The 14th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOO!!!

Hair of bat and witch’s ear! It’s time for. . .

The 14th 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 tiptoe, goblin, and chill.

  • 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. tiptoe, tiptoeing, tiptoed, chills, chilling, etc. 😊
  • 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 below between right now this very second and 11:59PM Eastern Thursday October 31st (So you have 3 full days to post – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.)

  • 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 the Official Contest Post between 12:01 AM Eastern Tuesday October 29th and Thursday 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!
  • 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. In addition, I can’t add the links until 51 entries are posted or they get messed up and have to be redone. 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 as soon as I can get them up! The winners will be announced a couple days after the voting to give everyone time to vote.

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!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ FABULOUS PRIZES FROM GENEROUS PEOPLE!!! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

⭐️ Signed Copy of LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN PLUS A 30 Minute Ask Me Anything with Rebecca Gardyn Levington, author of BRAINSTORM! (Sleeping Bear Press, 2022), WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (Barefoot Books, Mar 7, 2023), I WILL ALWAYS BE…(HarperCollins, 4/15/25 – Available for Pre-Order Now),  AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? A Passover Hide-And-Seek Adventure (Penguin/Rocky Pond, Spring 2024), LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN (Scholastic, 9/3/24), WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW! (Capstone, 1/1/25 – Available for Pre-Order Now), FINDING FORGIVENESS (Macmillan/FSG, 8/5/25), SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND (Barefoot Books, Fall 2025), and LOOKING FOR LIGHT: A Shabbat Story (Macmillan/FSG, Fall 2026)

Sign up for Rebecca’s NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/h2sK8X

⭐️ Zoom Ask Me Anything about Indie Publishing or Writing Chapter Books with author Kizzie Hutcheson Roberts, indie author of THE ELVES GO MARCHING (Elemental Ink, December 1, 2022), THE EGGS GO ROLLING (Learning Spark, February 16, 2023), and HARPER AND THE RAPTOR RESCUE (chapter book) (Learning Spark Educational Publishing, June 27, 2023)

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique OR First Chapter MG Critique with Beth Stillborn, writer of middle-grade fiction, occasional picture books, fiction for grownups, and poetry, and qualified editor of anything you put in front of her!

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (non-rhyming) OR 30 Minute Ask Me Anything Zoom Session (winner’s choice) from Kari Ann Gonzalez, author of HOW TO HATCH A READER (Gnome Road Publishing, August 15, 2023)

⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique OR First Chapter CB, MG, or YA Critique from Candice Marley Conner, author of M IS FOR MOON PIE: ABCs IN THE BIRTHPLACE OF MARDI GRAS (Derby Press, January 6, 2023), SASSAFRAS AND HER TEENY TINY TAIL (MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing, June 8th, 2021), THE EXISTENCE OF BEA PEARL (Owl Hollow Press, June 15th, 2021), and CHOMPSEY CHOMPS BOOKS (MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing, October 12th, 2021)

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique OR 30 Minute Ask Me Anything Call – winner’s choice – 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), A FLOOD OF KINDNESS (WorthyKids, 2021), and DEBBIE’S SONG (Kar-Ben Publishing, April 4, 2023)

⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyming) from Gayle C. Krause, author of ZADIE AND THE WITCH’S TEA (Trowbridge Books, LLC, July 1, 2023), ROCK STAR SANTA (Scholastic, January 1, 2008), DADDY, CAN YOU SEE THE MOON? (Spork, April 9, 2019), ONCE UPON A TWISTED TALE (Spork, June 18, 2019), as well as two YAs and a MG!

⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyming or non-rhyming) from Nancy Derey Riley, author/illustrator of CURIOSITY’S DISCOVERY (Rolling Prairie Publishing LLC, November 10, 2020), BUTTERFLY INN (Rolling Prairie Publishing LLC, May 25, 2022), YETI IN THE SERENGETI (Rolling Prairie Publishing LLC, May 30, 2023), and a new book due out next spring that is still hush-hush 😊

⭐️ A 30 Minute Ask Infowoman: A Library Consult Zoom session for an author visit presentation slide deck review from Kathy Halsey! Please visit her website to see her many, many qualifications!

⭐️ A 30 Minute Ask Me Anything Zoom Chat with Carrie Finison, author of DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition, July 21, 2020), DON’T HUG DOUG (He Doesn’t Like It) (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, January 26, 2021), LULU AND ZOEY: A Sister Story (Running Press Kids, June 7, 2022), HURRY LITTLE TORTOISE, TIME FOR SCHOOL (Random House Studio, July 19, 2022), and PIGS DIG A ROAD (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, September 10, 2024)

⭐️ 30 Minute Ask Me Anything Zoom Chat (anything relating to writing/publishing) OR a signed copy of winner’s choice of any of her picture books from Becky Scharnhorst, author of MY SCHOOL STINKS! (Flamingo Books, July 2021),  THIS FIELD TRIP STINKS! (Flamingo Books, August 2022), and HOW TO GET YOUR OCTOPUS TO SCHOOL (Flamingo Books, May 16, 2023)

⭐️ A Signed Copy of THE PIE THAT MOLLY GREW (Sleeping Bear Press, August 2023) OR 13 WAYS TO EAT A FLY (Charlesbridge, 2021) – winner’s choice – from Sue Heavenrich, author of THE PIE THAT MOLLY GREW (Sleeping Bear Press, August 2023), 13 WAYS TO EAT A FLY (Charlesbridge, 2021), DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE (21st Century Books, August, 2018), FUNKY FUNGI (Chicago Review Press, July, 2022), the Super Science Series, and The Human Machine Series.

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! 😊

With so many great prizes up for grabs I hope there will be a lot of entries – the more the merrier! And you’ve still got a couple days to write, so you can squeeze in under the wire if you haven’t written yet. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well. And your reading friends – parents, teachers, etc. The more people who read and enjoy your stories, the better!!!

Contest Entrants, remember you MUST post your entry in the comment section below and include title, byline, and word count.

Eager Readers – just go along the list of links below, click on them (they’ll take you directly to whichever story you click on), and enjoy the stories!

So, let the Halloweensie begin!

Happy Reading! Happy Writing! Happy Halloween! 🎃 🎃 🎃

I can’t wait to read your entries!

The 274 entries listed below are linked to where they appear in the comments so you can click on the titles and get right to them! (I promise I will get to this as soon as I can!) Anyone who feels kind can start at the bottom of the list so those entries get some comments too! 🎃 😊

2024 Halloweensie Contest Entries!

  1. Skeleton’s Halloween – Lucretia Schafroth
  2. Ninja Goblins – Mike Flowers
  3. Goblin Sundaes – Jocelyn Watkinson
  4. Loblin Goblin’s Pile of Toes – Liz Stitt
  5. The Peanut Butter Cup Caper – Mikki DeFever
  6. Goblin Hunt – Margaret Robison
  7. ‘Tis The Season – Tamara Hecht
  8. Five Grumbling Goblins One Halloween Night – Susan Elizabeth Schipper
  9. We Are All Monsters Here – Jamie Donahoe
  10. Goblin-Fun! – Paul Kurtz
  11. Gobblin’ Goblin! – Paul Kurtz
  12. Happiest Halloween Ever! – Donna Kurtz
  13. Scree-eechh! – Donna Kurtz
  14. Goblin Mess – Jeanette O’Toole
  15. Trick or Treat? – Corine Timmer
  16. Halloween Fright – Corine Timmer
  17. Helicopter Parent Halloween – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
  18. Prankster, Pranked! – Sofia Pileggi
  19. Goblin, Cat, And The Halloween Night Ball – Susan Burdorf
  20. Evie’s Perfect Halloween – Sydnie Suskind
  21. Halloween Hunt For A Midnight Munch – Jodie Houghton
  22. The Halloween Candy Caper – Lindsay Moretti
  23. Witch One? – Stephanie Ward
  24. Can Goblins Learn To Chill? – Maggie Rowland
  25. A Boo-itful Night – Jany Campana
  26. A Goblin Halloween – Maggie Rowland
  27. The Goblin’s Stare – Russell Wolff
  28. The Goblin’s Secret – Mona Voelkel
  29. What’s That Creepy Sound? – Russell Wolff
  30. Drella’s Halloween Treat – Elizabeth Volkmann
  31. Five Days To Halloween – Isabel Rodriguez
  32. It’s Time! – Jean Leotta
  33. Halloweensie Story From Nairobi – Shariffa Keshavjee
  34. Untitled – Shariffa Keshavjee
  35. A Halloween Night Invite – Emily Roberts
  36. Night of Hallows – Shariffa Keshavjee
  37. Trick-or-Treat At The New Neighbors – Nicole Loos Miller
  38. Grandma Goblin’s Ghastly Goulash – Emily Roberts
  39. Gabby and Garrett’s Halloween – Sarah Meade
  40. Halloween With Autumn and Summer – Sarah Meade
  41. Halloween In Creepytown – Sarah Meade
  42. Creating Black Cats In A Cauldron – P.J. Purtee
  43. Tonight’s Performance – Robin Currie
  44. Tricky Treats – Charlie Griffin
  45. The ABC’S of Halloween – Stephanie Mena
  46. Hairy Princess – Dana Dillaman
  47. The Scarf and the Scarecrow – Kelly Clasen
  48. Gobblin’ Goblin – Lori Bonati
  49. What Will I Be This Year? – Eric Sondergeld
  50. Skeleton Shivers – Angel Gantnier
  51. The Goblin King – RJ Clarken
  52. Sustenance – Elizabeth Thoms Charles
  53. Spooky ABCs – Alan Elliott
  54. A Real Halloween Horror – Keatley Eastman
  55. Goblins! – Marla Yablon
  56. The Glamorous Little Goblin – Melissa Miles
  57. A Terrifying Sight – Sarah Musolino
  58. Don’t Wake The Werewolf! – Laura Wippell
  59. Goblin’s Trick – Kelly Kates
  60. The Haunted House Dare – Melissa Miles
  61. You Can Have Our Candy! – Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
  62. Goblin’s Rule – Linda Staszak
  63. Ghoul’s Trick and Treat at School – Nancy Ferguson
  64. Trick-or-Treat, Smell My Feet – Jacinta Patterson
  65. The Craving – Julie Lerczak
  66. Goblin Snacks – Bonnie Hall
  67. Beach Halloween – Christine Bassham
  68. Two B’s Or ot Two B’s – Linda Staszak
  69. It Happened On Halloween – Denise Seidman
  70. Tricked Out of Treats – Lorraine McCown
  71. The Goblin’s Hallowe’en – Colleen Fogarty
  72. A Sweaty Halloween. – Karen LaSalvia
  73. The Basement – Katia M. Jesson
  74. No Tricks, Just Treats – Patti Richards
  75. Party Manners – Lauri C. Meyers
  76. The Wallydraigle – Kristen Littlefield
  77. Halloween Sticks and Tricks – Becki J. Kidd
  78. S’More Hunting – Jennifer Della’Zanna
  79. The Tale of Ricky and Pete – Marye Elmlinger
  80. Bob The Goblin’s Lullaby – Tracie Renee
  81. Little Goblin’s Halloween – Kathleen Mazurowski
  82. Scary Costume Question – Leanne Pankuch
  83. Essence of Halloween – Rhonda T. Spear
  84. The Alley – Glenda Roberson
  85. Pumpkin Pickers – Glenda Roberson
  86. Out of the Shadows – Glenda Roberson
  87. Mummies vs. Vampires – Katie Lee Reinert
  88. Baba Yaga Stew – From “Forest Witches’ Favorite Halloween Recipes” – Sue Ko
  89. Witchyella – Brigid Finucane
  90. Baby Goblin At The Halloween Ball – Meg Winikates
  91. Goblin Brom Bones: Legend of the North Pole – Kathleen Jacobs
  92. A Chili-Filled Night (in Haiku) – Lyn Jekowsky
  93. Salesman For The Goblin Show – Shaunessy Sinnett
  94. How The Hobgoblin Got Its Hob – Anne Lipton
  95. In The Cave Of The Goblin King – Kendra Lusty
  96. Trick-or-Treat Nightmare – Cindy Sommer
  97. Goblena’s Halloween Soup – Sarah Tobias
  98. Gobleyn And Gnome – Vashti Verbowski
  99. Whimsey’s Halloween Surprise – Tara Seahorn
  100. Even Goblin Superman Needs His Underwear – Shuba Mohan
  101. The Haunted. . . – Ruthie Nicklaus
  102. What Will I Be? – Lucia Lemieux
  103. Halloween At The House Up On The Hill – Beth Gallagher
  104. Body Talk – Lorraine McCown
  105. Twink – Rose Cappelli
  106. Trick or Treat Pie – Pam Adams
  107. Matching Goblins – Margaret Lea
  108. Goblin Trouble – Jen Subra
  109. Wanted: Cat – Jessica Iwanski
  110. Goblin Twins – Marty Findley
  111. Halloween Sneak – Mimi Hersh
  112. Taking Inventory – Suzy Zemel
  113. The Goblin Ballet – Nicole Loy
  114. Halloween Chess – Betsy Bennett
  115. Tricky Treat – Reed Hilton-Eddy
  116. Friendship, The Sweetest Candy – Teresa Speranza Vargas
  117. Halloween Heist – Barb Edwards
  118. A Post-Halloween Party – Jessica Jenson
  119. Trick and Treat – Vita Luna
  120. Goblin Cake – Amanda Blaylock
  121. Paxton Maxton Mumpledread – Tracey Kiff-Judson
  122. It’s NOT St. Nick (A Halloween Story) – Dawn Hauptner
  123. This Way Comes Halloween – Jo Baldwin
  124. Advice For Mice – Sharon McCarthy
  125. The Goblin Problem – Jessie Raspbury
  126. Puny Pete – Seth Standley
  127. Just Desserts – Amanda Fletcher
  128. Halloween On The Farm, Cowgirl and the Inflatable Dinosaurs – Laura N. Clement
  129. A Spectrum of Costumes – Laura N. Clement
  130. Brave Little Witch – Cynthia Elomaa
  131. Bubble, Bubble, Good-bye Trouble! – Susan Jakubowski
  132. Spookyville’s Surprising Skills – Judy Caldwell Hughes
  133. Hallowscream – Ashley Sierra
  134. Grabby Gabby – Ashley Sierra
  135. The Real Halloween Heroes – Ashley Sierra
  136. Halloween 365 – Abigail Mumford
  137. Goons Beware! – Gary Stultz
  138. Untitled – Lori Stultz
  139. A Night On The Town – Marty Bellis
  140. Halloween Mischief – Rebecca W. Chester
  141. Counting On Halloween – Mary Rudzinski
  142. Beach Trick or Treat – Amy Duchene
  143. The Full-Size Candy Bar Challenge – Sara Kruger
  144. Without A Costume – Laura Oliphant
  145. It Is Time – Michelle Kenner
  146. Trick and Treat – Linda Balgley-Shore
  147. Zelda Zombie’s Tea – Amy LaRae Brewer
  148. Goblin Groove – Katie Brandyberry
  149. Goblin Sneaks A Treat – Lauren Racela
  150. Grumpy Goblin – T Milton
  151. Greedy Goblins – Adriana Gutierrez
  152. Cornelius, The Misfit Candy Corn – Deborah Kim
  153. Maybe A Snu – Greg Beatty
  154. Dad’s Nap – SHAWKLYN
  155. Three Witches and Their Beloved – Imelda Taylor
  156. A Scary Halloween – Janet Parkinson Bryce
  157. Goblin Trouble – Bonnie Kloster
  158. A Fright On Friday Night – Brett A. Starr
  159. Beware – Lynn Moore
  160. The Hairy, Scary Goblin – Lori Dubbin
  161. Frankenbones – Carol MacPherson
  162. Aurelia’s Cat Is A Bat – Eleanor A. Peterson
  163. Corky’s Halloween Scare – Carol MacPherson
  164. Johnny’s Brain – Diana Blau
  165. Halloween Parade – Dianne Wright
  166. Goblin and Cowboy – Vicky Pao
  167. My Second Halloween – Kim L. Young
  168. Thief In The Night – Marta Cutler
  169. Goblins Never Tiptoe – Laura Rice Martinez
  170. Skye’s Chilling Costume – Sarah Atherton
  171. Frightening Reflection – Jennifer Kaap
  172. Goblin’s Feet – Marie Tang
  173. Stopping By Stephen King’s on Hallowed Evening – Sherry Dubis
  174. All Hallow’s Eve – Darlene Pagán
  175. The Spooky Cave – Ghost Writer (R.I.P.M.)
  176. One More House – Dana Dillaman
  177. Who’s There? – Marilyn Wolpin
  178. How The Greedy Goblins Gobbled Halloween – S.J. Barratt
  179. Black Cat’s Trick For Treat – Nicole Terry
  180. Sister’s Sacrifice – Amanda Blaylock
  181. The Skeleton March – Maria Piñero Pope
  182. Jane-O-Lantern – Melissa Rafson Friedman
  183. It’s Not Easy Being A Goblin – Lynn Burton
  184. A Halloween Tale of the Deep Dark Sea – Amy LaMae Brewer
  185. Candy Corn Goblin – Leslie Ross-Degnan
  186. When I Am Jack – Tarja Helena Nevala
  187. Hello, Dessie – Jessica Russo
  188. The Long Walk Home – Jenna Renqvist
  189. The Halloween Hobgoblin – Sherry Moon
  190. It’s Halloween! – Maritere Bellas
  191. Catching Candy – Susan Schade
  192. Skeleton’s Surprise – Laurie Smith Murphy
  193. The Quickest Way To A Gargoyle’s Heart – MORNAGERSHO
  194. Beware The Screams On Halloween! – Griffin Taylor
  195. Georgie’s Halloween Hijinks – Jessie Anna Bornemann
  196. The Apple Bob Goblin – Marcia Dalphin Williams
  197. Tiptoes First Halloween – Barbara DiMarco
  198. Halloweenie, The Goblin And The Tender Hearted Schoolboy – Elizabeth Etheridge
  199. Goblin’s Halloween Trick – Jennifer Tarr
  200. Danny’s Goblin Dare – Islancy Guada
  201. Danny’s Goblin Dare Poem – Islancy Guada
  202. A Chilling Treat – Islancy Guada
  203. Chocozilla – Jessica D. Phillips
  204. A Goblin’s Trick or Treat – Thelia Hutchinson
  205. Goblins and Goodies – Carol Porter-Peszko
  206. Goblin’s Wish – Teresa MI Schaefer
  207. Naughty Goblin – Bri Lawyer
  208. A Goblin’s Haunted House – Bri Lawyer
  209. Goblin Goo – Ryann Jones
  210. The Candywrapper – Chris Scribbles
  211. Goblin Games – Katherine Rea
  212. Teddy Saved The Goblin’s Mind – Kimberly Zhuo
  213. Goody Goblin – Michelle S. Kennedy
  214. Lavender Luna Latte – Blythe Williams
  215. The Halloween Scare Contest – Diana Louise Vancura
  216. The Halloween Beast – Kristen Littlefield
  217. Little Goblin – Liz Shine
  218. The Goblins’ Halloween Ball – Lisa Lowe Stauffer
  219. The Door In The Hall – Kate Chabarek
  220. The Goblin Princess – Patricia Brown
  221. Shriek! It’s A Freak! – Jean Martin
  222. A Hallow’s Eve Surprise – J. Edwin Trindade
  223. The Scariest Costume – Helen Ishmurzin
  224. A Halloween Scare – Emily Roberts
  225. Goblin On A Break – Susanne Connolly
  226. Troll’s Greatest of All Time Jack-o-Lantern – Nadia Ali
  227. Feast of the Goblin King – Leah Tilki
  228. Mischievous Tricksters – Jenna Daucunas
  229. Ryan’s Sleepy Hollow-een – Jen Keenan
  230. Becky The Kind, Clever Goblin – Robin Brett Wechsler
  231. The Goblin – Angela Martinelli
  232. Where The Wind Blows – Daniella Kaufman
  233. Halloween Magic – Cindy Greene
  234. Goblin’s Gripe – Jill Lambert
  235. Where Are You, Pete? – Webb Smith
  236. The Gobblin’ Goblin – Carla Gullett
  237. The Halloween Parade – Alyssa Londoño
  238. A Busy October 31st – Emily Roberts
  239. Artists Interests – Lorraine McCown
  240. The Costume Contest – Amanda Littlefield
  241. Goblin Juice – Claudine Pullen
  242. That’s Just Me – Amanda Littlefield
  243. The History of the Goblin King and the Jellied Bean – Elizabeth Etheridge
  244. Toe-tips – Lucas Field
  245. Jack-O’-Sorta Lantern – Julie Hauswirth
  246. Far Worse Creatures – Nicole Garnett
  247. The Old Graveyard – Sharon Goldstein Jackson
  248. A Goblin Steals My Socks – Elizabeth Bryer
  249. Fibonacci Goblin – TERRIMICHELS
  250. The Halloween Caper – Brianna Brown
  251. A Good Night – Maripat Metcalf
  252. Goblin Party – Kassie Lamro
  253. ‘Winning’ Treats – Sarah (Sezza) Hetu
  254. The Goblin Kitten Guard – Jill Littig
  255. Curly Toes – Susan Eyerman
  256. Halloween Rules – Elenore Byrne
  257. Rub-A-Dub-Dub – Pat Finnegan
  258. Abby’s Halloween Adventure – Dianne Borowski
  259. IYKYK – M. Metcalf
  260. Stepping In By Stepping Out – Colleen Owens Murphy
  261. The Eager Halloweeners – Elise Teichert
  262. Goblin’s Halloween Surprise – Diana Sussman
  263. Aunt Violet’s Halloween Treats – Una Belle Townsend
  264. The Family Who Tricks Together. . . – Sharon Korzelius
  265. Sumpin’ Scary – Lisa Y? Wilson
  266. Twix-Or-Treat – Shaunessy Sinnett
  267. Boo Who? – Cathy Bendix
  268. Boo – Briana McCormick
  269. The Tale of the Terrible Treat Snatchers – Derek Quick
  270. A Halloween Riddle – Jennifer Schmitz
  271. Flight of Fright – Samantha Cora
  272. Tiptoe, Goblin and Chill – Barb Seregi
  273. Goblin Trick or Treat – Susan Summers
  274. Home Alone – Marina Wright

1,335 thoughts on “The 14th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest aahhhrrrooooOOOO!!!”

  1. Lucretia Schafroth says:
    Reply
    Lucretia Schafroth's avatar

    Skeleton’s Halloween Scheme

    By Lucretia Schafroth

    wc = 100

    Zellie Skellie had one wish—

    an overflowing candy dish

    to pacify her old sweet tooth,

    who’d been persistent since her youth.

    How would she achieve this goal?

    With a late October stroll!

    CLICK-CLACK-CLINK . . . she rattled on

    across the chilly graveyard’s lawn.

    Spying nearby Trick-or-Treaters — 

    Zellie joined the sugar-eaters, 

    filling up their bags with loot

    along a well-planned, chocolate route.

    “Frankie’s house!” a goblin said — 

    so up some creaky stairs they tread.

    THUMP-THUNK-CLUNK . . . “Wait, who lives here?”

    Frankenstein’s green head appeared.

    “AHHHH!” Kids ran in all directions, 

    dropping bags filled with confections.

    Zellie gathered up the mess — 

    tiptoed back, declared, “Success!”

  2. mwinflow says:
    Reply
    mwinflow's avatar

    NINJA GOBLINS

    by Mike Flowers, 99 words

    They tiptoe as slowly as sloths pouring glue.

    They move through the shadows to do what they do.

    But, who knows what that is? I don’t have a clue.

    These goblins have secrets, but I have one too:

    night-vision goggles to give me a view!

    I see they’ve got pizza…some chips…Mountain Dew?

    With stealth, they unpack a big sign that says, “Boo.”

    Costumes? A candy-filled pumpkin? Woo-hoo!

    They’re having a Halloween hullabaloo!

    “Hey, goblins! You mind if I chill with your crew?”

    Then, quick as a cheetah that’s doing kung-fu,

    the goblins are gone and the party is too.

  3. Jocelyn Watkinson says:
    Reply
    Jocelyn Watkinson's avatar

    GOBLIN SUNDAES

    Word Count = 98
    By: Jocelyn Watkinson

    When they crave a chilly treat,
    the goblins tiptoe in to eat.
    They scour freezers, icy, cold,
    stealing ice cream, feeling bold.

    Scoops of chocolate, rocky road,
    topped off with a warty toad,
    mushrooms, bugs and heaps of moss.
    You don’t want some? That’s your loss!

    They’re chowing down. They lick their lips,
    while they eat your chocolate chips.
    You’ve got to act! This isn’t fair!
    You sneak down in your underwear.

    In the middle of the night,
    you’re ready for ice cream fight,
    but they’re full! You hear them moan.
    So… you get an ice cream cone!

  4. Liz Stitt says:
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    LOBLIN GOBLIN’S PILE OF TOES

    By Liz Stitt

    Word Count: 96

    Loblin Goblin stumbled out of her chilly cave and found…

    A toe.

    She touched it—SQUISHY!

    Sniffed it—STINKY!

    Licked it—SLIMY SLOBBERY SLUSH! YUM!

    Loblin Goblin yelled, “IS ANYONE MISSING A TOE?”

    No one answered.

    They were all trick-or-treating.

    Then…

    SQUEAK!

    A tiny fluff.

    Sharp teeth.

    A PILE of toes.

    A toe-nibbler!

    Loblin Goblin looked at her feet.

    Where there used to be 10,

    Now there were two.

    She spun fiercely,

    Stomped furiously,

    and SMOOSH!

    The toe-nibbler and toes turned to mush.

    She scooped up the delicious toe jam,

    And tiptoed back to her cave.

  6. Mikki McFeve says:
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    The Peanut Butter Cup Caper

    by Mikki DeFever

    (100 words)

    It’s Halloween night.
    Sugar high shenanigans
    have faded into slumber party snores.

    Now is my chance
    to steal what I please:
    every last Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup!

    Brushing by Batman,
    straddling over Snoopy
    and hopping over Han Solo,
    I dare not wake a soul.

    Tiptoeing between Twix,
    sneaking over Snickers
    and sifting around Skittles,
    all the Reese’s become mine.

    A chill tingles my spine.
    In the clutches of claws
    of a conked out goblin,
    it’s a Reese’s Jumbo Cup!

    I slide it my way…
    SNORT! The goblin startles.

    Stumble! Crash!
    I fall, crushing my candy.

    All that’s left… Reese’s Pieces!

  7. Margaret Robison says:
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    GOBLIN HUNT                                      
    by Margaret Robison
    wc = 99

    We’re going on a goblin hunt. Gonna catch a creepy one.

    Tiptoe, tippytoe through the chill night air.

    Dark, gloomy goblin house looming up ahead!

    C-r-e-a-k goes old the door.

    Tiptoe, tippytoe through the dusty parlor.

    G-r-o-a-n go the spooky stairs.

    Tiptoe, tippytoe to the very top.

    W-o-o-o-o cobwebs whisper.

    Tiptoe, tippytoe hurry down the hall.

    S-q-u-e-a-k swings a door wide.

    Tiptoe tippytoe peep inside……

    a playroom playing!?

    Rocking horse rocking.

    Rubber balls bouncing.

    Toy soldiers marching.

    Slowly ghostly goblins appear!

    Is this fun? Do we run?

    “Welcome!” they say.

    “The Halloween goblin party is waiting…..

    just for you!”

  8. Tamara Hecht says:
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    ’Tis the Season
    by Tamara Hecht
    Word count: 98

    Halloween night was Punk the goblin’s time to shine. He had been training all year and he was ready to make mischief. His first target: a jack-o-lantern.

    Punk tiptoed forth to blow out the candle. He took a deep breath, but then – WHOOSH – the flame vanished. Punk looked up to see, ugh, Jingle the Christmas goblin.

    “Back off, Jingle,” Punk grumbled. “This is Halloween goblin turf.”

    “Chill out,” Jingle said with a smirk. “I’m getting a head start on my Christmas mischief.”

    “It’s not your turn!”

    They argued until they were both ambushed by Cupid the Valentine goblin.

  9. seschipper says:
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    Five Grumbling Goblins One Halloween Night

    By

    Susan Elizabeth Schipper

    WC 100

    Five grumbling goblins hiding in a cave

    One was hoping he could be brave

    He crept outside to misbehave

    Four grumbling goblins hiding in a cave

    One decided enough of chillin’

    Snuck outside to do something thrillin’

    Three grumbling goblins hiding in a cave

    One was sleepy but couldn’t nap

    He took some treats and a forest map

    Two grumbling goblins hiding in a cave

    One was ready to scare someone

    She tiptoed outside and started to run

    One grumbling goblin hiding in a cave

    Now MY cave’s empty this Halloween night

    Keep your eyes open for these goblin sights

  10. Jamie Donahoe says:
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    We Are All Monsters Here 

    Jamie Donahoe
    100 words

    Teacher rapped her ruler on the desk.

    “Two reminders,” she rasped.

    “Tomorrow is our Halloween gala; today our new classmate arrives.”

    Questions rang out.

    “Is it hairy?”

    “Is it scary?”

    “Is it like us?” her students asked, 

    tiptoeing around the issue.

    Teacher glared. “I gather it’s a goblin.”

    The class gasped.

    Again, the ruler.

    “Look around you.”

    Students twisted, turned, 

    took in vampires,

    zombies,

    werewolves, 

    ghouls.

    Not a single goblin.

    Hands rose, questions flew.

    Again, the chilling glare. 

    “A goblin is strange, a goblin is new, but I assure you there is nothing to fear. We are all monsters here.”

    Also posted on my blog at jamiedonahoebooks.com.

  11. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR PAUL

    Goblin-Fun!
    by Paul Kurtz94 words 

    My night of tricks and treats is done,
    Tucked safe in bed, I’ve had my fun.

    A bony shriveled hand grasps mine,
    And icy chills run down my spine!

    My tender skin grows hair and scales–
    Sharp spikes sprout from my fingernails!

    The goblin cackles, “Join my crew,
    Till dawn you are a goblin too!”

    We creep and tiptoe through the night,
    And give the town a ghastly fright!

    We moon-dance round a goblin-ring,
    Crunch goblin-yummies, howl, and sing!

    At dawn, the sun blots out the moon–
    “My goblin-fun’s done way too SOON!”

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

  12. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR PAUL

    Gobblin’ Goblin!
    by Paul Kurtz99 words 

    Gabby Goblin wriggles into her fuzzy pink-bunny costume.

    “Super-fun Human-Halloween parties have the best candy!”

    Outside, a chilly wind blows.

    “BRRRR!”

    A sign says PRIVATE HALLOWEEN PARTY

    Tiptoeing, Gabby climbs through a window.

    Every guest wears scary-monster costumes.

    “Whoops!”

    Boy-werewolves snicker at Gabby.

    Girl-vampires whisper behind her back.

    No one dances with her.

    Gabby fights tears.

    Winning Best-Costume-Contest, a girl-goblin receives a humongous bag of yummy candy.

    Loser-Gabby gets a lump of coal.

    “NOOOO!”

    “HA-HA-HAA!” guests laugh.

    Gabby rips off her bunny-costume. “SHRIEEKKK!”

    “HELPP! HELPP!” Everyone scatters.

    “Hee-hee-hee!” Gabby giggles. “Who’s gobblin’ gobs of candy now? HAPPY HALLOWEEN!”

  13. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR DONNA

    Happiest Halloween Ever!
    by Donna Kurtz
    100 words

    Emma giggles. “Cool Halloween-goblin costume, Lindsey.”

    “Nooo!” howls Lindsey. “I’m a pixie!”

    “Hah! You’re the ugliest pixie ever!”

    Shadows tiptoe from the bushes. “SHRIEEKKK!”

    “GOBLINS!” Emma runs.

    They grab Lindsey.

    “Help! Help!– “

    The goblins drag her into a chilly cave.

    “–HELPPP!”

    Goblins bob for apple-cores and play pin-the-tail-on-the-werewolf.

    “A Halloween-party–YIPPEE!”

    Lindsey dances the Monster-Mash with a cute boy-goblin.

    “You’re super-pretty,” he says.

    Sighing, her cheeks turn pink.

    Lindsey wins the Ms.-Beautiful-Goblin-Contest.

    Her new goblin-friends cheer. “HOO-RAY! HOO-RAY FOR LOVELY LINDSEY!”

    Lindsey hugs her prize, a giant jack-o’-lantern overflowing with candy.

    “Thank-you, everyone for my Happiest Halloween Ever!”

  14. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR DONNA

    Scree-eechh!
    by Donna Kurtz
    100 words

    HALLOWEEN SCARIEST-NOISE CONTEST–CANDY PRIZES!

    Goblin eyes other contestants.

    Bat flaps–

    “Squeak!”

    “Hah! Not scary,” says Goblin.

    Black Cat tiptoes–

    “Mee-ow!’

    “Not chilling,” says Goblin.

    Goblin fills his lungs–

    “Scree-eechh!”

    The crowd applauds–

    Clapp! Clapp!

    Goblin grins. “They love me!”

    Frankenstein’s Monster roars–

    “ARRR—ROOOO!”

    The crowd goes wild–

    “BRAVO! BRAVO!”

    “I lost!” moans Goblin. “Wait–“

    He scoots away.

    Minutes later–

    KA-THUMPP! KA-THUMPP!

    “An earthquake?” says someone.

    A humongous charging hoard of goblins shrieks–

    “SCREE-EEECHH! SCREE-EEECHH!”

    “HELPP! HELPP!” The crowd flees.

    Goblin shares first prize, a giant truckload of candy–

    “Ha-ha-hah! Gobble up, goblin-friends–have a YUMMY HALLOWEEN!”

  15. Jeanette O'Toole says:
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    Goblin Mess

    By: Jeanette O’Toole

    WC: 100

    A goblin snuck 

    into my brother’s room                         

    last night. 

    What a dreadful mess:

    smashed, stinky socks,

    trampled, torn T-shirts,

    chewed, crumpled papers –

    ALL dripping with slime!

    Pillows knocked.                             

    Stuffies tossed.

    Cracker crumbs, 

    Hairy clumps, 

    and snack wrappers

    nestled between rumpled sheets.

    Tonight is Halloween,                   

    he will return.                   

    We set a trap 

    to catch this ghoul:

    a pungent morsel                           

    behind the door and wait.

    Rustle.

    Rustle. 

    RUSTLE. 

    It’s him – the goblin’s back!

    My blood tingles, 

    my heart races,

    a chill creeps up my neck!

    Grrrrrrrrrr.  

    Hiiiiii-EEEEEEEE!  

    Crunch! 

    CRUNCH!

    CRUNCH! 

    Ah,ROOOOOOOOOOO! ROOO! ROOO!

    I tiptoe towards this gobbledygook and spy….

    … BUDDY?!?!

  16. Corine Timmer says:
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    Trick or Treat?
    Corine Timmer
    98 words

    Around the time of the Blood Moon, a ghostly mist appeared. It chilled the air.
    “Time to set the table,” Witch said. “Death’s coming.”
    Grimalkin tiptoed into the covenstead and dressed the offering stone in moss
    and mushrooms.
    Before long there was a knock on the door.
    “Trick or treat?”
    “Treat!” Witch said. “Follow me.”
    As Death settled on the soft moss, Goblin fed it a jack-o’-lantern mushroom,
    still aglow.
    “Resurrectus!” Witch chanted, while pointing her wand at Death.
    At once Death transformed into a ripe man with a joy-filled face.
    “Happy Halloween, Jack,” Witch said, grinning. “Who’s hungry!?”

  17. Corine Timmer says:
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    Thanks, Susanna, for hosting another Halloweensie!

    Halloween Fright
    Corine Timmer
    98 words

    On Halloween night
    Witch ran out of treats.
    Goblin had snatched them
    But for the red beets.

    With nothing to offer
    What would she do?
    Tricks made her nervous,
    They gave her the flu.

    Through an open window
    Entered a howl.
    It gave witch a chill.
    It made her yowl.

    “Get a grip!” Shouted Goblin.
    “You’re falling apart.
    That’s no way for a witch
    To practice her art.”

    So Witch got a crafting,
    She cast a spell.
    From her cauldron spurted
    Candied beets from hell.

    With a grin on her face
    She tiptoed to tea . . .
    Welcome trick-or-treaters!
    Tee-hee-hee.

    To rhyme or not to rhyme. That is the question. 😅
    I don’t usually write in rhyme.

  18. Elizabeth Meyer Zu Heringdorf says:
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    Helicopter Parent Halloween

    By Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf

    98 words

    Lara ran in from the chill,
    and dumped out her Halloween haul.
    “Now!” she cried,
    grabbing a piece.
    “Wait!” cried Mom.
    “I need to check for open wrappers.”
    Lara sighed.
    When it was finally over…
    “Now?” she asked.
    “Wait! We need to hide the sweets from the baby.”
    Lara groaned.
    When they were finally hidden…
    “NOW?”
    “Wait! Time for bed! You need your sleep.
    You can have candy tomorrow.”
    Lara stomped to her room.
    But as she fumed in bed,
    she heard tiptoeing.
    Then a goblin hand reached out,
    and laid a piece of candy on her pillow.

  19. Sofia Pileggi says:
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    Prankster, Pranked!

    Word Count= 98

    Wind tumbled through her door. Ghoulia inhaled.

    “I feel it too, wind. It’s Halloween!” Ghoulia exclaimed as the chill of the air warmed her heart.

    She prepared for months for the Gala. Her costume was ready.

    Tip, tap, tip, tap. Goblin Gronk tiptoed inside from his hiding spot.

    Ready for a Halloween prank he turned her princess gown into a witch’s dress!

    “Wow! I couldn’t have made it better myself,” Ghoulia said, startling Gronk.

    “You like it? The prank didn’t work then!”

    Discouraged, Gronk remade the dress even prettier than before as Ghoulia smirked cleverly in the background.

  20. Susan Burdorf says:
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    GOBLIN, CAT, AND THE HALLOWEEN NIGHT BALL

    Susan Burdorf

    100 words

    Goblin waits for Cat –

    chilling by the fence.

    The moon plays hide and seek –

    a celestial presence.

    He waves to Frankenstein –

    his bolts shiny and bright.

    He nods to Dracula –

    his fangs blindingly white.

    He dances with a ballerina –

    twirling and spinning on tiptoes.

    He howls at the night with wolf –

    whose moonlit fur shines and glows.

    Goblin looks for Cat

    in every face he sees.

    A tap on his shoulder

    and Goblin’s relieved.

    It is Halloween Night –

    time for the annual Ball.

    Goblin and Cat are guests –

    to the greatest party of Fall.

  21. sources 'n stories says:
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    Evie’s Perfect Halloween

    by Sydnie Suskind

    (word count: 99)

    Evie looked in the mirror, and nearly fell off her chair.

    Instead of ears and a nose, Evie was covered in hair!

    Yellow, purple, and wavy, hair flowed from forehead to chin.

    “This is new,” giggled Evie, curling a goblin-like grin.

    Evie grabbed her warm jacket; tiptoed out into the night.

    Ready to scare each creature, with “Boos!” chills, and giant frights.

    “Gro-wl-how-el-boo-screech-roar!” Evie’s night was really great!

    Making others jump and scream; “finding” candy… that she ate.

    Later, tired but happy, Evie snuggled up in bed.

    She couldn’t wait ‘til next year, as spooky dreams filled her head.

  22. happilyhiggledy says:
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    Halloween Hunt for a Midnight Munch 

    By Jodie Houghton 

    99 words

    I tiptoe over carnage. 

    SNOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!! 

    The goblin mustn’t wake. 

    SNOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!! 

    The bedcover is bumpy. 

    SNOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!! 

    I search; my fingers shake. 

    SNOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!! 

    The lumps are tattered teddys. 

    SNOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!! 

    Where would treasure be? 

    SNOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!! 

    I bend to look beneath. 

    SNOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!! 

    Paws scurry – monsters flee. 

    SNOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!! 

    Golden wrappers glisten! 

    SNOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!! 

    Her bounty’s in my sight. 

    SNOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!! 

    A chill runs up my spine. 

    Something isn’t right. 

    It’s frighteningly quiet. 

    GULP! I know what’s there: 

    A beast with piercing eyes, 

    And wild, untamed hair. 

    Fiercer than ten vampires; 

    More ghastly than a ghost: 

    An angry little sister 

    Is the creature I fear most! 

    AAAAAAGHHHHH! 

  23. Lindsay Moretti says:
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    THE HALLOWEEN CANDY CAPER

    By Lindsay Moretti

    (100 words)

    Raccoons tip-toed through the night,

    and stumbled on a messy sight!

    What’s inside this crinkly paper?

    A sweet surprise for this caper!

    As raccoons munched with sugared grins,

    the wrappers piled up their shins!

    Whoosh! Swoosh!

    The wrappers spun,

    and littered the street. What have they done?

    A chill crept through the raccoon clan.

    Do they commence the clean up plan?

    They chuckled as they sneakily plunked,

    and stacked up all the Halloween junk.

    When people woke up in the morning,

    a heap awaited – with a warning: 

    Double, double, goblin rubble,

    pick this mess up on the double!

    Or…TROUBLE.

  24. StephMWard says:
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    Witch One?
    Stephanie Ward
    91 words (including tiptoe, goblin, and chill)

    I’ll wear a silver tutu

    And tiptoe down the streets.

    As a dainty ballerina 

    I’m sure to get more treats.

    Or I’ll dress up like a goblin

    And scare them out of candy!

    I’ll fill my boots with lots of loot

    The space will come in handy.

    I could just be a mummy

    Wrapped up in strips of rags. 

    I’d be warm against the chill

    As chocolates flood my bags.
     

    I’m taking Halloween off!

    For once I get to switch.         

    No one ever gives out sweets

    To a real-life wicked witch!

    Entry also posted on my blog, Writer with Wanderlust —

    https://stephaniemward.com/2024/10/29/the-14th-annual-halloweensie-writing-contest/

    Thanks so much for hosting this fun contest! Happy Halloween 🙂

  25. Maggie Rowland says:
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    Can Goblins Learn to Chill?

    Maggie Rowland

    95 words

    There, in Hob’s sight,

    out in the night,

    were children, masked,

    and neighbors tasked —

    give candy out.

    Hob turned about.

    “Mom Goblin, please,

    if Dad agrees,

    though we look mean

    and also green,

    can we be seen

    on Halloween?”

    Mom said, “Hob, no.

    Kids won’t tiptoe

    around your mood.

    They might be rude.”

    Hob said, “I will

    learn how to chill.

    They will not get

    me that upset.”

    But just the thought,

    made Hob so hot.

    His temper rose.

    Hob, wisely, chose

    to stay inside

    where goblins hide,

    at least, until

    they learn to chill.

  26. Jany Campana says:
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    A Boo-itful Night

    By: Jany Campana

    Word Count: 98

    On a chilly Halloween night, 

    a witch, a goblin, and a black cat 

    tiptoed up to a dark, spooky house. 

    A voice called out, “Dare or scare?” 

    The three giggled and shouted, “A scare!” 

    With a swoosh, bats swirled around them. 

    Skeletons danced. Pumpkins carved themselves. 

    They laughed…until…

    the door creaked open 

    and a green hand reached out. “Boo!” 

    They jumped back. 

    When the friends saw the candy bowl, 

    they howled. 

    Grabbing the treats, the friends ran. 

    But as they raced away, 

    the three heard a voice — one, last, time.

     “You can run, but you can’t hide.”

  27. Maggie Rowland says:
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    A Goblin Halloween

    Maggie Rowland

    100 words

    While other children trick or treat,

    all goblin children overheat,

    so parents keep children inside

    to watch through windows while they hide.

    Auntbug Bear makes, out of goodwill,

    some candies that’ll need to chill

    inside the fridge, but Dob can’t wait.

    He’s dreaming of one candied date

    but sees only a candied peach,

    and on tiptoe, it’s out of reach.

    He finds a box, a stool, a chair.

    He stacks them all into the air.

    Aunt Bugbear sees him and turns red.

    But after there are sorries said,

    Aunt Bugbear says these treats are done.

    She gives candies to everyone.

  28. Russell Wolff says:
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    THE GOBLIN’S STARE

    By Russell Wolff

    98 words

    “What’s that? By the jack-o’-lantern, looking at me?” you ask. 

    It’s a goblin.

    “What’s a goblin?”

    A creature that gets its name from gobblin’ up kids

    like you

    out on Halloween night.

    Glurps you right up, from your tiptoes to the tip of your nose.

    Oh look, here it comes.

    “Let’s run!”

    Don’t bother.

    Once it catches your eye, your blood chills.

    Can’t you feel it?

    Then you freeze, and it devours you

    starting with your feet.  

    Sorry, there’s nothing you can do.

    “Did it just look at you, too?”

    Oh.

    Yes.

    It did.

    On-second-thought RUN.

    *****

  29. Mona Voelkel says:
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    The Goblin’s Secret

    by Mona Voelkel

    100 Words

    I’m only real on Halloween. 

    “A goblin again?” my parents ask as I pull on my “costume.” But they don’t know I really am a goblin. 

    Tonight, I’m free to laugh my goblin laugh and twirl my bat ears. In the chilly air, I conjure up a cloak.

    I beg my parents to let me sleep in my “costume.” I tiptoe to my mirror and touch my green skin.

    I knock on my parents’ door.

    “I really am a goblin.”

    “You’ve had a long day.”

    They walk me to my bedroom and turn off the lights.

    Tomorrow, I’ll try again.

    https://monavoelkel.com/2024/10/29/the-goblins-secret-a-halloweensie-story/

  30. Russell Wolff says:
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    WHAT’S THAT CREEPY SOUND?

    By Russell Wolff

    100 words

    That’s me

    tiptoeing

    (tenderly)

    with toes that aren’t mine.

    Why? Glad you asked.

    While trick-or-treating, I may have (quite innocently!) mistaken a goblin for a schnoodle.

    That schnauzer/poodle mix is so charming I can’t believe he got upset, but he did.

    (Maybe it was the belly rub.)

    Soooo,

    long story short,

    the goblin gave me schnoodle toes.

    Hey, you seem the helping type.

    Trade toes with me?

    They’re perfect for Halloween. You’ll definitely win Best Costume!

    What? No, that’s not fur sprouting on my arms.

    Or a chilly wet nose growing on my face.

    Or me shrinking.

    Uh-oh.

    Arf!

    *****

  31. Elizabeth Volkmann says:
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    Elizabeth Volkmann

    (100 words)

    DRELLA’S HALLOWEEN TREAT

    Autumn wind chilled Drella’s goblin bones.

    With a meager basket of forest eats, 

    she headed home –

    but lamplight and laughter 

    drew Drella to a street

    where on tiptoes, 

    she peeked

    over a hedge.

    A parade of ghosts, ghouls, and . . . 

    “Great costume!” 

    Drella jumped.

    “Goblin, right?” 

    Drella nodded.

    “C’mon!”

    By a witch’s warm hand, 

    Drella flew –  

    up porch steps and down

    where three magic words 

    bestowed candied treats. 

    Soon baskets filled, lights dimmed, laughter stilled.

    “That was fun!” 

    Drella nodded.

    “See you next year!” 

    Drella smiled.

    Wrapped in moonglow, 

    Drella trotted towards home – 

    her full basket swinging, 

    her goblin heart brimming!

  32. Elizabeth Volkmann says:
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    HI Susanna! Yay!!!

    I just posted my entry but my formatting didn’t show up. Is there anyway to remove it and I’ll try again? Any tips for making it stick? I have a few indented lines and spaces between some of the lines.

    xo Beth

    Elizabeth Volkmann volkmann@comcast.net

    >

  34. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR ISABEL

    Five Days to Halloween
    by: Isabel Cruz Rodriguez
    WC: 100 words

    There’s a chill in the air
    And a full moon above
    Halloween’s almost here…
    Only FIVE days to go!

    Everyone’s carving pumpkins
    With a candle inside
    Halloween’s almost here…
    Only FOUR days to go!

    We’ll dress up as goblins,
    witches or ghosts
    Halloween’s almost here…
    Only THREE days to go!

    We’ll tiptoe around
    And then, we’ll yell BOO
    Let’s start practicing now…
    Only TWO days to go!

    Our bags will be filled
    With goodies galore
    Halloween’s almost here…
    Only ONE day to go!

    It’s already dark
    Trick or Treaters at our door
    Today’s HALLOWEEN
    Oh, No!
    …we’re still in pajamas!

  35. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR JEAN

    It’s Time!
    by Joan Leotta
    96 words

    Goblin tiptoed up

    behind his mother

    as she stirred their dinner soup.

    “Is it time?

    I’ve put on my scarf

    as you said I should

    to protect against night’s chill.”

    Mother  smiled.

    “Dear child,

    take off your scarf

    eat supper,

    then we’ll put on

    scarves and follow pumpkin

    lights from house to house

    tiptoeing among

    human children  

    wearing masks to look

    like us and gather

    candy without a fuss.”

    They slurped their soup

    then mother said

    “Put on your scarf, it’s time!”

    “What cute goblins,” people

    giving candy said.

    No fear of goblins on Halloween Night!

  36. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR SHARIFFA

    Ayla age 9 Halloweensie Story From Nairobi
    99 word

    On Halloweensie night, my brother Rumi and I ventured into the  nippy Nairobi night.We crept out in our Golem masks, complete with pointy ears and wrinkly gloves. Eerie pumpkins glared, casting deep shadows. Trees creaked, branches snapped.We approached the barn, two Orca figures burst out, their bloodshot eyes, screeching voices chilling us.
    “Aaaayla! Aaaayla!” they shouted.
    We froze. Chill went up our spine.
    Rumi hid behind me. As they came closer, I noticed their shoes—it was Keval and Kahil in costume!
    “Trick or Treat! Smell my feet!”
    “That was mean! You scared me,” I said.

  37. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR SHARIFFA

    On a Halloweensie night, Ayla and Rumi ventured into the chilly  air. Pumpkins smirked ,their jagged smiles casting eerie shadows, sending  a chill up their spines. They tiptoed cautiously, but then a piercing shriek. 

    Panicked, bolting in to the barn, hearts pounding,  eyes widened in terror. 

    Strange, goblin-like creature was looming in the shadows. Overcome,they collapsed to the ground.

    The moonlight filtered through, they saw the creature —it was Momo, the mischievous monkey, wearing a goblin mask!

    Ayden and Iman burst out laughing. “Trick or treat!” they shouted, holding out mugs of hot chocolate and pumpkin-shaped cookies.

  38. Emily Roberts says:
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    A Halloween Night Invite

    By Emily Roberts

    100 Words 

    On Halloween night long ago,

    a chilly Goblin tiptoed through snow. 

    He was used to warm, sunny skies. 

    The fat snowflakes were quite a surprise. 

    “Bur!” he shivered. “I need my jacket.”

    When up ahead, there was a great racket. 

    “We’ve been looking for you,” called his friend Sprite.

    “There’s a party tonight! Here’s your invite!”.

    When: Halloween Night

    Where: Hall of Frights

    Why: Let’s get some heat

    What: We’ll share some treats 

    “There’ll be spooky sweets and tasty treats!” 

    Chilly Goblin agreed, “Let’s grab our seats!”

    Off they went to the Hall of Frights,  

    all together on Halloween night.  

  39. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
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    ENTRY POSTED FOR SHARIFFA

    Night of Hallows

    Grandma walked Ayla and Rumi, down into the dark valley. The carved pumpkins with Halloweensie eyes, smirked eerily in the night. Grandma drew her shawl tightly, what a chilly night it was!
    They held her hands tight. There was the barn, tiptoeing around the door –
    Aaah!!! they heard shrieking in the night.
    They froze. Chills went up their spines.
    What was howling in this Halloweensie night?
    Then they saw them! Children with white sheets, arms spread out wildly!
    ‘Trick or treat!’ They shouted.
    Out came the sheets! The  children  laughed.
    Halloween is scary and yet  such fun.

      96 words

  40. Nicole Loos Miller says:
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    Trick-or-Treat at the New Neighbor’s
    By Nicole Loos Miller
    (100 words) 

    Three trick-or-treaters
    shivered in the snow.
    “New neighbor,” gulped the ghost.
    “I heard she’s a goblin,” whispered the troll. 
    They considered turning back….
    But something smelled delicious!
    Magic to lure them in?
    “No, that’s gingerbread,” said the witch, wisely.

    Squaring their shoulders,
    They tiptoed up the path.
    Limbs shaking, they approached.
    What if they were wrong? 

    “TRICK OR TREAT,” three voices trembled.
    A kind woman greeted them,
    Handing them steaming cups.
    “Hot chocolate for this snowy night?”

    A single sip and the chill was gone
    Replaced with happiness and peace.
    Chocolate with a hint of gingerbread:
    A magical Halloween treat.

  41. Emily Roberts says:
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    Grandma Goblin’s Ghastly Goulash

    By Emily Roberts

    Word Count: 100

    Grandma makes goulash once a year.

    Halloween night is finally here.

    I tiptoe past the kitchen door.

    “Enter!” she says with a roar! 

    We chop, scoop, and start mixing.

    Her pot is stuffed with the fixings. 

    It smells ghastly. We don’t care. 

    Try our recipe if you dare!

    Awful apples

    Batty bananas

    Chilled cabbaged

    Dirty dill

    Eerie eggplants

    Frankenstein fries

    Goblin grapes

    Haunted honeydew

    Icky ice  

    Jack-o’-lantern jackfruit

    Knobby ketchup 

    Lousy lettuce

    Mummy melons

    Nasty nectarines

    Odorful onions

    Putrid peaches

    Quiverings quiches

    Rotten raspberries

    Scary spaghetti

    Tricky taters

    Ugly umbrellas

    Vile vinegar

    Werewolf watermelons

    X-cellent x-rays 

    Yucky yams

    Zombie zucchinis 

  42. Sarah Meade says:
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    Gabby and Garrett’s Halloween 

    By Sarah Meade

    Word Count: 100

    Gabby tiptoed to her big brother’s room.

    “IT’S HALLOWEEN!” Gabby cheered.

    “No big deal,” said Garrett.

    Gabby painted pumpkins.

    Garrett chilled on the couch.

    “LET’S GET READY!”

    Gabby donned her goblin costume.

    Garrett lollygagged. 

    “TIME TO TRICK-OR-TREAT!”

    “No big deal,” said Garrett.

    “C’MON!”

    They started down their street.

    “TRICK OR TREAT!”

    Garrett yawned. “Ready to go home?”

    “NOT YET!” 

    They visited . . .

    Every. 

    Single.

    House. 

    Suddenly Gabby was . . .

    So. 

    Very.

    Sleepy. 

    The little goblin wobbled. 

    Garrett carried his sister . . . 

    All.

    The. 

    Way. 

    Home.

    They shared sweets. 

    Garrett told spooky stories.

    At bedtime, Gabby giggled. “THANKS, GARRETT!” 

    Garrett smiled.  “No big deal.”

    Halloweensie & Fall News

  43. Sarah Meade says:
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    Halloween with Autumn and Summer

    By Sarah Meade

    Word Count: 100

    One chilly October morning, Autumn twirled gleefully.

    Her sister Summer slumped.

    “What’s wrong?” asked Autumn.

    “Fall’s not my favorite.”

    “But . . . pumpkins!” Autumn sputtered.

    “I miss watermelon.” 

    “But . . . leaf-pile leaping!” 

    “I miss swimming and sandcastles.” 

    “But . . . it’s SPOOKY SEASON!” 

    “I miss mermaid season.” Summer sighed.

    On Halloween, Autumn picked pumpkins and raked leaves. 

    Alone.

    Autumn missed Summer.

    Maybe . . . she mused. 

    Autumn tiptoed up to Summer.

    “Instead of jack-o’-lanterns . . . let’s carve WATERMELONS!”

    Summer smiled.

    “Instead of leaf-pile leaping . . . let’s LEAF-SWIM and build LEAF CASTLES!”

    Summer giggled.

    “Instead of our goblin costumes, let’s be MERMAIDS!”

    Summer cheered.

    “Happy Halloween, Summer!”

    “Love you, Autumn.”

    Halloweensie & Fall News

  44. Sarah Meade says:
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    Halloween in Creepytown

    By Sarah Meade

    Word Count: 100

    On a chilly Halloween evening, all the creepies in Creepytown prepare.

    They set out for Horrify Hill, 

    tiptoeing together

    up the steep, steep hill until . . . 

    Whoosh! 

    Whipping wind!

    Skeletons skitter.

    Goblins hobble and wobble.

    Witches ditch their brooms and waddle.

    Whoosh! Swoosh! 

    Hissing rain!

    Mummies moan. 

    Ghouls groan.

    Ghosts sag in soggy sheets.

    The creepies trudge on together,

    shivering, 

    quivering, 

    and bones rattling.

    They reach the top of Horrify Hill 

    just in time . . . 

    for the Boo Bash!

    Werewolves howl and monsters mash.

    Ghosts BOOgie!

    The creepies cavort! 

    Whoosh! Swoosh! C-R-A-C-K!

    KABOOM!

    Thunder and lightning!

    Perfect weather for Halloween in Creepytown!

    Halloweensie & Fall News

  45. Jill Purtee (P. J.) says:
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    CREATING BLACK CATS IN A CALDRON
    by P. J. Purtee (Jill)
    88 words

    Beginning with a furry tail,

    and whiskers (twenty-four),

    I figured that was not enough,

    and added plenty more.

    The eyes, a nose, a purr or two.

    The paws, a mouth, a chin.

    Who’s that knocking at the door?

    I let a goblin in.

    “I hear you’re making kitty cats.

    I’d like to order four.”

    He tiptoed to the caldron as

    I turned to close the door.

    “You’ll have to wait ’til Halloween.

    The kitties need to chill.

    Return a week from Saturday.

    I’ll add them to your bill.”

  46. robincurrie1 says:
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    Tonight’s Performance

    Robin Currie

    A thrill chill runs down her spine that has nothing to do with the fall-almost-winter breeze. Dusk fades into dark, as she creaks open the back door.

    Hair sleekly bound. Layers of floating tulle rustle.

    Wait, watch, now!

    In the first steps, a magical transformation.

    It is Princess Irene who takes the stage.

    Tiptoe, tiptoe.

    Rise on pointe.

    A flying jete.

    Wobble-free landing.

    She gives no thought to each step – the music speaks directly to her body and compels each movement.

    10,000 steps later she deeply bows, grateful to those who came.

    Tonight’s performance: The Princess and the Goblin.

  47. nycbgriffin says:
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    Tricky Treats
    by Charlie Griffin
    100 words

    Excited for her first Halloween in the goblin warren,

    Little Tilly tiptoed from burrow to burrow,

    yelling, “Trick or treat!” 

    and hoping for sweets or coins.

    But her fellow goblins never listened past “trick.”

    The variety of their responses was impressive:

    Banging pot lids.

    Stinkbomb surprises.

    Tickles. 

    Taunts.

    Knock-knock jokes that never finished.

    Dad jokes that did.

    Bits of her shiny white knight costume — 

    stolen while her back was turned.

    AAAAHHH! — a handful of ice cubes plopped inside the backside of what was left of her armor.

    And then…

    Chilly Tilly’s crookedest, grimiest smile.

    What a treat a trick is!

  48. stephmena7299 says:
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    THE ABC’S OF HALLOWEEN

                                        By Stephanie Mena (100 words)

    Annual Autumn events begin now, little brother.

    Bats fly

    Cauldrons bubble

    Doors open. Doors close.

    Elves flitter about

    Frightening sounds are ghastly

    Goblins giggle tiptoeing all around

    Headless horsemen ride

    Joyful swamp things sing

    Krakens creep in every corner

    Little ghosts glide along

    Mummies move beyond their graves

    No Worries, little brother.

    Oddities appear

    Pumpkins scowl

    Quiet! Listen!

    Rats grow restless

    Snakes slither in the dark

    Tombstones rattle

    Underwear creeps

    Vampires laugh

    Witches wander in the chilly night

    Xylophones bang out of tune

    Yetis screech

    Zombies zig-zag down the road

    Big brother, wait. What’s happening?

    It’s Halloween

    Trick or Treat!

  49. Dana Nahas Dillaman says:
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    HAIRY PRINCESS

    By Dana Dillaman

    100 Words

    Little Bigfoot is spying without being seen.

    “Lucky goblins and fairies out on Halloween.

    All I want is a taste—just one licorice stick,

    Just one nougaty nibble or lollypop lick.”

    Then shadows disappear—she’s revealed in the night

    By a winged fairy princess’s sparkling flashlight!

    “Oh, Hello,” says the fairy, “Your costume is sweet.

    Why the heck are you hiding? There’s candy to eat!”

    “I’m too scary,” she mumbles, and quickly looks down.

    But the fairy says, “Here, you can borrow my crown.”

    Hairy Princess tiptoes with her friend down the street,                 

    Braving chills, breathing deep, doorbell rings, “Trick-or-treat!”

  50. kellyclasenwriter says:
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    The Scarf and the Scarecrow

    By Kelly Clasen (100 words)

    “Scarlett, where ARE you?” my parents call from outside the maze.

    How long have I been lost? Has trick-or-treating started?

    “Here! I’m—”

    A chill wind whisks my voice away.

    I turn right.

    Dead end.  

    I double back.

    Ugh.

    That scarecrow with a goblin’s grin.

    Again.

    I must quit circling.

    Twilight descends.

    I wrap my red scarf around a stalk.

    There. If I pass it again, I’ll know to turn around.

    I search, listening for my parents.

    For anyone.

    What’s that?

    A shock of red.

    Again?

    My scarf dangles from the scarecrow’s glove.

    Panic tiptoes up my spine.

    I run.

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