Adder’s fork and wool of bat! It’s time for. . .
The 15th 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 wings, spell, and fog.
- 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!
- Please include your title, byline, and word count at the top of your entry.
- Title is not included in the word count.
- You may use the words in any grammatical variation i.e. wing, winged, winging, spells, spelling, spelled, foggy, foggiest, fogginess 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 11:59 PM Eastern Friday October 31st (So you have 3 full days to post – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.)
A note about formatting: if WordPress is feeling kindly, bold and italic font will show up, but depending where you’re copying and pasting from, it may not. If you creatively write your entry in the shape of a jack-o-lantern or a witch on a broomstick, the chances of WordPress coming through for you on that are pretty much nil. So as a general rule, don’t attempt anything fancy with your formatting. We’re here for the story, so we won’t be giving or taking away points for elaborate formatting 😊
- For those of you who would also like to post on your blogs (where maybe that fancy formatting will come through for you and so your fellow writers can come visit you at your place), please feel free to do so! You are welcome to include the link to your blog with your entry in the comment section of the Official Contest Post so that people can come visit your blog, but all entries must be posted in the comment section of this, the Official Contest Post, between 12:01 AM Eastern Wednesday October 29th and Friday 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: following the close of the contest at midnight Friday, my devoted assistants and I will read and re-read and narrow down the entries to a finalist field of about 14 (because we have 14 prizes for this contest!) 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! Take a moment to ooh and aah over what you can win and admire our talented prize donors and their work! (And don’t miss the end of this post which is all the way down below the prizes 😊)
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ FABULOUS PRIZES FROM GENEROUS PEOPLE⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Please enjoy exploring all their amazing work!
⭐️ Mentorship with the one and only Vivian Kirkfield!
Vivian will take a quick look at 3 of your manuscripts and then you and she will work on 1 to polish to submission-ready, plus a query letter edit for that manuscript as well as a Zoom session to discuss the manuscript or anything related to the path to publication!
Vivian encourages new writers through her critique and editing services, shares her love for reading and writing with children through school visits, and offers advice and resources for aspiring authors through her blog, Picture Books Help Kids Soar. She is the author of One Girl’s Voice: How Lucy Stone Helped Change the Law of the Land, Pedal, Balance, Steer: Annie Londonderry, the First Woman to Cycle Around the World, From Here To There: Inventions That Changed The Way The World Moves, Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marily Monroe, Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book, Pippa’s Passover Plate, and Sweet Dreams, Sarah.
Vivian Kirkfield








Webinars/Classes/Workshops!
⭐️ A Spot in Teresa Robeson’s inaugural 2-hour Webinar/Class: Write A Graphic Novel for the First Time! (to be held sometime in January 2026) Write A Graphic Novel for the First Time is a 2-hour step-by-step webinar that takes you from idea to pitch packet, learning everything you need in between. If you’re interested in knowing when the course is ready and when you can sign up, you can go here: https://teresarobeson.myflodesk.com/poatu0ji2z .

Teresa is the APALA Picture Book Award winning author of fiction and nonfiction on her own culture and science. Her titles include: Clouds In Space: Nebulae, Stardust, and Us, Who Is Tibet’s Exiled Leader? The 14th Dalai Lama, Clear And Bright: A Ching Ming Festival Story, Disgust-ology: The Science of Gross, and Who Smashed Hollywood Barriers With Gung Fu? Bruce Lee.
Teresa Robeson






⭐️ A Free Admission Ticket to Rosie Pova’s November or December Workshop + A Breakthrough Consultation With Rosie for unagented and unpublished PB writers! November and December Workshop Guests will be announced after October 28th. The Breakthrough Consultation with Rosie is a one-on-one session with her, designed to help the writer identify and overcome any challenges they’re facing—whether it’s related to story craft, manuscript submissions, finding an agent, building an authentic author brand, or strengthening their online presence. During your session, Rosie will help them pinpoint what’s holding them back and create an actionable plan to help them move forward!
Rosie J. Pova is an award-winning, multi-published children’s author, poet, and writing coach. Her books include Sunday Rain, featured in The New York Times, The School of Failure, a Readers’ Favorite silver medalist, and her latest title, Sally’s Musical Tale. She is also the founder of Picture Book Author Academy, where she mentors aspiring authors toward publishing success. In addition, Rosie hosts monthly workshops with agents and editors, offering exclusive learning and submission opportunities for the kidlit community.
Rosie J. Pova






⭐️ A Virtual All-Season Pass to Every SCBWI Eastern NY Webinar in 2026 donated by SCBWI Eastern NY (my local chapter)! Fabulous webinars to help you hone your craft and business of writing no matter where you live!

A Bundle of Three Books by Talented Authors Pamela Courtney, Robin Newman and Alayne Kay Christian!
⭐️ 1. From Pamela Courtney, a signed copy of A SEASON FOR FISHIN’: A Fish Fry Tradition
Pam’s Louisiana upbringing inspired her 2025 debut A Season for Fishin’, A Fish Fry Tradition and nurtured her life’s passion for writing, teaching, music. Combining these loves, Pam brings the eyes of a classroom teacher to each narrative she crafts and created MyLMNOP, a literacy and music program for early learners “My duty is great,” says Pam. “I am a writer who teaches. I am a teacher who writes.”

together with
⭐️ 2. a copy of TRIAL AND ERROR, the newest chapter book from Robin Newman!
Raised in New York and Paris, Robin Newman is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and City University of New York School of Law. She was a practicing attorney and legal editor, but now prefers to write about witches, mice, ants, and peacocks. Author of the award-winning Wilcox & Griswold Mystery Series and several picture books, she lives in New York with two spoiled spaniels. To learn more, please visit www.robinnewmanbooks.com.
Robin Newman






together with
⭐️ 3. a signed copy of THE WEED THAT WOKE CHRISTMAS from Alayne Kay Christian!
Alayne Kay Christian is the former acquisitions editor and art director for Blue Whale Press and an award-winning children’s book author. She is the creator and teacher of a picture book writing course, Art of Arc. She shares more of her knowledge and tips for writers through Writing for Children Webinars and Courses. Her books include The Weed That Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Take of the Toledo Christmas Weed, An Old Man and His Penguin: How Dindim Made João Pereira de Souza an Honorary Penguin, Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa, and two Sienna the Cowgirl Fairy books: Trying To Make It Rain and Cowboy Trouble.
Alayne Kay Christian






AMAs PLUS!
⭐️ A 30-Minute Zoom Ask Me Anything for an Individual or for the Individual and their Critique Group from Heather Pierce Stigall , PLUS a signed copy of the winner’s choice of one of her picture books: PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY or GILBERT AND THE GHOST!
Heather Stigall uses her experience with children and her degrees in Child Development, Psychology-based Human Relations, and Social Work to create stories that speak to kids. She is the author of the picture books Gilbert and the Ghost and Paisley’s Big Birthday. You can connect with Heather at www.HeatherPierceStigall.com.
Heather Pierce Stigall



⭐️ A 30-Minute Zoom Ask Me Anything from Tina Shepardson PLUS a signed copy of her picture book THE SORRY SEEDS!
Tina, an award-winning teacher of 33 years and an award-winning author, now inspires, educates, and engages kids writing children’s books. Author of Walkout, The Sorry Seeds—a Children’s Book Council Teacher Favorite, 2025, and Canines Unleashed: Hank’s New Pack, she created and hosts @thelilleaderspodcast.com, celebrating young leaders and literacy by interviewing kids about their life experiences in the hopes of impacting others.
Tina Shepardson




Pitch Critiques!
⭐️ A Package of 3 Pitch Critiques from Heather Preusser! Pick out three pitches you’d like help with, and Heather will help you polish them to perfection!
Heather has a BA in English and art history from Williams College, an MA in education from the University of Colorado, and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine. A National Writing Project fellow, Heather has seventeen years of experience teaching both middle and high school English. She is represented by Janine Le at JLLA. Her books include A Symphony of Cowbells, Hedgehog Whodunit, Hedgehog Whodunit: The Carousel Caper, and forthcoming in 2026, Hedgehog Whodunit: The Protective Order of Peanuts.
Heather Preusser




Picture Book Manuscript Critiques!
⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (fiction, non-rhyming) from author/illustrator Julie Rowan-Zoch!
Julie is a reformed graphic designer, concocting and sculpting story ideas and illustrations – every day. She is the author and illustrator of I’m A Hare, So There!, and the illustrator of Stopping By Jungle on a Snowy Evening, Not All Sheep Are Boring, and Louis.
Julie Rowan-Zoch

⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (Fiction or Nonfiction, Rhyme or Prose) from Nancy Derey Riley
Smart Stories for Curious Kids – Where Science, Imagination, and Kindness Meet. Nancy Derey Riley is an author, illustrator, and competitive adult figure skater. After completing a B.S. and M.S. in wildlife biology, she had a 32-year career as a wildlife biologist. She worked in New England, the Midwest, the desert Southwest, and at the national level in Arlington, Virginia. She loves bringing science and nature to life in her stories. Her website is: Nancy Riley Novelist – My writing website. Nancy is the author and illustrator of 3 self-published titles: Curiosity’s Discovery (Nov. 10, 2020), Butterfly Inn (May 25, 2022), Yeti In The Serengeti (May 30, 2023), and Who Ate My Cactus? (Shadelandhouse Modern Press, May 13, 2025)
Nancy Derey Riley





⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (Rhyming) from Deborah Holt Williams
Deborah is the author of five early readers for the educational publisher Continental Press. Susanna’s contests got her back to her first love—writing in rhyme. Her poems have appeared in Highlights mags and on poetry sites for children, and her rhyming picture book Nighty Night Dinos comes out in June of 2026 from Familius. (The image below is an art sample from Nighty Night Dinos, illustrated by Anna Doherty, ©Anna Doherty 2026.)
Deborah Holt Williams


⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (Fiction) from Melissa Stoller PLUS a signed copy of her newest picture book, HAZEL AND MABEL: Two Hearts Apart!
Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. Her newest picture book, Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart, illustrated by Anita Bagdi, released from Gnome Road Publishing in September, 2025. Melissa’s next picture book, Stella’s Special Recipe, illustrated by Valerya Milovanova, will release from Kar-Ben Publishing in Fall 2026. Melissa is also the author of the chapter book The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection – Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, and a Rate Your Story Judge.
Melissa Stoller

⭐️ A Manuscript Critique from Donna Martin– winner’s choice of a Picture Book Manuscript Critique (fiction, rhyme or prose), OR a First Chapter of a Chapter Book Critique, OR the First 10 Pages of a YA Novel Critique. Donna is especially good with PB fiction and rhyme, CB historical fiction and action, and YA fantasy!
Kidlit author, Donna L Martin, writes award winning stories for children, including picture books, chapter books, and young adult fantasy. Her books include A Barnyard Christmas, The Warriors Three, Lunadar: Homeward Bound, the History’s Mysteries series, and Hildie and the Beastie. She can be found on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn under DONASDAYS or readers can learn more about all her books at www.Amazon.com/author/donnalmartin.
Donna L. Martin

⭐️ A Rhyming Picture Book Manuscript Critique – fiction and nonfiction from Jill Richards Proctor. Her critiques include line-by-line review of rhythm and rhyme, suggestions for cutting or changing words, review of grammar, and feedback on the strengths/weaknesses of the manuscript itself.

Jill Proctor
Jill has been a writer and rhymer nearly all her life. She and her cat live on the top of a mountain, where she spends most days chasing my muse. Her poetry has been published in High Five Highlights Magazine, The School Magazine, and Children’s Writer. She has won a long list of awards and mentions in many kidlit contests, including First Place in the Institute of Children’s Literature (ICL) Rhyming Animal Poetry Contest, and First Place in ICL’s Fall Poetry Contest. Examples of her list of publications can be found on her website, as well as a list of her awards and mentions – all in rhyme.
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 333 entries listed below are linked to where they appear in the comments so you can click on the titles and get right to them! Anyone who feels kind can start at the bottom of the list so those entries get some comments too! 🎃 😊
2025 Halloweensie Contest Entries!
- THE SPOOKIEST GOBLIN IN GHOULVILLE – Vashti Verbowski
- SIBLING MAGIC – Lori Knutsen
- RASKELLY RUNS FOR HIS afterLIFE! – Katie Schwartz
- FROG FOG – Jocelyn Watkinson
- GRAM’S HALLOWEEN GARDEN– Susan Elizabeth Schipper
- FROG GOES TRICK-OR-TREATING – Mike Flowers
- SCARY HAIRY HALLOWEEN FAIRY – Jill Richards Proctor
- A MOST UNUSUAL SPELLBOOK – Danielle Anderson
- RETAIL SCARE-APY – Heather Kinser
- Aerial AcroBAT – Jill Lambert
- HALLOWEEN PARADE AT THE ART MUSEUM – Lauren N. Simmons
- HAPPY SPECKTAQULAR HALLOOVEEN! – Kiran Vazir Nair
- NORMALLY VERY NICE – Bethany Brodsky
- THE SPELLING MISTAKE – Tamara Hecht
- HOW TO WOO A WiTCH – Maria Kim
- A WICKED GOOD COSTUME – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
- HOMOGRAPH HALLOWEEN – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
- MOONLIGHT MAGIC – Rebecca Woodall
- THE GREAT HALLOWEEN BAKE OFF – Polly Hunt
- BATSY AND HAZEL – Lisa Carmody Doiron
- THE DRAGON, THE WITCH AND THE CAULDRON – Sue Lancaster
- HALLOWEEN NIGHT FLIGHT – Daniella Kaufman
- CACKLE, CRACKLE, OOPS! – Sarah Atherton
- MUMMY MOMMY – Shawna Cain
- WHAT KIZZY KNOWS ABOUT MS. DEVEREAUX – Bronchelle Parker
- CALL YOU RUDOLPH – Betsy J. Bennett
- WINGS INSTEAD OF A BROOM – Tracy T Agnelli
- WITCH WILDA – Elizabeth Volkmann
- F-L-Y-B-E-R-T – April Berry
- ‘SPELLING’ COUNTS – Elyse Trevers
- THE BIGGEST FRIGHT ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Emily Roberts
- THE HOBLINGOBLIN HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOUSE – Emily Roberts
- WHEN THE FOGHORN SOUNDED – Erica Chester
- THE RAVEN’S GHOST – Lyn Jekowsky
- HALLOWEEN IN FOG HOLLOW – Shelley Jones Clark
- A HALLOWEEN NIGHTMARE – Janet Bryce
- MONSTER SPELLING COMPETITION – Susan Wollison
- A FROGLET’S HALLOWEEN – Anthony Baldasare
- THE SPELL – Mona Voelkel
- MORGAN’S HALLOWEEN BROOM VROOM! – Chelsey Bahe
- ITCHY TWITCHY HALLOWEEN WITCHY – Julie Lerczak
- KIND-HEARTED KRYSTAL – Deborah Williams
- HALLOWINGED – Kat Kindig
- BOO-TIFUL BY MISTAKE – Deborah Foster
- TINA’S SCARY WISH – Randi Lynn Mrvos
- TREATS? OR TRICKS? – Sandra Bohman
- HERBIE AND MARIBEL – Milanka Reardon
- IT ALWAYS HAPPENS ON HALLOWEEN! – Isabel Cruz Rodgriguez
- THE WITCH’S WAY – Kelly Kates
- LEARNING TO SPELL – Jenny Nelson
- THE DEVILLED EGGS: AN ORIGIN STORY – Sherry Moon
- BONE-LY HEARTS SNUB – Laura Proven Croyle
- THE LETTER THIEF – Kendra Lusty
- THE HALLOWEEN WINGDING – Debbie Land
- SCARECROW’S FIRST HALLOWEEN PARTY – Eleanor A. Peterson
- MARIPOSA MOON – Katie Combe
- OH, SWEET FOG! – Robin Birdie Jordan
- SECOND GRADE WITCH SPELLS – Quincy Trochue
- WHAT IF? – Kim Collazo
- SPELLS & SUCH: THE SERIOUS WITCH’S SHOP – Lauri C. Meyers
- A TEENSIE-WEENSIE HALLOWEENSIE TALE – Mary Louise Kiernan
- A BATTY HALLOWEEN – Amy Kolb Noyes
- COSTUMED CRITTERS – Jessica Jenson
- IT’S MINE! – Josh Donner
- NO TRICKS, JUST SWEET – Tiffanie Leung Abbott
- A KIND HALLOWEEN SPELL – Kelsey Mango
- WANDA THE WHICH – Russell Wolff
- SWEET DREAMS – Margaret Robison
- IN A WITCH’S KITCHEN – Laura Wippell
- DON’T MESS WITH THE FROG – Linda Staszak
- TILLY’S MOONLIT SPELL – Leigh Lachman
- BANNED PRACTICE – Sarah Hirsch
- THE FRIGHT NIGHT JAM-BOO-BEE – Jennifer Tarr
- GHOUL BUS – Jessica Iwanski
- PARTY SKELETONS – Eric Roscosky
- GHOST SQUIRREL – Paige Lohr
- A FAIRY BAD MISTAKE – Jany Campana
- IT’S BEWITCHING TIME! – Marty Bellis
- GRETA HATES HALLOWEEN – Cindy Sommer
- A RECIPE FOR HALLOWEEN – Catherine Rose
- FLIGHT OF THE TURNIP – Rochelle Smith
- THE SPELL OF THE HALLOWEEN FOG – Alli Straus
- DARK AND FOG’S SPOOKY HALLOWEEN – Rebecca Thill
- HETTIE WITCH’S PARADE PROBLEM – Meg Winikates
- TESSA’S TRUNK OR TREAT TRICK – Nancy Ferguson
- SHE COULDN’T WAIT TO GO! – Sara Kruger
- MENACE AT THE DENTIST – Jessica Russo
- TRICK OR TREAT – RJ Clarken
- WHERE’S THE CHOCOLATE? – Donna Van Oss
- EERIE MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS – Seth Standley
- HALLOWEEN MAGIC – Theresa Dabney
- THE HOUSE THAT WAITS – Alex Waldo
- HILDRUN’S HALLOWEEN HOEDOWN – Theresa Dabney
- MONSTER JAMBOREE – Lauren Kimberly
- TROUBLE AND TOIL – Kelly Clasen
- THE RAVENS – Ali Lithke
- MG – THE HOLLOW BETWEEN TWO HEARTS – Gayle Krause
- SIT FOR A SPELL – Amy Farris
- THE DANCING SPELL – Brianna Rose Lengel
- RUNAWAY PUMPKINS – Martha Holguin
- WICKED TREATS – Kristen Littlefield
- HALLOWEEN CIRCUS – Shaunessy Sinnett
- HALLOWEEN WONDER – Theresa Dabney
- BAZ CROW AND THE SCARECROW – Allison Wilhelm
- THE VAMPIRE – Leslie Johnson Piotrowski
- TRICK-OR-TREATING MISCHIEF MAKERS – Jenna Daucunas
- MINA’S FIRST HALLOWEEN FLIGHT – Imelda Taylor
- BEGGAR’S NIGHT – Jess Appel
- DRUSCILLA AND BATSON – Anna Marie Evans
- RUDOLPH’S HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE – Susan Corry
- THE OOPSIE SPELL – Aida Nash
- BAT’S FREAKY FRIDAY – Sandra G. Ramirez
- WHERE BUSS CAN WEAR WINGS – Sherry Dubis
- NOT THIS YEAR! – Heidi McFadzean
- THE WITCH’S SPELL – Joanna Szeto
- I’M NOT GOING TO HALLOWEEN – Trine Grillo
- PEGGY’S REVENGE – Brooke Baum
- TRICK-OR-TREAT – Tracey Kiff-Judson
- LITTLE WITCHY ~ MASTER SPELLER – Pam Adams
- SPELLS CAST – Candelaria Norma Silva
- MAMA’S SPELL FOR FINDING HOME – Laura N. Clement
- THE MOON WHO WISHED – McKenzie Lynn Tozan
- DRACULA’S HALLOWEEN BASH – Sara Hoy
- ELISA’S MAGIC – Kathleen Jacobs
- BEWARE THE GARGOYLE PUMPKIN – Dawn Mitchell
- TRICK-OR-TREAT – Pallavi Jesrani
- WINGED WONDERS – Debbie Vilardi
- WITCHY WISHES – Jenn Gautam
- MAYBE I CAN CAST A SPELL – Lily C. Fen
- WENDY THE WITCH – Colleen Fogarty
- MIRABELLE’S SPELLS – Jamie Donahoe
- BAT’S GIFT TO GARGOYLE – Sarah Hawklyn
- DON’T BE SCARED, IT’S HALLOWEEN – Sarah Lynne John
- SCARED OF NOTHING – Jan Peck
- THE SKELETON’S NEW CLOTHES – Lucretia Schafroth
- SCHOOL OF REVIEW – Mona Pease
- THE CANDY BAN – Anne Lipton
- LITTLE BEE’S HALLOWEEN – Blythe Williams
- FAIRY DUST HALLOWEEN – Rose Cappelli
- HALLOWEEN THESAURUS – Rebecca W. Chester
- A SURPRISE SPELL – Susan Summers
- HAIRY HOUDINI’S HALLOWEEN HIJINKS – Jeanette O’Toole
- LITTLE BAT’S BRIGHT NIGHT – Emma Applegarth
- BETTY BATS BLOODY GOOD IDEA – Sharon McCarthy
- HALLOWEEN NIGHTMARE – Mary Rudzinski
- THE POULTRYGEIST – Melissa J. Miles
- BEHIND THE BROOMSTICK: A TELL-ALL – Anya-Kaye Francis
- HALLOWEEN BIRTHDAY – Andy Nuttall
- SPELLS, FOG AND FROGS! – Lucia Lemieux
- JUST TAKE ONE! – Amy Chini
- FREDDIE THE WINGED FROG – Karen Opp
- SIR BAT AND THE HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Jennifer Arnold
- THE MISSING INGREDIENT – Charlene Yutmeyer
- THE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER – Katia M. Jesson
- RASPBERRY CREAM – Amanda Fletcher
- A WARNING TO BATS – Elizabeth Muster
- COUNTING ON HALLOWEEN – Rebecca Singer
- SUGAR RUSH – Celia Cataldo
- MISSPELL – Eric Sondergeld
- CANDY CURIOSITY – Celia Cataldo
- WING SONG – Lu Ann Schnable Kaldor
- MATHILDA AND THE LITTLE MONSTERS – Katrina Stern
- GHOST COWS? – Lu Ann Schnable Kaldor
- THE GREAT FROG CROSSING – Kathy Dobson
- THE HALLOWEEN WISH – Kathleen Jacobs
- ATHTHAMMA WHAT IS HALOON – Diyamanthi Galpoththage
- WITCHY AND GHOSTY – Stacy Barnett Mozer
- SILLY WILLY’S CHICKEN CHILI – Tess Bass
- CHICK OR CHEAT: A HALLOWEEN WISH – Jennifer Concepcion McLennan
- LITTLE SNAGGLETOOTH – Susan Gleeson
- THE HALLOWEEN SPELL – Beth Gallagher
- REVERSE THE CURSE – Webb Smith
- BAT’S BIG NIGHT – Lisa Billa
- RULES ARE FOR THE LIVING – Ragan Fry
- A SPELL FOR DADDY – Deborah Kim
- HALLOWEEN NOSTALGIA – Michelle S. Kennedy
- SPOOKY SPELLING BEE – Kassandra Ayala
- CATIE’S COSTUME CONUNDRUM – Jan Schwaid
- THIS HALLOWEENSIE FRIGHTFUL NIGHT – Joni Klein-Higger
- BATTY NOT IN THE NIGHT – ?
- A HALLOWEEN GLOW – Sue Parker Mielinski
- CAST A SPELL – Deborah Hunt
- ELARA AND THE BROOM WING CHALLENGE – ?
- BEE-WITCHED – Cindy Chambers Johnson
- ASTRA’S SPELL – Marty Findley
- HUBERT THE ELF WANTS TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN – Margaret Lea
- HALLOWEEN BREAK – Keatley Eastman
- SCARLET’S HALLOWEEN HUNT – Lora Stead
- SCARY ROCK – Sonja McGiboney
- A HALLOWEEN FOLKLORE: WITCHCRAFT & FROGS – P.J. Purtee
- WITCHY AND THE TRICK-OR-TREAT SPELLING BEE – Sarah Meade
- WICKED WANDA – Alan Elliott
- TRIXIE AND PUMPKIN – Sarah Meade
- EEK! A WEEKNIGHT HALLOWEEN – Jenn Gaulding
- MURDER ON HALLOWEEN – Laura Kiehner
- STAY CALM AND SPARKLE ON – Melissa J. Miles
- BABY GHOST – Katherine Fox
- THE BRIGHT HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Christy Eiler
- THE SPOOKY SPELL – Catherine Ann Velasco
- BOXED IN – Diane McBee
- THE SPOOKIEST HOUSE – Lisa Davis
- THE HORRIBLE HALLOWEEN STENCH – Angela Steffen
- TRICK OR TREAT AND DOGGIE TREATS – Kathleen Jacobs
- OPAL OWL AND THE MAGIC FOG – Susan Kalver
- THE 1,374TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN SPELLING BEE – Cari Chamberlain
- THE GREEDY WITCH – Gregory Bray
- THE HALLOWEEN DARE – Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
- HAPPY HALLOWEEN – Lori Bresnahan
- HALLOWEEN MORNING – Lori Bresnahan
- THE WITCH’S CROW – Leslie Ross-Degnan
- THE WILY WAND OF WINIFRED WITCH – Annette Martin
- FIRE IN THE SKY – Charlie Griffin
- THE HAUNTED HORSE HOTEL – Jen Stambolsky
- HALLOWEEN – Debra Fagans
- A SPECIAL SIBLING SPELL – Laura Bryte
- TIME TO FLY – Susan Burdorf
- A LaGHOSTY WITH THE MOSTY – Andria W. Rosenbaum
- THE TALE OF THE MISSING WINGS – Usri Chowdhury
- THE SCAREST PHRASE – Becki J. Kidd
- BAT WINGS – Sheila Renfro
- BOBBIT AND HIS MAGIC WINGS – Usri Chowdhury
- REFLECTION CONNECTION – Birdie Jordan
- CHOOSING YOUR BOOK – Debbie Graf
- FAIRY FIX – Annette Birdsall
- HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Milly Strawn
- A PEST IS BEST FOR HALLOWEEN – Debbie Graf
- THE CANDY THIEF – Debbie Graf
- TRICK OR STEW – Kate DiMaio
- TRICK OR TEETH – Ginger Burke
- A FRIGHTFUL NIGHT OF DELIGHTFUL BITES – N. Q. Haines
- WITCH’S MAGICAL HAT – Tisha Blackman
- MISS-SPELLED – Veronica Bartles
- BERNARD’S BAD BITE – Mary Beth Woodside
- PAT THE PUMPKIN FACES HALLOWEEN – Garland Godinho
- A LONELY GHOST ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Garland Godinho
- HALLOWEEN IS COMING! – Garland Godinho
- PUMPKIN JACK – Sally Mills
- PEN’S HALLOWEEN DREAM – Angela Martinelli
- JACK OF THE LANTERNS – Meeta Vishnu
- THREE SISTERS – Judy Hughes
- OOKY, SPOOKY – Camille Lancaster
- HALLOWEEN SPELL (ING) – Janet Scratchley
- WHEN THE FOG TURNS TO GOLD – Melissa Smith
- MY FEET ARE NOT YOUR TREAT! – Stephanie Mena
- BARNABY BAT – Amanda Spino
- OWL IN THE STEW – Catherine Youngsquist
- HALLOWEEN MAGIC – Claudia Sloan
- TREATS FOR SPELLS – Maya Mackowiak Elson
- THE BOG WITCH’S GARDEN – Jennifer Weingardt
- THE WITCH’S BEHIND – Jonathan Sellars
- BROOKE’S BLUNDER – Rochelle Smith
- A SCARY TOMORROW – Elisa Teichert
- THE WITCH’S MASK – Carolyn Sauer
- TRANSYLVANIA TOAST – Jacinta Patterson
- AN EYE FOR A SPELL – Sarah (Sezza) Hetu
- DON’T GO TO THE GRAVEYARD ON HALLOWEEN! – Karyn Devlin
- ZORABELLE CAN’T SPELL – Margaret Zotkiewicz
- SPELLA’S FOG VANISHING SPELL – Darlene Kesot
- FIRST HALLOWEEN PARTY – Tiffany Hanson
- THE FLOATLESS GHOSTESS – J. Buchet
- FRANKENFEATHER – Maria Pinero Pope
- CAULDRON CHAOS – Maria Pinero Pope
- FIRST HALLOWEEN (AS A WITCH) – Carolyn Sauer
- RECIPE FOR DISASTER – Janet Cannon
- EVIE’S JOKE-O’-LANTERN – Lynn Burton
- THE BAD BEHAVIOR GRAVEYARD – Sarah Hirsch
- CHANGING ON HALLOWEEN – Cindy Greene
- SPELLADONNA TRIES AGAIN – Laura Polasek
- ALL HALLOW’S EVE – Jill Tatara
- DRAGON FLY – Jen Subra
- THE SWAMP ON HALLOWEEN – Amanda Blaylock
- LULU’S WISH – Amanda Blaylock
- VAMPIRE PROBLEM – Denise Seidman
- BLACK CAT’S BAD LUCK – Marla Yablon
- A BODY FOR GHOST – Kendra Lusty
- LAUNDRY GOBLIN – Katrenia Wilcutt
- FRED SAVES HALLOWEEN – Marcia D. Williams
- JACK TAKES FLIGHT – Naz Alibhai
- TERRI-FLYING TIMES – Joy Dickinson
- HALLOWEEN 101 – Cathy Bendix
- WHO? – Debra Collins
- ANTICIPATING THE SPELL – Kate Chabarek
- MYSTI THE ARTIST WITCH – Nazrin Farook
- WITCHLING’S WINGDING – Griffin Taylor
- SET-A-SPELL – ERE
- THE TRICK IS ON YOU – Pat Haapaniemi
- THE FULL-SIZED CANDY HOUSE – Vanessa Ireson
- THE MYSTERIOUS CRUNCH! – Angela Steffen
- MAKE ME A HALLOWEEN BALLERINA, PLEASE – Robin Donovan
- CLASSROOM CUPBOARD TRICK OR TREAT – Jodie Houghton
- A WITCHES MISTAKE – Kate Woodard
- SLOW COOKING – Peter Rogers
- WARTS, WINGS AND WITCHY THINGS – Carol Porter-Peszko
- MUMFORD’S FRIENDS – Carolyn Pfister
- FREE FOG – Teresa Speranza Vargas
- THE COSTUME BIN – Amy Duchene
- PENELOPE SPELLACY HAS HER OWN PLAN – Sharon Korzelius
- SPOOKY’S SPELL – Tonya Dalhaus
- THE BUTTERFLY BEAUTICIAN – Colleen Murphy
- GHOST’S FLYING LESSON – Roxanne Dooley
- SCAREDY BAT –
- BOOOO ARE THEY SCREAMING AT? – Ali DeMoro
- ZOMBIE ZACH’S HALLOWEEN QUEST – Judy Sobanski
- MONSTER BALL – Marc Vestey
- HALLOWEEN REVENGE – Penelope McNally
- BRENDA BAT’S BODACIOUS BUNGLE – Missy Pray
- HALLOWEEN ECHOES – Amy Duchene
- MISCHIEVOUS PIXIE – Annette G. Teepe
- HALLOWEEN HATTIE – Diane Roberts
- PUMPKIN ESCAPE! – C. L. White
- FOR EVERY TREAT, A TRICK REMAINS – Corine Timmer
- TRIM-OR-TREAT – Elaine Thuener
- THE HALLOWEEN SURPRISE – Nina Haines
- IT’S NOT EASY BEING FOG – Jan Milusich
- SHERMAN’S HALLOWEEN PARADE – Maria Marshall
- WITCHY HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Nancy Wade
- WENDALEE’S TRANSPORTATION TROUBLES – Linda Hofke
- HALLOWEEN LEFTOVERS – Catherine Zampier
- SING, WINGS – Margaret Zotkiewicz
- WILLOW’S WINGED WONDERS – Stephanie Santana
- THE OWL’S SURPRISE – Erin Zampaglione
- HILDA THE WITCH WANTS A MASK – Helene Debelak
- THE BAT WITH GLOWING WINGS – CS (student-youth)
- ESTELLA’S SPELL AT WITCH SCHOOL – Claire Schlinkert
- CLAIRE AND THE COSTUME CONTEST – Reed Hilton-Eddy
- THE (MIS) SPELL – Scott Wolf
- CANDY? OKAY. – Greg Beatty
- THE HALLOWEEN BALL – Nora G. Ho
- WOLFIE’S SPELL – Una Belle Townsend
- TRAPPAST FLEES – Zi Hui Yang
- WITCHY WAND – Rosemary Basham
- JUST A JOKE – Maverick May
- MOTHMAN – Trista Herring Baughman
THE SPOOKIEST GOBLIN IN GHOULVILLE
by Vashti Verbowski
(100 words)
This Halloween, Gwendolyn wanted to win the “Spookiest Goblin in Ghoulville” contest.
But her eyes were too big, her feet were too small, and her peach-fuzz face—chillingly cute!
“I need a spooky sidekick!” she decided, and hexed her pet moth with a spell…
“Warty snoot, eyes of newt, make my moth an ugly suit!”
But when she saw the heart-shaped wings, Gwendolyn shrieked in defeat, “SHOO!”
Then, the judges approached…
“Big eyes!”
“Tiny feet!”
“A fuzzy face!”
Gwendolyn groaned—her sidekick wasn’t spooky, and neither was she! But as she shuffled through the fog, the judges yelped…
“MONSTER MOTH!”
Great ending! I love that fuzzy little Gwendolyn.
Pesty and spooky! 🙂
Great concept to use a spooky sidekick and terrific ending!
I love “monster moth”!!!
Vashti, Love your spooky sidekick and your spell and the surprise ending!!!
What a great description: eyes too big, fee too small, peach-fuzz face. Love “chillingly cute!”
feet
Adorable! I love this detail: Gwendolyn shrieked in defeat. Fun to read aloud!
Love the alliteration!
Love the Judges yelp😊
This was so cute! I love how fast-paced it felt, echoing Gwendolyn’s rush to get ready. So fun!
SIBLING MAGIC
by
Lori Knutsen
98 words
Sadie squished her face into pillows. “Boo-hoo! My fairy wings broke! Worst Halloween ever!”
“Do not fret. It is I, your costume wizard.” Sadie’s twin, Sam, rummaged through chests in a creaky, cobwebbed attic. “Muahahaha! Found you, Wand-Excalibur! I know the perfect spell…Abracadabra!”
Sam returned with rolls of magical…
“Toilet paper!” Sadie groaned.
“Hello, Mummy Dear!”
“Ugh!” Sadie sank deeper into the sofa only to hear…
Rip. Poof.
Sadie popped up like a whack-a-witch. “WHY are you dumping flour on yourself?”
“Trick-or-treat! I’m FOG!”
“Ooooh, Fun! Let’s both be”—Sadie made spider fingers—“f-o-o-o-o-o-o-g! This is totally wicked!”
“Popped up like a whack-a-witch” is such a clever line! Love it. And fun story!
Thank you for reading!!! 🙂
Go Lori, go Lori! Love it!
Thank you, Susan!!!!
“whack-a-witch” Ha! Loved it. Also, the fog costume was terrific.
Thank you, Shelley!!! I’m glad you liked the use of fog. haha!
Sam’s ideas are all so cute. And what a kind brother to keep trying until he finds one Sadie buys into. Great job, Lori!
Thank you, Marty!!! Can’t wait to read your story here.
Sweet idea to write a sibling story! Love Sam’s costume ideas, especially the final one!
You have captured the magic of siblings, especially in twins, in under 100 words! Way to go! Such a cute story!
Love “whack-a-witch” so much, Lori!!!
Great ending
..”f o o o o o o g”!!!!
This is sibling magic! Love their bond and creativity! I also love “popped up like whack-a-witch” and the inventiveness of being fog!!!! Great story and ending, Lori!!
“Muahahaha!” I couldn’t stop smiling.
The costumes are clever.
Delightful! I love “Sadie popped up like a whack-a-witch.” And FOG is the perfect unexpected costume.
I love whack-a-witch too! Great energy in this story.
Lori! This was so snappy and quick and cute! Such a fun ready, and yay on the twins for being so inventive!
RASKELLY RUNS FOR HIS afterLIFE!
by Katie Schwartz
100 words
Halloween night…a spell fell…the ground unwound.
Raskelly flip-flopped in his crypt and escaped through the crack.
“I’m free!”
Through spine-chilling fog, Raskelly saw a sign:
MARROW MANOR
“Welcome”, the werewolf cooed. “We’ve been expecting you!”
“Hurray!” Raskelly clapped, “a personal invitation!”
The door slammed behind him.
“Treats – yum!”
Potions…slugs…a real Halloween wingding!
The werewolves watched…waited…and drooled.
Raskelly saw another sign:
Moans and groans are superfine.
But deboning is de-vine!
YIKES!!!!”
Raskelly ran!!
Tumbled into his tomb and started counting his bones.
“1…2…3…206……..ZZZZZZZZZZZZ”
Ahh…Raskelly rested in peace…
until next Halloween…
Hilarious! Loved the puns and all the tricks and treats:) Great story!
Thank you for reading!
You had me at the title, but Marrow Manor is terrific, and LOL when he counts his own bones to fall asleep.
It was fun to write! Glad you liked it!
I love your first line! Halloween night…a spell fell…the ground unwound.
Thanks…I hoped to set the tone and make sure there were chills and spookiness. It was fun to write!
I love the title and the clever name Raskelly. Spooky and funny all at the same time. So visual! And then that ending…perfect! Outstanding story, Katie!
Thanks Jill, fun to write a Halloweensie story, as usual!
Love your spooky Halloween story with such great wordplay, especially the puns and Raskelly counting his bones, and a perfect ending! This would be so fun to read aloud!
Thank you for reading, Mona! I read it aloud a few times…I enjoyed it😄!
Love all the alliteration, Katie! You’re story is a real “wingding!”
Thank you Michelle! Who doesn’t love a wingding on Halloween!
Love the title, and what a great Halloween theme, well done!
Thank you Polly, Raskelly just rose in my consciousness, bones and all!
Great wording: a spell fell, wingding. Great story, too.
Thank you! So many great entries, Halloweensie is inspiring!
Creepy fun! Love the great language throughout and the use of the word wingding!
Thanks Sarah, creepy fun is what I was going for. Or fun creepiness, lol. Thanks for reading!
Great beginning and ending lines! 🎃
Thank you! Probably my favorite contest, can be spooky, sweet, or anything in-between!
Great wordplay! “The ground unwound” is wonderfully unsettling!
Thank you for reading! I usually write rhyming stories, so of course a little bit of it snuck into this story!
I LOVE the sound of this piece! Such sharp writing!
Thank you! There’s so many great entries, glad you enjoyed mine!
This is terrific fun. Great title! Marrow Manor made me smile.
Thanks for reading!
I laughed out loud picturing Raskelly running – such a cute story!!
FROG FOG
By: Jocelyn Watkinson
Word Count: 93
https://jocelynwatkinson.com/2025/10/19/halloweensie-15-years-strong/
I fear I didn’t do this right and should have posted my entry AND the blog post link… Here is the story entry:
FROG FOG
By: Jocelyn Watkinson
Word Count: 93
Way down in a soggy bog,
there lives a farty froggy-frog,
whose tummy’s cursed with noxious fog,
owed to that witch’s spell.
Trick-or-treaters dare to pass,
they wade through all the long, tall grass.
BEWARE of froggy-foggy gas!
They all begin to yell. AHHHH!!!!
Their noses run, their eyeballs sting,
they toss each broom and fairy wing,
start sprinting from the toxic thing,
a wretched, deadly smell.
They trip and fall on unearthed roots,
some even lose their pirate boots,
they spill and scatter all their loot…
…all caused by a froggy’s toot!
https://jocelynwatkinson.com/2025/10/19/halloweensie-15-years-strong/
Kids will love this gross poem. The last stanza is hilarious.
This story is the BOMB, Jocelyn! LOL! When I read the beginning (Way down in…) I thought it was going to be a song – put it to music! Kids would love it.
Very cute! A froggy’s toot!
Love it! 🧙♀️😉
Jocelyn—Holy cow :). This is tons of fun!
Oh, this is definitely a crowd-pleasing story with such great humor, rhyme, and action, Jocelyn!!!
This made me giggle…I can’t resist a good fart joke. Neither can my kids!
Hysterical! And I love your meter on this, Joce. So fun!
Kids will love this! I like the meter you chose and the way you used the 3 words. Well done.
LOL Hilarious and fun to read aloud!
So fun!
So creative and so fun! I don’t think I have ever read a Halloween poem about farts before!!!
This is such a fun and funny one, Jocelyn! I know my sons and nephew especially would love this.
I love this! Great kid appeal. Good luck!
I adore this poem! So fun and such great rhythym.
Gram’s Halloween Garden
By
Susan Elizabeth Schipper
WC 100
Wings of bats, flying cats , foggy night …this could spell
t-r-o-u-b-l-e for Reese and Tootsie, who were not only twins, but best friends! “We got this”, whispered Reese. “We do?”, murmured Toostsie. Reese scowled.
Some “thing” was taking over Gram’s Halloween Garden.
Reaching the edge of the Garden, they chanted, “Ghosts, goblins, spooks galore this is our garden you can’t stay anymore!”
Slowly, slugs emerged followed by slimy trails! “Sorry, we love munching on pumpkin vines and leaves.”
It was hard to know who was more surprised…the candy twins or the slugs within! Gram’s Garden was haunted no more!
A slug haunting! Wonderful!
Thanks for reading about the “slug haunting”! 🎃
Cute concept with the names of the candy twins and unique mashup with garden slugs. Well done!
Thanks, Jill! My favorite Halloween candy was always Reeses Peanut butter candy! 🎃
Love the slugs within, these best friend twins, this story, and their powerful chant, Susan!!!
Thank you, Mona!🎃🎃
Thank goodness they were only slugs. I expected the twins to be eaten by trick-or-treaters. Good luck Susan!
Thank you, Eleanor,! 🎃
My favorite part: the opening line!
Thanks, Eleanor! 🎃
Thank you, Jill! I tried to use the key words ASAP! lol! 🎃
Sweet story with an unexpected ending! Love the names Reese and Tootsie too!
Thanks, Sarah! I think the name Reese came about because Reeses Peanut butter candy was always my favorite treat! 🎃
Love “the candy twins or the slugs within!” Nicely done.
Thank you, Elizabeth! Susanna ‘s contests are always “fun” projects!!🎃
Ghosts, goblins, spooks galore—this is our garden, you can’t stay anymore!
Wow! I’ve been following your writing for longer than I can remember- its gotten so good- creative, fun,and you did it in a hundred words.
Love the twist, efficient character establishment, compolete story arc (again- in 100 words!) The Halloweensie atmosphere!
Keep it up.
Thank you for your kind/encouraging comments!🎃
I love the mutual surprise!
Thanks so much!🎃
FROG GOES TRICK-OR-TREATING
by Mike Flowers, 95 words
It was Halloween night and Frog hopped off his log.
He wanted some treats, so he left his safe bog.
He heard a loud flapping. He peered through the fog
(a creature with wings could spell trouble for Frog).
The flapping subsided. Frog hopped down the street.
But out of the fog came a bird with huge feet!
It flapped and yelled, “FROG! Tweet-tweet, time to eat!
You with me there, frog? Let’s go find a treat.”
The bird was a kid in a clever disguise.
The pair trick-or-treated and ate candy flies.
“Tweet-tweet!”
“Ribbit!”
What fun! I loved the rhymes and this tale of good times between friends.
A sweet scare. Great for kids.
Love the suspense followed by the surprise ending. Nice work!
Cute! Well done, Mike!
Love it, Mike!!!
So clever and very funny.
Clever!
Such a fun story and read aloud! I especially love the Bird and frog-kid characters and when they “ate candy flies”!
Cute story! I particularly loved third-to-last line… candy flies, mmm! 🙂
Clever, the illustrations on this would be very fun!
Love this fun tension that ends with friendship!
I especially like the set up with the flapping wings (trouble brewing), but ends with a sweet (pun intended) ending.
This is delightful!
What a fun read! My favorite line- ‘But out of the fog came a bird with huge feet!’
You had me until the end, haha! What a cute rhyme and I love the last two lines. 🙂
Great poem! 🎃
great job, Mike! Good luck!
Well done, Mike!
The rhyme meter is spot on! Well done.
Great story! Well done!🎃
The ending is SO cute. I loved “the pair trick-or-treated and ate candy flies.”
SCARY HAIRY HALLOWEEN FAIRY
Jill Richards Proctor,
97 Words
A fiery full moon on
an All Hallow’s Eve,
brings children together—
all those who believe.
As fog gently settles
on gravestones and tombs,
a sense of excitement
and fearlessness looms.
The children tap drumbeats
and chant witchy spells—
“Dear Dracula, rise!”
young Oliver yells.
A figure emerges
in robes with black pearls,
a pair of black wings
and a mass of black curls.
The children cry out—
“It…It’s scary! It’s hairy!”
A tiny voice giggles—
“It’s Halloween fairy!”
With a whirl of its wand,
it proves it’s none other
than human, in costume—
“I’m Oliver’s mother!”
“BOO!”
So creepy and sweet:) Great rhythm and rhyme too!
Thank you, Mindfulmiro!
Cute ending!
My entry can also be found on my website:
http://www.fromthesewoods.weebly.com
Fang-tastic Jill! Awesome as always! 🙂
Thank you, Jocelyn! Looking forward to reading yours!
Charming! A fine rhyme and fun surprise ending.
Thanks, Heather!!
Very cute and clever!
Thank you, Polly!
Isn’t there always one Oliver’s mother in the neighborhood? Super surprise ending.
Absolutely! Thanks, Shelley!
I was lured in by the title, and the story did not disappoint. Love this one!
Thank you, Kelly!
Wow — this is excellent!
Thanks so much, Jenna!
So visual! Love the title and the surprise at the end. Terrific, Jill!
Hi Jill! Thank you so much!
This is cute, Jill. The ending made me smile
And your words made me smile. Thanks, Laura!
Love the rhythm and rhyme. I can see why your expertise is a prize! 🧙♀️😉
Gayle, thank you for your kind words!
Great job on the rhyming!
Thank you, Trine!
You write with lovely lyricism and evoke such an eerie mood that your humorous double-twist ending is twice the happy and surprising treat!
Anne, Thank you for your kind words!
What a perfect Halloween story with such great tension! Love the descriptions and the stellar rhythm, Jill!!!
Thank you so much, Mona!
Great surprise ending! 🎃
Thank you!
I can’t stop smiling.
And you made me smile! Thank you, Jill.
lol great ending! I enjoyed this one.
Thank you, Sarah!
Whimsically fun!!! Love the surprise ending!
Thank you, Michelle!
Love it, Jill!
Thank you, Joni!
Great surprise at the end! I was not expecting that.
Thanks, Elizabeth!
I really like the rhyme and spooks in this one! Definitely fun for the kiddos!
A Most Unusual Spellbook
By Danielle Anderson
Word count: 94
I want to cast a spell to trick
the treaters on my street,
but this spellbook is no help!
I might admit defeat.
Here it calls for “legs of fog,”
which surely can’t be right.
And here it asks for “wings of rat”—
now that would be a sight!
“Shelf of snail?” “Possum fail?”
“Father of an owl?”
Whoever wrote these recipes
should just throw in the towel.
But wait, are these—? Oh geez, I must
be denser than molasses.
Those murky spells are clear as bells…
when I put on my glasses!
Awesome, clever and cheeky! Love it! Molasses and glasses – great rhyme!
Thank you! ❤️
So clever!
Cute! I’m a wordplay person, so this one wins me over.
Thank you! I’m a wordplay person too, so this was a lot of fun to write!
Love it, clever rhymes and silly misspellings!
Thank you! ❤️
Forgot to say thanks for your help getting this story to where it is now! Love collaborating with you.
That’s a good one, Danielle! I liked the play on words and the resolution at thee end 😉 All thanks to your glasses!
Thank you! ❤️
“denser than molasses” Priceless. And so true about the reading glasses.
Thank you! ❤️
So well done! Very clever wordplay!
Thank you! ❤️
What a fun read!!! Love it! “denser than molasses” is a great line!!!!
Thank you! I have a great critique group to thank for the inspiration for that line.
The spellbook with altered spelling is a great idea and kids would be into it from the start. Excellent unexpected rhymes and ending. Love it!
Thank you! ❤️
Love the clever ending!
The molasses rhyme wouldn’t have happened without you! Thanks for pushing me.
Cute! Cute! Cute! Love your rhymes.
Thank you! ❤️
Danielle—Oh, but this is a most delightful trip :).
Thank you! ❤️
Perfect rhyme and wickedly awesome wordplay, Danielle!
Only perfect because you helped me get there! Thanks again for your help.
Right on theme, fun wordplay, and a very clever ending! : )
Thanks for helping me polish it! ❤️
Danielle, This is SO clever!!! I loved figuring out what the spells really said, as will all your readers, and LOVE the rhythm and funny ending!!!! Such a fun read aloud!
Aw, thanks! I’m glad you liked figuring out what the spells were supposed to say, that’s what I was hoping people would do!
Clever twist and great rhyming, well done!
Thank you! ❤️
So many good lines. I love the ending.
FUN!
Funny!
This poem has everything – cleverness, great wordplay, and a cute surprise at the end!
I really like the attitude of this one! Fun!
RETAIL SCARE-APY
by Heather Kinser, 96 words
An eerie light. A spooky scene.
A lonesome road on Halloween.
A gloomy fog. A rotten log.
A witch flips through a catalog.
The bat upon her shoulder flaps.
Her craggy finger swipes…and taps.
Frog leg, moth wing, eyeball—got it!
Wolfsbane, hemlock, mandrake—bought it!
Heard of retail therapy?
This is ‘retail SCARE-apy’!
Later, as she simmers tea,
here comes her delivery…
seven broomsticks sweep the mess
straight from ‘Sorceress Express’.
In the pot it goes to brew—
ingredients for witchy stew.
Good thing Witchy swapped her cell phone
for the latest “magic spell” phone!
Haha, what a fun concept!
I love the visual of a witch flipping through a catalogue. Fun wordplay.
Brilliant, Heather!
Thank you! It was fun to write.
Love the title and the intro – it really sets the scene, then a catalog? So unexpected and fun! An illustrator would have a blast working on this. It needs to be a book!
That’s the best compliment–to hear that it ought to be a book. Thanks!
Swooning over your creative story and the rich language, like “wolfsbane, hemlock, mandrake”! Such fantastic wordplay, especially the “magic spell” phone!!!
I adore wordplay. Very happy if readers appreciate the fun results!
This is so much fun. I love surprise endings!
Thanks! I’m glad you liked my little story.
Love everything about this one!!
Aww, thanks! I tried hard to make it a well-rounded story.
An inspired idea, and terrific rhyme! What fun!
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
I laughed out loud at the title!
Thanks! It was a fun concept to play with.
This one is SO fun and visual! I love the play on retail therapy, the witch flipping through pages, buying things as she goes.
Thanks so much!
Aerial AcroBAT
By Jill Lambert
WC: 100
A foggy night spells trouble
when birds are on the wing.
Navigating through the mist
can be unsettling.
I possess a sonic squeak,
echoes help me see.
On Halloween no pesky pests
will get away from me!
My wings are ultra-sensitive
to every puff of air.
I twist and turn, a pirouette.
Bugs had best beware!
Please don’t duck or flee in fear.
Children aren’t my prey.
I am an insectivore.
It’s moths that make my day.
Now carry on with trick or treat.
My feeding buzz is on.
I’ll swoop and glide, mouth open wide,
till SLURRRP! –– mosquitoes gone!
This is super cute Jill!
Thank you, Jocelyn! Thanks for reading!
So original. NF!
A nonfiction entry! You pulled this off admirably! I love the story, and also the clever title.
Thanks so much, Heather!
Informative. Great job on the rhyming too.
Thank you, Tamara!
Such a clever title and story, well done!
I appreciate it, Polly. Thanks for reading!
My son is a bat for Halloween and I’ll read him this. I know he’ll love it 🙂
You made my day, Shawna — thank you!
Love how you worked non-fiction into a Halloween story.
I appreciate it, Shelley. Thanks for reading!
Cute! and we learn bat facts.
Thank you, Trine!
Jill—What a lyrical treat :).
Thanks for reading, Bronchelle!
Brilliant STEM poem with vivid vocabulary and stellar use of the three required words in the first two lines!
Thanks so much, Anne!
Wow, great job fitting “insectivore” so nicely to your meter!
Thank you!
Wow!!!! What a fun story, packed with cool facts, and amazing action! Such great rhythm for a read aloud!
I appreciate that, Mona!
Jill, wonderful job incorporating “stem” into your ‘Halloweensie” poem!🎃
Thank you!
Fantastic, Jill! I love “I twist and turn, a pirouette.” And the last line reminds me of one of my son’s favorite stories when he was a child—The Icky Sticky Frog.
I haven’t read that one, Michelle. I’ll have to check it out! Thanks for your support!
Awesome title, and well done adding in nonfiction elements along with the contest criteria. All in 100 words or less no less!
Thank you!
You had me at the adorable title. My favorite line (such a fun visual): I twist and turn, a pirouette.
Thank you for reading, Jill!
Excellent! Educational and engaging.
Thanks, Sarah!
I love NF and this story! Great job making it a fit for this contest in 100 words! Also, it just resonates with me this year; my daughter is dressing up as a bat this Halloween.
Thank you for reading!
This is not only fun to read – great rhyme and meter, but educational too! Love the wordplay – AcroBAT! Very original and different nonfiction story – super job!
Thank you, Katie! I really appreciate your comments.
Both adorable and instructive! Well done!
Thank you!
I like how you have effortlessly woven facts into your story. A positive, informative, and fun story about bats.
Thank you for reading!
Writing this from the bat’s perspective was so cool!
Thank you!
HALLOWEEN PARADE AT THE ART MUSEUM
by Lauren N. Simmons
Genre: Informational fiction
Word count: 99
Norah starts the parade
with The Scream,
by Edvard Munch.
The crowd goes wild!
It’s the Halloween Parade at the Art Museum. And I’m in it this year!
Next, Francesca is up as The Black Cat,
by John Byam Liston Shaw.
That cat is scary – like a spell.
Then there’s Jack, as the Wanderer above the Sea of Fog.
He walks backwards for this painting.
Now it’s my turn.
Oh, no!
My wing sticks outside the frame.
A shift makes it work at the last minute.
The crowd “awww”s.
Who am I?
The Little Owl,
by Albrecht Durer.
###
Inspiration: Japan’s Kawasaki Halloween Parade
http://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Japan%27s%20Kawasaki%20Halloween%20parade.&mid=1758A457E40C5E9F5B021758A457E40C5E9F5B02&ajaxhist=0
Wow…sophisticated story! A mix of story and art history. Now that’s thinking outside of the…frame!
Thank you so much, Heather!
Love how this teaches art too in so few words, well done!
Thank you, Polly! It was fun to write this piece!
This story would make for great illustrations.
Thank you, Shelley! I hope to get it to that point some day!
Creative idea. I want to go look up the art pieces.
Thank you for reading and for the comment, Trine! I tried to find art pieces that went well with a Halloween theme 🙂
This poem is worth a thousand words.
Thank you so much, Anne!
Wow! I’m impressed! I think you may enjoy the picture book, ART MUSEUM SPIDER, by Kim Hintze
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! And for the recommendation! I’m checking out ART MUSEUM SPIDER right now.
This is so interesting and unusual! Nicely done.
Thank you so much, Sarah!
What a great idea!! And great illustration potential.
Thank you for reading, Elizabeth!
Lauren, this is really cool. And other than The Scream, I don’t know these paintings (yet!).
Thank you so much, Amy!
HAPPY SPECKTAQULAR HALLOOVEEN! (95 words)
by Kiran Vazir Nair
Pencils, pens, and paints for the cards.
Veera drew ghosts, winged witches, and all things spooky.
She wrote a big HAPPY.
Veera scribbled…SPEKTAQULAR, SPECTAKULAR, and SPECTAQULAR.
She doodled…HALLOOVEEN!
“Is there a W in HALLOOVEEN?” she thought.
Letters were always confusing. Very very confusing.
The cards were a surprise. Who could she ask for the spellings?
“Where is the book of words and meanings?” Veera thought, flipping through a pile.
Suddenly, all the words cleared the fog in her head.
Veera penned the words in big black letters, “HAPPY SPECTACULAR HALLOWEEN! Have an unforgettable Halloween night!”
Kiran, that’s such a sweet and heart warming story about Veera trying to figure her way out with words and spellings. Big words can be so hard for the little ones. This story definitely brought a smile to my face. Absolutely spectacular!! Loved it ♥️♥️
Thank you so much, Smriti!
Sweet and very kid-friendly.
Thank you, Shelly! 🙂
So sweet. Kid can relate to this story. I hope you can make it into a PB. Well done! Good luck.
I want to turn this into a PB for sure. Have some ideas already. 😀 Thank you for the encouragement, Eleanor!
I love the changes you made to this, Kiran! It’s adorable!
Yay! So glad. Thank you.
Ah, the book of words and meanings! And words that helped clear the fog in her head too–dictionaries are magic. What a fun take on “spell-ing.” And like Laura, I dig the changes you made too.
Yay!!! So glad. Thank you, Lily! 🙂
Kiran,
The story beautifully celebrates learning through trial and fun, ending with a heartwarming sense of accomplishment.
It’s short, sweet, and perfectly spectacular 🙂 🙂 🙂
Great setting in the 1st line. I bet Veera isn’t alone in not knowing how to spell Halloween. Cute.
Sweet story!
found under your spell(ing) .
short & sweet and very relatable.
loving halloveeen more than Halloween this year! 🙂
Great concept! And a lot of heart.
Hey Kiran, better late then never! It’s such a cute Halloween / Hello Win poem. Like the way you ended it. Cheers to many many more such wonderful words. Best wishes, Lopa
Normally Very Nice
(94 words)
Tonight I am wicked—
unusually bold.
My make-up is making me
spooky and old.
I’m a witch–
see my warts?
I’m the worst–
can’t you tell?
My kindness transforms
as I cast a dark spell.
I’m plotting.
I’m scheming.
I’m tricking.
I’m treating.
I’m knocking down doors
with an evil grin greeting.
I cackle.
I grimace.
I’m the Queen of bad things.
I zoom on my broom–
have no interest in wings.
I’m a fright in the fog.
I’m the chill in the air.
It’s all Hallow’s Eve
and I love a good scare!
I love the driving pace of this piece, and the narrator’s bold attitude. It’s transporting!
So sassy and fun!
This is fun! It captures what it felt like to really step into a role on Halloween.
So clever, great Halloween theme!
So true how kids love to scare themselves. Kiddos will enjoy this poem.
There is such great characterization in this poem! I can absolutely see a timid little kid embracing their inner witch. Well done!
Super fun to read this one! And I love your title.
Thank you!
FUN!!
Bethany—Two thumbs up :). I’d give ya three if I had them, haha. The momentum of this poem is off-the-charts fabulous.
awwww – thank you so much!
I love how your poem shows the transformative power of a costume.
Such a delightful read-aloud! Bravo!
I love the pace and terror of this witch out being her witchiest self on halloween!
I love it!
Delightful!
Wow! Love the voice. My favorite line – “have no interest in wings.” Excellent!
Love the tension and snappy rhyming!
That’s a fun twist.
The Spelling Mistake
by Tamara Hecht
Word count: 97
It’s Halloween.
Let’s cast a spell.
I’ll check this book
So it goes well.
A spiderweb
Is our first treasure.
“Add half a cup.”
I do not measure.
How much tadpole?
Just a tad.
I eyeball how much newt to add.
Some fur of bat?
Eh, I’ll just wing it.
Speak magic words?
I’d rather siiiing iiiit.
Oops! Forgot the toe of frog.
Hey, is this potion supposed to fog?
Oh, dear, this isn’t looking right.
To clean this up will take all night.
It’s looking weird and smelling strong.
I simply don’t know what went wrong.
The puns are very kid-friendly and fun.
Thank you.
Cute!
Great title and LOL on the ‘just a tad’ line! So cute and kids will love it!
Haha, thanks.
‘Just a tad’ was my favorite line, too! The whole poem was very clever.
Tamara—This was one enjoyable ride, haha.
Aww, thanks.
Wicked-good wordplay and side-splitting story arc!
Thank you very much.
Great word play! I love the “I do not measure,” and “just a tad” parts. So fun!
Thanks!
Hilarious! I love your rhyming story!
Thank you so much.
Fun. A recipe! My favorite line: I do not measure.
Ha! I like that one too.
A wonderful mix of the everyday and the magical!
Aww, thank you.
How To Woo A Witch
By Maria Kim (Word Count:100)
On a foggy day, Jinx slumped beneath a winged willow.
All the familiars had found witches for Halloween,
all except Jinx.
If only I had a spell…
Whoosh the answer whisked into his paws.
“How To Woo A Witch”
-Bring her a ghoulish gift
-Prepare a petrifying picnic
– Offer to clean her cauldron
Perfect!
Jinx tried to win over every witch who passed,
but was either glared at or ghosted.
Jinx curled, sad and small.
“Awwe what a sweet treat,” A little girl scooped him up.
Jinx spied her pointy hat and purred, pleased he’d managed
to woo a witch.
Charming story and language! I love the “How to Woo a Witch” list. That’s a clever touch!
I like the term “familiars.” And the “woo a witch” list is fun with all the alliteration.
I adore this sweet ending!
Love the alliterative title. So many great lines. My favorite line: Offer to clean her cauldron. Hahaha.
What a fresh idea! And great alliteration.
This is so sweet!
What a perfect Halloween concept – How to Woo a Witch! So cute, your language sets the tone, very creative! I love she was glared at ‘and ghosted’- great wordplay!
A Wicked Good Costume
Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
99 words
Out of the fog
On Halloween
There flew a brand-new witch.
Her broom was fast,
Her nose was hooked,
Her hat was black as pitch.
She tried some tricks,
Then cast a spell,
And then, with daring glee,
She swished her wand,
Wrapped toilet paper
Snug around a tree!
But all too soon,
The clock struck twelve.
An angel dropped from high.
He tossed the witch
Some snowy wings.
“It’s time to say goodbye!
Mischief was made.
And Heaven waits.
Stop cackling to and fro.
The night is done,
You’ve had your fun,
And now, back up you go!”
A witch TP-ing a tree! Awesome!
Thank you!
Now I am curious about angels who get to act like witches once in a while!
I was not expecting a witch to TP a tree! So much fun, Elizabeth!!
Thank you! It was fun to write.
Perfect title! I love everything about this.
Thank you!!!!
I love the title, the unexpected toilet paper stanza, and the interaction between the witch and angel at the end. Very inventive!
Thank you!
It has always been comical to me how fast we go from all things Halloween to all things Christmas. Loved this, Elizabeth! Well done!
Thank you!!! (I am a big fan of combining holidays.)
Love the idea of a new witch that has to go back up at 12! This is a fun read aloud with a great rhythm!
How fun!!
Homograph Halloween
Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
100 words
On Halloween,
on top of a foggy mountain,
The Witches’ Spell-Casting Contest began.
Griselda produced a baseball bat
and chanted, “Hexamalicious!”
It changed into a winged bat.
“Ooh!” cackled the other witches.
Belladonna produced a shirt with a tear in it.
She chanted, “Beelzebub!”
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Ahhh!” cackled the other witches.
Agnes asked the crowd for a hard-to-spell word.
“Cauldron,” suggested someone.
“C-A-U-L-D-R-O-N,” said Agnes proudly.
“Huh?” asked Griselda. “Where’s your spell?”
“Oh,” said Agnes,
“I thought you meant spell a word.”
“D’oh!” groaned the head witch.
Agnes sweetly flicked her wand,
and turned her into dough.
I like the twist on the word “spell.” (Confession: I had to look up “homograph” before reading the poem. Oh, yeah, heard of that before.)
Thank you! (I had to look this up too because I knew there was a word for words that are spelled the same but have different meanings, but I couldn’t remember what it was. But don’t tell anyone!)
Cute idea!
What a great concept, Elizabeth. You’ve been busy with two entries – well done!
And thanks again! Hope to see you in another seminar or PB pop-up group one of these days!
A teaching moment..homographs! 🎃
Thank you!
Well aren’t you the productive one. ANOTHER POEM. Love the bat!
Thank you! This has been an unusually productive fall for me :-).
The ending made me smile. 😊
Thank you!!!
Great idea for a homograph spell-casting contest! This would make a fun book for a language arts lesson. Pass out the wands and watch the magic happen! Well done!
Thanks for the great idea!!
Love everything about this from the title, the story, to the vibrant language, the wordplay, and the fun ending!
Thank you!!!
Moonlight Magic
By Rebecca Woodall
97 words
The frog hopped desperately through the fog. Magical Halloween moonlight shone onto the mountain peak. She was so close, but she only had until midnight to break the spell put upon her. The beating of wings moved the fog around her. It was the mountain dragon.
“You will not pass,” said the dragon.
She had come this far, she couldn’t fail now. The frog leapt onto the dragon’s head using it like a stepping stone to the peak. The magical Halloween moonlight shimmered around her.
“I’m a witch again!” she cried. “Now to deal with this dragon.”
I like the determined little frog…and what a surprise at the end.
Thank you
Magical Halloween Moonlight has a nice ring to it!
Thank you
I love the spooky atmosphere! Well done, Becky!
Thank you
This really drew me in. And what a clever concept!
Thank you so much ☺️
The Great Halloween Bake Off
By Polly Hunt
Word Count: 98
Who will win tonight?
Witch cooks up a spell
A top-secret potion
The battle is fierce
As Dragon breathes fire
To bake the treats just right
Bat’s tools are his wings
That sculpt and create
A creepy, sweet delight
Pumpkins are judges
Emptied out stomachs
A patch ready to score
Wait! What hoax is this?
Through the fog and mist
Another chef appears
With fingers and hands
Two eyeballs and feet
Who is this wicked ghoul?
Their crust, so flaky
The guts, SO tasty
Judges couldn’t resist
Cheers to the winner!
Gruesomely clever
To bake a pumpkin pie
Very creative to do a Halloween version of The Great British Bakeoff.
Thank you!
You had me at Bake Off – great Halloweenie contestants! My favorite is the Pumpkin judges with emptied out stomachs and perfect pumpkin pie ending. Well done!
Thank you!
The visual of these creatures baking a pie makes me smile.
Oops. This is meant for Lisa (after you).
I love parodies, so this really won me over!
BATSY AND HAZEL
By Lisa Carmody Doiron
(WC: 98)
Batsy and Hazel, a bat and a witch,
had the idea to scratch an old itch.
“We’ll fly through the evening and dive like a kite,
and scare all the children on Halloween night.”
Batsy had batwings, and Hazel, a broom
with headlights, a throttle, and engine, vroom-vroom!
The fog, growing thick, made it so hard to see
that Batsy kerplunked head-on into a tree.
“Batsy!” cried Hazel. “You crashed and you fell.
I’ll get you an x-ray! No, wait! There’s a spell!
Alakazabra and lickety-zoom,
fix my friend Batsy and get her a broom.”
POOF!
“Thanks!”
VROOM!
Love the rhyme and meter! My kids will love the amped up broom – vroom, vroom!
Thank you, Shawna,
I appreciate your help getting ready for Halloweensie 2025. 🙂
Lisa
Nice plot arc in only 100 words.
Thank you, Shelley!
I want Hazel’s broom for myself! Love this story. Vroom vroom!
I think we’d all love a broom like Hazel (and now Batsy too!) Wonder if we’ll see them on Halloween 😉
Such fun, bouncy rhyme! Love this story! Vroom-vroom!
Thank you, Tracey. So glad to see your entry!
Thank you, Tracey. Couldn’t have ironed out that meter without your help.
Fun. Fun. Fun. My favorite line: with headlights, a throttle, and engine
Thank you, Jill! I teach grade one and am going to have my students draw Hazel’s broom today. Can’t wait to see what they come up with.
The Dragon, the Witch and the Cauldron
By Sue Lancaster
100 words
‘Twas the eve of October 31st.
Gretchen the witch had worked up a thirst.
Stood at her cauldron, brewing a spell,
Her warty nose twitched from the putrid smell.
“Bring me winged dragon with breath of fire.
Who needs a broomstick? This witch aims higher!”
The potion sputtered… began to bubble…
That’s when poor Gretchen fell into trouble!
Her spectacles misted: “I can’t see a thing!
Is it Wolf’s Whisker? Or Dragonfly Wing?”
She guessed the rest, then whisked with glee.
“Conjure the creature… mesmerize me!”
POP!
The steam stopped.
Gretchen’s specs: unfoggy!
Standing before her?
A cute little doggy!
Great rhymes, and I love the happy ending!
Great rhyme and adorable ending🎃
We’ve all been there – you are positive you want a dragon when really a puppy is what you need:)
Aww! Perfect ending!
My favorite part: The potion sputtered
This could be a PB! Love it!
What a great buildup to the end!
“Halloween Night Flight”
by Daniella Kaufman
WC: 96
Engine humming. Wings held tight.
Costume? Check! Prepare for flight.
Pick up speed and raise the gear . . .
WARNING! WARNING! Danger near—
a nighttime runway full of fog!
The nervous pilot checks his log
to find a safety trick or hint
(spelled out in his neatest print):
“If fog should cause a sight obstruction,
flashlights help with haze reduction.
Follow pathways planned ahead.
Ground control will guide,” it said.
Check! Check! Check! All systems go!
He flies to porches, row by row,
and fills his bay with sweets to eat,
then lands at home. Night flight complete!
I can see the illustrations. Great metaphor.
Excellent rhyme and meter! And such a cute story to boot. Great work!
Daniella—Fun night flight poem? Check :).
First-class poem with stellar use of aviation terms to add voice!
Great rhyme and the flight language add to this poem ! 🎃
So cute! I can picture this little boy’s airplane costume ready for trick or treating success.
What a cute story!
Love this story! Your rhyming is very well executed!
What a creative take on trick – or -treating!
Cackle, Crackle, Oops!
By Sarah Atherton
(91 words)
Witch was brewing her Halloween spell,
Moonlight shimmered as darkness fell.
She dreamed of flying, sleek and black,
A bat to swoop the night sky track.
Bubble, bubble, splat and spin,
She tossed her magic goodies in:
Spider thread and cat hair fine,
Two owl feathers – how divine!
“Hee-hee-hee! Just wings to add!”
But fog rolled in, both thick and bad.
Flap-flap! Something brushed her hat,
“Hooray!” she cried, “That must be bat!”
“Cackle, crackle, rat-a-tat-tat!
Turn this witch into a…”
OOPS!
Creeping slowly from the broth,
A discombobulated moth!
The lyrical language is so playful. “discombobulated moth” Perfect.
Thank you! I love the word ‘discombobulated’ and I was delighted when it fit into my rhyme scheme.
Such a fun ending! Love this one.
Thank you so much!
Your ending is amazing!
Thank you! I enjoyed writing it.
Great ending! What a fun image a discombobulated moth is!
Haha! Thank you!
Love this Sarah. Great twist
Thank you, Becky! And thank you for your feedback too.
Thank you for including a BIG word at the end. Fantastic.
Thank you for your lovely comment!
Great rhyme and meter! “Discombobulated moth” – what a wonderful ending.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Mummy Mommy
by Shawna Cain WC: 88
Mummy Mommy wakes from dead –
Hardly pulls herself from bed.
“Mummy, Mommy!” children scream,
“Wake up now! It’s Halloween.”
Brain – a fog, she grumbles – “ARG!”
Legs – so stiff, she stumbles – “GARG!”
Children gasp at mummy’s look –
And hide behind the breakfast nook.
Mummy finds her witch elixir.
Children whisper, “Will it fix her?”
Mummy drinks a giant cup.
Children watch her liven up.
Mommy dances, then she sings.
The potion worked! It gave her wings!
The spell is lifted. Time to toast!
Then Daddy wakes…
…a ghoulish ghost!
Clever ending, Shawna! And tired parents everywhere will totally relate to the Mummy Mommy reference.
Thank you! Based on a true story ;P
Loved the play with Mummy Mommy!
This was so fun to read. And only 88 words??? Kudos!
Thanks so much, Shelley.
As a mummy mommy who 100% relies on her witch elixir, I love love love this. Great work!
Thanks, Danielle. Really appreciate the camaraderie and support in working on this one. Cheers!
YES!!! Morning elixirs save so many ghoulish ghosts and mummy mommies!
Truth! Thanks for the support.
So cute! We’ve all been Mummy Mommy (or Goulish Ghost) searching for a caffeine-laced elixir. Love it!
Shawna—This is stupendous :).
Funny!!
So clever, Shawna! Excellent use of the keywords! : )
Ha ha, this was so cute!
This story is a stitch! Bravo!
Perfect. All of it!
I feel this mummy’s pain :-). Well done!
What Kizzy Knows About Ms. Devereaux
by Bronchelle Parker
Word Count: 100
“Have you picked a Halloween costume yet, Kizzy?” asked Kizzy’s mom at dinner.
Kizzy didn’t answer.
Gripping her half-eaten chicken wing, Kizzy continued gazing out the kitchen window in awe.
She’d just caught their neighbor, Ms. Devereaux, flying into the foggy abyss on a broom!
Sweet Ms. Devereaux who constantly claimed she was afraid of heights.
“Kizzy, hello?” sang Kizzy’s mom.
Finally, Kizzy squealed, “I’ll be a witch for Halloween!”
“Sounds spell-tacular,” joked her mom. “You’ll need some witchy duds and…a good broom.”
“A good broom?” Kizzy smirked at Ms. Devereaux’s house. “I know someone who can help with that.”
The title is very enticing. I loved how you used the word “spell.”
So cute, Bronchelle! Love the creative way you incorporated the three words from the contest prompt. Thanks for a fun read!
Thanks for reading, Jessica :)!
What a great story! I love the title.
Hahaha. Good one.
What a clever idea! A fresh angle on Halloween.
Love this! ❤️
CALL YOU RUDOLPH
By Betsy J. Bennett
99 words
The witches wailed when heavy fog settled in Halloween morning. They couldn’t fly to their favorite activity: judging the elementary school costume parade.
They had packed slimy eyeballs for treats (so delicious).
They had practiced spells to create tarantulas (a favorite with the kids).
They had awards for best (scary) costumes.
But they were blinded by the thick fog. The Halloween party would have to be cancelled!
Their bat flew using sound waves.
“Could you lead us to the party?”
The bat stretched his wings. “Sure!”
“We’ll follow you. The party is saved.”
“I think we’ll call you Rudolph!”
So funny. Rudolph the Bat. Good complete plot arc in only 100 words.
Rudolph the bat, that is a great story idea!
I appreciate the comment. Thanks.
This is such a sweet little story. The description of their treats and spells are so fun.
What a great, succinct story. And a clever idea!
Nice use of “fog.” Of course Rudolph saved the day!
To all who have commented, thanks so much. I love hearing from you.
Also, I’m extremely impressed with the variety of entries this year. It’s a fun contest, don’t you think?
Wings Instead Of A Broom
By Tracy T Agnelli
Word Count 100
Time to hang up the broom for some wings.
Witch I knew where that serum book was?
I don’t have the foggiest, what goes into the serum?
Google Spell finder.
Witchy Winds Featherflight Serum
What!
Spell finder failed.
Technology is useless.
I will just have to wing it.
Bat wings, too small.
Eagle feather, yes.
Brain fog is not good. Think.
Spider lilly, I think not.
Fluxweed, yes.
Monkey orchid, no.
Boom, bang, boom
Scat!
Stay fog-cused.
Ear wax, no.
Spirit flower, Ghost plant, pretty sure.
Broomsticks crossed.
Toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubbles bless ingredients within.
Hee-hee-hee!
Fun wordplay! And ear wax is always funny.
Terrific wordplay and puns!
Ha! spell finder failed. I can relate; how can one look a a word if one doesn’t know how to spell it. Great list of ingredients.
Elizabeth Volkmann
(96 words)
Witch Wilda
Witch Wilda hated Halloween.
“Too sweet!”
So she cast a spell
of thick, soupy fog over the town.
Streets darkened.
Children raced home.
“Heh-heh!” she cackled.
Ding-dong!
In dampened dress
and soggy wings,
a quivering Annie raised her basket.
“Trick-or-treat?”
“Go home!”
Annie sniffled.
“I-I-I’m lost.”
Wilda stared into the dark-dark.
“Humph!”
She grabbed her broom.
“Climb on.”
As they flew,
the fog lifted.
Streetlights glowed.
Children dashed out doors.
Home safe,
Annie handed Wilda
a chocolate treat.
“For me? How… sweet!”
Soaring into starry skies,
Wilda chuckled, “Well-well!”
Maybe Witch Wilda loved Halloween after all.
Witch Wilda! Great character name!
Thank you, Shelley!
What a great story of Witch maybe not being so wicked after all =)
Thank you!! 🙂
A witch that hates Halloween! What a novel idea!
🙂
A sweet story (pun intended), but truly meant.
Thank you so much!! 🙂
F-L-Y-B-E-R-T
By April Berry
(100 words)
A spelling contest on Halloween? His classmates groaned, but not Flybert. He was an excellent speller… as long as the words weren’t too scary, because he was also kind of a scaredy-fly.
C-R-E-E-P-Y
B-O-O
G-H-O-S-T
Flybert buzzed and zipped through his words. They were barely scary, and the other contestants were dropping like – well – flies.
Except that his last word was the… scariest… word… of… all.
Flybert’s wings trembled. His brain fogged. He couldn’t think! Until…
He breathed deeply, shook the clouds from his head, and scrunched his five eyes tight in concentration.
S-P-I-D-E-R
Hooray for Flybert! Halloween Spelling Champ!
Very creative using a fly protagonist and using the word “spell” in an unexpected way.
April, I love this! “Scaredy fly”, “dropping like – well – flies”… hilarious!! This is such a fun and creative read.
Brilliant! Hooray for this entry!
This is so cute, April! Loved this MC’s name!
Well done, April. So clever, funny and cool word play!
I did not see that spider coming! Great ending!
Your puns are amazzzing! And I love the name Flybert ❤️
“Flybert”— so CUTE and punny! This needs to be a PB series.
So CUTE!
What a great way to show someone overcoming fear to be successful!
The visual of a fly at a spelling be makes me smile. So funny: spider! Hahaha.
Adorable April! I love how he scrunched his five eyes tight!
** I hope this is easy enough to read. WP did not like my paragraph spacing! 🙂
‘Spelling’ Counts
By Elyse Trevers
(100 words)
At Halloween, I learn a trick- or-treat charm. “Mom said I should slow down, but I can’t wait! I want a dog.”
I chant three times and quickly add it to my tablet. “Whippoorwill wings, puppy tails & fiendish feet If I am very lucky, I will get my treat
Argh! Uh, no!
I’m completely covered by a thick cloud of fog!!
My spell is a mis-spell! All because of my hasty typing.
No one can see me. How long will it last? No use for whining. Mom says each cloud has a silver lining.
Maybe I’ll win Best Halloween costume.
Love the chant, especially “whippoorwill wings.”
Cute! “My spell is a mis-spell” made me smile. 🙂
I can completely relate to this! And kids will too.
Great line: My spell is a mis-spell!
Got it! Ignore my last email.
Thanks for the contest
Elyse
>
Hi!! Happy Wednesday! I hope all is well with you and you are taking a deep breath before all the submissions fly in!
I did post and then thought I was posting a reply to my own post to excuse the formatting (minor) but I may have actually made a new post – I can’t tell. You can delete that ‘reply’ post if so. I don’t want to cause confusion and am already sorry to be sending this – as it adds to your to-do list.
And the formatting of my entry is fine – it’s the initial panic from the transfer when things don’t copy exactly right.NO big deal at all.
x Beth
PS Happy Halloween!!🎃
Elizabeth Volkmann volkmann@comcast.net
>
The Biggest Fright on Halloween Night
By Emily Roberts
Word Count 100
Late each year, on Halloween night,
is when we face our biggest fright.
As we sleep in our nice warm sheets,
creatures swoop in to sneak our treats.
They move about with speed and grace,
darting around like they own the place.
One stands guard and waits in the wings
while the other sneaks gummy rings.
But then one trips over your toys,
which spells trouble due to the noise.
In a fog, you wake with a start,
but the creatures freeze—they’re quite smart.
You could get angry or even mad,
or just share your candy with Mom and Dad!
Great surprise ending!
Thank you so much!
Clever ending!
LOL! So funny and true!
Thank you so much! It really is so true!
Great poem and love the ending!
What a great idea! I think all moms and dads could relate to this.
The Hoblingoblin Halloween Haunted House
By Emily Roberts
Word Count: 100
A frightening fog filled the forest. Fairy flew fast, flapping her wings wildly. She was at the Hoblingoblin Halloween Haunted House.
“The first stop really pops!” hollered Hop, the head Hoblingoblin.
Fairy landed loudly. The creaky cauldrons crackled as Witch cackled, “Candy?”
Fairy munched on dandy candy.
“Thanks a bunch!” she said with a crunch.
Stop number two was Blue Brew. Fairy sipped as the blue goo dripped.
She flitted to stop number three: the flip-flop lollipop dance party.
The dance floor was filled with spooky spells and terrible smells.
“It’s been a wonderful Halloween night!” laughed Fairy, the sprite.
Great alliteration. I want to go to the flip-flop lollipop dance party!
Me too! Thanks for reading it!
I keyed in on flip-flop lollipop too. That sounds like a story all on it’s own.
FUN! Love the party details, especially the flip-flop lollipop dance party!
Thank you so much for reading it!
The alliteration is great – a perfect read-aloud!
When the Foghorn Sounded
By Erica Chester
100 words
It was early Halloween morning
when the foghorn called its warning.
On and on it sounded
leaving Esther Wu confounded
for the sky was bright and clear.
Not a hint of fog was near,
yet the foghorn shouted, ‘Warning!’
An omen of great mourning!
Esther sprinted to the shore
where the foghorn wailed more.
Suddenly, an inky dye
slowly seeped across the sky.
This giant onyx stain
broke apart like stormy rain
into frightening, eerie things.
All teeth and flapping wings!
Each creature seemed to spread
a contagious, toxic dread,
which cast an evil spell.
And overtook the foghorn’s yell.
Love the foghorn and the beautiful lyrical language.
Thanks so much Shelley.
An omen of great mourning! I want to read more.
Thanks Eleanor. This is the line I struggled the most with, so I’m glad to hear you liked it.
Definitely spooky
Thanks Trine
Eerie, creepy, and fun to read aloud!
Thanks Sarah
Oooh, this is so dark and eerie and fabulously told. I already want to know more!
Thanks Jen. What a lovely compliment.
Great imagery and great tension throughout the story!
Thank-you Elizabeth. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
THE RAVEN’S GHOST
by Lyn Jekowsky
(96 words)
A lonely Raven paced a branch on Halloween Eve,
screeching for a ghoul to haunt with.
He flew through the foggy night to search,
his ragged black wings heavy with mist.
The Raven discovered a vampire den in the deep dark woods.
Bats, with wings spread and fangs dripping blood,
circled a bubbling cauldron.
Witches stirred in viper venom while cackling spells.
The raven paid close attention.
He flew back through bone-chilling fog to his branch and cast a spell,
conjuring up a pure white bird,
his ghost.
These sinister friends haunted children’s shadows on Halloween.
The first sentence hooked me.
Scary! Well done!
Scary and engaging!
I love the dramatic wordplay and the idea of a lonely raven on Halloween.
Halloween in Fog Hollow
By Shelley Jones Clark
Word Count: 100
Every Halloween, three food trucks park in Fog Hollow.
Chicken Lee serves candy-corn ice cream.
Angus Duff sells caramel-dipped pears.
Mole McMarvel makes everything from pumpkin: Pumpkin Pie. Pumpkin Pancakes. Pumpkin Popovers. Pumpkin Pillows. Pumpkin Paddleboats. Pumpkin Ponies.
This Halloween, a new truck arrives, driven by Polecat Bates.
BATE’S BUFFALO WINGS
Chicken Lee says, “Buffalos have wings?”
Angus says, “Smells spicy.”
Mole investigates.
When Mole returns, he whispers to Chicken Lee.
She squawks. She flaps. She runs in circles like…
“No worries,” Mole says. “I cast my spicy spell and invented a new recipe.”
“Oh, my!” Chicken says, “Pumpkin Polecat!”
This made me chuckle throughout! Chicken Lee and Angus Duff lol. Buffalos have wings! Hilarious!
Thank you for laughing, Lori!
Way to go Mole, you’ll be famous one day.
I want to try the caramel-dipped pears!
Thank you for reading!
Thank you for reading, Eleanor!
Haha, I think we’re having Pumpkin Polecat for dinner tonight!
LOL. Thanks for reading, Tracey!
Shelley, Sign me up to sample the Fog Hollow food trucks! Such a funny and clever concept, story, characters, and ending!
Thank you, Mona!
Great characters! I giggled while reading your story! 🎃
Thank you for reading.
My favorite is Chicken Lee with the candy-corn ice cream, so clever!
Thank you, Polly!
HA! So funny!
Thank you for reading, Cindy! Looking forward to reading yours.
Thanks, Shelley! I just posted it.
Super unique situation and hilarious characters!
Thank you for reading, Lauri!
I ditto all the above comments! What happens in Fog Hollow works for both the under and over twelve age groups! My eyes “popped” open at your last line! “Oh, my!” 😉
Thank you for reading, Mary!
So creative and fun! Love the unusual characters and pumpkin products!!
Thank you, Sarah!
This is so cute! And I love the names.
Thank you, Elizabeth!
”She runs in circles like…” haha! I see what you did there 😉 Love all your characters, Shelley!
Thank you, Jen! Loved your story!
100 words
A Halloween Nightmare
By Janet Bryce
One foggy Halloween night, three witches rode their brooms,
looking for animals to scare.
“We’ll flick our wands and zap. Ha-ha!”
“Halloween is scary,” meowed Kitty. “I hear witches.”
She rushed towards a shed for shelter.
“Fog lights on!” The witches screamed.
They pointed their wands and sang a spell.
“Creepy thing on the ground, we give you wings!
Ha-ha-ha.”
Wings popped out of Kitty’s back. They flapped, she flew.
She twirled and danced.
The sun came up. The wings disappeared.
Kitty shook her head.
“That was a nightmare”. She meowed.
Kitty curled up in the shed and fell asleep.
Fog lights on the witch’s broom, a very creative way to incorporate the word “fog.” And a kitten with wings. Great visual.
Thank you Shelley.
I love the way the nightmare seems to actually backfire!
Monster Spelling Competition by Susan Wollison
Welcome to the 2025 Spelling Competition.
First word is: Fog. There is a lot of fog. Fog.
Everyone hold up your answers.
Ghost, you have spelled it “B-O-O.” I’m sorry but that is incorrect.
Mummy, let’s see how you did. “A-H-E-H.” Oh, another incorrect answer.
Vampire … you weren’t supposed to use your telepathy. “B-L-O-O-D.” That is also incorrect.
Zombie, over to you. “G-R-U-N-T.” Nice try.
Finally, last year’s champion, Werewolf. How did you spell fog? “H-O-W-L”.
No points for this round.
Second word is: Wings. I am craving wings. Wings.
Ghost, you are up. You have spelled it “B-O-O.”
Love the ending! That poor contest host.
This made me laugh!
So funny!
What a funny idea, I can visualize all of the scary characters, Groundhog Day over and over!
Love this, Susan. Made me LOL! Very clever!
Hilarious!
A FROGLET’S HALLOWEEN
By Anthony Baldasare
100 words
Late one night on Halloween,
through spooky, soupy fog,
A fearless little froglet trick-or-treated in a bog.
“I got worms and spiders!
Crunchy bugs with wings!”
But hiding in a log nearby were bigger, hungry things…
Slimy snakes. Nasty newts.
A turtle in its shell.
Even worse, a scary witch, who cast a magic spell:
“Turn this lucky froglet
back into a child!”
All at once, Poof! Kaboom! -A young prince bowed and smiled.
“You have been so kind to me.
How shall I pay you back?”
“Share your treats?” the witch implored, “I’d love a midnight snack!”
Well done! Best of luck!
Nice take on a fairy tale. Good luck.
Fun poem. I can see this in a kid’s magazine.
Thank you Shelly, Eleanor & Guthwine
What a useful witch!
What a great fractured fairy tale!
The Spell
by Mona Voelkel (100 words)
Giggling with trick-or-treating anticipation,
I pedal home on my bike.
As I turn the knob,
a voice hisses,
“I’ll put a spell on you!”
I bolt upstairs.
Footsteps come closer.
Closer.
Closer…
I slam the bedroom door.
“I’ll put a spell on you…”
Echoing again. Soft. Eerie. Like the brush of a bat’s wing.
The door creaks open.
A green-skinned, wand-wielding, pointy-hatted witch cackles,
“...if you don’t get ready right away, Marcie!”
I hug my sister, Macie.
Soon we are two witches singing,
“We’ll put a spell on you!”
as we skip through the fog
of a bewitching Halloween night.
This feels like such a real sibling relationship. Scaring each other one second, partners in crime the next. Great work!
Danielle, thank you so much!!!
Just spectacular! I was drawn in from the first line! Perfect amount of spooky intrigue and sweet sibling fun. Fantastic job, Mona!
Jessica, thank you so much!!!! I appreciate your kind words and your generous writerly heart, my friend!
Adorable sibling story, Mona! I love what you did with ‘wing’!
Laura, thank you so much, and thank you for your generous feedback, my writing friend! Jessica Iwanski suggested the bat simile and I love it, too!
These sisters have our hearts, Mona. Love your bat simile.
Dear Jeanette, Thank you so much, and thank you for your generous feedback, my writing friend! Jessica Iwanski suggested the bat simile and I love it, too!
Sister Witches! Ha! Nice twist.
Shelley,
Thanks so much!
Great story! I love the sisters’ names🎃
Oh, that makes me happy, thank you!
This felt so nostalgic both with sisterly and halloweenie vibes! Love it!
Thank you so much!!! I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!
Fun sibling song! Love the twist that it was a real voice.
Dear Annette,
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind comments!
I was actually holding my breath while reading this!
Elizabeth,
Your comment made me so happy! Thank you so much!!!!!
Morgan’s Halloween Broom VROOM!
By Chelsey Bahe (94 words)
When fog rolled in on Halloween night, Morgan was ready. She stoked the fire beneath her cauldron. Flames rose. The pot boiled. Morgan sprinkled sparkles on the spooky concoction as she practiced her spell.
“Fizz, bubble, gurgle, pop! Splash, slosh, swirl, STOP!”
The fire crackled. Morgan dumped more shiny specks.
“Pop, snap, whistle, sing! Fly as fast as a bat’s black wings!”
Morgan slurped some potion. She sat on her broom.
Her tongue fizzed. Her throat bubbled. Her tummy gurgled. Morgan belched. Then…
TOOT! POOT! PFFFFFFT!… FAAAART!
She finally got her broom to start!
Hilarious, kids will love this.
Bahaha, hilarious!
I loved the incantations. And yes, I still laugh at fart humor.
Haha! Really cute story. I especially loved the sound of “Fizz, bubble, gurgle, pop!”
C’mon fart power! Love it!
I love both of the spells, well done!
Wonderfully silly and a great read-aloud!
lol!! Fun!
Itchy Twitchy Halloween Witchy
By Julie Lerczak 98 words
Miss Winnie Witch with green eyes bright,
planned a party for Halloween night.
She strung up lights. Wore witchy rings,
then dressed her cat in little bat wings.
Her cauldron bubbled, fogged, and popped.
She sampled her brew, then quickly stopped.
An itchy rash appeared and spread.
“Can it be my stew?” she said with dread.”
She cast a spell for “Itch-Stop Goop.”
It was greasy, black and smelled like poop.
Kitty purred and rubbed Winnie’s knee.
Another twitch! An itch! Could it be?
Fleas! She gasped, “It wasn’t my stew!”
Then she grabbed her cat, “This goop’s for you!”
I like how you cause us to briefly focus on the cat with his little bat wings and then bring it back around for a surprise ending.
Love the surprise ending and the image of the cat with bat wings!
Fun!
Thank you sweet, Sarah! Best wishes in the contest.
Kind-Hearted Krystal
by Deborah Williams
WC 96
Kind-hearted witch Krystal struggled with spells. She didn’t have the heart to add frog legs, no matter what the ancient recipe said. She spied a poster. “A spelling bee! Maybe I’ll do better there!” Later, on stage, she smiled to herself. “I’ve got this!” she thought, as the judge pronounced the word “FROG.” “F-O-G” said Krystal. WRONG! She sighed, but her participation prize was a volume in velvet, “A Vegetarian Book of Spells.” A little practice, a pinch of parsley and a tidbit of tofu, and on Halloween night…”Rootie-toot-tootabaga!” Her spell gave all her frogs wings!
A kind, vegetarian witch. Way to switch it up.
I love how the kindheartedness doubly benefitted the frogs!
Sweet story!
Hallowinged
By Kat Kindig
Word count: 99
I want to fly
Oh, why can’t I?
All I need is just one spell
It could be a secret, I’d never tell!
To sprout some wings
Or zip on strings
I’d soar over all the trees
To look at their crisp, changing leaves
Observe the fog on Halloween
As it covers the streets with a misty sheen
I would join the bats so very high
And race the birds in the sky
However…since tonight is Trick or Treat
Maybe I’ll stay upon my feet
Flying would be fine and dandy
But now it’s time to ask for candy!
Kids all want to fly, but what a nice landing for this poem.
What an unexpectedly poignant poem! I love how it turns practical in the end.
Cute story and great title!
BOO-tiful By Mistake
by Deborah Foster
100 words
A thick fog curled around Dracula’s porch. He paced, waiting.
Was the Hex Express driver lost? The costume contest started at midnight!
Then…a THUD. His Count’s Discount package!
He ripped it open…
pink,
glittery…
fairy wings?
“Bat-tastrophe,” he groaned. His spooky black wing order must’ve been mixed up!
Heart thumping, he whispered a spell… nothing worked. He slipped them on anyway.
At the party, monsters gasped. Dracula froze.
Then…cheers!
“Fang-tastic!”
“Sparkle king!”
Glitter rained with every flap.
The judges grinned, handing him a trophy:
Most BOO-tiful Costume.
Dracula beamed.
He’d planned for spooky…
but the sparkly mishap shone spectacularly.
So much fun wordplay. I especially like the Count’s Discount package.
Thank you, Shelley!
The word play is so good in this! And love the Hex Express.
Thank you for reading, Polly! It means a lot!
I love the image of Dracula in fairy wings! Very clever!
Thank you, Cindy!
The Hex Express! I love it! I feel like I can relate to this as we are usually ordering costumes at the last minute. 🙂 Thumbs up for the sparkly mishap!
Love the Hex Express and the last line!
Ha-ha! Lots of fun gems in this one! Well done!
What fun word play in this, Deborah!
TINA’S SCARY WISH by Randi Lynn Mrvos (100 words)
One foggy October night when children wished on falling stars, Tina wished to be scary. She knew scary meant more Halloween treats. But with hair up in bows and frills to her toes, Tina wasn’t scary.
Tina lured a witch to her garden with booberries and frightcherry tea. Then she followed her to a hut perched high on Tinderconk Hill. When the witch caught Tina clutching her Shadowcloak, she chanted the Changing Spell:
“Dragon’s wings! Fish scales! Slimy snail!
Grow claws, black coat, and a tail!”
Tina’s wish came true—but she was scarier (and furrier) than she ever imagined.
Nice character arc for Tina. And I love “frills on her toes.”
Love the booberries and frightcherry tea!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SANDRA
Treats? Or Tricks?
By Sandra Bohman
(100 words)
Traipsing out to trick-or-treat one foggy Halloween night, my mouth drooled for some delicious gummy worms, popping rocks, and sour balls. But two hours later…when I peered inside my goodie bag, I nearly heaved. What? Rancid raisins, mango mounds, stale fruitcake, and stinky coffee grounds? But worst of all…a roll of dental floss. What a horrible joke! A dirty double cross! Falling to my knees, I raised my fists. I’d get revenge for this! Placing my bag on the last pranking porch, I cast an eerie spell:
Wing of bat and eye of newt
Hope you love my lousy loot!
Dental floss. The worst Halloween treat.
I laughed out loud at the dental floss!
Yup the dental floss is a total insult! LOL. Such a fun entry.
Oh, those awful people taking “tricks” a bit too far! Dental floss is funny! Best of luck.