I love this time of year! The cool weather, turning leaves, sweaters, and all the Halloween decor!

And, also, Susanna Hill’s 11th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest!

The rules are simple: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included) using the words glow-in-the-dark, goosebumps, and goodies.

100 word story SOUNDS easy but it is a challenge!

The stories are judged on a strict criteria:

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.

This year, in addition to my story, I want to feature an illustrator (and new found friend) that I follow on Instagram: @anvi_annavilchynska. You can find her profile here. She produced the cutest illustration for my story. I hope you enjoy it!

Ninja Goose and the Halloween Hi-Yah!

95 words

Ninja Goose was having a ball at Fairy Tale Acres’ Halloween Bash.

After the pumpkin carving contest, playing corn hole, and finding the Hobgoblin in the haystack, her bag overflowed with goodies.

Only the Haunted Corn Maze remained.

“Are you chicken?” a pointy-eared sheep asked.

“Never,” replied Ninja Goose.

Left.

Left.

Right.

Dead End – turn around.

But then, through the stalks, came a pair of red glow-in-the-dark eyes.

Ninja Goose shivered with goosey goosebumps.

“Wh-Wh-Who’s there?”

“Give me your candy!”

“Sheep? Is that you?”

“GRRRR.”

” HONK! HI-YAH!”

“Owwwwwww!”

“No one steals goodies from Ninja Goose!”

I hope you enjoyed my story please leave me a comment/feedback – most authors love to know that someone read their work!

Happy Halloween!