I know!

It’s Saturday!

And I don’t usually post on Saturday.

But I think there are a few things you should be aware of.

First, local residents have found themselves stumped by the question, “Which wristwatches are Swiss wristwatches?” But asking for answers is leading to a great deal of confusion because no one is able to ask the question properly.

In other news, a worried veterinarian has reported that the “sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick.” But she stumbled so much over the diagnosis that there is some concern for her reliability.

Finally, a group of fourth graders has repeatedly been heard talking excitedly about how a “pad kid poured curd pulled cod”, and let’s face it: that doesn’t even make sense!

So I ask you: Which wristwatches are Swiss wristwatches? Is the sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick? What’s up with the pad kid poured curd pulled cod?

And most importantly, can you say ANY of those things three times fast? Or even one time fast?

So go try. Practice. And tell me which one is hardest for you to say!

Inquiring minds want to know!

Ok. That’s it.

Off you go to enjoy your Saturday and practice tongue twisters!

See you later, alligators!

Oh.

I’m sorry.

Were you here for something else?

Perhaps you actually came to find out about the. . .

2025 15th Annual Pretty Much World Famous Halloweensie Contest WINNERS!

As you are all well aware, we had another great turnout this year. So many wonderful stories!  For me (and I hope for you!), Halloween is far better with a plethora of creative and well-written entries to read!

With large entry numbers come hard choices, though.  My assistant judges and I worked hard to winnow the total down to a manageable number of finalists that we felt were truly all-around deserving of that distinction, and those were the ones we presented to you for your vote.

There were, however, many other entries that were outstanding in certain areas even though they might not have qualified all-around for one reason or another (one reason being that, at a certain point, we just had to stop adding finalists to the list! 😊)

So my assistant judges and I would like to award recognition and a small prize to the following authors for the following merits:

1.  For Honorable Mention In The Competition As A Whole: (all-around well-written stories we loved that just missed the finals for one small reason or another!)

Sarah Hirsch for The Bad Behavior Graveyard

Jocelyn Watkinson for Frog Fog

Webb Smith for Reverse The Curse

Jenna Daucunas for Trick-or-Treating Mischief Makers

Joni Klein-Higger for This Halloweensie Frightful Night

Vashti Verbowski for The Spookiest Goblin in Ghoulville

Sarah (Sezza) Hetu for An Eye For A Spell

Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf for A Wicked Good Costume

Heather Kinser for Retail Scare-apy

Lisa Carmody Doiron for Batsy And Hazel

Laura Polasek for Spelladonna Tries Again

2. For Kid Appeal:

Maya Mackowiak Elson for Treats For Spells

Lori Knutsen for Sibling Magic

Eric Sondergeld for Misspell (also funny 😊)

3. For Great Read-Aloud For Younger Readers:

Rebecca Singer for Counting On Halloween

4. For Great Humor:

Tamara Hecht for The Spelling Mistake

Julie Lerczak for Itchy Twitchy Halloween Witchy

Jonathan Sellars for The Witch’s Behind

Peter Rogers for Slow Cooking

5. For Great Ending:

Leslie Ross-Degnan for The Witch’s Crow (funny ending 😊)

6. For Sweet:

Sarah Meade for Trixie and Pumpkin

7. For Spookiest/Creepy/Ghoulish Entry:

Amanda Fletcher for Raspberry Cream (also good ending)

Debra Collins for WHO?

Kendra Lusty for A Body For Ghost

8. For Beautiful Writing:

Beth Gallagher for The Halloween Spell

9. For Fun/Spooky For Adults:

Shawna Cain for Mummy Mommy (funny)

Jacinta Patterson for Transylvania Toast (creepy/scary)

10. For Originality:

Keatley Eastman for Halloween Break (surfing!)

11. For Fun Format:

Lauri C. Meyers for Spells & Such: The Serious Witch’s Shop (advertisement)

Seth Standly for Eerie Middle School News (newspaper article)

Anya-Kaye Francis for Behind The Broomstick: A Tell-All (letter…from a cat!)

Congratulations to all of you for fantastic elements of your stories!  You may all email me at susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com or use the handy contact form in the menu bar above, subject line Prize Winner, to collect your prize, which is (and I have to be cryptic here because when I say it right out I get a LO-HO-HOT! of spam email!) a gift of a number of dollars that is between 4 and 6, for a large and well-known online store that begins with A, which will be presented to you in an email 😊 You can spend it on one of the many Kindle choices listed in previous contests here, or add it to your account for a gift for yourself or someone else, or whatever else you might choose to do! In addition, you will receive a beautiful badge of achievement that you may display on your blog or print out and frame or turn into a banner to stream off the back of your broomstick for all the world to marvel at 😊 (But be forewarned they probably won’t be ready until after this weekend because I am traveling!)

A word about the prizes before I announce the winners.

We have 14 fabulous prizes, generously donated by authors and various professionals in the writing field.  My policy is to let the first-place winner have first pick of all the prizes, the second-place winner have second choice, etc.  That way hopefully nobody gets something they already have, and hopefully everyone gets something that’s valuable to them.  All prizes are listed at the bottom of this post for your convenience in perusing the goodies 😊 This time, I am asking all winners to EMAIL ME with their top five to seven prize choices in order of preference. I am hoping this will allow me to do all the prizes at once instead of getting stuck in the black hole of email 😊

Now.

Finally!

Onto the moment you’ve all been waiting for. . .

. . . THE WINNERS OF THE 2025 HALLOWEENSIE CONTEST as chosen by you, our esteemed voters!!!!!

In First Place, winner of the whole entire contest and top of the heap who gets first choice of all the prizes (for the second Halloweensie in a row!)…

Shaunessy Sinnett

for

The Halloween Circus

Congratulations, Shaunessy! Fabulous rhyme and a chilling Halloweensie story just right for kids! We loved it!

In Second Place,

Jessica Iwanski

for

Ghoul Bus

Congratulations, Jessica! We loved your delightful Halloweensie bus ride! Imagine a girl getting on that bus! You get first choice of the prizes that are left after Shaunessy chooses!

In Third Place,

Amanda Blaylock
 for
Lulu’s Wish

Congratulations, Amanda! You made us laugh! Poor Lulu. It’s important to choose your words carefully when making a wish! You get first choice of the prizes that are left after Shaunessy and Jessica choose!

In Fourth Place,

Lisa Davis
for
The Spookiest House

Congratulations, Lisa! We loved your very kid-friendly story, and your surprise ending! What could be spookier than winding up at your teacher’s house?! You get to pick a prize after Shaunessy, Jessica, and Amanda!

In Fifth Place,

Claire Schlinkert
for
Estella’s Spell At Witch School

Congratulations, Claire!  We loved the original character you created with Estella! I don’t think we’ve ever had a witch who prioritized kindness to animals and refused to use them as ingredients! You get to pick your prize after Shaunessy, Jessica, Amanda, and Lisa!

In Sixth Place,

Russell Wolff
for
Wanda The Which

Congratulations, Russell! We really enjoyed your word-play and the trouble your characters got themselves into by failing to choose their words carefully! Such a funny ending! 😊 You get to pick your prize after Shaunessy, Jessica, Amanda, Lisa, and Claire!

In Seventh Place,

Jenn Gaulding
for
EEK! A Weeknight Halloween

Congratulations, Jenn! Such a kid-friendly story – homework on Halloween?! spelling when you could be getting candy?! – and such clever use of language! You get to pick your prize after Russell!

In Eighth Place,

Jen Subra
for
Dragon Fly

Congratulations, Jen! We loved Gertrude’s determination, her broom’s failure to start, her curse of “Oh, spider spit”, and her very dramatic replacement for her broom! Great ending! So much fun! You get to pick your prize after Jenn!

In Ninth Place,

Emma Applegarth
for
Little Bat’s Bright Night

Congratulations, Emma! You did a wonderful job of writing a sweet, kid-friendly story filled with consideration and kindness, and a lovely solution to Little Bat’s problem! You get to pick a prize after Jen (that’s Jen not Jenn! 🤣)

In Tenth Place

Jessica Jenson
for
Costumed Critters

Congratulations, Jessica! Excellent rhyme! Fabulous story! Perfectly Halloween-y with just enough scary suspense! We loved it! You get to prize pick after Emma!    

In Eleventh Place

Lisa Billa
for
Bats’ Big Night

Congratulations, Lisa! What a dedicated bunch of bats, working so hard to prepare their aerial treat! We felt their desire to do a great job, and just a little pre-performance anxiety over the weather. Creative and well-written! You get to pick a prize afterJessica J. (not to be confused with Jessica I!) 

In Twelfth Place

Charline Yutmeyer
for
The Missing Ingredient

Congratulations, Charline! What a wonderful kid-friendly, just the right amount suspenseful story with a sweet twist ending! Great job! You get to pick your prize after Lisa B. (not to be confused with Lisa D.!)

In Thirteenth Place

Jill Lambert
for
Aerial AcroBAT

Congratulations, Jill! You gave us a wonderfully fun education in bats while simultaneously telling a great Halloweensie story in perfect rhyme! Well done!You get to pick your prize after Charline!

In Fourteenth Place

Jennifer Weingardt
for
The Bog Witch’s Garden

Congratulations, Jennifer! We loved your Bog Witch with her sneaky and terrible plan – nice and spooky! You get to pick after Jill!

And, I don’t think I need to remind anyone that in addition to all these fabulous prizes, everyone mentioned on this page has bragging rights as having won or placed in the Pretty Much World Famous Halloweensie Contest!  Not just anyone can say that 😊

All the winners should email me at susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com or use the handy contact form in the menu above with the subject heading Prize Winner with your top five to seven prize choices in order of preference so I can hopefully work things out smoothly and quickly for you to receive your prizes!  If you choose a prize that requires snail mailing, PLEASE include your snail mail address so we don’t have to email back and forth too many times 😊  If you would like a beautiful badge to celebrate your accomplishment, you are most welcome to one! (I just need a little time to finish making them so I appreciate your patience.)

Congratulations again to all our winners – it was a stiff competition!! – and congratulations to EVERYONE who wrote and entered a story in the contest.  You all deserve a huge round of applause, a confetti parade, and a truckload of  leftover fun-sized chocolate. . . if there is any 😊

Thank you to everyone who helped make this contest SO MUCH FUN, whether by writing an entry, reading people’s stories, leaving comments for the authors, and/or voting in the finals, or by donating a prize!  It’s because of all of you that this contest was such a success, so many, many thanks from the bottom of my heart!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ FABULOUS PRIZES FROM GENEROUS PEOPLE⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Oooh! Look what you get to pick from!

⭐️ 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! 😊