The 15th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest aahhhrrrooooOOO!!!

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 TimesThe 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 WalkoutThe Sorry Seedsa Children’s Book Council Teacher Favorite, 2025, and Canines UnleashedHank’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 PaintbrushReady, Set, GOrilla!Sadie’s Shabbat StoriesPlanting 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!

  1. THE SPOOKIEST GOBLIN IN GHOULVILLE – Vashti Verbowski
  2. SIBLING MAGIC – Lori Knutsen
  3. RASKELLY RUNS FOR HIS afterLIFE! – Katie Schwartz
  4. FROG FOG – Jocelyn Watkinson
  5. GRAM’S HALLOWEEN GARDEN– Susan Elizabeth Schipper
  6. FROG GOES TRICK-OR-TREATING – Mike Flowers
  7. SCARY HAIRY HALLOWEEN FAIRY – Jill Richards Proctor
  8. A MOST UNUSUAL SPELLBOOK – Danielle Anderson
  9. RETAIL SCARE-APY – Heather Kinser
  10. Aerial AcroBAT – Jill Lambert
  11. HALLOWEEN PARADE AT THE ART MUSEUM – Lauren N. Simmons
  12. HAPPY SPECKTAQULAR HALLOOVEEN! – Kiran Vazir Nair
  13. NORMALLY VERY NICE –  Bethany Brodsky
  14. THE SPELLING MISTAKE – Tamara Hecht
  15. HOW TO WOO A WiTCH – Maria Kim
  16. A WICKED GOOD COSTUME – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
  17. HOMOGRAPH HALLOWEEN – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
  18. MOONLIGHT MAGIC – Rebecca Woodall
  19. THE GREAT HALLOWEEN BAKE OFF – Polly Hunt
  20. BATSY AND HAZEL – Lisa Carmody Doiron
  21. THE DRAGON, THE WITCH AND THE CAULDRON – Sue Lancaster
  22. HALLOWEEN NIGHT FLIGHT – Daniella Kaufman
  23. CACKLE, CRACKLE, OOPS! – Sarah Atherton
  24. MUMMY MOMMY – Shawna Cain
  25. WHAT KIZZY KNOWS ABOUT MS. DEVEREAUX – Bronchelle Parker
  26. CALL YOU RUDOLPH – Betsy J. Bennett
  27. WINGS INSTEAD OF A BROOM – Tracy T Agnelli
  28. WITCH WILDA – Elizabeth Volkmann
  29. F-L-Y-B-E-R-T – April Berry
  30. ‘SPELLING’ COUNTS – Elyse Trevers
  31. THE BIGGEST FRIGHT ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Emily Roberts
  32. THE HOBLINGOBLIN HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOUSE – Emily Roberts
  33. WHEN THE FOGHORN SOUNDED – Erica Chester
  34. THE RAVEN’S GHOST – Lyn Jekowsky
  35. HALLOWEEN IN FOG HOLLOW – Shelley Jones Clark
  36. A HALLOWEEN NIGHTMARE – Janet Bryce
  37. MONSTER SPELLING COMPETITION – Susan Wollison
  38. A FROGLET’S HALLOWEEN – Anthony Baldasare
  39. THE SPELL – Mona Voelkel
  40. MORGAN’S HALLOWEEN BROOM VROOM! – Chelsey Bahe
  41. ITCHY TWITCHY HALLOWEEN WITCHY – Julie Lerczak
  42. KIND-HEARTED KRYSTAL – Deborah Williams
  43. HALLOWINGED – Kat Kindig
  44. BOO-TIFUL BY MISTAKE – Deborah Foster
  45. TINA’S SCARY WISH – Randi Lynn Mrvos
  46. TREATS? OR TRICKS? – Sandra Bohman
  47. HERBIE AND MARIBEL – Milanka Reardon
  48. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS ON HALLOWEEN! – Isabel Cruz Rodgriguez
  49. THE WITCH’S WAY – Kelly Kates
  50. LEARNING TO SPELL – Jenny Nelson
  51. THE DEVILLED EGGS: AN ORIGIN STORY – Sherry Moon
  52. BONE-LY HEARTS SNUB – Laura Proven Croyle
  53. THE LETTER THIEF – Kendra Lusty
  54. THE HALLOWEEN WINGDING – Debbie Land
  55. SCARECROW’S FIRST HALLOWEEN PARTY – Eleanor A. Peterson
  56. MARIPOSA MOON – Katie Combe
  57. OH, SWEET FOG! – Robin Birdie Jordan
  58. SECOND GRADE WITCH SPELLS – Quincy Trochue
  59. WHAT IF? – Kim Collazo
  60. SPELLS & SUCH: THE SERIOUS WITCH’S SHOP – Lauri C. Meyers
  61. A TEENSIE-WEENSIE HALLOWEENSIE TALE – Mary Louise Kiernan
  62. A BATTY HALLOWEEN – Amy Kolb Noyes
  63. COSTUMED CRITTERS – Jessica Jenson
  64. IT’S MINE! – Josh Donner
  65. NO TRICKS, JUST SWEET – Tiffanie Leung Abbott
  66. A KIND HALLOWEEN SPELL – Kelsey Mango
  67. WANDA THE WHICH – Russell Wolff
  68. SWEET DREAMS – Margaret Robison
  69. IN A WITCH’S KITCHEN – Laura Wippell
  70. DON’T MESS WITH THE FROG – Linda Staszak
  71. TILLY’S MOONLIT SPELL – Leigh Lachman
  72. BANNED PRACTICE – Sarah Hirsch
  73. THE FRIGHT NIGHT JAM-BOO-BEE – Jennifer Tarr
  74. GHOUL BUS – Jessica Iwanski
  75. PARTY SKELETONS – Eric Roscosky
  76. GHOST SQUIRREL – Paige Lohr
  77. A FAIRY BAD MISTAKE – Jany Campana
  78. IT’S BEWITCHING TIME! – Marty Bellis
  79. GRETA HATES HALLOWEEN – Cindy Sommer
  80. A RECIPE FOR HALLOWEEN – Catherine Rose
  81. FLIGHT OF THE TURNIP – Rochelle Smith
  82. THE SPELL OF THE HALLOWEEN FOG – Alli Straus
  83. DARK AND FOG’S SPOOKY HALLOWEEN – Rebecca Thill
  84. HETTIE WITCH’S PARADE PROBLEM – Meg Winikates
  85. TESSA’S TRUNK OR TREAT TRICK – Nancy Ferguson
  86. SHE COULDN’T WAIT TO GO! – Sara Kruger
  87. MENACE AT THE DENTIST – Jessica Russo
  88. TRICK OR TREAT – RJ Clarken
  89. WHERE’S THE CHOCOLATE? – Donna Van Oss
  90. EERIE MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS – Seth Standley
  91. HALLOWEEN MAGIC – Theresa Dabney
  92. THE HOUSE THAT WAITS – Alex Waldo
  93. HILDRUN’S HALLOWEEN HOEDOWN – Theresa Dabney
  94. MONSTER JAMBOREE – Lauren Kimberly
  95. TROUBLE AND TOIL – Kelly Clasen
  96. THE RAVENS – Ali Lithke
  97. MG – THE HOLLOW BETWEEN TWO HEARTS – Gayle Krause
  98. SIT FOR A SPELL – Amy Farris
  99. THE DANCING SPELL – Brianna Rose Lengel
  100. RUNAWAY PUMPKINS – Martha Holguin
  101. WICKED TREATS – Kristen Littlefield
  102. HALLOWEEN CIRCUS – Shaunessy Sinnett
  103. HALLOWEEN WONDER – Theresa Dabney
  104. BAZ CROW AND THE SCARECROW – Allison Wilhelm
  105. THE VAMPIRE – Leslie Johnson Piotrowski
  106. TRICK-OR-TREATING MISCHIEF MAKERS – Jenna Daucunas
  107. MINA’S FIRST HALLOWEEN FLIGHT – Imelda Taylor
  108. BEGGAR’S NIGHT – Jess Appel
  109. DRUSCILLA AND BATSON – Anna Marie Evans
  110. RUDOLPH’S HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE – Susan Corry
  111. THE OOPSIE SPELL – Aida Nash
  112. BAT’S FREAKY FRIDAY – Sandra G. Ramirez
  113. WHERE BUSS CAN WEAR WINGS – Sherry Dubis
  114. NOT THIS YEAR! – Heidi McFadzean
  115. THE WITCH’S SPELL – Joanna Szeto
  116. I’M NOT GOING TO HALLOWEEN – Trine Grillo
  117. PEGGY’S REVENGE – Brooke Baum
  118. TRICK-OR-TREAT – Tracey Kiff-Judson
  119. LITTLE WITCHY ~ MASTER SPELLER – Pam Adams
  120. SPELLS CAST – Candelaria Norma Silva
  121. MAMA’S SPELL FOR FINDING HOME – Laura N. Clement
  122. THE MOON WHO WISHED – McKenzie Lynn Tozan
  123. DRACULA’S HALLOWEEN BASH – Sara Hoy
  124. ELISA’S MAGIC – Kathleen Jacobs
  125. BEWARE THE GARGOYLE PUMPKIN – Dawn Mitchell
  126. TRICK-OR-TREAT – Pallavi Jesrani
  127. WINGED WONDERS – Debbie Vilardi
  128. WITCHY WISHES – Jenn Gautam
  129. MAYBE I CAN CAST A SPELL – Lily C. Fen
  130. WENDY THE WITCH – Colleen Fogarty
  131. MIRABELLE’S SPELLS – Jamie Donahoe
  132. BAT’S GIFT TO GARGOYLE – Sarah Hawklyn
  133. DON’T BE SCARED, IT’S HALLOWEEN – Sarah Lynne John
  134. SCARED OF NOTHING – Jan Peck
  135. THE SKELETON’S NEW CLOTHES – Lucretia Schafroth
  136. SCHOOL OF REVIEW – Mona Pease
  137. THE CANDY BAN – Anne Lipton
  138. LITTLE BEE’S HALLOWEEN – Blythe Williams
  139. FAIRY DUST HALLOWEEN – Rose Cappelli
  140. HALLOWEEN THESAURUS – Rebecca W. Chester
  141. A SURPRISE SPELL – Susan Summers
  142. HAIRY HOUDINI’S HALLOWEEN HIJINKS – Jeanette O’Toole
  143. LITTLE BAT’S BRIGHT NIGHT – Emma Applegarth
  144. BETTY BATS BLOODY GOOD IDEA – Sharon McCarthy
  145. HALLOWEEN NIGHTMARE – Mary Rudzinski
  146. THE POULTRYGEIST – Melissa J. Miles
  147. BEHIND THE BROOMSTICK: A TELL-ALL – Anya-Kaye Francis
  148. HALLOWEEN BIRTHDAY – Andy Nuttall
  149. SPELLS, FOG AND FROGS! – Lucia Lemieux
  150. JUST TAKE ONE! – Amy Chini
  151. FREDDIE THE WINGED FROG – Karen Opp
  152. SIR BAT AND THE HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Jennifer Arnold
  153. THE MISSING INGREDIENT – Charlene Yutmeyer
  154. THE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER – Katia M. Jesson
  155. RASPBERRY CREAM – Amanda Fletcher
  156. A WARNING TO BATS – Elizabeth Muster
  157. COUNTING ON HALLOWEEN – Rebecca Singer
  158. SUGAR RUSH – Celia Cataldo
  159. MISSPELL – Eric Sondergeld
  160. CANDY CURIOSITY – Celia Cataldo
  161. WING SONG – Lu Ann Schnable Kaldor
  162. MATHILDA AND THE LITTLE MONSTERS – Katrina Stern
  163. GHOST COWS? – Lu Ann Schnable Kaldor
  164. THE GREAT FROG CROSSING – Kathy Dobson
  165. THE HALLOWEEN WISH – Kathleen Jacobs
  166. ATHTHAMMA WHAT IS HALOON – Diyamanthi Galpoththage
  167. WITCHY AND GHOSTY – Stacy Barnett Mozer
  168. SILLY WILLY’S CHICKEN CHILI – Tess Bass
  169. CHICK OR CHEAT: A HALLOWEEN WISH – Jennifer Concepcion McLennan
  170. LITTLE SNAGGLETOOTH – Susan Gleeson
  171. THE HALLOWEEN SPELL – Beth Gallagher
  172. REVERSE THE CURSE – Webb Smith
  173. BAT’S BIG NIGHT – Lisa Billa
  174. RULES ARE FOR THE LIVING – Ragan Fry
  175. A SPELL FOR DADDY – Deborah Kim
  176. HALLOWEEN NOSTALGIA – Michelle S. Kennedy
  177. SPOOKY SPELLING BEE – Kassandra Ayala
  178. CATIE’S COSTUME CONUNDRUM – Jan Schwaid
  179. THIS HALLOWEENSIE FRIGHTFUL NIGHT – Joni Klein-Higger
  180. BATTY NOT IN THE NIGHT – ?
  181. A HALLOWEEN GLOW – Sue Parker Mielinski
  182. CAST A SPELL – Deborah Hunt
  183. ELARA AND THE BROOM WING CHALLENGE – ?
  184. BEE-WITCHED – Cindy Chambers Johnson
  185. ASTRA’S SPELL – Marty Findley
  186. HUBERT THE ELF WANTS TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN – Margaret Lea
  187. HALLOWEEN BREAK – Keatley Eastman
  188. SCARLET’S HALLOWEEN HUNT – Lora Stead
  189. SCARY ROCK – Sonja McGiboney
  190. A HALLOWEEN FOLKLORE: WITCHCRAFT & FROGS – P.J. Purtee
  191. WITCHY AND THE TRICK-OR-TREAT SPELLING BEE – Sarah Meade
  192. WICKED WANDA – Alan Elliott
  193. TRIXIE AND PUMPKIN – Sarah Meade
  194. EEK! A WEEKNIGHT HALLOWEEN – Jenn Gaulding
  195. MURDER ON HALLOWEEN – Laura Kiehner
  196. STAY CALM AND SPARKLE ON – Melissa J. Miles
  197. BABY GHOST – Katherine Fox
  198. THE BRIGHT HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Christy Eiler
  199. THE SPOOKY SPELL – Catherine Ann Velasco
  200. BOXED IN – Diane McBee
  201. THE SPOOKIEST HOUSE – Lisa Davis
  202. THE HORRIBLE HALLOWEEN STENCH – Angela Steffen
  203. TRICK OR TREAT AND DOGGIE TREATS – Kathleen Jacobs
  204. OPAL OWL AND THE MAGIC FOG – Susan Kalver
  205. THE 1,374TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN SPELLING BEE – Cari Chamberlain
  206. THE GREEDY WITCH – Gregory Bray
  207. THE HALLOWEEN DARE – Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
  208. HAPPY HALLOWEEN – Lori Bresnahan
  209. HALLOWEEN MORNING – Lori Bresnahan
  210. THE WITCH’S CROW – Leslie Ross-Degnan
  211. THE WILY WAND OF WINIFRED WITCH – Annette Martin
  212. FIRE IN THE SKY – Charlie Griffin
  213. THE HAUNTED HORSE HOTEL – Jen Stambolsky
  214. HALLOWEEN – Debra Fagans
  215. A SPECIAL SIBLING SPELL – Laura Bryte
  216. TIME TO FLY – Susan Burdorf
  217. A LaGHOSTY WITH THE MOSTY – Andria W. Rosenbaum
  218. THE TALE OF THE MISSING WINGS – Usri Chowdhury
  219. THE SCAREST PHRASE – Becki J. Kidd
  220. BAT WINGS – Sheila Renfro
  221. BOBBIT AND HIS MAGIC WINGS – Usri Chowdhury
  222. REFLECTION CONNECTION – Birdie Jordan
  223. CHOOSING YOUR BOOK – Debbie Graf
  224. FAIRY FIX – Annette Birdsall
  225. HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Milly Strawn
  226. A PEST IS BEST FOR HALLOWEEN – Debbie Graf
  227. THE CANDY THIEF – Debbie Graf
  228. TRICK OR STEW – Kate DiMaio
  229. TRICK OR TEETH – Ginger Burke
  230. A FRIGHTFUL NIGHT OF DELIGHTFUL BITES – N. Q. Haines
  231. WITCH’S MAGICAL HAT – Tisha Blackman
  232. MISS-SPELLED – Veronica Bartles
  233. BERNARD’S BAD BITE – Mary Beth Woodside
  234. PAT THE PUMPKIN FACES HALLOWEEN – Garland Godinho
  235. A LONELY GHOST ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Garland Godinho
  236. HALLOWEEN IS COMING! – Garland Godinho
  237. PUMPKIN JACK – Sally Mills
  238. PEN’S HALLOWEEN DREAM – Angela Martinelli
  239. JACK OF THE LANTERNS – Meeta Vishnu
  240. THREE SISTERS – Judy Hughes
  241. OOKY, SPOOKY – Camille Lancaster
  242. HALLOWEEN SPELL (ING) – Janet Scratchley
  243. WHEN THE FOG TURNS TO GOLD – Melissa Smith
  244. MY FEET ARE NOT YOUR TREAT! – Stephanie Mena
  245. BARNABY BAT – Amanda Spino
  246. OWL IN THE STEW – Catherine Youngsquist
  247. HALLOWEEN MAGIC – Claudia Sloan
  248. TREATS FOR SPELLS – Maya Mackowiak Elson
  249. THE BOG WITCH’S GARDEN – Jennifer Weingardt
  250. THE WITCH’S BEHIND – Jonathan Sellars
  251. BROOKE’S BLUNDER – Rochelle Smith
  252. A SCARY TOMORROW – Elisa Teichert
  253. THE WITCH’S MASK – Carolyn Sauer
  254. TRANSYLVANIA TOAST – Jacinta Patterson
  255. AN EYE FOR A SPELL – Sarah (Sezza) Hetu
  256. DON’T GO TO THE GRAVEYARD ON HALLOWEEN! – Karyn Devlin
  257. ZORABELLE CAN’T SPELL – Margaret Zotkiewicz
  258. SPELLA’S FOG VANISHING SPELL – Darlene Kesot
  259. FIRST HALLOWEEN PARTY – Tiffany Hanson
  260. THE FLOATLESS GHOSTESS – J. Buchet
  261. FRANKENFEATHER – Maria Pinero Pope
  262. CAULDRON CHAOS – Maria Pinero Pope
  263. FIRST HALLOWEEN (AS A WITCH) – Carolyn Sauer
  264. RECIPE FOR DISASTER – Janet Cannon
  265. EVIE’S JOKE-O’-LANTERN – Lynn Burton
  266. THE BAD BEHAVIOR GRAVEYARD – Sarah Hirsch
  267. CHANGING ON HALLOWEEN – Cindy Greene
  268. SPELLADONNA TRIES AGAIN – Laura Polasek
  269. ALL HALLOW’S EVE – Jill Tatara
  270. DRAGON FLY – Jen Subra
  271. THE SWAMP ON HALLOWEEN – Amanda Blaylock
  272. LULU’S WISH – Amanda Blaylock
  273. VAMPIRE PROBLEM – Denise Seidman
  274. BLACK CAT’S BAD LUCK – Marla Yablon
  275. A BODY FOR GHOST – Kendra Lusty
  276. LAUNDRY GOBLIN – Katrenia Wilcutt
  277. FRED SAVES HALLOWEEN – Marcia D. Williams
  278. JACK TAKES FLIGHT – Naz Alibhai
  279. TERRI-FLYING TIMES – Joy Dickinson
  280. HALLOWEEN 101 – Cathy Bendix
  281. WHO? – Debra Collins
  282. ANTICIPATING THE SPELL – Kate Chabarek
  283. MYSTI THE ARTIST WITCH – Nazrin Farook
  284. WITCHLING’S WINGDING – Griffin Taylor
  285. SET-A-SPELL – ERE
  286. THE TRICK IS ON YOU – Pat Haapaniemi
  287. THE FULL-SIZED CANDY HOUSE – Vanessa Ireson
  288. THE MYSTERIOUS CRUNCH! – Angela Steffen
  289. MAKE ME A HALLOWEEN BALLERINA, PLEASE – Robin Donovan
  290. CLASSROOM CUPBOARD TRICK OR TREAT – Jodie Houghton
  291. A WITCHES MISTAKE – Kate Woodard
  292. SLOW COOKING – Peter Rogers
  293. WARTS, WINGS AND WITCHY THINGS – Carol Porter-Peszko
  294. MUMFORD’S FRIENDS – Carolyn Pfister
  295. FREE FOG – Teresa Speranza Vargas
  296. THE COSTUME BIN – Amy Duchene
  297. PENELOPE SPELLACY HAS HER OWN PLAN – Sharon Korzelius
  298. SPOOKY’S SPELL – Tonya Dalhaus
  299. THE BUTTERFLY BEAUTICIAN – Colleen Murphy
  300. GHOST’S FLYING LESSON – Roxanne Dooley
  301. SCAREDY BAT
  302. BOOOO ARE THEY SCREAMING AT? – Ali DeMoro
  303. ZOMBIE ZACH’S HALLOWEEN QUEST – Judy Sobanski
  304. MONSTER BALL – Marc Vestey
  305. HALLOWEEN REVENGE – Penelope McNally
  306. BRENDA BAT’S BODACIOUS BUNGLE – Missy Pray
  307. HALLOWEEN ECHOES – Amy Duchene
  308. MISCHIEVOUS PIXIE – Annette G. Teepe
  309. HALLOWEEN HATTIE – Diane Roberts
  310. PUMPKIN ESCAPE! – C. L. White
  311. FOR EVERY TREAT, A TRICK REMAINS – Corine Timmer
  312. TRIM-OR-TREAT – Elaine Thuener
  313. THE HALLOWEEN SURPRISE – Nina Haines
  314. IT’S NOT EASY BEING FOG – Jan Milusich
  315. SHERMAN’S HALLOWEEN PARADE – Maria Marshall
  316. WITCHY HALLOWEEN NIGHT – Nancy Wade
  317. WENDALEE’S TRANSPORTATION TROUBLES – Linda Hofke
  318. HALLOWEEN LEFTOVERS – Catherine Zampier
  319. SING, WINGS – Margaret Zotkiewicz
  320. WILLOW’S WINGED WONDERS – Stephanie Santana
  321. THE OWL’S SURPRISE – Erin Zampaglione
  322. HILDA THE WITCH WANTS A MASK – Helene Debelak
  323. THE BAT WITH GLOWING WINGS – CS (student-youth)
  324. ESTELLA’S SPELL AT WITCH SCHOOL – Claire Schlinkert
  325. CLAIRE AND THE COSTUME CONTEST – Reed Hilton-Eddy
  326. THE (MIS) SPELL – Scott Wolf
  327. CANDY? OKAY. – Greg Beatty
  328. THE HALLOWEEN BALL – Nora G. Ho
  329. WOLFIE’S SPELL – Una Belle Townsend
  330. TRAPPAST FLEES – Zi Hui Yang
  331. WITCHY WAND – Rosemary Basham
  332. JUST A JOKE – Maverick May
  333. MOTHMAN – Trista Herring Baughman

2,045 thoughts on “The 15th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest aahhhrrrooooOOO!!!

  1. Hui Yang says:
    Hui Yang's avatar

    Trappast Flees

    by Zi Hui Yang – 100 words

    He journeyed through the neighborhood,
    Weary of the police.
    It was a lonely Halloween night,
    And he was sick of the searching lights!

    The parents say:
    “Beware today’s unholy darkness,
    for Trappast rises!
    …He produces a smoldering fog,
    thicker than a bog…
    he ensnares you,
    Leaves you to die!”

    When he was found,
    The Constable said:
    “Lads! Don’t fall under his spell,
    And don’t care for his smell, either!
    It’s all going well.”

    From Trappast a pale voice answered:
    “Come then! I mastered Wing Chun!
    Wait, is that a gun!?”

    So none heard him ever againe,
    Trappast or his name!

  2. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Susanna Leonard Hill's avatar

    ENTRY POSTED FOR ROSEMARY

    Witchy Wand
    by Rosemary Basham 
    100 words

    A wand with wings zaps through the air
    Casting spells on all who dare 
    To gad about this Halloween.

    Spooky sprites dance down the street 
    And dare to yell out “Trick or Treat!”
    Risking the wrath of things unseen.

    A wand is just a gnarly stick 
    Until a bat who plays a trick
    Decides to have some harmless fun.

    He straps the stick upon his back
    Sprinkling glitter from a sack
    Watching all the children run!

    If foggy shadows dot the sky
    And swerve and swoop and land close-by
    A bat who’s flying overhead 
    Might be a witchy wand instead.

  3. thefluffytradecompany says:
    thefluffytradecompany's avatar

    JUST A JOKE (wc: 100)

    By Maverick May

    a jest… 

    on halloween

    just fun

    wicked

    witches

    holding hands

    boom

    boom

    making plans

    boom boom

    signing spells

    boom

    boom

    just a joke

    boom

    boom

    for a laugh

    boom

    boom

    is that fog

    boom

    boom

    are those wings

    boom

    boom 

    what did we do

    Boom

    Boom

    what did we bring

    Boom

    Boom

    together now

    Boom

    Boom

    let’s take a peek

    Boom

    Boom

    a stranger lurks

    BOOM 

    BOOM

    on the street

    BOOM 

    BOOM

    something flutters!

    BOOM 

    BOOM

    onto the floor…

    BOOM 

    BOOM

    we shudder back!

    BOOM BOOM 

    we pray no more!

    BOOM BOOM

    and it reads…

    BOOM BOOM

    I fixed the door. 

  4. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    Susanna Leonard Hill's avatar

    ENTRY POSTED FOR TRISTA

    Mothman
    By Trista Herring Baughman

    Word Count: 89

    The Mothman spread his bat-like wings
    And soared above the fog.
    I stood entranced, caught in his spell,
    Beside a fallen log.

    His eyes glowed eerie, bloodshot red
    As I saw him draw near.
    Goosebumps spread across my flesh,
    And I trembled with fear.

    But then I ran—I ran so fast
    You couldn’t see my feet.
    In a record twenty seconds,
    I was standing on my street.

    I never saw Mothman again;
    He gave me such a fright
    That I’ve determined never to
    Go out on Halloween night.

  5. Katie Schwartz says:
    Katie Schwartz's avatar

    Fun story, had me wondering all the way to the end! Love your use of fog (my brain is in a fog), very creative! Gotta watch those Moms and Dads, they’ll steal your candy every time! Good job!

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