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
Susanna Leonard Hill 
ENTRY POSTED FOR ANGELA
Pen’s Halloween Dream
By Angela Martinelli
WC 93
With one small step and one giant leap,
Pen blasted through fog, then fell in a heap.
She wiped the mud off her curly pink tail.
This Halloween she would fly, she’d prevail!
Perhaps the witches could grant her a spell.
Alas, the line snaked through the dell.
Handmade bat wings didn’t glide very high
so she trick-or-treated, tasting MoonPie.
“That’s it!” she said and rose from her trough.
Pen worked. She built. Three, two, one… liftoff!
Her rocket zoomed by Moon’s smiling face.
She became the first pig to fly into space.
ENTRY POSTED FOR MEETA
JACK OF THE LANTERNS
By Meeta Vishnu
Word count – 98
Jack hid behind the tree.
So many monsters! But DARKNESS was the scariest.
Whoosh – the candles were out….again.
Fog wrapped around chimneys.
Bats’ wings gleamed on windows.
Grotesque pumpkin monsters.
– The toothless-grin monster.
– The crooked-teeth monster.
– The one-eyed monster.
Jack felt a hand – Jill was clinging to him.
Jack’s heart thumped as he carefully put the candles into pumpkin monsters.
The monsters were now friendly glowing lanterns – their spell was broken!
Jack and Jill dressed up that night –
Went bravely down their street.
Jack ‘o’ lanterns winked at them,
As they said trick-or-treat!
DeLIGHTful!
I’m happy Jack and Jill it up Halloween.
ENTRY POSTED FOR JUDY
THREE SISTERS 100 Words
By Judy Hughes
Planted together in mounds on a hill,
Sister seeds: Bean, corn and pumpkin wait.
Sunrays warm.
Drizzle dampens.
Seeds slurp.
Sprouts squiggle.
But clouds cast a wicked spell:
Rain rah-r-roars,
Rivers r-r-rage,
Fields flood,
Trees tumble.
Magically, stormy rain stops.
Have the sisters survived?
Wings of wind dry.
Sun smiles through a jack o’ lantern-mask-of-fog.
Rivers recede.
Sisters shoot-up.
They unite.
Pumpkin leaves’ shade discourages weeds.
Corn stalks become trellises.
Bean vines encircle skinny stalks to strengthen.
Sisters bloom,
Ripen,
And become a Halloween maze.
Their swirling harvest scents welcome all.
Cats purr-r-owl.
Owls hoo-hoo-hoot.
Ghosts peek-a-boo-oo.
A sister success!
Such lovely personification. Nicely done. ❤
Lovely word choices!
How clever to weave some Native American botany into your story!!! You incorporated the mutually beneficial relationship of the “three sisters” in gardening and made Bean, Corn, and Pumpkins (Squash) the characters of your story.
Lovely!
So visual! I cast three votes for “The Three Sisters”!
Ooky, Spooky
by Camille Lancaster
Ooky, Spooky, kind of Kooky-
A frog on a log in dark smokey fog.
Ooky, Spooky, playing Hookey-
Silly cat with a bat under the mat.
Ooky, Spooky, a tad bit Mookey-
What’s mookey? How do you spell that?
Moo-kee or mew-kei or moo-ki
Sorry – it’s a weird word. I made it up. Keep going.
Ooky, Spooky, somewhat Flukey-
One bird sings wearing rings on sparkly wings.
Ooky, Spooky, I see Zuki.
That girl likes to twirl her hair in a swirl.
Ooky, Spooky, Lookey Lookey-
Oh dandy. I see candy. Let’s go!
Such fun wordplay. I love, “Sorry – it’s a weird word. I made it up. Keep going.” Ha!
Halloween Spell (ing)
by Janet Scratchley
“Write down what you want to be for Halloween,” said Jack’s mom.
Spelling was hard, but he wrote,
“frog with bling.”
On the morning of the parade, his mom wrapped him in fluffy gray and white cotton.
She pinned huge feathers on his back.
“What? Where is my fancy frog?” said Jack.
“What?” said his mom.
They looked at his paper together.
“FOG WITH WING”
“Oooooooooooh,” they both said.
Frogs are cool, but
Jack would be the best flying patch of fog at the Halloween parade!
Spelling is hard.
This made me laugh. So real and so original!
I love it! (I also had a misspelling of frog to fog in my entry! Great minds and all that, right?)
So funny! I can picture this mom and child staring at each other utterly confused and laughing about it! Happy Halloween!
Original and fun.
Oh dear, Jack! I loved this – so relatable!
When the Fog Turns to Gold
By Melissa Smith
(100 words excluding title).
Alina alighted on a pumpkin, relieved to rest her wings as the swirling fog grew heavier. The rustling leaves chanted, “Stay away, this forest’s not for fairy play.”
It is today! thought Alina.
She cast a spell that only works on Halloween. The fog turned into a transparent, shimmering gold. Then she saw it:
A path winding through fox nests and bunny burrows, each home offering full-size candy bars!
Alina danced her wand through the air, sending a message to her fairy friends:
“Come and play, the forest welcomes us today!”
She couldn’t wait to trick-or-treat through the gold-lit wood.
I can picture a gold-lit wood, that would be beautiful! Very nice story!
Enchanting! Fairies finally get to take part in trick-or-treating. Nice setting.
100 Words by Stephanie Mena
My Feet are Not Your Treat!
Halloween welcomes grizzly ghosts and ghastly goblins. The scarier the better!
“What if I’m not Halloween-ugly enough?”
The full moon peaked out from the fog.
“Just enough light to reveal the path to the haunted house on the hill.”
Suddenly, wings of a bat under a witch’s spell brushed against my face.
“Warning,” the bat called out.
“The green witch dislikes ugly and gives candy. The purple witch eats toe-food.”
“Which witch is which?”
My hand shook. I rang the bell.
The bat flew by again. Laughing.
Slowly, the heavy door creaked open.
“Trick or treat. Don’t eat my feet!”
haha. I love your title and final line
I guess she saw the purple witch. Ha! Fun story and ending.
Thank you 😀
BARNABY BAT 100 Words
By Amanda Spino
Barnaby Bat soared through the sky
On wings, oh so high!
Fwap-fwap! Fwap-fwap!
As the fog cleared it revealed such a sight.
It gave him a fright!
Fwap-fwap! Fwap-fwap!
Mummies and pirates and vampires and hags,
Swinging small bags.
Fwap-fwap! Fwap-fwap!
But Barnaby Bat had no time to wait.
He couldn’t be late.
Fwap-fwap! Fwap-fwap!
Ahead loomed a tree, its limbs full of bats.
He’d made it at last!
Fwap-fwap! Fwap-fwap!
He joined in the crowd, hung upside down.
And waited.
“Barnaby, your word is PUMPKIN.”
“P-U-M-P-K-I-N.”
Then erupted a cheer! Bats flapping with glee.
Barnaby won the spelling bee!
OWL in the STEW
by Cathrene Youngquist
100 words
On Halloween night the bell tolled three.
An owl looked down from the deadwood tree.
Four witches crooned over a cauldron blue,
conjuring old spells they thought they knew.
Calling tall black cats and three winged bats,
goulish monsters and ghosts galore!
Adding pumpkin cakes and wriggling snakes
caused the stew in the cauldron to roar!
The owl that night had quite a fright.
He dropped into the hot, foggy stew.
Tail feathers on fire, he flew higher and higher!
The All-Hallows brew turned to glue.
Four witches flew off, they had quite enough
of owl in their Halloween stew!
Owl is safe, but ruined their stew turning it into glue. Different. Good luck!
Halloween Magic
by Claudia Sloan
98 words
If only I had wings.
If only I could go…
To a world of gummy rings
with clouds of cookie dough.
I’d fly over a cocoa river.
I’d fly up an ice cream cliff.
I’d keep on until I quiver
or my body’s frozen stiff.
But I don’t have wings.
I cannot just go!
Could this foggy night make things
become more than what we know?
Well —
here’s a Halloween spell:
frog lips,
bug’s breath,
worm gel.
BIPIDI-BOOM-KOOM-KUÁ
… My shoulders swell.
BIPIDI-BOOM-KOOM-KUÁ
… Yuck! What a smell!
Wait! Tingling—? … and glow—?
My wings began to grow!
HERE I GO!!!
as a sugar addict, your imagery got my mouth watering haha
Magic indeed. I’m happy her/his dream came true.
TREATS FOR SPELLS
By Maya Mackowiak Elson
98 words
Dinggggg da-da-da-dong
“Trick or treat?”
A dare had sent them to this door. Dottie and Claire had regrets.
On the porch, a skeleton rocked. Cobwebs floated. Windows fogged.
From inside, a crackly voice: “Treats for SPELLS!”
Spells? They froze. Too long…
“SPELLS!” shouted the voice.
“We… don’t have any?” Dottie whimpered.
“TRY!” the voice boomed. “SPELL: PHANTOM!”
“Tough one,” Claire whispered.
“We’ll have to wing it,” said Dottie. “Uh, F…”
“P-H!” Clair hollered. They nodded, then:
“P-H-A-N-T-O-M!”
Orange lights flashed, confetti fell, and tons of candy flew out the door.
“Great spell,” said the crackly voice. “Happy Halloween!”
I love this. When I was a kid and we rang doorbells we were expected to sing a song or a poem to get the treats. Well done! This brings back memories.
THE BOG WITCH’S GARDEN
By Jennifer Weingardt
Words Count: 100
“It’s time!” cackled the Bog Witch. She had waited all summer long for this moment as she watched insects wing their way to each flowering stalk.
Now, her carnivorous plant lovelies were ripe with seeds. As she readied her spell to call the wind, a thick fog appeared.
“Drat,” she said as she raised her wand to lift the nuisance away.
Then she swirled the wand up and down.
The wind answered…
Whoosh!
…and carried the seeds up in the air and back down into labelled seed packets. Just in time to pass out to trick or treaters on Halloween.
Lovely! A nonfiction Halloween story. Ingenious! Seeds to grow your own carnivorous plants. Can I have some?
The Witch’s Behind
by Jonathan Sellars
(88 words)
There was a young witch who started to find
That sitting on broomsticks hurt her behind.
She asked other witches, “Oh, what can I do?”
Yet no witch she asked had the foggiest clue.
She desperately searched for any idea
To help her protect her most delicate rear,
Till a spell, just like that, popped into her head
And, ta-da, she had wings she could fly with instead.
And on one night each year you can watch her flap by
High up in the star-spangled All Hallows’ sky.
Fun!
Clever!
BROOKE’S BLUNDER
by Rochelle Smith
(97 words)
Weary of the gift bag she receives from her good friend Owl every Halloween, young Brooke the bat decided to pinch one of the bags of treats she’d seen the human children carrying.
“Surely,” Brooke thought to herself, “those morsels they call ‘sweets’ taste better than Owl’s old mosquitoes, moths and midges!
Spreading her wings, Brooke swooped down and swiped a heavy, loot-filled sack, then returned quickly to her fog-enshrouded perch. After resting for a spell, she popped one of the colorful candies into her mouth and . . .
“UGH! ICK!”
Felt tricked rather than treated!
A Scary Tomorrow
By Elise Teichert
98 words
Our season of fright started weeks before Halloween morning when dad was taken away on a silver winged bird back to where we came from.
The country he thought was his is no longer recognizable, an awful spell has taken hold.
Our small home is under the bridge along the water, which if followed to the end shelters the Statue of Liberty. The dense fog around our home mocks that statue standing proudly down river.
Today is Halloween. Our neighbors have treats for my 3 young siblings and I, but we see only tricks and a scary tomorrow.
Wow. This is so good. And so sad.
Yes, a sad halloweensie, but it felt right to me this year.
Sad and powerful. Nicely done.
Thanks!
You’ve poured your soul out in these hard times. Well done!
Yes, this time it’s just where my heart was going. My entry last year was very different!
🙂
Just beautiful! Verbally strong and striking! Bravo Elise!!
A poignant, scary truth
ENTRY POSTED FOR CAROLYN
THE WITCH’S MASK 98 words
By Carolyn Sauer
Beneath the fog of Halloween
He found a mask of ghoulish green.
But when placed upon his face just right
A spell unlocked, the mask grew tight.
He yanked and pulled and screamed in fright
A pitch so high, it pierced the night.
Which woke the witch whose mask he stole
She’ll pay him back and hex his soul.
Batty wings and tail of shrew–
Her cursed disappearing brew.
She forced the boy to drink each drop
Until the mask fell off– Kerplop!
With the mask no longer on his face,
The boy was gone without a trace.
Creepy! It reminds me of the movie-The Mask.
Transylvania Toast
By Jacinta Patterson
[WC: 93]
I used to be a vampire bat—
I’d feed by dark of night.
Sweet blood dripped from my pointed fangs,
And all shrank from my bite.
Alas, one foggy Hallow’s Eve,
My sonar on the fritz,
While on the hunt for human treats,
I fell for human tricks.
A garlic Jack-o’-lantern,
Like a siren, cast a spell,
And thinking it a child’s head,
Into the trap I fell!
*Chomp*
Hiiiiiiiiiss
As punishment for such a sin—
The gravest known to bat—
They stripped me of my vampire wings.
Now, I’m a VAMPIRE RAT!
A grave mistake indeed! Love this Jacinta! Good luck!
Clever! That ending line and the title made me chuckle.
Love this twist! Well done! Good luck!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SARAH
AN EYE FOR A SPELL
by Sarah (Sezza) Hetu
100 words
“Speedy trick-or-treating equals more candy,” Willow said.
“Here’s a spell for wings,” Raven said. “Hallows delight; fabricate flight!”
“You made bats!” Willow peeked at the spell. “It says ‘swallows,’ not ‘hallows.’”
“Oops,” Raven said. “Jet packs?”
“Yes, please!” Willow said.
“Ala-ka-swoosh!”
Willow swept around the room.
“Swoops, I turned you into a broom,” Raven said.
“It’s ‘woosh,’ not ‘swoosh,’” Willow said. “You need glasses.”
“Eyeball, Tri-ball!”
Willow giggled. “You have three eyes.”
“Cool.”
“Hop aboard. Let’s trick-or-treat.”
They knocked on doors until their broom-bags sagged.
“Turn me back,” Willow said.
“Okay, but I’m keeping my extra eye. Goodbye, foggy vision!”
Great job, Sarah!
thank you!
Great fun, I love the spells!
Delightful story!
Of course, two little friends would come up with scheme. “Swoops” made me giggle.
love how accepting of mistakes these witchy friends are!
ENTRY POSTED FOR KARYN
Don’t Go To The Graveyard On Halloween!
By Karyn Devlin / word count 93
Don’t go to the graveyard on Halloween!
The one day – they say – that all ghosts can be seen.
They’ll taunt you and haunt you while casting a spell.
They’ll fart up a fog with an unholy smell!
Ghosts dress up like angels with halos and wings,
While stealing your candy, your watches, and rings.
They’ll laugh at how easy it was to deceive you.
You’ll tell all your friends, but no one will believe you.
What ghosts think is funny ~ can be really mean
So don’t go to the graveyard on Halloween!
I won’t go tot he graveyard for sure. Kids will love this. They’ll fart up a fog with an unholy smell!
Zorabelle Can’t Spell
Margaret Zotkiewicz
100 words
I’m Zorabelle, I cannot spell,
And now it’s Halloween!
Charms? Potions? They’re no help,
What a scary scene!
I close my eyes, bite my lip
Speak fancy-schmancy words.
Abraca-what?
Alaka-huh?
Spelling’s for the birds!
I grab my wand and run away,
To where the old owls roost.
Oh Wise One I cannot spell,
Give my words a boost.
Wise Owl spreads his wings and stares,
Eyes as round as moons.
“Zorabelle, you know the spell,
You’ll get it right real soon!”
I break big words into small,
Letters work like blocks.
Build them back, aah! I see,
Spelling really rocks!
Fun!
You must be a teacher. Well done!
Eleanor Ann Peterson- not I’m not a teacher, just a [good] speller 🙂
Spella’s Fog vanishing Spell By Darlene Kesot 100 words
It was getting colder; the winds were blowing harder. Their howls sounded like ghosts! Wings beat as a Dragon Elf appeared. Now, she was standing before a bubbling liquid in a cauldron. “Spella, we have to finish this before the fog comes!” Spella took a lid off a jar with a condensed substance inside; she breathed fire into it. The air cooled the jar’s contents. Spella dumped them in. Then, she breathed fire into the cauldron; the concoction inside heated more and roiled! Spella turned her head toward the Human Elf who spoke. “ Mythical, my sweet child, it is done!”
First Halloween Party
By Tiffany Hanson 99 Words
“Dad, how do you spell Halloween?”
“H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N. Why?”
“I’m sending out invitations for my first Halloween party.”
I hope my friends come.
I review my checklist.
But heavy fog rolls in before the party.
Will people come?
I pace and sigh.
Will this party be a trick and not a treat?
Then I hear one knock. Then two.
I open the door. My friends come rushing in, all smiles.
“Great party,” they say. “The fog really sets the atmosphere.”
I smile. With my friends here, it’s the best Halloween party.
Sweet!
The Floatless Ghostess
by J Buchet
PinkaBoo was a floatless ghostess. She couldn’t fly, float or zoom.
But the Ghostly Golden Rule states: No Flying? No Haunting!
Determined to scare this Halloween, PinkaBoo searched the hollow for help.
Witch was busy casting spells.
Batty’s wings couldn’t carry her.
Lupo laughed at her plight.
PInkaBoo stomped. PinkaBoo moaned.
Should she go home?
“I can help,” mumbled Mummy from the fog.
“You don’t fly, float or zoom!”
“I do! Take this wrap and twine. Tie them betwixt the branches and ta-da, a zip line!”
No more a floatless ghostess, PinkaBoo sailed!
Mummy soared! Together they scared them all!
This is so much fun! Love this creative character and the ending image!
Thanks so much! I had multiple variations so I’m glad you enjoyed this ending!
Love your creative ending! And “PinkaBoo” is adorable ❤️
Aww, thanks! I couldn’t get her name out of my head! I really could write a 500w about her, lol!
Frankenfeather
By Maria Pinero Pope
90 Words
Frankenfeather was a bird,
Who perched above a witch named Gerd.
“Quit your cries!” The witch once pled,
Then cast a spell that made him… dead.
Frankenfeather wasn’t fine,
when lightning struck his powerline.
Jolting, jarring bolts of light,
Went flashing through the fog that night.
Frankenfeather wasn’t well,
when most of all his feathers fell.
Zipping, zapping through the storm,
his wings took on a strange new form.
Frankenfeather was unhinged,
his crazy eyes could make you cringe.
Stay aware this Halloween,
For legend says he might be seen!
Creepy fun!!
Thanks Sarah!
Delightful! This story cracked me up!
Aw, thank you Michelle! My son desperately wanted me to write a story about a Frankenstein bird. He was so happy!
Cauldron Chaos
By Maria Pinero Pope
87 Words
Mystica whimsica whamsica woo!
My cauldron’s spells have gone coo coo!
A wing of bat, a sprig of pine,
resulted in a porcupine!
A cup of fog, an egg of goose,
and it procured a giant moose
Mystica whimsica whamsica woo!
My cauldron’s spells have gone coo coo!
I tried to ask what had I done,
to make my magic come undone.
But just when I had given up,
my cauldron spit out one more pup.
Mystica whimsica whamsica woo!
I guess my cauldron wants a zoo!
Funny!
lol, thank you! It was fun to do a silly one!
What a fun read-aloud. Nicely done!
Thanks so much!
You had me at Mystica whimsica whamsica woo! What a fun poem!
lol, I had a lot of fun chanting that while writing it!
Love the incantation and the repeated refrain!
Thank you!
ENTRY POSTED FOR CAROLYN
FIRST HALLOWEEN (AS A WITCH) –83 words
By Carolyn Sauer
Twelve years old, so young to grow
A ghastly hairy, bumpy mole.
She touched her hair, it felt like hay.
Looking down, it turned to grey.
A thump was heard across room
She went to look and found a broom.
She knew a spell to lift up things
And made it fly like it had wings.
Just then she saw the fog of night
And had a thought– “Let’s cause a fright.”
Hopping on her broom with glee,
Ready for a witch’s spree!
Fun! I like the snappy pacing and momentum of this one.
Ha, what a fun and bewitching transformation!
ENTRY POSTED FOR JANET
“Recipe for Disaster” by Janet Cannon, 99 words
Midden the Witch cooks up a spell
In her cauldron- what a smell!
“What’s in it?? Lots of things!
Eyes, ears, legs, wings!”
Something missing…toe of frog!
Midden sets off into the fog,
She and her cat, on her motorized broom.
Zooming aloft with a mighty VROOM!
Fergus wants something tasty to eat.
“Plenty of veg, forgotten the meat.”
Midden spots him, dives for the ground
With a VROOM, PFFT, putt, putt sound…
Fuel tank empty, nothing to do!
Fergus the frog has meat in his stew!
Midden has fallen into his pot!
Instead of Fergus, she’s been “got”!
Evie’s Joke-o’-Lantern
By Lynn Burton
100 words
“What has wings and isn’t afraid of the dark?”
“I don’t know,” Evie said.
“A fowl ball.”
Evie groaned. She dumped her Halloween candy on the table.
Her carved pumpkin’s eyes lit up.
“What’s green and orange and rhymes with fog?”
“A frog?”
“A frog in a pumpkin’s stomach.”
“Eww!”
The joke-o’-lantern laughed. “Maybe I’m just hungry.”
Evie gave him a pumpkin-shaped chocolate.
“What goes buzz in the night and is a good speller?”
“A spelling bee?”
“You’re getting good at this.”
“Let me try one,” Evie said.
What does a wolf say to a full moon?”
“Ahoooo?”
“Happy Howl-oween!”
My daughter’s name is Evie! I will have to read this one to her. Love the concept of a joke-o-lantern, too. Nicely done. 🙂
I hope your daughter enjoys the story! Thank you! 🙂
joke-a-lantern. lol love it!
Thank you, Kendra! 🙂
ENTRY POSTED FOR SARAH
THE BAD BEHAVIOR GRAVEYARD
By Sarah Hirsch
(100 words)
I hadn’t been behaving
(says Mom — I disagree).
That’s how our Bad Behavior Graveyard came to be.
When I’d do something bad,
She’d write it on a card
And order me to bury it, deep in our backyard.
I buried “Armpit-Farting,”
“Dressing-Up the Dog,”
“Drawing Naked Bottoms in the Bathroom-Mirror Fog,”
“Casting Meanish Spells,”
“Throwing Chicken Wings,”
“Burping Right in Grandma’s Face,” and “Laughing When Mom Sings.”
Mom adores our graveyard,
‘cause lately I behave.
She thinks my bad behavior’s disappeared in the grave.
Little does she know:
Trouble lies ahead.
It’s Halloween! Something’s gonna rise from the dead!
So fun! I can imagine the chaos about to ensue…
What a cool and interesting idea!
CHANGING ON HALLOWEEN
By Cindy Greene
WC: 99
Flapping her fairy wings, Klara hollers,
“Hurry! Let’s go! You’re always so slow.”
Nostrils flared, her sister Sam glares,
“You’ll see! I’ll cast a spell and you’ll be nice to me.”
Her fingers extend…
“POOF! Your meanness ends… NOW!”
Klara taunts,
“Witches are boring! Fairies are best.”
Dad’s voice booms from another room,
“Klara, be kind to your sister.”
Sam smirks. “See? My spell worked!”
The girls’ eyes meet.
Grins grow. Giggles burst free.
“Time to trick or treat!”
The foggy eve weather
makes Sam uneasy.
Klara leads.
“Witches and fairies both fly.
Let’s give it a try… together.”
Love the handling of the sibling relationship in a short space! Huzzah!
Love that they had to try again– together!
Hi Cindy, I love this sweet sister story. Very relatable.
Spelladonna Tries Again
By Laura Polasek
90 words
Spelladonna is a witch
Whose powers have been on the glitch.
All her potions poof away
And her hexes go astray.
But tonight is Halloween,
When all witches reign supreme.
So, she’ll try just one more spell.
One she’s sure she can do well.
Something easy, something grand—
A spooky fog to fill the land!
All she needs: a spider’s sneeze,
Dragon’s wing and cavern’s breeze.
Mix it well (and wish for luck).
TA-DA! She’s made…
….100 DUCKS?!
At least the night’s not over yet.
“Trick-or-treat“—here, have a pet!
Spelladonna—such a great name for a witch!
I also really liked the ‘spider’s sneeze’ as an ingredient!
Oh gosh, that’s cute and clever! Have a duck 🙂
So cute! I love all of the glitching witches in this year’s contest. 🙂 Proof that even with the same basic idea, stories can be so very different!
All Hallow’s Eve
By Jill Tatara
Full moon glowing.
Small fears growing.
White bones dancing.
Black cats prancing.
Gray ghosts shrieking.
Brave child peeking.
On All Hallow’s Eve.
Witches flying.
Baby crying.
Stone wall crumbling.
Zombies stumbling.
Red eyes glaring.
Tricksters daring.
On All Hallows Eve.
Dry leaves rustling.
Brothers tussling.
Tombstones standing.
Barn owl landing.
Breezes whooshing.
Phantoms pushing.
On All Hallow’s Eve.
Candle sputtering.
Silk cape fluttering.
Dark spell casted.
Fog horn blasted.
Treat bag sagging.
Costumes dragging.
On All Hallows Eve.
Quick bats swooping.
Eyelids drooping.
Ravens winging.
Voices singing.
Spider creeping.
Tired child sleeping.
On All Hallow’s Eve.
DRAGON FLY
by Jen Subra
wc: 100
It’s Halloween when witches fly
through foggy bogs and inky sky.
So, Gertrude climbs upon her broom.
Let’s start ‘er up! Vroom! Vroom!
A puff of dust! A chug, a choke.
The dungeon fills with purple smoke.
Oh, spider spit! My broom is dead!
No spooky rides to spread the dread.
To scatter beggars gathering treats
and send them screaming in the streets.
Her Spell Book (always in her hat),
whispers, “I can help with that!
Come fishes’ scales! Come wings of bat!
Come fiery breath! Come claws of cat!”
Gertrude cackles, waves goodbye–
“Forget the broom! Let’s dragon fly!”
Love this! Great rhyming and even better ending. Can’t miss with a dragon!
So cute Jen! What a great twist!
Jen- I love this! So funny and clever and your rhyme is spot on!
Jen, this is so good! I especially love “Oh, sider spit.”
Dragonfly is a winner!!
The swamp on Halloween
By Amanda Blaylock
WC: 98
You’ve never seen more silly things
than frogs dressed up like bats with wings!
Or toadstool mushrooms draped in white
to look like ghosts—a ghoulish sight!
Under clouds of lightning bugs
monster turtles cut a rug.
And dancing snails will cast their spells
with witchy hats upon their shells.
Even food is spooky fun
where spider cotton candy’s spun!
And crawfish DJs drop the beat
so haunted newts can tap their feet.
Go out and join the scary fun!
Through the fog when day is done.
There’s nothing like the party scene,
in the swamp on Halloween!
So cute and creative . . . love the toadstool ghosts and spidery cotton candy!
Lulu’s Wish
By Amanda Blaylock
WC: 99
Once upon a Halloween,
Lulu frog made quite a scene.
Lulu’s wish—to be a bat!
Made up her mind and that was that!
But frogs can’t fly! They don’t have wings,
ears, fur, or… batty things!
So off she hopped to sit a spell
upon her local wishing well.
Tossed her coin with pure delight
then wished with all her froggy might!
“I wish to be a bat!” she cried.
Threw up her arms, held them wide.
Suddenly, a cracking sound!
As eerie fog swirled all around!
When it cleared, there Lulu sat,
transformed into a baseball bat!
This is great!! Poor Lulu.
Haha! That is super clever. I did not see that coming. Well done!
Very funny . . . was not expecting that ending at all!
Perfect for world series season and Halloween! Nicely done!
Vampire Problem
by Denise Seidman
WC= 100
Vlad, a vampire, encountered a problem.
He couldn’t transform into a bat for the Halloween parade – a class assignment.
Vlad tried drinking nothing but red liquids:
blood,
fruit punch,
tomato juice.
The redder, the better!
But still no wings!
Time was running out!
The Halloween parade was about to begin.
Vlad didn’t want to fail.
What could he do?
The family grimoire contained spells.
Should he dare?
What could go wrong?
He should!
Vlad recited the spell.
“Abracadabra!”
Fog engulfed him.
Wings sprouted.
Shapes shifted…
dragon….
hummingbird….
BAT!
“Blah-ha-ha!”
When the Halloween Parade started, Vlad aced it.
Aha, perfect!
Those spells can be risky! I’m glad it worked out for Vlad! Nicely done, Denise!
Black Cat’s Bad Luck
by Marla Yablon
87 words
On Halloween, my witches said
they didn’t want me near
the cauldron where the spells were mixed
to welcome their new year.
They said that curiosity
killed some random cat.
They also said I have nine lives. So…
not afraid of that.
Ingredients were added to
the potion one by one.
I couldn’t wait to take a taste
when all of it was done.
A fog arose when I fell in
the bubbling, smelly vat,
and then dispersed as I emerged—
a bat winged, dripping cat.
Bahaha! I love the voice. “Some random cat” and “So… not afraid of that” made me laugh out loud
Thanks!
How fun!! Really fabulous!
Thanks!
Spot on meter! A cute and fun story, too. Well done.
Thanks, Jill!
Oh dear! Yours is my favorite! I love the tone! It is a really fun voice too!It is so much fun. Well done!
Aww.. Love your last line, I can just see a bat-winged dripping cat! Fun to read, great rhymes! At least curiosity didn’t’ kill the cat…just made a fundamental change, ha, ha! Great job!
A Body for Ghost
Kendra Lusty
(99 words)
Ghost would love to trick or treat
but can’t with fog for hands and feet.
What extras do you have to lend?
Let’s build a body for our friend!
Python sheds a square of skin,
cuts eye holes and a ghoulish grin.
An imp bites off one fork of tongue,
and Vampire doesn’t need his lung.
Cat gives the fur right off her back,
and Zombie shares a brain (his snack).
A wing to glide, a nose to smell,
all stitched together with a spell.
Ghost tries it on and gives a bow.
Can we go get some candy now?
Very clever, and a great rhyme! I love the image of ghost giving a bow at the end. And of course the final line, can we get candy now?, is perfect!
So creative! Love that the ghoulish friends came together to help out.
So creative! How kind of Zombie to share his snack and lol that Vampire doesn’t need his lung. Well done!
Love the rhythm and rhyme in this and how the friends helped the ghost out. Very creative!
Laundry Goblin
By: Katrenia Wilcutt
Words:95
Clean laundry growing wings,
Hanging from places you wouldn’t believe.
Snakey stockings, hairy sweaters,
Follow the trail of blackbird feathers.
From the corridor, something creeps; Your stomach does flips and leaps.
Now tiptoe nearer, spine all chills,
A small dark figure looks- and stills.
It’s all eyes with big long ears;
Your mind is lost in childish fears.
Do monsters come out on Halloween night?
A laundry goblin, what a fright!
To break the fog of the night,You bravely flip on the light.
“Grr-rawr!”
Socks for ears, kiddy cheers-A mother cries happy tears.
Laundry. A very scary topic indeed. Cute!
Halloweensie Contest – 2025 (100 Words) by Marcia D. Williams
FRED SAVES HALLOWEEN
Dragon wings and eye of bat,
Apples swirling in my vat.
Slimy green and purple pus,
Casting spell without a fuss.
Hide my house deep fog of night.
Kiddos calling out of sight.
Trick or Treat will not sound here.
Slumber deep, we shall not fear.
As my wand goes “zoop, zoop, zing,”
Doggie Fred jumps up to sing.
His howl of pain tells me to wait.
Ghostly ghouls meet at our gate,
With loving pats they show him care.
Their coming never meant to scare.
I twirl my wand the other way.
“Fog melt off, sweets please,” I say.
Nice eerie imagery
Wow! Great story and such vibrant descriptions!
JACK TAKES FLIGHT – by Naz Alibhai (88 words)
Jack wasn’t nimble,
He wasn’t even quick.
He was tired of jumping,
Over a candlestick.
Through the fog and mist,
On Halloween night,
Jack summoned a spell,
For the gift of flight.
Out of the darkness
Some wings did appear,
It sent Jack moving,
To a higher frontier.
“At last I can fly!”
Jack shouted with glee.
But the wind knocked him down,
It was not meant to be.
Jack brushed himself off,
A little broken-hearted.
Then he reached for his wand,
ABRACADABRA!
He was just getting started.
Ha, I love Jack’s ambitions to level up jumping to flying!
Terri-flying Times
By Joy Dickinson
99 words
Pippi and her vampire bat friends made a plan to scare trick-or-treaters by swooping toward them.
“You want to terrify kids?” her mom asked.
“No,” said Pippi, grinning. “Terri-fly them.”
Mom wasn’t sure she could fly with her. “My brain feels foggy,“ she said.
“No problem,” Pippi said. “I’ll fly with my friends.”
“Where would you go?” Mom asked.
“We’ll wing it,” Pippi said.
“Hmmm,” Mom said.
Pippi spelled out reasons Mom should let her go: She’s responsible, she wouldn’t be alone, and Mom could rest.
Mom paused, then nodded.
Pippi flapped her wings and flew toward terri-flying adventures!
Terri-fly. Hee hee. How fun.
Thanks, Kendra!
ENTRY POSTED FOR CATHY
Halloween 101 -word count 89
By Cathy Bendix
The “pups” in Bat School spread their wings.
Their teacher taught them many things;
excitement rose as fog rolled in.
“October thirty-first is when
the children go from house to house;
(you must flit quiet as a mouse)
collecting goodies as they go—
There are some things you’ll need to know:
this holiday is Halloween;
a most delightful eery scene…
It’s hard to spell but so much fun—
remember, two ‘e’s’, not just one!
Tomorrow night you’ll get to see
why kids dress up and laugh with glee!’
Dear Cathy!!!!
I love your Bat School where Halloween is studied! Such effortless rhyme and rhythm! I especially like the spelling tips!!! Good luck in the contest!
WHO?
By Debra Collins
99 words
No going door-to-door for candy this year. This year’s all about tricks.
The old graveyard is so quiet, I swear I can hear my own pulse.
Fingers of fog mask the way, but my feet pace steadily on, on to the oak in the back corner.
To the tombstone bearing my name, my birth month and day, but three hundred years ago.
With a dash and a date 12 years later.
Wings rustle in the bare branch above. An owl. “Who?” it asks. I shiver.
I didn’t bring the grimoire. My stuttering heart knows the spell.
Time for answers.
Mysterious but loved reading
ANTICIPATING THE SPELL
By Kate Chabarek
94 words
Wing shadows in the streetlight fog
Cease my slumbering like a dog
My nerves take flight
Even with a night light
Who goes there, tonight of all nights??
It could be a vampire bat
It could be a scary black cat
The bat could have rabies
The cat could have babies
If the bat should draw too near
I’ll need a rabies shot, oh dear!
“No more kittens,” my mom said
Rejecting kitties fills me with dread!
But the real source of this early waking
Has my tummy really aching…
Today’s the spelling bee!
Mysti the Artist Witch
by Nazrin Farook
96 words
Mysti the witch loved to paint portraits… of ghosts and ghouls.
A speedy spell sent invites all around the neighborhood:
“Please attend a special bash
Oct 31st, hope it won’t clash!”
As the fog drew in, her mansion filled with a spooky din.
Ghosts whizzed and whirled, while ghouls gurgled and grinned.
Misty dabbed with paint as black as bats’ wings. Very soon portraits were
hung within.
“We look frightfully fabulous!” cried the ghosts.
“We look gruesomely great!” cried the ghouls.
“See you at the next bash!” said Mysti with a happy wave of her paintbrush.
Ha ha I read and am smiling
Witchling’s Wingding
by Griffin Taylor
(98 words)
“Chicken wing bones
And graveyard moans
Frog eyeballs,
Cold, foggy falls…”
Uggggh…what else?!
Mildred Mudwater scratched her head.
“Scorpion stings? Onion rings?”
Her cauldron sputtered, bubbled, brimmed with fog!
“Uh-oh.”
The young witch cast…a dizzy spell!
Mildred’s feet felt like rolling pins.
Her head: a balloon.
She wobbled into a teetering shelf.
cccrrrrRRRRAAAAASSSHHH!!!
Jars of Jellied Giblet shattered across the floor.
A sparkling vial catapulted, splashing into the brew.
PLIFF! POOF! POP!
Floating saxophones played spooky blues, while skeletons boogied with pumpkin stew.
A perfect Halloween party spell!
She giggled. “Duh, Millie—you just needed glitter!”
ENTRY POSTED FOR ELIZABETH
SET-A-SPELL. (90 words)
by
ERE
Out of the fury of racing fog
Sat on the wings of a bat
Straight from the breath of a wicked witch
Came the sweetest little cat.
His coat was black, black as coal
His teeth were glistening white
His claws were sharp and ready
For the pouncing and the fight.
For, Set-a-Spell, as he was named
Appeared but once a year
To do the witch’s bidding
With chill and fright and fear.
On Halloween sweet Set-a-Spell
Is creeping low and close
Stalking trick-or-treaters
Dressed as ghouls and ghosts.
“MEYOWL!”
So sweet, and makes me miss my black cat even more.
The Trick Is On You
by Pat Haapaniemi
100 Words
Bats spread their wings.
Zombies give fright.
Goblins sneak by,
this dark foggy night.
Mischievous ghosts,
out on the streets,
playing their tricks,
while grabbing their treats.
None want to quit.
Just one prank more.
Spying some lights,
they knock on a door.
Wanda the witch,
home for a spell,
answers her door.
She knows these ghosts well.
“Ah,” Wanda says,
A grin on her face.
“Sorry to say,
you’ve picked the wrong place.”
“You naughty ghosts,
tricks are not nice.”
Pointing her wand,
she turns them to mice.
Patting her cat,
watching them scat,
she says, “That is that.”
The Full-sized Candy House
by Vanessa Ireson
(100 words)
“Trick!” squeaked spider.
“Or treat!” whispered moth, wings flapping.
“Look out!” shouted pill bug, rolling to avoid being squished by a giant ballerina slipper and a dinosaur paw.
The pals gazed up at the cauldron brimming with candy.
“Treats. No tricks.” The lady in the pointy black hat handed out sweets. The big feet departed.
“What about us?” cried the tiny trio.
The witch paused.
Waved a wand. Spoke a spell. “Trick!”
The bugs disappeared in a puff of fog.
“And treat.”
“Thanks!” exclaimed the suddenly kid-sized insects, clutching their candy.
“Cool costumes!” called the dinosaur. “Eek!” shrieked the ballerina.
Such a fun treat for the little insects, and an inspired title! The last scene made me laugh.