:
    Reply

    Graduation Night – 70 words
    by Naz Alibhai

    Between the tombs at midnight, junior ghosties silently slither past as they head to Scare School one last time. It’s graduation night. They prepare for their final fright with giddy ghoulish delight. It is time. They shimmy, shiver, and shake…then blast their best BOOOOOOOS onto unsuspecting trick-or-treaters. But was it enough to earn their Big Boo Badge? Scaredy screams and scattered candy quickly follow. It’s a win! Happy graduation ghosties!

  41. Grinny Butler says:
    Reply

    New Friends
    By Sarah Hawklyn

    From the porch, Lindy watched costumed monsters slither by.
    “Where is Papa? He promised we’d trick-or-treat.”
    “Still at the Counsel Meeting,” Barnaby meowed.
    Lindy snapped her fingers to light her Jack-o-lantern, only smoke and sparkles.
    “Drats!” Nothing was going right. She stamped her foot…right on Barnaby’s tail.
    MRAWW!!
    Barnaby jumped into the path of a witchling walking by.
    “You scared me!” she exclaimed.
    “Sorry. I’m Lindy.”
    “I’m Dora”
    “Would you like to go Trick-or-treating?”
    “I’ll get my broom.”
    As they walked away Lindy snapped her fingers.
    “Bring me a treat,” Barnaby called, bathed in the light of Lindy’s glowing Jack-o-lantern.

  42. tmlegrys says:
    Reply

    Sam Wasn’t Afraid – 100 wds
    by T. May LeGrys
    ______

    Sam wasn’t afraid.

    Slithering zombies, howling ghosts!

    They didn’t scare Sam.

    On Halloween morning, Sam woke with a fright.
    A thundering boom, flashes of white.

    Spooky the cat, sprang from the bed
    Sam became startled, he screamed, and he fled.

    The storm dimmed the lights, Sam tripped in the dark,
    His stumble scared Fido, who started to bark.

    The bark scared Sam’s mom. She let out a shout
    Mom’s shout surprised Sam. He went running out.

    A massive black bear blocking the door!
    Sam slid to a stop but slipped, hit the floor.

    “A Trick or Treat for dad, Sam?”

  44. Colleen Dougherty says:
    Reply

    Black Cats Get a Bad Rap – 99 words
    by Colleen Dougherty

    Black cats get a bad rap.

    Are we witches in disguise?

    Preposterous!

    If you were to cross our path, would we curse you with bad luck?

    Not likely!

    Does our blacker-than-inky black fur scare you?

    Silly child!

    We are like other felines.

    Enjoying a cuddle against a shoulder.

    Scratches behind the ear.

    A satisfied soul singing a soft “purr.”

    Still, on Halloween night, when clouds shroud the moon and a black cat slithers alongside you…you might want to run.

    Unless you have a tuna treat for us.

    We may or may not accept it.

    We are cats, after all.

  45. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR ANNETTE

    Dad’s First Trick or Treat
    Annette Bethers

    We’re going on a trick or treat spree.
    “Don’t be scared, Dad. You’re safe with me.”

    Wait! What’s that lurking in the dark?
    Are there goblins in the park?

    “No, I’m not scared, Dad. Just alert.”
    Is this a claw mark on my shirt?

    What’s that slithering up the tree?
    “Dad, you should stay close to me.”

    Did a shadow just cross the moon?
    Was it a witch riding a broom?

    It might have been a ghost instead!
    “Let’s run and hide under the bed!”

    What? No ghost? No witch? Nothing slithery?
    “Like I said, Dad. You’re safe with me!”

  47. Janice Kay Alexander says:
    Reply

    #1, I just love this Dad, as he reminds me of my Dad. Someone the child trusts, AND such a fun gentle spirit to allow his little one to be “leading the way” on Halloween. Just love this heartfelt concept and the rhyme.

  48. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR SHARON
    (received on time)

    SKELETONS NEED TEDDY BEARS TOO
    By Sharon Jackson
    (Word Count 93)

    On Halloween night, at the creepy gravesite,
    the skeletons start to appear.
    But one little skeleton has in his arms,
    a soft, little, brown teddy bear.

    “When I’m stuck underground, the worms slither by.
    It’s a treat when they ask me to play.
    But it’s boring down there, so I have my brown bear,
    and the fun that we have lasts all day.”

    After hours of scaring they stop at the store,
    to pick out a bear of their own.
    Then back underground, until next Halloween,
    but this time they won’t be alone.

  49. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR JULIANNA
    (entered on time but misposted under someone else’s)

    Sam and Dusty Trick or Treat
    by Julianna Helt

    Sam and Dusty are ready for trick or treat! Sam’s dressed as a sneaky snake, green and yellow with a long tall, and a hat with fangs and a hissing tongue.
    Dusty wears an old musty cowboy costume. Achoo! Dusty is allergic to dust.
    The pair set off.
    Slither. Sneeze. Treats, please!
    Sam sees his little sister. She’s a Princess with a tiara. Time for a trick! Princesses don’t like snakes!
    Slither. Sneeze. Treats, please!
    Sam sneaks. Sam slithers. Just when he’s about to scare the princess-Achoo!
    Dusty sneezes!
    Slither. Sneeze. Treats-no tricks, please!

  50. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Reply

    ENTRY POSTED FOR BRENDA
    (entry received on time and misposted under someone else’s)

    LOST by Brenda Covert

    Pumpkins leer. Owls hoot. Cats’ eyes glow.
    Hobsie sniffs the air. “Isn’t this fun?”
    “It’s a scary night to be lost!” Reerie says.
    Crinkled cornstalks quiver as chilly breezes sigh.
    Hobsie shivers. “Time to go!”
    Reerie blinks. “Let’s run!”
    Hearts racing, the friends dash one way, then another. Crunchy sounds follow.
    Shadows slither after them. Dogs howl in the distance.
    As moonlight reveals the way, mice scurry across crisp leaves.
    Hobsie’s eyes gleam.
    Reerie nudges him. “There’s no time for a treat! Hurry!”
    At the exit, Hobsie and Reerie saunter out, long black tails entwined.
    Best Halloween maze ever!

    BRENDA

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