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!
- Skeleton’s Halloween – Lucretia Schafroth
- Ninja Goblins – Mike Flowers
- Goblin Sundaes – Jocelyn Watkinson
- Loblin Goblin’s Pile of Toes – Liz Stitt
- The Peanut Butter Cup Caper – Mikki DeFever
- Goblin Hunt – Margaret Robison
- ‘Tis The Season – Tamara Hecht
- Five Grumbling Goblins One Halloween Night – Susan Elizabeth Schipper
- We Are All Monsters Here – Jamie Donahoe
- Goblin-Fun! – Paul Kurtz
- Gobblin’ Goblin! – Paul Kurtz
- Happiest Halloween Ever! – Donna Kurtz
- Scree-eechh! – Donna Kurtz
- Goblin Mess – Jeanette O’Toole
- Trick or Treat? – Corine Timmer
- Halloween Fright – Corine Timmer
- Helicopter Parent Halloween – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
- Prankster, Pranked! – Sofia Pileggi
- Goblin, Cat, And The Halloween Night Ball – Susan Burdorf
- Evie’s Perfect Halloween – Sydnie Suskind
- Halloween Hunt For A Midnight Munch – Jodie Houghton
- The Halloween Candy Caper – Lindsay Moretti
- Witch One? – Stephanie Ward
- Can Goblins Learn To Chill? – Maggie Rowland
- A Boo-itful Night – Jany Campana
- A Goblin Halloween – Maggie Rowland
- The Goblin’s Stare – Russell Wolff
- The Goblin’s Secret – Mona Voelkel
- What’s That Creepy Sound? – Russell Wolff
- Drella’s Halloween Treat – Elizabeth Volkmann
- Five Days To Halloween – Isabel Rodriguez
- It’s Time! – Jean Leotta
- Halloweensie Story From Nairobi – Shariffa Keshavjee
- Untitled – Shariffa Keshavjee
- A Halloween Night Invite – Emily Roberts
- Night of Hallows – Shariffa Keshavjee
- Trick-or-Treat At The New Neighbors – Nicole Loos Miller
- Grandma Goblin’s Ghastly Goulash – Emily Roberts
- Gabby and Garrett’s Halloween – Sarah Meade
- Halloween With Autumn and Summer – Sarah Meade
- Halloween In Creepytown – Sarah Meade
- Creating Black Cats In A Cauldron – P.J. Purtee
- Tonight’s Performance – Robin Currie
- Tricky Treats – Charlie Griffin
- The ABC’S of Halloween – Stephanie Mena
- Hairy Princess – Dana Dillaman
- The Scarf and the Scarecrow – Kelly Clasen
- Gobblin’ Goblin – Lori Bonati
- What Will I Be This Year? – Eric Sondergeld
- Skeleton Shivers – Angel Gantnier
- The Goblin King – RJ Clarken
- Sustenance – Elizabeth Thoms Charles
- Spooky ABCs – Alan Elliott
- A Real Halloween Horror – Keatley Eastman
- Goblins! – Marla Yablon
- The Glamorous Little Goblin – Melissa Miles
- A Terrifying Sight – Sarah Musolino
- Don’t Wake The Werewolf! – Laura Wippell
- Goblin’s Trick – Kelly Kates
- The Haunted House Dare – Melissa Miles
- You Can Have Our Candy! – Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
- Goblin’s Rule – Linda Staszak
- Ghoul’s Trick and Treat at School – Nancy Ferguson
- Trick-or-Treat, Smell My Feet – Jacinta Patterson
- The Craving – Julie Lerczak
- Goblin Snacks – Bonnie Hall
- Beach Halloween – Christine Bassham
- Two B’s Or ot Two B’s – Linda Staszak
- It Happened On Halloween – Denise Seidman
- Tricked Out of Treats – Lorraine McCown
- The Goblin’s Hallowe’en – Colleen Fogarty
- A Sweaty Halloween. – Karen LaSalvia
- The Basement – Katia M. Jesson
- No Tricks, Just Treats – Patti Richards
- Party Manners – Lauri C. Meyers
- The Wallydraigle – Kristen Littlefield
- Halloween Sticks and Tricks – Becki J. Kidd
- S’More Hunting – Jennifer Della’Zanna
- The Tale of Ricky and Pete – Marye Elmlinger
- Bob The Goblin’s Lullaby – Tracie Renee
- Little Goblin’s Halloween – Kathleen Mazurowski
- Scary Costume Question – Leanne Pankuch
- Essence of Halloween – Rhonda T. Spear
- The Alley – Glenda Roberson
- Pumpkin Pickers – Glenda Roberson
- Out of the Shadows – Glenda Roberson
- Mummies vs. Vampires – Katie Lee Reinert
- Baba Yaga Stew – From “Forest Witches’ Favorite Halloween Recipes” – Sue Ko
- Witchyella – Brigid Finucane
- Baby Goblin At The Halloween Ball – Meg Winikates
- Goblin Brom Bones: Legend of the North Pole – Kathleen Jacobs
- A Chili-Filled Night (in Haiku) – Lyn Jekowsky
- Salesman For The Goblin Show – Shaunessy Sinnett
- How The Hobgoblin Got Its Hob – Anne Lipton
- In The Cave Of The Goblin King – Kendra Lusty
- Trick-or-Treat Nightmare – Cindy Sommer
- Goblena’s Halloween Soup – Sarah Tobias
- Gobleyn And Gnome – Vashti Verbowski
- Whimsey’s Halloween Surprise – Tara Seahorn
- Even Goblin Superman Needs His Underwear – Shuba Mohan
- The Haunted. . . – Ruthie Nicklaus
- What Will I Be? – Lucia Lemieux
- Halloween At The House Up On The Hill – Beth Gallagher
- Body Talk – Lorraine McCown
- Twink – Rose Cappelli
- Trick or Treat Pie – Pam Adams
- Matching Goblins – Margaret Lea
- Goblin Trouble – Jen Subra
- Wanted: Cat – Jessica Iwanski
- Goblin Twins – Marty Findley
- Halloween Sneak – Mimi Hersh
- Taking Inventory – Suzy Zemel
- The Goblin Ballet – Nicole Loy
- Halloween Chess – Betsy Bennett
- Tricky Treat – Reed Hilton-Eddy
- Friendship, The Sweetest Candy – Teresa Speranza Vargas
- Halloween Heist – Barb Edwards
- A Post-Halloween Party – Jessica Jenson
- Trick and Treat – Vita Luna
- Goblin Cake – Amanda Blaylock
- Paxton Maxton Mumpledread – Tracey Kiff-Judson
- It’s NOT St. Nick (A Halloween Story) – Dawn Hauptner
- This Way Comes Halloween – Jo Baldwin
- Advice For Mice – Sharon McCarthy
- The Goblin Problem – Jessie Raspbury
- Puny Pete – Seth Standley
- Just Desserts – Amanda Fletcher
- Halloween On The Farm, Cowgirl and the Inflatable Dinosaurs – Laura N. Clement
- A Spectrum of Costumes – Laura N. Clement
- Brave Little Witch – Cynthia Elomaa
- Bubble, Bubble, Good-bye Trouble! – Susan Jakubowski
- Spookyville’s Surprising Skills – Judy Caldwell Hughes
- Hallowscream – Ashley Sierra
- Grabby Gabby – Ashley Sierra
- The Real Halloween Heroes – Ashley Sierra
- Halloween 365 – Abigail Mumford
- Goons Beware! – Gary Stultz
- Untitled – Lori Stultz
- A Night On The Town – Marty Bellis
- Halloween Mischief – Rebecca W. Chester
- Counting On Halloween – Mary Rudzinski
- Beach Trick or Treat – Amy Duchene
- The Full-Size Candy Bar Challenge – Sara Kruger
- Without A Costume – Laura Oliphant
- It Is Time – Michelle Kenner
- Trick and Treat – Linda Balgley-Shore
- Zelda Zombie’s Tea – Amy LaRae Brewer
- Goblin Groove – Katie Brandyberry
- Goblin Sneaks A Treat – Lauren Racela
- Grumpy Goblin – T Milton
- Greedy Goblins – Adriana Gutierrez
- Cornelius, The Misfit Candy Corn – Deborah Kim
- Maybe A Snu – Greg Beatty
- Dad’s Nap – SHAWKLYN
- Three Witches and Their Beloved – Imelda Taylor
- A Scary Halloween – Janet Parkinson Bryce
- Goblin Trouble – Bonnie Kloster
- A Fright On Friday Night – Brett A. Starr
- Beware – Lynn Moore
- The Hairy, Scary Goblin – Lori Dubbin
- Frankenbones – Carol MacPherson
- Aurelia’s Cat Is A Bat – Eleanor A. Peterson
- Corky’s Halloween Scare – Carol MacPherson
- Johnny’s Brain – Diana Blau
- Halloween Parade – Dianne Wright
- Goblin and Cowboy – Vicky Pao
- My Second Halloween – Kim L. Young
- Thief In The Night – Marta Cutler
- Goblins Never Tiptoe – Laura Rice Martinez
- Skye’s Chilling Costume – Sarah Atherton
- Frightening Reflection – Jennifer Kaap
- Goblin’s Feet – Marie Tang
- Stopping By Stephen King’s on Hallowed Evening – Sherry Dubis
- All Hallow’s Eve – Darlene Pagán
- The Spooky Cave – Ghost Writer (R.I.P.M.)
- One More House – Dana Dillaman
- Who’s There? – Marilyn Wolpin
- How The Greedy Goblins Gobbled Halloween – S.J. Barratt
- Black Cat’s Trick For Treat – Nicole Terry
- Sister’s Sacrifice – Amanda Blaylock
- The Skeleton March – Maria Piñero Pope
- Jane-O-Lantern – Melissa Rafson Friedman
- It’s Not Easy Being A Goblin – Lynn Burton
- A Halloween Tale of the Deep Dark Sea – Amy LaMae Brewer
- Candy Corn Goblin – Leslie Ross-Degnan
- When I Am Jack – Tarja Helena Nevala
- Hello, Dessie – Jessica Russo
- The Long Walk Home – Jenna Renqvist
- The Halloween Hobgoblin – Sherry Moon
- It’s Halloween! – Maritere Bellas
- Catching Candy – Susan Schade
- Skeleton’s Surprise – Laurie Smith Murphy
- The Quickest Way To A Gargoyle’s Heart – MORNAGERSHO
- Beware The Screams On Halloween! – Griffin Taylor
- Georgie’s Halloween Hijinks – Jessie Anna Bornemann
- The Apple Bob Goblin – Marcia Dalphin Williams
- Tiptoes First Halloween – Barbara DiMarco
- Halloweenie, The Goblin And The Tender Hearted Schoolboy – Elizabeth Etheridge
- Goblin’s Halloween Trick – Jennifer Tarr
- Danny’s Goblin Dare – Islancy Guada
- Danny’s Goblin Dare Poem – Islancy Guada
- A Chilling Treat – Islancy Guada
- Chocozilla – Jessica D. Phillips
- A Goblin’s Trick or Treat – Thelia Hutchinson
- Goblins and Goodies – Carol Porter-Peszko
- Goblin’s Wish – Teresa MI Schaefer
- Naughty Goblin – Bri Lawyer
- A Goblin’s Haunted House – Bri Lawyer
- Goblin Goo – Ryann Jones
- The Candywrapper – Chris Scribbles
- Goblin Games – Katherine Rea
- Teddy Saved The Goblin’s Mind – Kimberly Zhuo
- Goody Goblin – Michelle S. Kennedy
- Lavender Luna Latte – Blythe Williams
- The Halloween Scare Contest – Diana Louise Vancura
- The Halloween Beast – Kristen Littlefield
- Little Goblin – Liz Shine
- The Goblins’ Halloween Ball – Lisa Lowe Stauffer
- The Door In The Hall – Kate Chabarek
- The Goblin Princess – Patricia Brown
- Shriek! It’s A Freak! – Jean Martin
- A Hallow’s Eve Surprise – J. Edwin Trindade
- The Scariest Costume – Helen Ishmurzin
- A Halloween Scare – Emily Roberts
- Goblin On A Break – Susanne Connolly
- Troll’s Greatest of All Time Jack-o-Lantern – Nadia Ali
- Feast of the Goblin King – Leah Tilki
- Mischievous Tricksters – Jenna Daucunas
- Ryan’s Sleepy Hollow-een – Jen Keenan
- Becky The Kind, Clever Goblin – Robin Brett Wechsler
- The Goblin – Angela Martinelli
- Where The Wind Blows – Daniella Kaufman
- Halloween Magic – Cindy Greene
- Goblin’s Gripe – Jill Lambert
- Where Are You, Pete? – Webb Smith
- The Gobblin’ Goblin – Carla Gullett
- The Halloween Parade – Alyssa Londoño
- A Busy October 31st – Emily Roberts
- Artists Interests – Lorraine McCown
- The Costume Contest – Amanda Littlefield
- Goblin Juice – Claudine Pullen
- That’s Just Me – Amanda Littlefield
- The History of the Goblin King and the Jellied Bean – Elizabeth Etheridge
- Toe-tips – Lucas Field
- Jack-O’-Sorta Lantern – Julie Hauswirth
- Far Worse Creatures – Nicole Garnett
- The Old Graveyard – Sharon Goldstein Jackson
- A Goblin Steals My Socks – Elizabeth Bryer
- Fibonacci Goblin – TERRIMICHELS
- The Halloween Caper – Brianna Brown
- A Good Night – Maripat Metcalf
- Goblin Party – Kassie Lamro
- ‘Winning’ Treats – Sarah (Sezza) Hetu
- The Goblin Kitten Guard – Jill Littig
- Curly Toes – Susan Eyerman
- Halloween Rules – Elenore Byrne
- Rub-A-Dub-Dub – Pat Finnegan
- Abby’s Halloween Adventure – Dianne Borowski
- IYKYK – M. Metcalf
- Stepping In By Stepping Out – Colleen Owens Murphy
- The Eager Halloweeners – Elise Teichert
- Goblin’s Halloween Surprise – Diana Sussman
- Aunt Violet’s Halloween Treats – Una Belle Townsend
- The Family Who Tricks Together. . . – Sharon Korzelius
- Sumpin’ Scary – Lisa Y? Wilson
- Twix-Or-Treat – Shaunessy Sinnett
- Boo Who? – Cathy Bendix
- Boo – Briana McCormick
- The Tale of the Terrible Treat Snatchers – Derek Quick
- A Halloween Riddle – Jennifer Schmitz
- Flight of Fright – Samantha Cora
- Tiptoe, Goblin and Chill – Barb Seregi
- Goblin Trick or Treat – Susan Summers
- Home Alone – Marina Wright
Susanna Leonard Hill 
TRICK AND TREAT
By Linda Balgley-Shore
98 words
The Goblin family loved Halloween. It was the one night they could go out and not scare the neighbors.
Mama Goblin planned to dress as a Hot Chilly Pepper, and Poppa Goblin as Jack O. Lantern.
Baby Goblin refused. “I will not wear a costume!”
“How about we put a sheet over you and you can go as a ghost?” Poppa Goblin suggested.
“No!” said Baby Goblin standing on tiptoes and crossing his long arms.
That evening, the neighbors eyeballed Baby Goblin and remarked, “Now that’s a creepy costume!”
Baby Goblin snarled sweetly, and took his candy.
Funny! I LOVE the last line.
ZELDA ZOMBIE’S TEA
By Amy LaMae Brewer (100 words)
Who’s not scared of Zelda Zombie’s Tea?
Gretta Goblin is going.
Wendy Witch is going.
Gary Ghoul is making it a priority.
Winston Werewolf will.
Zelda makes her friends her favorite treats.
Scones with snake butter,
cockroach cupcakes,
veggie fingers, eyeball eggs and—
chilled jello insect bites!
“Come sip some Tasmanian devilish tea,” she says.
“With bats in the midnight air and share some
nightly snacks under a silvery moon.
Please come, it’s a howling, Halloween Eve!
For creepy story tales and delicious scary treats,
with spooky zombie friends who tiptoe through
a graveyard and devour a ghoul night tea.”
Thank goodness, I’m not invited for tea. 🙂
Sounds deliciously creepy!
GOBLIN GROOVE
by Katie Brandyberry (100 WC)
On Halloween you find a door
leading to an old dance floor.
Daringly, you sneak inside.
Your stomach swirls. Your eyes grow wide…
as creepy creatures start to dance.
Monsters mash and Pumpkins prance.
Then Goblins enter doing flips.
Watching you, they lick their lips.
Stomping left, sidestepping right,
they open wide—prepared to bite.
Humans make the perfect treat
for Goblins grooving to the beat!
Ideas form. A plan takes shape:
there’s only one way to escape.
Stomping left, sidestepping right,
you join their chilling dance tonight…
until you’ve grooved across the floor
and bravely tiptoe out that door.
##
A fun dancing escape!
Luckiy she/he escaped. Good luck!
great rhythm!
A fun adventure!
LOVE this!
Goblin Sneaks a Treat
by: Lauren Racela (74 word count)
Hoping for
candy loot
Goblin tiptoes
in his boots.
Finds the bowl,
his small hand creeps.
To his surprise,
something beeps!
An alarm shrieks loud.
He gets a chill.
The bowl tips over;
the candy spills.
Goblin frets
over what he’s done.
Mama comes
to hug her son.
“It’s okay,
don’t feel dread.
Next time,
you should ask instead.”
They pick up the treats,
the floor is clean.
“Have a sweet, dear.
Happy Halloween!”
So cute, with a message.
So dynamic, and a relatable experience.
Grumpy Goblin by T Milton . 100words
Grizelda was a goblin lass
Green and horrid, her slimy sheen.
But unlike all of her foul ilk
Grizelda hated Halloween.
“No tricks or treats,”
Grizelda moaned,
Pulling spiders from her head.
“Why can’t Halloween
Be more like Valentine’s instead?
Both have tons of chocolate
Filling children with delight
I much prefer a day of love
to a night of fright.”
She tiptoed round the subject
With the chill ghouls at her school.
Vampires looked down with distaste.
Werewolves merely drooled.
To not yuck the other’s yums,
Grizelda decided to take part
Dressed up as a great big
Halloween heart.
Nice twist at the end.:)
Thanks!
Enjoyed the story arc and how Grizelda solved her own problem! Very clever!
thank you, kindly!
Greedy Goblins
By: Adriana Gutierrez
The sky darkens and the air chills.
Trick or treaters emerge on Halloween night.
Ding!
Five caramels make Monster full of glee.
But from hand to bag,
Only three make it in.
Dong!
Three chocolates delight Pirate. Hooray!
But only two make it in.
Knock!
Two lollipops so swirly and pink please Fairy,
But only one makes it in.
“Who stole my candy?” they cry.
Rap!
Green tails?
Sharp ears?
Goblins lurk.
They tiptoe and swipe candy on Halloween!
Aha!
Clown thinks up a plan.
Sprinkle candy corn and goblins munch.
Trouble averted, goodies restored.
Candy hunting resumes.
Happy Halloween!
Naughty goblins. Good luck!
Love it, Adri! Super cute!
Bad goblins!
Liked the countdown! Good luck, Adriana!
Cornelius, the Misfit Candy Corn
By: Deborah Kim
96 words
In a cauldron full of Halloween treats lay Cornelius, the candy corn misfit. His colors scrambled, his body bent.
He tiptoes about, glaring at the rows of candy corn chilling in their perfect coats. “Do I even matter?” he sighs.
Without warning, a ghoulish green hand reaches into the pot. Cornelius tries to hide, but his colors and form give him away.
The goblin grins, “You’re odd, but you taste the best!” and launches Cornelius into the air.
“YAHOOO! I matter! I’m the best indeed!” Cornelius shouts as he dives into the darkness, onto his sweet journey.
Love this unique idea and the name “Cornelius!” You have a “teeny” arc and a great ending too. Best wishes.
Let’s hear it for candy corn of all stripes!
A candy corn by any other name would taste as SWEET! Great twist at the end.
Title: Maybe a Snu
by Greg Beatty
Word Count: 100 words
“I don’t believe you!”
“Just watch.”
Tina and her grandmother peered out at the chilly October evening.
“What did it look like?”
“Strange. Like a goblin. Or maybe a snu.”
“What’s a snu?”
“I don’t know. What’s snu with you?”
Tina groaned, but she also laughed so hard her eyes closed.
“There!”
“Oh, I missed it.”
They ran onto the porch. The candy bowl for Trick or Treaters was empty. Tina pointed to footprints leading away from the bowl.
“Are those goblin tracks?”
“Maybe,” her grandmother said, thinking or maybe they are the tracks of a seven-year-old neighbor on tiptoe.
Cute, Grans are the best. I liked this, I don’t know. What’s snu with you? Nice ending.
Dad’s Nap
WC95
Candy, costumes, spider slime.
Halloween’s my favorite time.
Grab old PJs, needle, thread.
Goblin? Fairy? Walking dead?
Cardboard, scissors, paper, glue.
I know what I’m going to do!
Bulging eyeballs. Add some fear.
Cut and paste it. Stick it here.
Cold and chilly Trick or Treat,
so fuzzy slippers on my feet.
Tiptoe. Giggle. Hesitate.
Dad is snoring. Listen. Wait!
Jump out quickly, shout a BOO!
Monster! Doesn’t he know who?
Eyes fly open. “EEK,” a scream.
Scary wake up from his dream.
“Silly Daddy, can’t you see.
Look I made it. It’s just me.”
so cute!
Enjoyed your rhyme and story arc. Love how your main character does it all by herself!
Lovely! Good luck!
Perfect fun for little do-it-yourselfers!! Nailed the rhymes and nice flow too. Good luck!!
What a fun eye opener. 🙂
So so sweet!
A maker! I love that she wants to scare Dad. (Wait – you never said she… Funny how being a daughter and having granddaughters informs your interpretation.)
Adorable!
Three Witches and Their Beloved
by Imelda Taylor
99 words
Three witches swooshed through the chilly Halloween air. Onwards to the Goblin King’s lair.
Up the mountaintop, they tiptoed their way in. Pass the golden goblet, pass the crown and pass the trap.
Snip! Off came the tip of the Goblin King’s claw.
Grumble
Rumble
Tremble
Back on their brooms, the witches head home.
Back to the potion brewing in their cauldron.
In went the clipping from the Goblin King’s claw.
The portal opened.
A beloved arrived.
Meow
Slurp
Body and bone.
Cuddles all night while the spell lasted.
The spirit world called. Their beloved would be missed.
Ahhh, only for one night?
unfortunately, yes😔
Love me a good portal story!
😉
A SCARY HALLOWEEN 100 words
By Janet Parkinson Bryce
It’s a chilly Halloween, Teeny Owl whispered. A breeze swirled leaves, she heard a snap.
“Who’s there? she called
“M-O-A-N!
Maisey Owl flew to Teeny’s branch. “What’s up? she asked
“Something is moving.” Said Teeny.
“Look!” whispered Maisey.
Glowing things floated along the path.
“Let’s follow it,” said Teeny
They flew to a tree and watched the glowing things float into a house.
Teeny and Maisey peeked inside a window.
Goblins and cats danced: tip-toe, twirl, and growl.
Maisey and Teeny started dancing. They fell, thud.
Creatures appeared. “Dance with us,” they moaned.
Maisey and Teeny Screeched and flew home.
Scary indeed. Good luck!
Thank you
Love the image of goblins and cats dancing.
ENTRY POSTED FOR BONNIE
GOBLIN TROUBLE
By Bonnie Kloster
100 words
One chilly Halloween a lonely witch tip-toed around her bubbling
cauldron.
She peered at her recipe HOW TO CAST SPELLS.
“Come, Goblin, come,” she chanted again.
But no Goblin appeared.
“What could be wrong?”
Back to the recipe…
“Ah, I forgot the toadstools.
I’ll try again.
“Come Goblin, come!”
But no Goblin appeared.
“Not again! Something is missing.”
She re-read the recipe. Then she danced around her cauldron.
JUST BELIEVE was scrawled at the bottom.
“I do believe I can cast a spell!
“Come, Goblin, come!”
Poof!
Before her stood her Goblin friend.
Just believe! I’m happy she made it in the end.
Sometimes when you’ve done all that you can, you just have to believe!
Believe, indeed! Great lesson in a fun story.
ENTRY POSTED FOR BRETT
A Fright on Friday Night
By Brett A. Starr on October 16, 2024
83 words
It’s Friday night
Time for a fright
The scene is right
Dim all the lights
Just close your eyes
And visualize
Some spooky skies
And creepy eyes
A cemetery waits
With a squeaky gate
A chilly state
A brisk wind makes
We tiptoe through
The grass and dew
I wish I knew
What’s behind you???
EEEEEKK!!! It seemed
A big goblin screamed
Please come wake me
From this scary dream!
Just open your eyes
There’s no surprise
And no disguise
Now, say goodbye…
What a great title!
I enjoyed the buildup to the dream.
BEWARE (WC 99)
Lynn Moore
Beware! Halloween pranksters are everywhere. They’ll trick you—even scare you!
“Ha! Not me.” Velma zipped up her vampire costume and dashed down the street.
BRAHAAAAA!
Startled, Velma dropped her treats.
“Sorry,” sniggered a goblin. “Take my sack.”
“Um, thanks.” Velma pulled out squirmy…slimy… worms! “Ha! Tasty.”
Every kid knows that goblins are terrified of eerily glowing objects. So, when Velma saw another goblin lumbering toward her, she was ready.
“ARRRGGG!” Velma gnashed her GLOW-IN-THE DARK FANGS!
“OH-NOOOO!” Goblinshuddered. Goblin sizzled. Goblin melted into a puddle of green slime.
Velma tiptoed to the puddle. “Chill… until next year.”
Smart girl.
“Every kid knows” — HA! Kids are so smart!
I’ll have to remember my glow-in-the-dark fangs next Halloween! Very clever.
The Hairy, Scary Goblin
(Inspired by The Itsy, Bitsy Spider)
By Lori Dubbin
Word Count: 36
The hairy, scary goblin,
Went out to trick-or-treat.
In swooped a ghost
Since they had planned to meet.
Out snuck a cat
That tiptoed at their feet,
And the chill in the air
Made Halloween complete!
Amazing, with only 36 words!
I hear the tune in my head–it brings back fond childhood memories!
Great work with the rhythm!
Ypu’ve painted such a fun scene with only 36 words!
*You’ve
Lori, you’ve done wonders with only 36 words! All required words included!
Lots of imagery and a fun story arc! Good luck!
What a great story! Glad to see another twist on a classic!
Frankenbones
By Carol Macpherson
100 words
It’s October 31, my favourite day. Halloween, and the school Science Fair!
Thanks to my dachshund Igor, I, Frankie Stein have the winning entry!
All because Igor chased a squirrel and found a bone.
Not just any bone.
Under cover of chilly darkness, we dug up an entire dinosaur skeleton and tiptoed home.
I’m at the fair in my goblin costume, with Igor’s brain computer-copied into the creature. It obeys my commands!
I give a demonstration. “Sit. Shake a paw. Roll over.”
Except, Ms. Lanchester’s hair looks like a squirrel.
The creature gives chase.
I wave goodbye to first place.
Very funny. I can picture the illustration of Ms. Lanchester’s hair!
Oh, no! Except, Ms. Lanchester’s hair looks like a squirrel.
What a funny ending =)
I like your title! Fun ending.
Title: Aurelia’s Cat is a Bat WC95
By Eleanor A. Peterson https://eleanorannpeterson.com/susanna-hills-14th-annual-halloweensie-contest/
Running after her cat, Aurelia hollered. “We can’t go to the Halloween party in the haunted castle.”
Midnight cawed, racing towards the castle, sending chills up Aurelia’s spine.
“Wait!” shouted Aurelia.
As she tiptoed through the hedge maze, a goblin glided through a doorway, grasping Midnight.
Aurelia followed, tripping over the threshold into the castle.
Torches flickered, and spooky toons echoed in the ballroom.
Black felines flew through the arched windows.
A goblin neared her, holding Midnight. “Don’t worry. He only flies on Halloween night.”
Aurelia grabbed her cat and flew home on Midnight’s back.
I wish my cat flew! Love this quirky tale!
Thanks Laura.
Thanks, Laura.
Glad he only flies at midnight! Can you imagine if a cat could fly across the room instead of just dashing across it? Cute story =)
True, thanks for commenting. I have 9 cats and one is black.
Wonderful name for a Halloween cat!
Flying cats! Great names for the characters !🐈⬛️👺🎃
Thanks, Susan. 🙂
Proving once again cats are pretty darn smart! Fun story
A spooky castle! I’m glad they got to fly home on Midnight’s back.
Thanks for reading Corine.
Corky’s Halloween Scare
By C Macpherson
99 words
On Halloween eve, a chilled slithered down Corky’s stem. Pumpkins were mysteriously disappearing from the pumpkin patch!
Maybe he was next! Corky stayed awake, watching. Waiting.
In the chilly darkness, a creature with glowing eyes tiptoed towards him.
“Goblin!” shrieked Corky. “It’s going to eat me!”
“It’s your imagination,” mumbled his neighbour, Sal.
The moon appeared from the clouds. The monster was….
A cat!
“See?” yawned Sal. “Things look different at night. Us pumpkins have nothing to worry about.”
ZZZzZzZZzZZzZzZ.
The next morning Corky was shaken awake.
“Perfect for the pumpkin-carving contest,” said a voice. “And fresh pumpkin pie!”
Poor pumpkins.
Horror story! :0
Johnny’s Brain
By Diana Blau
100 words
Johnny loved to learn. But Mitchell teased him for doing extra math and Bud laughed at his fact-filled presentations.
On Halloween, Johnny dressed up as scientist, Albert Einstein. His brother asked, “Why can’t you dress up as a goblin?”
While trick-or-treating they ran into a frightened Mitchell and Bud who were tiptoeing away from a bunch of Zombies saying, “We want brains!”.
“Help us, Johnny! You have the brains they want!”
Johnny started reciting Albert Einstein, “E=MC2”. The Zombies chilled out and listened.
Mitchell and Bud were right. They did want Johnny’s brains, but not to eat. To learn from!
What a clever and wonderful way to use the three words! Like the twist at the end, too.
Love the image of zombies chillin’ and listening to math equations =)
This is a clever and fun twist for a Halloween story!
Title: Halloween Parade
The Halloween Parade of bugs and goblins happens every year
Please tiptoe while here so the bugs have nothing to fear!
Stinkbugs and leafhoppers, spittlebugs and aphids too
They are all around for you to view.
The goblins are here to guide the way
So you’ll know all about Halloween Day.
Trick or Treat is what you say
Give me a treat or a trick I will play
A Halloween sweet is always something fun
Candy is nice and gets the job done.
At midnight the goblins will go away
And you can chill and call it a day!
By: Dianne Wright
Nice twist. Good luck!
fantastically fun!
Goblin and Cowboy
Vicky Pao
Word Count: 100
I won the Kid’s Halloween contest, but I wanted a friend.
“I’m a Goblin,” I admitted to the finalists. “For real.”
Cowboy David blinked.
“Really?” squeaked Princess Ella.
She tiptoed and felt my tail.
She ran, losing her slipper!
I waited for Cowboy.
“Your tail’s cool,” he grinned.
Heat replaced my chill.
He shared, “I love Twizzlers!”
“I hate candy,” I giggled, handing him my loot.
“What do you love?”
“I love…nature,” I said, sitting beneath my tree.
I shared a foraged carrot.
Next evening, we met at our tree.
We shared radishes and stories.
My Halloween wish came true!
MY SECOND HALLOWEEN
by Kim L. Young
64 words
This Halloween, I…
Pressed clingy shapes onto the window.
Painted a pumpkin all by myself.
Decided what I wanted to be.
Carried my own bag and said, “trick-or-treat” and “thank you.”
Snacked on sweet treats.
Tiptoed up close to ghosts and goblins.
Shivered in the chilly air, but…
I didn’t mis a thing on my SECOND Halloween!
I struggled a bit to get this posted. No excuse, but I “missed” a typo.
If you need changes let me know and I’ll fix it 🙂
My reply is in the wrong spot! Mistakes happen 🙂
That would be amazing! Thank you! I would greatly appreciate you adding the missing “s” so the last line reads “I didn’t miss a thing on my SECOND Halloween. 🎃
❤️🎃
A fabulous story of a young child growing up to recognize the things he/she can do on a second Halloween. Great job taking our emotions, and making us cheer, with so few words.
So sweet. I could see and enjoyed the innocence and independence. No illustrator notes needed.
Thief in the Night
By Marta Cutler
(60 Words)
CREEAAK
A chill in the air
I move not a muscle
Someone is there.
SNEEAAK
Into the gloom
Yellow-eyed tiptoe
Across the room.
SNAAAAP!
A howl. A wail.
Caught green-handed
In the candy pail.
CLAAANG
Locked up tight.
No more trouble
On Halloween night.
SCRAATCH
One down. A hundred to go.
Please send payment
to Goblin Catcher & Co.
Love “caught green handed”! 🙂
fabulous! Such a fun story in so few words.
Crafty!! Like to use of onomatopoeia to set the mood. Well done Goblin Catcher!
This is fantastic, Marta! Loved reading it. Especially got a giggle out of “caught green-handed.” 🤣 Wonderful job!
Thank you SO much for the lovely comments everyone! 🙂
Bwwwahaha! Clever indeed- This was a lot of fun to read!
But you didn’t miss any of the experiences that are Halloween! 🙂
I resubmitted, omitted the word count first time 😅.
GOBLINS NEVER TIPTOE
© Laura Rice Martinez, 2024
100 words
“Twyla, help me decorate!”
“Halloween is pretend…right, Rolf?
Skeletons can’t walk.
Witches can’t fly.”
Rolf laughs. “Are you afraid?”
Twyla sticks out her tongue. “What’s in the box?”
Rolf wrestles and lurches—
“GOBLINS!
Tales say,
they’re cave-dwellers,
mischievous,
rambunctious…”
“M-O-O-O-O-M!!!” wails Twyla.
Rolf chills. “Ok-a-a-y.”
Shadows crawl around the house.
Together,
Rolf and Twyla cloak
glittery-eyed,
muck-colored goblins,
in hedges,
while—
Skeletons teeter.
Witches dive.
Gravestones lean.
Cobwebs shine.
“WICKED!” Rolf chases Twyla inside. “Mmmwwaaahaha!!!”
Costumed and craving candy,
Fairy
and
Demon
whisk outside,
past the ghoulish graveyard.
Rolf stops—
“Something smells…musty.”
SNAP.
STOMP.
CACKLE.
“RUN, Twyla!!! Goblins never tiptoe!”
Skye’s Chilling Costume
By Sarah Atherton (100 words)
There’s a Halloween party and all are invited,
Skye and her friends are wildly excited.
They love dressing up for that special night,
The creepier the costume, the bigger the fright.
Witches and goblins are bought from the store,
But nothing for Skye as her parents are poor.
She searches at home and finds an old sheet,
Which she throws on her head as she howls,
“Trick or treat!”
The party has started, her friends are there,
She tiptoes over and gives them a scare.
“BOOOOOOO!!!”
“Skye!” they scream. “Your costume’s brill!”
Skye is delighted she gave them a chill.
FRIGHTENING REFLECTION by Jennifer Kaap (100 words)
Goblin couldn’t wait to scare the trick-or-treaters.
But when he looked in the mirror, he felt a chill. EEK! He was BEAUTIFUL!
He needed to look hideous again, STAT!
To avoid being seen, Goblin tiptoed out to gather supplies.
Then, he tiptoed back with his gruesome concoctions.
He slathered mud on his face. Still beautiful!
He dunked his head in snail slime. Gorgeous!
He covered his body with leeches. Stunning!
The doorbell rang.
AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!
Goblin smashed the mirror, tore his shirt, and kicked down the door as costumed children scattered into the night.
Goblin smiled.
He was still ugly inside!
Thank you Jennifer, a fun story with a sweet message. Lynn
GOBLIN’S FEET (WC 100)
by Marie Tang
A chill fills the air,
as Goblin tiptoes to Granny’s garden,
his favorite place to hide,
on his favorite day of the year.
Goblin buries himself deep beneath the dirt
and waits for trick-or-treaters
who love Granny’s double-dipped, chocolate,
marshmallow eyeball cookies.
You don’t believe me?
Take a closer look
there’s one thing Goblin can’t hide.
Warty pumpkins and gnarly gourds
on lawns, that twinkle in the moonlight,
those are really Goblin’s feet!
Mouth-watering, twiddling his toes,
What? You’re scared?
Oh no, don’t worry,
it’s not you Goblin wants to eat.
It’s a Granny cookie he wants to gobble up!
Hi, Tina, I love how you address the reader. Well done. Lynn
cute!
Fun! I love that the pumpkins and gourds are really Goblin’s feet. Quirky and cute, Marie!
Haha love that opening!
oops! My formatting got wonky on the last line!
I’ll fix it 🙂
Stopping by Stephen King’s on Hallowed Evening
A true account of my sixth grade self
by Sherry Dubis
Word Count 100
Whose house this is, Bangorians know.
He’s found someplace else to go.
He won’t open the gate for fear
Of goblin fans who get too near.
I’m too old, almost a teen,
To trick-or-treat this Halloween.
My trusty friend says we must go,
I peer and wait upon tiptoe.
My arm ignores insistent tug
Wishing toward the welcome rug.
When the breeze whips up a chill,
I finally give in to her will.
I sigh to think we we’ll soon outgrow
Carved up pumpkins all aglow.
I craft my words in glum retreat.
To plead our case on heavy feet.
I was immediately hooked by your title. Such a fun story! And so cool that it’s based on a real-life Halloween.
I’m a month late plus in getting back to you. Thank you for your kind response!
Stephen King’s house, a true story and in rhyme… Well done!
Thanks!
Nicely done – very evocative!
All Hallow’s Eve (99 words)
By Darlene Pagán
When the rain stopped, the gutter drained, and the bat was finally able to stand on tiptoe, wings drenched, and gasping for air.
On the ground, the goblin cat strutted, tail flicking. Its green eyes glowed.
“Come down,” she crooned. “I just want to talk.”
Chilled, the bat panted, “Never.”
He clutched the veil between the living and the dead like a second skin. It was thin and soaked, but still intact. Six more hours until midnight. Six more hours until the veil hardened and the cat disappeared. He would not fail. Storm couldn’t stop him. Neither would she.
Ooohoohoohoo! Very cool. I want more!
Darlene, I love this, so descriptive! Love your writing 🙂
The Spooky Cave
By Ghost Writer (R.LP.M.)
It was Halloween night, and Freddy was dared by his schoolmates to spend the night in a spooky cave at the edge of town. He nervously peered through the shadowy entrance and slowly tiptoed inside. There was a sudden chill in the air that brought goosebumps to the back of his neck.
As he walked deeper inside the cave his heart pounded inside his chest. Freddy felt like he was being watched, and when he heard a loud sound come from behind, he turned to see a goblin with large pointy ears and jagged teeth grinning back at him.
You left us with a cliff-hanger!!!
Yes I did! Thanks for reading the story.
One More House
By Dana Dillaman
100 Words
“Goblin’s house?” begs the pirate.
“Okay, last one,” says her dad. “And be polite. Mr. G.’s just old.”
She tiptoes up the candle-lit stairs. Before she can knock, the door yawns open.
“Arrg,” she says to a grey-green face, holding open her bag of loot. “Trick-or-treat!”
“Trick!” echo sugary voices from the depths of her bag.
She drops the cursed treasure and watches her Halloween booty—silver and gold wrappers and dazzling gem-colored confections—creep away with crinkly cackles.
“Shiver me timbers,” says the pirate with a chill.
The grinning goblin taps its nose and winks. “Better luck next Halloween!”
WHO’S THERE?
by Marilyn Wolpin
WC: 98
As autumn nights take chilly hold,
My sorry tale can now be told.
For on this night not long ago,
I lost my life with one harsh blow!
Now I dress from crown to sole
In goblin’s black with just one goal!
To tiptoe silent up their stair,
To ring their bell – they’ll shout, “Who’s there?!”
“BOO!” and “WOO!” I’ll wail and shriek.
I’ll make the floorboards crack and creak!
With ghoulish glee I’ll watch them quake.
Oh how they’ll pay for their mistake.
For in my blacks I can’t be seen –
I’m the vengeful ghost of Halloween!
Oooo…a very creepy ghoulish tale. Love it!
Leslie
Thanks!
How the Greedy Goblins Gobbled Halloween by S. J. Barratt
A strange chill swept through the village of Eldershire. Lily and Tom tiptoed through the foggy woods, hearts racing as they reached the Goblin Mound.
The greedy goblins had stolen all of Halloween’s magic, plunging the village into gloom. Inside, the goblin king cackled, guarding the enchanted lantern.
Tom distracted the goblins, while Lily snatched the lantern. A bright flash lit up the cave, and the enchantment of Halloween returned to the village. The goblins shrieked and turned into pumpkins.
“This year I’m really going to enjoy carving pumpkins” Tom exclaimed. “Nobody will steal our Halloween again!” Lily declared.
(99 words)
BLACK CAT’S TRICK FOR TREATS
By: Nicole Terry
Word Count: 95
With every goblin in their home,
it’s time to hit the town and roam.
To find the most delicious treat
forgotten on a porch or street.
I tiptoe through the chill, fall night.
I sniff. I slink. Stay out of sight.
I paw a bowl. Treats tumble out.
Then, “Beat it, cat!” I hear them shout.
I zoom away. My tummy aches.
I can’t make any more mistakes.
I spot a glimmer way up high.
I pounce. I leap. I almost fly.
I finally snag it! Could it be…?
“3 ‘Mouse’keteer” bar just for me!
this is really cute, good job!
Sister’s Sacrifice
By: Amanda Blaylock
86 Words
Out she goes, it’s Halloween!
Little Goblin Emma Jean
tiptoes through the chilly night,
off to scare and growl and bite!
Wait! What’s that? She turns around!
Something makes a slurping sound!
Baby brother catches up,
sucking on his sippy cup.
“Go away!” says Emma Jean.
“You will ruin Halloween!”
Looking down she slowly sighs.
Seeing tears in brother’s eyes.
“Oh alright!” She says. “Let’s go!”
Holds his hand and walks him slow.
“Let’s go tiptoe through the night!
You can learn to growl and bite!”
awwww, this one is so cute! And as the mother of boy-girl siblings, I can relate!
I had fixed your formatting for you, but since you re-posted I deleted your earlier post
I’m so sorry, I have no idea how it posted twice!
Technology is a mystery 🙂
Using all three words in one sentence deserves its own prize! And that sweet ending! ❤
So cute, Amanda!! It made me think of my kids at that age! (They are grown ups now. 🙂
That makes my heart so happy!
Cozy sibling stories always melt my heart. I hope you win, Amanda.
That is so kind of you! Thank you so much!
So sweet! Now we’ll look at goblins in a whole new way!
The Skeleton March
By Maria Piñero Pope
(99 Words)
When the sun has set, and the moon is high,
beware the start of the Skeleton March.
Creak,
stomp,
creak,
STOMP.
Scarier still than a goblin or ghost, watch out!
Make way for the Skeleton March.
Creak,
stomp,
CREAK,
STOMP.
That chill in the air, means they’re not very far.
Run fast, here comes the Skeleton March!
Creak,
STOMP,
CREAK,
STOMP!
Tiptoe to hide wherever you can. Don’t look!
They’re here, the Skeleton March.
CREAK,
STOMP,
CREAK,
STO—
I tried to warn you this Halloween night.
Now YOU are a part of the Skeleton March!
CREAK!
STOMP!
CREAK!
STOMP!
Great repetition, and I love the turn at the end!
Agreed! Great twist ending!
thanks so much! It was fun to write!
Super fun, Maria!! ¡Amo!
So spooky and fun!
Good job!
Love this build up! So well done, Maria!!
ENTRY POSTED FOR MELISSA
Jane-O-Lantern
By Melissa Rafson Friedman
79 words
A chill in the air
swishes leaves
and sweeps past pumpkins.
Pumpkins as orange as the sun,
white like ghosts,
and gourds green as goblins.
All waiting to be carved.
“I will be an electrifying Jack-O-Lantern,” Orange said.
“I will be a hair-raising Jack-O-Lantern,” White said.
“Why do we always have to be Jacks?” Green asked.
“It’s time to shatter this shell.”
That night, tiny feet tip-toed up the sidewalk
admiring the first frightening, but not the last–
Jane-O-lantern!
Melissa Rafson Friedman
@storytime_mama
@mahjongg_mama
YAY! A Jane-o-lantern has arrived to spook and scare. Fun story Melissa.
Thank you 🎃
I love the rhythm and the lyricism of this story. Happy Halloween!
Thank you 🎃
It’s Not Easy Being a Goblin
By Lynn Burton
96 words
Gretchen the goblin tiptoed through the graveyard.
Halloween was the night to be on guard.
Ghosts and ghouls and zombies and witches
were all about in their many riches.
She watched a ghastly group of trick-or-treaters
emerge in the shadows of candy greeters.
They prowled the streets from house to house,
and carried their treats in great big mounds.
That is, until…
A haunting screech gave them a great, big chill.
They ran past the park and into Gretchen’s path
where she did some quick moonlight math –
Gretchen: 10 bags of candy.
Trick-or-treaters: not so many.
A Halloween Tale of the Deep Dark Sea
By Amy LaMae Brewer (95 words)
Underneath the deep, dark sea,
lurks an unusual fellow
with a nose so long and jaws-
that catch prey in an unusual way.
Their skin, an eerie opalescent pink!
An unsuspecting, tiptoeing crab will soon meet,
The trigger jaws that snap forward and CRUNCH!
In the depths of the chill biting waters.
A gruesome and deep dark swimmer,
who’s known for a secret electrical attack!
Many have yet to explore and see,
A truly scary looking creature,
Swimming in the deep, deep, deep, dark.
Who is this Halloween named ghoul?
Meet the mysterious Goblin Shark!
https://www.amylamae.com/blog
I’m here for anyone’s work that has me reading a science article! Interesting.
The picture of the goblin shark is frightening!
Thanks! Me too. I love her prompts that get me writing what I never would have thought.
Candy Corn Goblin (WC: 97)
By Leslie Ross-Degnan
It’s Halloween!
I crave candy corn.
I crave the way its waxy sweetness sticks to my green teeth.
Must have candy corn.
Where does mother hide her stash?
I tiptoe into the night kitchen.
It’s not inside her cauldron.
It’s not behind her glass potion bottles.
I open the dusty cupboard.
Cr—eee–aaa—k!
Reaching through sticky spider webs,
Past cans of bat broth,
My fingers bump into a lumpy bag.
Candy corn!
Behind me, a sudden shadow in a pointed hat, blocks the moonlight.
Chills rush up my spine.
Slowly…I turn…
“Going somewhere?” mother cackles.
Great ending! Like your character, I also crave candy corn.
Thanks Lyn! I had fun writing it. Did you write one too?
WHEN I AM JACK
By Tarja Helena Nevala
100 words
In!
In!
Into the night,
My candle is burning
steady and bright.
Tiptoe or walk —
step on my stair.
I dare you to come
to beg for your share.
Toothy and scary.
Sometimes I moan.
HA-HAA! — how my laugh
sends chills to your bone.
Grinning like goblins
totally bad.
Crying because
I’m terribly sad.
These are my faces.
This is my game!
On All Hallow’s Eve,
Jack is my name.
Tiptoe or walk —
step on my stair.
I dare you to come.
Yikes! What a scare!
Out!
Out!
Out in the night.
A flickering candle —
smolders from fright.
WHEN I AM JACK – life-happenings-blog/post – Tarja Nevala
Oh! This is marvelous! It’s begging to be a song! Wonderful job!
Thank you Amanda. Happy spooky tomorrow!
Love the rhyme and suspense of what the jack o lantern will look like.
Thank you Melissa and I hope you come across a few funky Jack o lanterns tomorrow.
Tarja, I love your spooky pumpkin poem! Very suspenseful and such great rhyme and voice!!! I especially love the “game/Jack is my name” lines! Congrats!!!
Mona you are always a big support, a huge inspiration, and my kidlit sister. 🙂
Tarja, Well done. I read your poem twice. I liked the In In In and ending with Out out out ….
Thank you kidlit friend. I tend to write quiet stories and this one kinda made it too. The “in” and “out” repeat and give a me feeling of tiptoeing.
This is brilliant, Tarja! I loved reading this! Especially loved how seamlessly you included the required words, and the balance of your first stanza with your last stanza. Well done and good luck!
Hello, Dessie
by Jessica Russo
100 Words
Another invitation.
“Perform at the Goblin Haunted House!”
Dessie was a vampire bat, but she didn’t like tiptoeing in the dark, giving chills every Halloween.
This year would be different!
Thanksgiving parade!
Goodbye, vampire bat. Hello, YAM-pire bat!
Protesting turkeys blocked signups.
Christmas bake sale!
Goodbye, vampire bat. Hello, JAM-pire bat!
The thought of jelly claws didn’t impress.
Valentine’s Day fashion show!
Goodbye, vampire bat. Hello, GLAM-pire bat!
Lipstick smudged fangs frightened everyone at auditions.
Back at the haunted house…
Dessie stood tall on a float, modeled, costumes, and gave out cookies…instead of chills.
Goodbye, vampire bat. Hello, Dessie!
Dessie is clever, and so are you: YAM-pire bat, JAM-pire bat and GLAM-pire bat.
The Long Walk Home
by Jenna Renqvist
WC: 100
Heading home on Halloween,
I suppress a chill.
Step by step, I trek
Moved by force of will
I hope to remain unnoticed
by ghouls and goblins that I see.
Best not to draw attention,
Luckily, they look right through me.
I tiptoe through the graveyard
And drift into my home.
Next time I’ll be more careful
About the dates on which I roam.
You’d think I wouldn’t mind a scare;
I might even join in.
Others might appreciate
My frightful, scary grin.
I gaze at the mirror,
But no matter how I stare.
Just like always,
No one’s there.
Fun! I love the no one’s there and that they look right through the narrator!
What a shame that the Goblin found their sweets but ate them too.