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 ๐
- 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. ๐
- You are welcome to enter more than one entry – just remember you’ll be competing against yourself ๐
- No illustration notes please!
And yes, I know 100 words is short, but that’s part of the fun and the challenge! ๐
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 ๐
- 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 ๐
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 ๐ 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 ๐ 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 ๐)
โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ FABULOUS PRIZES FROM GENEROUS PEOPLEโญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ
Please enjoy exploring all their amazing work!
โญ๏ธ 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!
โญ๏ธ 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






โญ๏ธ 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 theyโre facingโwhether itโs 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 whatโs holding them back and create an actionable plan to help them move forward!
Rosie J. Pova is an award-winning, multi-published childrenโs author, poet, and writing coach. Her books include Sunday Rain, featured in The New York Times, The School of Failure, a Readersโ 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






โญ๏ธ 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!
โญ๏ธ 1. From Pamela Courtney, a signed copy of A SEASON FOR FISHIN’: A Fish Fry Tradition
Pamโs Louisiana upbringing inspired her 2025 debut A Season for Fishinโ, A Fish Fry Tradition and nurtured her lifeโs 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 โMy duty is great,โ says Pam. โI am a writer who teaches. I am a teacher who writes.โ

together with
โญ๏ธ 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
โญ๏ธ 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 childrenโs 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 Joรฃo 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!
โญ๏ธ 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



โญ๏ธ 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 childrenโs books. Author of Walkout, The Sorry Seedsโa Childrenโs Book Council Teacher Favorite, 2025, and Canines Unleashed: Hankโs 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!
โญ๏ธ 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!
โญ๏ธ 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 โ 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

โญ๏ธ 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 โ 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





โญ๏ธ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (Rhyming) from Deborah Holt Williams
Deborah is the author of five early readers for the educational publisher Continental Press. Susannaโs contests got her back to her first loveโwriting 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, ยฉAnna Doherty 2026.)
Deborah Holt Williams


โญ๏ธ 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. Melissaโs next picture book, Stellaโs 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 Scarletโs Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadieโs Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Childrenโs Book Academy, and a Rate Your Story Judge.
Melissa Stoller

โญ๏ธ 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

โญ๏ธ 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 Childrenโs Writer. She has won a long list of awards and mentions in many kidlit contests, including First Place in the Institute of Childrenโs Literature (ICL) Rhyming Animal Poetry Contest, and First Place in ICLโs 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! ๐
With so many great prizes up for grabs I hope there will be a lot of entries โ the more the merrier! And youโve still got a couple days to write, so you can squeeze in under the wire if you havenโt written yet. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well. And your reading friends โ 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 โ just go along the list of links below, click on them (theyโll take you directly to whichever story you click on), and enjoy the stories!
So, let the Halloweensie begin!
Happy Reading! Happy Writing! Happy Halloween! ๐ ๐ ๐
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! ๐ ๐
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
ENTRY POSTED FOR MARY
Halloween Nightmare
By Mary Rudzinski, 100 words
The howl of a wolf
Echoed through the night fog.
Leaves crunched loudly
as I tripped over a log.
I jumped to my feet
I thought I heard singing.
The moon showed black bats
Flying low, nighttime winging.
Ahead in the dark
In the middle of a clearing
Stood a witch with a broom
Cackling and sneering
โIf its treats that you want
Youโre in the wrong place.
I only cast spells
And then I give chase.โ
I ran for my life
Filled with fear and great dread-
Just in time I woke up
Safely tucked in my bed.
Love the sweet scare, Mary.
The Poultrygeist
By Melissa J. Miles
99 words
Tensions rise at the Halloween spelling bee.
Sweat trickles down my back.
Five students left.
Iโm up.
C-A-U-L-D-R-O-N.
Whew!
Out goes Sophie.
Liamโs out.
Iโm up again.
S-U-P-E-R-N-A-T-U-R-A-L.
Whew!
Ellaโs gone.
Itโs just me and Grace.
She spells P-O-U-L-T-R-Y-G-E-I-S-T.
Oops!
A cackling ghost swoops overhead,
clucking and flapping its arms like chicken wings.
Whatโs that?!
I blink hard, and shake my head.
I canโt be distracted now.
If I get this right, I win.
I open my mouth, butโฆ
fog fills my brain!
No! I studied this one.
P-O-L-T-E-R-G-E-I-S-T.
POOF! The real poltergeist vanishes.
Applause erupts.
I win!
I love how this turned out, Melissa! I clever twist on a Halloween spelling bee ๐
Thank you!
You had me hooked with your title! Love it!
Thank you!
gghh
You had me at the title! Well done. Great story (and arc!).
Thanks for reading!
“Poultry”geist! Brilliant! That’s definitely a book in the making!
Haha, thanks! I’ve saved it in a folder to possibly expand on.
I too picked it off the list because I had to find out what a poultrygeist was!
Thanks for reading!
BEHIND THE BROOMSTICK: A TELL-ALL
By Anya-Kaye Francis (WC: 99)
Dear Reader,
Why do witches get so much attention during Halloween? Theyโre so overrated! Everyone thinks theyโre scary, but can I tell you a secret? Theyโre not!
Those warts? Fake.
That hair? A wig.
Truthfully, theyโre just a bunch of old ladies who donโt like combing their hair or brushing their teeth. And you know what else? Theyโre afraid of the dark.
Who do you think catches all the bats for their spells? Me! Without me, sheโd have no wings for her potions-just bubbling cauldron and a lot of foggy smoke filling the air.
Signed,
An Angry Black Cat
Loved this perspective from a witch’s cat, very creative to use a letter format here too!
Thank you! I had fun writing this.
Fun perspective…very clever!
Thank you!
AnyaโThis was such a delightful and fresh take, haha. That cat wasnโt holding back and I was here for all the juice :).
Thank you! You that cat had more to say…LOL
oopS! You KNOW that cat had more to say
So voicy….I love this!
Thanks! I have a sassy little cat. I channeled her inner voice.
I love this Anya! Such a unique format. Well done!
Thank you!
Haha! This is so clever and fun! Great job nailing the cat’s voice.
Thank you! All the credit goes to my cat Violet.
So clever, cute and funny. I love it!
ENTRY POSTED FOR ANDY
Halloween Birthday
by Andy Nuttall 100 words
Velvet was hanging in the graveyard with his little sister Pips.
โListen up Pips,โ he said. โSomethingโs coming our way.โ
Beneath them through the thickening fog came a group of children who sat down together on a large, flat slab of stone.
โIsnโt that Noctara, the gravediggerโs daughter?โ
โYes, Tara with her friends. Itโs her birthday today. Sheโs turning ten at Halloween!โ
Suddenly the girls broke into song: a chill, haunting chorus that rose into the cold night air. Startled, Velvet shook his leathery wings and stared at the unexpected sight unfolding before him. The spell had begun to work.
Hanging! The perfect word to set the scene!
I didnโt want to make the bat siblings too obvious!
Oooh, intriguing, Andy! I really enjoyed this. ๐ Very best of luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR LUCIA
Spells, Fog and Frogs!ย By Lucia Lemieux (WC 95)
โI canโt cast a spell until I learn to spell?โ asked Willow Witch. โNo fair!โ
โWitches who canโt spell canโt read, and they make mistakes,โ said Mom. โLearn these.โ
Willow practiced with Ollie Owl.
โNotย wig.ย ย W-I-N-G,โ he flapped.
Willow chanted. โW-I-N-G.โ
โGood!โ said Mom. โTwo more.โ
โF-R-O-G,โ spelled Ollie.
โF-R-O-G,โ repeated Willow.
โPerfect,โ Mom said. โOne more.โ
โF-O-G,โ said Willow. ย โCan I cast it now?โ
โLearning to spell is very keen,
Letโs have fog this Halloween!
F…R…O…G!โ
A million frogs hopped house to house, eating everyoneโs candy.
โI guess spelling IS important,โ Willow said.
(95 words)
Very cute story!
Love this! I used the same meaning for the word spell in my story. Fun take on it.
What a nice way to use the mandatory words. A cute story, too.
Haha, love the million frogs visual. Great job!
Amy Chini/ Word Count: 100
Just Take One!
โJust take one,โ a kind suggestion
Tucked beneath the candy bowls,
I tempted fate and snapped up eight,
Some taffy, suckers, Tootsie Rolls.
I thought for certain no one spied me,
Winging mistward through the crowd,
When something slimy there behind me,
Called my name and called it loud.
It froze me trembling to the spot,
This wretched thing the fog expelled,
A dripping claw, a gnawing jaw,
A ghastly form with wand outheld.
It staggered forward, spoke a spell,
And never was a fate so grim,
With just one flick, oh evil trick!
My precious candy flew to him!
If you’d like to check out this entry (plus a bonus poem) on my website the link is below! There’s some art to go with. ๐
https://www.amychini.com/kidlit-fun/2025-halloweensie-writing-contest
Love this poem and excellent rhyme/meter. You didn’t even get to keep just one!
Well done. And in rhyme!
I like this a lot. Congratulations.
Ha! Will make kids think twice before grabbing a handful!
ENTRY POSTED FOR KAREN
Title: Freddie the Winged Frog
By Karen Opp
WC 96
Freddie the frog wasn’t ordinary, he had wings! Each flap sent a tiny spell popping out with a poof, turning pumpkins into pie and brooms into dancing sticks.
On Halloween night, he hopped through a thick fog, a swirling mystic mist. “So spooky!” croaked his friend Lily.
Freddie twirling and flapping, candy leapt from bowls. Jack-o’-lanterns howled the Monster Mash, and sparkling footprints glowed behind him with every leap.
Near the witches brew, an accidental tickle (whoops) sent bats bursting into a joyful dance in the moonlight.
Halloween dazzled like never before. Happy Halloween!
Jennifer Arnold
Word Count 99
Sir Bat and the Halloween Night
Batโs wings twitched. The fog was thick, the moon was brightโtonight felt extra spooky. He watched goblins and ghosts parade by on Halloween.
A witchโs flashlight found him. She raised her wand, and cast a spell:
Bat in a tree,
Out in the night,
Wings turn to armorโ
Now heโs a knight!
Sparks flashed! Zap! Zing! Bat stood on two legs, a shining knight! He joined the crowd, swapping chocolate bars for fruit snacks.
The spell faded. Batโs armor turned back to wings. Halloween was his favorite nightโwinged or not.
โSee you next Halloween, Sir Bat!โ said the witch.
I can just picture Sir Bat! Very cute, fun to read!
Thank you, Katie!
The Missing Ingredient
by Charline Yutmeyer
100 words
The witch stirred her bubbling brew.
โDrat! Thereโs one missing ingredient!โ
KNOCK!
โWhoโs that?โ
She opened her door and squinted into the fog.
Something squeaked.
A small bat lay on the ground. Its wings shivered.
โJust what I needed! Do come in for a spell.โ
She scooped the bat up and held him over her steaming pot.
The bat squirmed and squeaked.
โThat should warm you up.โ
She set him down and handed him a small bowl.
โMy missing ingredient was someone to share my stew with.โ
The little bat smiled. Together, they slurped until the great pot was empty.
‘Do come in for a spell.’ — haha! That made me chuckle — good word play!
Thank you!
This is adorable. Love the misdirection and sweet ending.
Thanks!
Love this story! So sweet.
Thank you!
I love this sweet little twist towards the end. ๐
Thanks!
I love the suspense- what a great twist!
Oh, I love this.
Katia M Jesson
The Substitute Teacher
100 words
โClass, in your seats!โ Ms. Wingwitchski shouted sternly.
โNOW!โ
โOr NO Halloween costume parade!โ
โHAHAHA!โ the class roared defiantly.
โSettle down, or your spell-ing lesson will be quite different!โ
โHAHAHA!โ
โKALA-VARA-MONKE-MAKA!โ
The classroom door burst openโฆ
From a thick green fog
emerged a rush of monkeys,
dressed as pirates, princesses and superheroes.
Screeching, cackling and cavorting
โHAHAHA!โ
as their parents gasped in horror.
Gone was Ms. Wanda Wingwitchski,
the new substitute teacher,
who had appeared that Halloween morning,
donning a cape and a broom.
Her pointy hat left behind,
with a note:
Always be kind to your substitute teacher.
How fun!
Do NOT taunt the substitute!!!!!
So clever and fun! Love this one!
This one is so fun! love the teacher posing as a substitute teacher.
Thx much Pallavi! I had lots of fun with this one.
Oooops-sorry Katia. My phone threaded to the wrong story. However, Iโm glad it did cuz I loved your story. As a retired teacher, I especially appreciated this one!
Yes no idea how that worked out but thanks. Love you teachers!
Raspberry Cream (99 words)
By Amanda Fletcher
On a breath of billowy fog, Mildred takes flight as the Florida swamp awakens this humid Halloween. Flittering wings propel her past frolicking frogs and chirping crickets, beyond the moss-laden trees and into a quaint neighborhood. She hungers for fresh blood.
Beneath a ghoulish mask, her first victim.
A child.
Most delicious.
Stealthily, Mildred pierces the skin and sips the sweet redness.
Mmmm. Notes of raspberry cream.
She must have more! As if under a spell, she gorges on child after child untilโ
Dive!
Bzzzz!
SPLAT!
Grimacing, a tiny princess bedazzled in sequins inspects her red-streaked palm. โEwwww, mosquito!โ
Super creative – nicely done!
Great tag line! ๐
AHHHH! Love this, Amanda! ๐ฆ
Why thank ya. I used to live in Florida…Halloween mosquitos are no joke.
Bwaaaaaah! The ending is delicious!
A painful truth at the heart of it!
Love this! We have awful Halloween mosquitoes in Savannah too. Acck~
Greetings from NJ, where we also know from these bloodsuckers. This is deliciously ghoulish! (And you have to love a mosquito gourmand.)
Love this! Under one hundred words, yet it gives me so many feels! So well done, Amanda!
Hilarious! I love that a tiny princess is the one who “brought down the hammer!”
Dang mosquitos! Very cute and clever. I love how you set the scene. ๐
Love this story, especially the surprise ending. Well done!
thanks!
Very Creative!
A Warning to Bats
By Elizabeth Muster
WC 100
โDonโt be such a gala guano,โ teased Beatriceโs bat friends at the Halloween Rooftop Soiree. โYouโve only had one glass of blood punch.โ
As the midnight moon hid behind a thick blanket of fog, Beatrice shrugged. โMaybe Iโll stay for a spell.โ
An hour later, Beatrice bade the others adieu. โMy wings are feeling heavy. I must get back to the belfry.โ
But as Beatrice attempted to lift from the ledge, she stiffened. Her face contorted with the effort.
The fog weighed down the wings of the other bats, too.
And that, bat pups, is how gargoyles came to be.ย
Gargoyles! Nice to know. Thanks
Counting on Halloween
By Rebecca Singer
(word count: 85)
1 lonely bat flies on its own.
2 friendly mice squeak, โYouโre not alone!โ
3 black cats purr, โWe want to play!โ
4 spooky skeletons rattle and sway.
5 little witches cast a charming spell.
6 naughty goblins stomp, roar, and yell.
7 glowing ghosts rise from a bog.
8 furry werewolves howl through the fog.
9 inky ravens spread their wings to fly.
10 grumpy ghouls moan, groan, and sigh.
11 silent owls swoop down to join the scene.
12 trick-or-treaters cheer, โHappy Halloween!โ
RebeccaโThis is stinkinโ cute :). I teach Kindergarten and just know my babies would eat this up, haha.
Thank you! ๐
You’ve gathered a great cast of characters with delightful descriptions!
thanks! I had a lot of fun making a list of Halloween characters and thinking up kid-friendly adjectives to describe them!
Sugar Rush
By Celia Cataldo
(100 words)
This is a bad plan, but Iโve never refused a dare.
Steal one piece of candy treasure. Simple. Trouble isโitโs under an enormous, sleeping dragon!
I know better than to cross a Sugar Dragon tonight. Their power peaks on their high holidays: Easter, Valentineโs, Christmas, and ESPECIALLY Halloween.
Uh-oh! Pop Rocks crackle underfoot, spelling my doom. The dragon rises on bubblegum wings, scales hard like Neccos. Jaws open!ย
No fire. Instead, Iโm wrapped in sticky, candyfloss fog.ย
โA trade?โ I ask, desperate. โMy momโs famous fudge for one piece of your treasure.โ
She canโt resist!
No one ever has.
MISSPELL
By Eric Sondergeld
84 words
Canโt go tricker treetin,
As a trezur chest
Unless I get an A,
On my speling test.
Got to skool reel erly,
Studdy like a dawg.
Werds I canโt remembr,
Brane is in a fog!
โVampire is our first word,โ
Teechr starts the kwiz.
Gess Iโll haf to wing it,
Not a speling wiz.
Grewsum, kreepee, goblin,
Kandy, costoom, gost.
Spookee aparishion,
Werds I luv the most.
Last werd of the testโs my
Favrit holladay.
I rite down โhAlloweenโ
With a big fat A.
I love the creative spellingโvery funny! Well done!
Clever! love it!
Wunderfuli original!
Thanx Andy. I’m glad sumwon hear kan spel!
Clever!
That’s some great invented spelling – – Well done, and very funny!
Love the voice throughout your piece! Very fun to read aloud! Good luck!
Candy Curiosity
By Celia Cataldo
(100 words)
The last house on the street looms overhead.
โTrick or treat!โ we shout.
โYouโll have to come inside,โ a small voice replies.
I reach for the handle.
โDonโt go!โ Carly begs.
But I do.
Itโs dark inside. An old woman hunches over foggy glass vials.
โSit for a spell. Take your pick.โ
Scarlet swirls in a slender bottle mesmerize me. Nagging feelings disappear. I drink.
Cherry?
I cough.
No, blood.
She laughs.
My back hurts! Flesh rips and I scream as wings sprout, flapping open.
Then, I shrink.
The woman stuffs me into the bottle.
โTrick โr treat.โ She grins.
Wow! Super scary and I love how you used “spell”.
Thank you! Itโs my mini ode to Goosebumps. And also based on a true story of when I was lured into a house on Halloween in spite of my sister begging me not to go. Thankfully, I walked out unharmed and with a KitKat or two.
So far, on this list of halloween stories this is truly the scariest! Nice to see one that’s scary like this one, as some kids love it.
Thank you! That’s such meaningful feedback as I was definitely that kid who loved the scariest of stories.
Wing Songย
Lu Ann Schnable Kaldor
98 words
Fog rolled in, thick as wool, swallowing the full moon whole. Wing song drew villagers to the square as a cloud of bats filled the sky.
Upturned faces watched, by candlelight, as the synchronized swarm swam above forming strange deliberate shapes.ย It wasnโt flight; it was choreography. It wasnโt beauty; it was a spell.ย
The bats swooped then dipped low, eyes gleaming like inked stars.ย One by one, candles flickered out. When the fog cleared, the sky was emptyโand so was the village below.ย ย
OOO I love this. Especially your opening line: Fog rolled in, thick as wool, swallowing the full moon whole.
Thank you.
Thank you ๐
Mathilda and the Little Monsters
By Katrina Stern
(100 words)
Mathildaโs hut was hugged by trees and blanketed by fog.
Cozy, to her . . .
Creepy, to everyone else.
So Mathilda wasnโt expecting little monsters!
They knocked and shrieked, โTrick or treat!โ
Mathilda admired the gruesome gang. โGreat costumes! Be right back!โ
Mathilda searched.
No candy here . . . none over there.
Sheโd have to wing it!
Mathilda grabbed eel eyes,
pickled crickets,
and boiled batsโ brains.
โThis is all I’ve got,โ she apologized. โPerhaps a spell to make them sweeter?โ
โNo way!โ the monsters cried. They scooped up pawfuls of slimy snacks.
โBEST HOUSE EVER!โ they howled.
Mathilda grinned. โCome back next year!โ
Ha, I love how she takes the time to pickle her crickets and boil her bat brains!
Ghost Cows?
Lu Ann Schnable Kaldor
65 words
High above Pumpkin Hollow, a team of skywriting bats flapped their glittery wings waiting for the big Halloween show to start.
Captain Echo squeaked, โFormation, everyone! And they swooped and swirled, tracing glowing letters through the silver fog.
But halfway through, Pip sneezedโACHOO!โand suddenly the word BOO!ย turned into MOO! She sneezed again and it turned to POO!ย So they all decided to fly home.ย
Fun story.Love it๐
Thank you!๐
The Great Frog Crossing
by Kathy Dobson
98 words
On Rokeby Road
Near Fog-Bottom Creek
Frogs often cross
A hundred per week
Except for one problem
Indeed, you see that
When cars cross the road
All the frogs turn to splat
On Halloween Night
The crossing gets busy
As witches fly over
On brooms in a tizzy
Wanda, a good witch
Saw roads splattered green
The horror! The guts!
A frightening scene!
So she cast a spell
Gifting them flight
The frogs sprouted wings
And flew off in the night
Now each Halloween
Kids dress in costumes
Frogs fly over cars
And get smashed by the brooms
Oh, dear, these poor frogs can’t catch a break! This made me giggle. (and my daughter is obsessed with frogs these days, so she loves this!)
The Halloween Wish
By Kathleen Jacobs
Word count: 100
Stone Dragon yearned to be flesh and blood. And hoped the village children would use their Halloween wish on him.
But they chose โUntold Richesโ instead.
Sadness swelled in Dragonโs heart, and a pebble rolled down his cheek.
โPoor statue,โ a small girl said. โHe needs our wish more than we do.โ
Her friends gazed into his eyes and nodded.
โAlive,โ they whispered.
Ghostly fog swirled.
The spell was cast.
Dragon fluttered his wings, no longer stone, but bone and feather.
He soared overhead and with a flick of his tail, showered the children with golden scales.
Hooray!
Halloween confetti!
Oo, I love Halloween confetti. Nicely done!
Diyamanthi Galpoththage
(99 words)
Aththamma What is Haloon
โAththamma what is Haloon?โ
My little granddaughter, Mithu asked. Her mum was busy, nursing baby, and Mithu was not getting as many hugs as usual.
โHalloween,โ I guessed. Mithu went pink.
โHalloween is monsters, spooky events, trick or treats, family fun, witches, creepy costumes, winged vampires,โ
โAththamma, who are witches?โ.
โWitches have brooms and wands. Cast spells.โ
Mithu looked puzzled. โspells?โ
โSwish the wand, say โZap!โ Change someone to a frog. Or make fog to hide.โ
โJust a minute, Aththamma.โ Mithu dashed out.
A commotion in the nursery! Mithu cried, waving a spoon, โZap, Zapโ at her baby brother.
Very funny! You grasped the language and curiosity of a toddler – –
Thank you for reading
Witchy and Ghosty
By Stacy Barnett Mozer
100 words
The day before the baby came,
Lizzie moved to a new room.
The one across from the attic.
That night, as she trembled in the dark,
she whispered, โI wish I wasnโt alone.โ
Usually, wishes fly away on wings.
But it was Halloween,
and on Halloween, a wish can turn into a spell.
A silver fog drifted through the house.
When it lifted,
a witch and a ghost were there.
โAre you real?โ she asked.
โAs real as you,โ they said.
โWeโll protect you.โ
From that night on,
Witchy and Ghosty
lived across the hall,
And Lizzie was never alone.
This is so touching, Stacy!
Aww, I love how you’ve flipped it around so the witch and ghost are protectors instead of what she’s afraid of. You packed a big emotional punch into a short story!
Silly Willyโs Chicken Chili
by Tess Bass
76 words
On Halloween night
Crept a fox named Willy
Hunting for the meat
For his Chick-or-Treat Chili
He foraged through the fog
Sniffed the breeze and wondered
How many chicken wings
Need to be plundered?
From the swamp he slunk
โTil he heard a cluck and coo
Then pounced through a bush
Into a witchโs home brew!
The witch clucked a spell
โOrderโs up,โ she squawked,
โSilly Willy Chickenโs Chiliโ
BAWK BAWK BAWK!
Hah! The chicken outwitted the fox! Love Chick-or-treat chili! And rhyming stories are always fun!
Chick or Cheat: A Halloween Wish
By: Jennifer Concepcion McLennan
100 words
Betty stared up at the swirling autumn clouds, longing to soar among them.
โWhy do chickens have wings if we canโt USE them?โ
โPsssst,โ hissed the black barn cat. โOn Halloween night, I can do magic. My ssspell is yoursss if you bring me five eggsss, a bucket of water, and a candle.โ
With shaking feathers Betty laid the requirements at Black Cat’s paws.
โFlippityzamo dippitydye, let this chickeny flapper fly!โ
She climbed a fence post.
โHigher!โ said the cat.
โHere?โ
โEven higher!โ
Betty took a deep breath and leapt into the foggy night.
SPLASH!
Right
into
the bubbling cauldron.
Love this twist ending!
Thanks Amanda!
So clever! I love catโs spell!
Perfect ending…”Halloween Confetti”! ๐
ENTRY POSTED FOR SUSAN
LITTLE SNAGGLETOOTH
By Susan Gleeson
WC 100
Little Snaggletooth, thatโs what the other vampires called him.
Just because he was the youngest,
and had only one jagged tooth jutting from his jaw.
What could a vampire do without fangs?
How could he fulfil his destiny?
As if a witch without a broomstick,
could flap her arms like wings and fly
across a foggy sky.
But all that had changed whenโฆ
Little Snaggletooth spelled out his dilemma to Dr. Ghoul,
an emergency all-night dentist.
Now it was Halloween.
Little Snaggletooth roamed the streets.
Searching.
Finding.
Pouncing.
Until finallyโฆ
he sank his fangs intoโฆ
a full-sized candy bar.
Spookylicious!
You managed to tug at my heartstrings in 100 words or less. Well done!
The Halloween Spell
(100 haunted words)
By Beth Gallagher –
Shadows stretch as daylight fades,
O’er grassy hills and forest glades.
Dark creeps in with dimming light,
whispers weaving through the night.
In clouds of batwings, witches rise,
flying brooms ‘cross gloomy skies.
Pumpkins glow through curling fog,
drifting near a misty bog.
They broadly grin with crooked teeth,
candles flicker bright beneath.
Magic crackles, monsters groan,
ghostly gliders shriek and moan.
Owls blink with amber eyes
and bats whirl through the inky skies.
The night was bound within a spell,
then – smooth as silver, moonbeams fell.
A hush of wonder, dark and deep,
til dawn awoke from haunted sleep.
I love your entry! Good luck! ๐
Gorgeous language! Well done.
Beth, This is so lovely. It’s fun to read aloud, a spell indeed.
Beth, haunted perhaps, but lyrically lovely, fun to read aloud, and full of great images! Good luck!
REVERSE the CURSE
by Webb Smith
(100 words)
A witch declared, โThis Halloween
will be like none youโve ever seen.
My latest spell has so much gore
youโll beg for mercy, โPLEASE, NO MORE!โ
KA-ZAM!..
A fog of dark, impending doom
transformed into a light perfume.
Gargoyles grew wings like butterflies.
The Count enjoyed a warm sunrise.
The Horsemanโs head looked debonaire
with dimpled cheeks and perfect hair.
The Blob and Wolf Man made a deal
to go โplant-basedโ for every meal.
The monsters begged the witch, โNO MORE!โ
With pointed wand she cried, โRESTORE!โ
โKA-ZAM!โ The gang was good as new
(and thrilled to trick-or-treat with you)
Plant based for every meal — LOL!
Thanks, Michelle!
Thanks for reading, Bethany!
I love it Webb! Great rhymes. Your entries never disappoint!
Super clever and lovely language! Love it!
Thanks for reading!
I love this! So clever and funny.
Thanks, Melissa!
I love how you turned this on its head. Well done, Webb! A delightful read-aloud for sure. I’ll be reading it to Violet when she gets home from school later ๐
Thanks, Amanda!
Loved this one, Webb. Great job!
BATSโ BIG NIGHT (100 words)
by Lisa Billa
For weeks before their special night,
young bats prepare a thrilling fright.
They gather in the evening sky
to swoop and dive, precisely fly
in tight formations, glide and climb,
strive to learn their moves in time.
Now, at last, on Halloween,
the bats are ready to be seen.
They scan the sky for anxious hoursโ
cool and cloudy, chance of showers.
As costumed children head their way,
they launch into a grand display.
The trick-or-treaters point and shoutโ
in moonlit fog, black bats stand out.
The noiseless pups, a gleeful crew,
soar wing to wing and spell out, โBOO!โ
-Thanks to Susanna (and the judges and prize donors) for another fun and inspiring contest, and to my amazing critique partners for their input!
I love this, Lisa! The meter is lovely and you had me guessing right up until the last minute as to what their thrilling fright would be. This makes me imagine a whole series of stories about animals preparing pranks on festive days!
Thanks, Laura, and thanks so much for your help in fine-tuning! This prank seems more fun than frightening but fits the season, and I’ve been wanting to try a bat story.
Lisa, This is a wonderful poem to read-aloud. Love all the imagery. Those bats are creative with their collaboration.
Thank you, Jeanette!
Love how the rhyming action builds to a great ending!
Thanks, and thanks for your help!
Rules Are For the Living
By Ragan Fry
WC: 100
I step from shadow to shadow, careful not to disturb the curved collar of my cape. Light is my poison. My Ring Pop has dyed my lips and tongue a delicious shade of red. I readjust my pointed teeth. I will sit a spell behind this great oak and wait for my prey to come to me.
As the fog of night begins to spread its wings, I see the boy and pounce.
โYouโre it!โ I shout, then run so he canโt tag me back.
Most days Iโm a well-behaved girl in bows and braids. But tonight, Iโm a horror.
I love the ending so much. So fun.
Agreed! So good!
A Spell For Daddy
By: Deborah Kim
Word count: 48
Twinkle, twinkle, little spell,
How Iโd love to make him well.
High above, a wing in sight,
Drifting softlyโfoggy night.
Twinkle, twinkle, little spell,
How I wonder if heโs well.
Witches cackle through the night,
Cauldrons bubbleโcureโs on flight.
Twinkle, twinkle, little spell,
Make my daddy very well.
This is beautifully done, simple and touching. I hope the spell works – – Halloween is certainly not a happy time for all. Beautiful
What a sweet, touching story done so beautifully.
HALLOWEEN NOSTALIGIA (100 WC)
By Michelle S. Kennedy
Nostalgia peaks each Halloween.
I celebrateโand set the scene.
When โtrick-or-treatโ is almost done,
Iโll cast my โmagicโ spell for fun….
The other things I like to do:
Make mischief with some ballyhoo,
then conjure up a ghostly BOO!
And turn your candy intoโ
GOO!!!
It all begins when fog or moon
gives way to werewolves as they croon.
My bitty bats flap-flap their wingsโฆ
I haunt a house and scare all things!
So, please enjoy my โspookyโ night.
Iโll make you screamโto your delight.
On Halloween, thereโs NO escape!
But whereโs my broom?! Iโve lost my capeโฆ
Fun entry! The end resonates with any busy mom trying to find her keys and phone to leave the house, lol.
Oh, Michelle, this is delightful! I especially love this line: My bitty bats flap-flap theirย wingsโฆ
If I were a witch, this would describe me to a tee.
Now where’d I put my phone….
A delightful take on Halloween โโ I love the lines with ballyhoo and crooning werewolves. Beautifully written, Michelle!
This is fun to read aloud!
Adorable! Your poem is a cozy and delightful celebration of Halloween. I love “bitty-bats flap-flap their wings,” and your rhyme of “ballyhoo” and “boo” is genius!
Excellent! This one hits home. Halloween is by far my most nostalgic holiday!
Absolutely lovely, Michelle! Your rhyme is spot on and so much fun to read! I love the witchy main character reveal at the end. ๐ Good luck!!!
Super fun to read, I was hanging on until the end just to see what she was up to! I love the lines –
It all begins whenย fogย or moon ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
gives way to werewolves as they croon.
You set the scene for a nostalgic Halloween!
Great job, Michelle!
I love the ending! The forgetful witch would be an adorable PB.
Cute! Oliver
Spooky Spelling Bee
(Word Count: 100)
By: Kassandra Ayala
Graveside School hosts a Spooky Spelling Bee every Halloween. I long for victory, but Franky holds a three-year streak.
Frankyโs up first.
โSpell Goblin!โ
โG-O-B-L-I-N!โ
My turn.
โSpell Cauldron!โ
โC-A-U-L-D-R-O-N!โ
โTiebreaker! Spell Superstitious!โ
โS-Uโฆ.,โ mumbles Franky.
Meanwhile, I imagine my cold nesting grounds.
Iโm next.
โSpell Superstitious!โ
โS-U-P-E-R…โ
I pause.
โS-Tโฆโ
Brain fog.
โIโฆโ
Will I finally win a Spooky Spelling Bee?
I take a deep breath and picture my cold nesting grounds once more.
โThis yearโs winner of the Spooky Spelling Beeโฆโ
โDracula!โ
โGhoul job!โ says Franky. โHow did you know how to spell Superstitious?โ
โI just winged it!โ
Fun! The ending line made me smile. ๐
Catieโs Costume Conundrum (WC: 100)
By Jan Schwaid
Catie loved Halloween as much as she loved puns.
She snapped on a pig nose and grabbed a quilt.
โPig in a blanket. Too obvious,โ she groaned.
She slid on cat ears and a striped top.
โA cat burglar. Too easy.โ
She slipped on a gown and a dog mask.
โParty animal. Too silly.โ
Catie tore through her costume bin. Untilโฆ
โWait. Perfect.โ
On Halloween night, Catie emerged from the fog in yellow and black, wings flapping, wielding a wand. She rang the neighborโs doorbell.
โWhat are you supposed to be?โ
Catie wiggled her wand, grinning. โIโm a Spelling Bee!โ
Delightful!
THIS HALLOWEENSIE FRIGHTFUL NIGHTย ย
By Joni Klein-Higger
(92 Words)
This Halloweensie frightful nightโฆ
No scary witchesโ brooms took flight.
No spells were cast. No tricks were played.
No foggy cauldron brews were made.
No ghostly goblins whooshed through town.
No vampire bats winged upside-down.
No werewolves howled. No monsters stomped.
No black cats creeped. No zombies chomped.
No trick-or-treaters shrieked in fear.
Yikes, this was the most dreadful year!
The ghostly goblins, monsters, batsโฆ
ย Trick-or-treaters and black catsโฆ
Witches, werewolves, zombies, too.
What did all these creatures do?
They made cards. Got all sunshinyโฆ
And celebrated Valentiny!
I love how you built the suspense! It’s also a fun trick to have readers picture all the things that the characters would usually do while telling them that they’re not doing those things ๐
Thanks so much, Russell. Happy Halloweensie!
lol great twist!!
Thanks, Sarah!
You made me laugh, Joni! So cleverly done! ๐
Thanks, Susanna. I love your contests. I always talk about them (and you!) when I do book readings. One contest submission planted the seeds for a book deal and another landed me my agent. You are such an inspiration!
I love knowing that, Joni! If you have a moment, will you email me which contests/stories those were? I’m terrible at keeping track, but one of these days I’d love to do a blog post highlighting people whose contest entries inspired book deals and landing agents – it’s very inspirational to others!
I’d be happy to, Susanna. I have a feeling that will be one long blog post. No doubt, there are MANY book deals and agent landings besides mine that came from your contests! Keep ’em coming. ๐
Batty Not in the Night
Word Count: 99
Batty slept all day.
But, one Halloween, Batty woke and a bright light shone, a warm air blew, cheerful birds chirped.
โMom,โ he screamed!
โItโs a bad dream, go back to sleep,โ Mom said.
But strange noises echoed; Laughter. Chirping. Children playing.
As if under a spell, Batty trembled. Daytime was wing-spreading spooky.
Iโm okay, itโs all a bad dream, he repeated to himself.
As the air grew cool, a fog settled low and night darkened a familiar black, Batty relaxed and fell back asleep. And he slept all through the nightโฆmissing Halloween, his favorite night of the year.
This made me laugh! Poor Batty!
Aww! Poor Batty!
A Halloween Glow
By Sue Parker Mielinski
95 words
In the spookiest house, on the foggiest hill,
There lived a young wizard named Thomas McGill.
The townspeople feared him.
โBeware of his spell!โ
โHis potions of bat wings and jellyfish gel!โ
But Thomas knew better, at work in his lab.
He used neither jelly, nor bat wing, nor scab.
Instead, he poured sugar, then pinched in a spark –
His Halloween candy would glow in the dark!
He shared his concoction. The villagers cheered,
Devouring the treat โtil each piece disappeared.
They went trick-or-treating, with Thomas in tow.
Now newly-formed friendship providing the glow.
So cute and fun!
A candy-maker wizard is the BEST kind of wizard.
Glow in the dark candy is terrific! The “glow” of friendship is brilliant! Well done!
Excellent rhythm and a very creative and original story. Love the beginning. I’m a sucker for superlatives!
Thank you!
Cast a Spell
By Deborah Hunt
(100 words)
The spell must be cast before the fog gets thicker.
Wanda fears Bonesy is getting sicker.
She must find the spotted wings.
And add the other things.
The cauldron starts to glow and bubble.
A sure sign upcoming trouble.
Wanda adds the eye of newt and snailโs tail.
She stirs the special potion but is afraid she will fail.
Bonesy starts to cry.
Wanda continues to try.
She jumps on her broom and looks around.
She spots a spider web on the ground.
She grabs the wings and casts her spell.
The fog lifts but will Bonesy get well.
You’ve got me rooting for Bonesy – and Wanda!
Thank you!!!
What a cliffhanger ending! But I have confidence that Wanda will figure out how to get Bonesy well.
Thank you!
ELARA AND THE BROOM WING CHALLENGE
Word count: 100
Outside, the Halloween moon peeked through the thick fog as Elara crouched in the atticโThe Book of Spells open under candlelight. ย
She mixed one spider thread, a splash of midnight rain, mint leaves, a pinch of starlight, and dragon dust in a pot.
โWind and speed, sky and flight, lift my broom into the night.โ
The potion flashed blue. Her heart raced as she dipped her broomโs bristles. It trembled, then rose, glowing at the edges.
A grin spread across her face. This year, instead of watching from the sidelines, she would try out for the Broom Wing Challenge.
I love the way you were able to fit such evocative language into a 100-word story!
Lovely!
Thanks Cindy!
Thank you!
I love the potion’s ingredients and the spell. So creative.
Thank you!
Bee-Witched
By
Cindy Chambers Johnson
(81 words)
A witch.
A brew.
A Halloween debut.
A wing
Of bee
The potionโs key
A buzz
A hum
An autumn mum
A slip –
Skinned knee.
A bee flying free.
A Pumpkin blossom
Easy prey
Squelch. Stuck. Bee gets away.
A tree
A nest
Grab that pest.
A crack!
A tumble!
A spell on that bumble!
Her head.
In a fog
The bumble: A dog?
No Time
To Stew
Itโs time to debut.
No potion.
Something sillier
Her bee-witched new familiar.
I love the wordplay, Cindy! And you told in story in only 88 words. The last line is great.
Thanks, Shelley!
I love the rhymeโฆsillier, familiar!Very nice to meet you at the conference!
Thanks, Sherry! It was great to meet you too! I hope we can connect again!
Wonderful rhymes. And I agree, great ending =)
Thank you!
Hehe! So cute Cindy! And with such sparse text! You know my love for sparseness!
Thanks Deborah!
So very creative, Cindy! And I love how every word counts.
Thanks Laura!
Iโm so impressed with your story arc in 81 words! And lovely, lyrical rhyme.
Thanks, Jen!
ENTRY POSTED FOR MARTY
ASTRA’S SPELL
By Marty Findley
(92 words)
Three witty witches gathered at night
To create a spell for broomstick flight.
Magical Luna and Sola – so wise
Tossed in some chicken beaks, black catty eyes,
Hair of rodent, wings of flies,
Hoot of owl, burned cheesy fries.
Young witch, Astra, longed to zoom
Like other witches on a broom
But had no license yet for flight
So would stay earthbound Halloween night.
As clock struck midnight, she plied her plot –
Tossed wing of bat into the pot
Her wings sprung forth as she took flight
Into the jet-black foggy night.
“burned cheesy fries” so wacky! “But had no license yet for flight” that’s my favorite line!
Love the burned cheesy flies! And that Astra manages to fly after all!
Hubert the Elf Wants to Celebrate Halloween
By Margaret Lea
100 words
Hubert the elf loved North Pole life, especially the snow sports and hot chocolate. But he got tired of only Christmas all the time.
โLetโs celebrate Halloween tonight,โ Hubert told his elf friend, Karl.
โWeโre elves, not goblins,โ said Karl.
โWe can wing it. Make a scary face. Now look in this mirror.โ
โAaaaa!โ said Karl. โOkay, but weโll need the sleigh. There aren’t any houses nearby.โ He looked outside. โOh no! Itโs foggyโ weโre stuck here. The sleigh doesnโt have headlights.โ
โWeโre not stuck,โ said Hubert.
Karl frowned.
โLet me spell it out for you,โ said Hubert, smilingโฆ โR-U-D-O-L-P-H!โ
“We can wing it.” Love that line. And love that you brought in Rudoplph.
Thanks!
What fun! I love that Karl scares himself by looking in the mirror!
Thanks!
HALLOWEEN BREAK
Keatley Eastman
100 words
Salty surf
Surges towards
Six gorillas waxing boards.
Sandy pups
Dressed as pigs
Splash with clowns in wacky wigs.
Waterlogged
Dinosaur
Calls to mummies on the shore.
Werewolf pack
Looking brave
Tries to catch a party wave.
โHere it comes!โ
โGnarly set!โ
Angelโs wings get soaking wet.
Paddle out
Past a gnome
Duck dive underneath the foam.
โItโs your turn,โ
Shrieks a spook,
โCome on grom, donโt be a kook!โ
Dropping in
Popping up
Whiz past Wolfman on a SUP.
Golden light
Casts a spell
Turn to watch the killer swell.
Rolling fog
Flash of green
Sunset surf on Halloween.
(Sorry this lost all the formatting when I posted, but hopefully the stanzas are obvious enough!)
What a wonderfully wacky beach scene on Halloween.
Very creative, Halloween break instead of spring break! Love all the critters and Halloween characters you included. Lovely rhyme and meter, with the perfect ending โsunset surf on Halloweenโ!
Scarletโs Halloween Hunt
by Lora Stead
100 words
Gliding through quilts of moonlit fog,
Scarlet searches the trick-or-treaters below.
Small, she reminds herself. And exposed.
As if under a spell,
Scarlet passes a semi-sweet no,
pauses for a minty maybe,
then finds the perfect yes!
Her mouth waters.
Spreading her wings,
Scarlet landsโฆon a childโs hand?!
Nooooo!!!
She whimpers as the child devours the chocolate prize.
Scarlet tastes only bitter defeat.
โOooh, a ladybug!โ the boy squeals, seeing her.
His friends rush on, but he stops,
petting Scarlet with careful fingers
and sweet giggles.
Scarlet relaxes, nestling into the warmth of his hand.
It still smells like chocolate.
What a fantastic opening line! So glad Scarlet found a friend =)
Thank you! ๐
I love the first line. So good!
It really is a fantastic opening line, matched by a surprising premise: a boy and a ladybug on Halloween. So sweet.
Love the set-up and surprise twist. You can really paint pictures with words.
Awww thank you, Kendra!
Love, love! Beautiful piece, Lora!๐๐๐
Such a lovely story, Lora! Love the ending, it’s so sweet and tender!
Scarlet is a great name for a ladybug, and she is a fun surprise. I love the images throughout and the “sweet” conclusion.
A spooky start, a hopeful energy, bittersweet. It’s beautiful!
What a sweet, evocative story! I love the reveal of Scarlet’s identity
Scary Rock
By Sonja McGiboney
98 words
Gregory Goblin, hated Halloween. Crow always made him cry.
โLift it!โ
She flapped her wings and danced, spelling out the word. โC-H-I-C-K-E-N!โ
Trembling fingers lifted the corner of the rock.
Fog oozed into the air.
Something screeched.
Crowโs eyes grew big. โLook out!โ
Crow flew into the forest leaving Gregory all alone.
With a laugh, Gregory turned the rock over. โLower the volume, youโre killing my ears.โ
Samson slid his slimy body around the radio dial and the wailing stopped. His antennae wiggled. โDid it work?โ
Gregory turned off the fog machine. โPerfectly! Thanks for being my friend.โ
Ha! Take that, Crow!
Love the alliteration and word play!
Ha, a fog machine, great fun!
A Halloween Folklore: Witchcraft & Frogs
by P. J. Purtee (Jill)
91 words
โTwas a Halloween party
The invite specific.
To: Frog, guest of honor,
your toes are terrific.
He heard the witch singing
from deep in the fog,
โAn eye of a newt
and the toe of a frog.โ
Itโs Shakespeareโs Macbeth!
The frog had a notion
she wanted his digit
to add to her potion.
โA handful of feathers,
a wing, and a stone.โ
The witch cast a spell,
but Frog cast his own.
Spellbound, Witch kissed him.
A win (and a wince).
The brew remained toeless.
The frog . . . now a prince.
If anyone knows how to add spaces between stanzas, please let me know (for next time). I don’t know if it makes any difference that I use Pages instead of Word. Thank you.
I think if you โpaste as plain textโ that helps keeps your line spacing.
I had the same problem =(
That ending is delightful! What a fun story with such wonderful rhymes.
I love this Halloween mash-up of Shakespeare and fairy tales!
This is wonderful, P.J.! A personal favourite. I tried to write a frog prince entry, but I couldn’t make it work. Yours is magical, well done!
It took ME several attempts! Thank you for reading and commenting.
so clever, Jill–good luck!
Thank you!
Ha, I love the witch’s not-so-innocent invitation!
Thank you!
Fabulous job! Great rhythm and a full narrative arc that was thoroughly enjoyable. And a twist to boot! Well done!
Thank you, Sue.
Thank you so much.
What a fun contest! The entries are inspiring.
that’s one smart frog!!
Thanks for reading, Lauri.
Super rhymes, Jill, it flows and sings as itโs read aloud! This version should be added as โnew folkloreโ, with a satisfying ending. Fun to read, good job!
Katie, thank you for your comments. I had problems with WordPress. My comments were able to be posted . . . for a while . . . then the posts ceased to show up . . . I reported this to Susanne, but was unable to comment past about the 1st 25 poems. Stiff competition this year. So. Many. Good. Poems!
Witchy and the Trick-or-Treat Spelling Bee
By Sarah Meade
100 Words
Batty flapped her wings happily. โWelcome to the Trick-or-Treat Spelling Bee!โ
The contestants stepped onstage. Witchy couldnโt wait!
Batty began. โThe first word is foggy.โ
Mummy muttered, โF-O-G-Yโ
โIncorrect.โ
Mummy moaned.
(Witchy remembered the second G!)
โSpell ghastly.โ
Ghost whispered, โG-A-S-T-L-Y.โ
โIncorrect.โ
Ghost groaned.
(Witchy remembered the H!)
โRound 3: Spell pumpkin.โ
Frankenstein recited, โP-U-M-K-I-N.โ
โIncorrect.โ
Frankenstein frowned.
(Witchy remembered the second P!)
โRound 4: Spell Halloween.โ
No one could . . .
Except Witchy!
Batty awarded Witchy her prize, a pumpkin overflowing with treats.
Witchy smiled.
Then . . .
She shared sweets with everyone.
โThanks, Witchy!โ
She grinned. โYou canโt spell Halloween without WE!โ
Well done, Witchy! What a creative take! Love a good spelling bee with Halloween characters =)
Thank you, Sara! Happy Halloweensie!
Wicked aWEsome, Sarah!
Thanks for reading!
Aw, this ending is so sweet, Sarah! Yay for Witchy and kudos to her for remembering silent letters!
Thank you so much!
Sarah, love how full your story is of Halloween characters! And love that Witchy shared with everyone, sheโs obviously a nice witch! And your alternative use of โspellโ is very creative! So funny, Mummy (2 mโs in his name), didnโt remember the second g in foggy, and Ghost left out the silent h in ghastly! Good job!!
Thank you very much!
Fun story, Sarah, with a sweet ending.
Thank you for reading and for your kind words!
Such a creative use of “spell” and I loved all of the connected spelling words!
Thank you for reading and for your kind words!
I love the ending!
Thanks for reading!
Great alliteration throughout, Sarah! And sweet ending. Well done!
I appreciate you reading and commenting so kindly!
Such a sweet ending!
Love the ending. So sweet.
Lovely ending๐