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11/10 - Winners Announced!
Hello, readers and writers, goblins and ghouls, and creatures of all sorts! Are you ready to hear who the winners of our 7 Spooky Sentences Contest are? Check out the below announcement and make sure to check your entry as every participant has earned a badge for their participation. Thanks again for a month of fright-filled fun!
And the winners are....
Shannon Fossett
bkloster
nadiafreelancewriter
Jacinta Patterson
Kiran Vazir
cjcjwrites
Angela Reynolds
Laura Croyle
sh.sinnett
Fun Fact: we use Randon Name Generator for our drawings at #SeasonsOfKidLit.
A HUGE congrats and thanks again for joining in the fun! We'll be in touch with all the winners shortly so you can select your treat (by the order your name was drawn).
Also, make sure to stay tuned for our December celebration, coming soon!
10/16 - Original Post
Are you looking to tell a spooky or seasonal tale? Want to have tons of fun in a seasonal writing contest, and win prizes to up your writing game? You've come to the right place!
At #SeasonsOfKidLit, we are all about stories – spooky or otherwise! But to celebrate the season, Gob-Lynne Marie and I, Heatherween, are (g)hosting the 7 Spooky Sentences writing contest to get you all in the writing spirit.
What is 7 Spooky Sentences?
A just-for-fun writing contest with NO judging. This is simply to get your creative juices flowing. Your entry automatically makes you eligible for some pretty spook-tacular prizes, too, including critiques, books, AMA Zoom sessions, and more! See the Official Prize List below. All entrants will receive a specialized badge for entering.
General guidelines for your story:
Your sentences can be about anything but must tell a complete spooky or seasonal story.
If you’re stuck, you can follow this format for your submission. If nothing else, you will have a story to flesh out later!
Sentence One: Introduce your setting
Sentence Two: Introduce your character
Sentence Three: A story problem / goal
Sentence Four: An obstacle
Sentence Five: An active attempt to solve the story problem or achieve the story goal
Sentence Six: Introduce a failure
Sentence Seven: Solve the story problem or achieve the story goal!
When you've posted a story below, share this graphic on social media with the following text:
Message/Tags for X:
"I shared seven spooky sentences over at #SeasonsOfKidLit.com"
#7SpookySentences #SeasonsofKidLit @AuthorHMacht @Literally_Lynne
Message/Tags for IG & Threads:
"I shared seven spooky sentences over at #SeasonsOfKidLit.com"
7SpookySentences #SeasonsofKidLit @heatherauthormacht @literally.lynne.marie
As your co-(g)hostesses for this chillingly creative event, we look forward to reading your submissions!
Note: 7 Spooky Sentences runs from October 16th - October 31st. Participants must get their entry in by 11:59 PM EST on October 31st to be eligible for the drawing. The giveaway winners will be announced on or about November 9th.
Official Prize List:
Want to know what prizes are in store? Just take a look at the terror-iffic treats below:
A query letter critique from Lynnette Novak, Agent at The Seymour Agency!
About Lynnette: Prior to joining The Seymour Agency, Lynnette spent seventeen years freelance editing. She worked with new writers, advanced writers, as well as New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. Lynnette earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Manitoba, where she specialized in English and French. She excelled in Advanced Creative Writing in university and studied writing for children and teens through the Institute of Children’s Literature. She was a Pitch Wars mentor in 2015 and 2016. Both her mentees acquired an agent. Lynnette has since closed her editing business and is excited to bring her passion for the written word to agenting.
She loves dark and suspenseful, mysterious twists, unique worlds, light and funny, a good love story, and lots of voice. To see her current MSWL, click here.
A Picture Book Mechanic Consultation with Lynne Marie!
About Lynne Marie: Lynne Marie is a #KidLit Author, an Agent Mentee with The Seymour Agency, the Director of Rate Your Story and spirited lover of Holidays, Halloween, and all things spooky!
Lynne Marie celebrates holidays, big and small! As a child, her favorite book was Chase's Book of Days which lists them all! Five of her published and pending picture books are all Holiday Tie-ins! Lynne Marie is especially excited to celebrate Halloween with #SeasonOfKidLit.
A picture book or first three chapters of a Chapter Book critique or a signed book of your choice from Heather Macht!
About Heather: Heather Macht is the creator of #SeasonsOfKidLit and the author of 15 books including The Mutant Critter Sitter (ABDO, 2024), a six-book chapter book series featuring #girlpower, responsibility, spliced mutant creations, and science-filled fun!, The Woodlot Monster Mysteries (ABDO, 2023), a 6-book Chapter Book Series featuring less-common monsters, and promoting #girlpower, problem solving, and teamwork!, and more!
A PB Critique or an Ask Me Anything session with Amy Houts, author of over 100 books!
About Amy: Amy Houts is an award-winning author of 100+ picture books written in both prose and rhyme. Her books range from science-based nonfiction, Wheels on the Go (Highlights), to faith-based fiction, God's Earth is Something to Fight For (Sunbeam/Bushel & Peck Books), to licensed character workbooks, Dora the Explorer Safety (Learning Horizons), to over 60 retellings of fairy tales, folk tales, and fables (Compass Publishing).
Check out some of Amy's interviews with us, too! You can find her Earth Day book here and her adorable bath books here.
And keep an eye out for her upcoming picture book, In the Witch's House (Monarch Educational Services, L.L.C., September 2025). Amy will be Trick-or-Treating with us next year to celebrate!
"When a shy girl mistakenly thinks a family of witches has moved in next door, she must find the courage to discover what is really going on at her new neighbor’s house."
Reader's choice of a signed book or an Ask Me Anything session with Stephanie Campisi!
About Stephanie: Stephanie Campisi is an Australian author based in Southern California. Her books include Luis and Tabitha, Five Sisters, Quacks Like a Duck and the forthcoming Sparkle Pigs series (writing as Kit Holliday). Her first book for adults, The Little Coffee Shop of Terrors (writing as Hazel Graves), launches on 12 September 2024! You can visit her at @stephcampisi on most platforms or at www.stephaniecampisi.com.
The amazing Steph Trick-or-Treated with us previously, too! Check out her interview and book here.
A Query Letter Critique from Kris Tarantino!
About Kris: Kris Tarantino is a children’s book author whose work is filled with humor and heart. Her debut picture book, Be My ValenSLIME (WaterBrook/PRH, 2023), illustrated by NYT bestselling illustrator Cori Doerrfeld, received critical praise and a Starred Review from SLJ. Two additional titles in the series are under contract with WaterBrook for publication in 2026 and 2028. Kris is a member of SCBWI and 12x12 and speaks frequently at conferences and schools. Most recently, she was selected for the 2024 TLA Panel Texas Picture Books and Early Reader Authors and Illustrators and the Texas Authors and Illustrators Meet and Greet. Kris was also selected to be a faculty presenter at the 2024 All-Texas SCBWI Conference. Kris holds a B.A. in Business, Marketing, and Art. Prior to writing children’s books, she worked in marketing, licensing popular characters for companies that make fun products like toys, books, and balloons. Kris is represented by Keely Boeving at WordServe Literary. You can find her online at www.kristarantino.com, as well as Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin.
Kris shared her adorable monster book with us, too, during our Valentine's celebration. Check out her interview and book here.
An Ask Me Anything session or PB critique with Linda Joy Singleton, author of over 50 books!
About Linda: Linda Joy Singleton wrote her first story when she was 7, dreaming of being a published author—and that dream came true! Now she’s the author of over 55 books for children, including pictures books and mystery series CURIOUS CAT SPY CLUB, HAUNTED HOLIDAYS, THE SEER, and DEAD GIRL WALKING. A longtime member of Sisters in Crime and SCBWI, she enjoys speaking at schools, libraries and conferences. She lives in the Northern CA foothills, surrounded by a menagerie of animals including dogs, cats, peacocks, guinea hens, mini cows, horses and pigs.
Books news, educational activities, and free stories at www.LindaJoySingleton.com.
Linda Trick-or-Treated with us in the past sharing her fright-filled books. Check out her interview and books here.
An Ask Me Anything Zoom call with Lori Degman!
About Lori: Lori Degman is the award-winning author the picture books: Travel Guide For Monsters (illustrated by Dave Szalay, 2020) and Travel Guide For Monsters Part Deux: A Canadian Adventure (co-written with Jocelyn Watkinson and illustrated by Marcus Cutler, 2023), Like a Girl (illustrated by Mara Penny, 2019), Just Read (illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov, 2019), Norbert’s Big Dream (illustrated by Marco Bucci, 2016), Cock-a-Doodle Oops (illustrated by Deborah Zemke, 2014) and 1 Zany Zoo (illustrated by Colin Jack, 2010). Lori was a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing and now writes full-time. She loves doing school visits and presenting at writing conferences. She lives with her family in Vernon Hills.
Lori Trick-or-Treated with us last year sharing her beloved Travel Guide for Monsters' books! Check out her interview and books here.
A Rhyming Picture Book Critique (or non-rhyming) from Jocelyn Watkinson!
About Jocelyn: Jocelyn Watkinson is the author of The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story (illustrated by Marcus Cutler, 2022) and Travel Guide For Monsters Part Deux: A Canadian Adventure (co-written with Lori Degman and illustrated by Marcus Cutler, 2023). Jocelyn is an ex-pat Canadian living in California with her husband, son and golden retriever, Sinclair. When not fussing over stanzas and rhyming couplets, Jocelyn likes to play soccer, play board games, craft anything from cross stitch, to string art to refurbishing old furniture all while sipping on a hot cup of tea.
Jocelyn Trick-or-Treated with us last year alongside Lori sharing her Travel Guide for Monsters book! Check out her interview and books here.
Have a particular treat in mind? Let us know below with your submission. Thanks to everyone for joining in the fall-themed fun. Happy writing, y'all!
Sincerely,
Heatherween and GobLynne Marie
Congratulations to all the winners! Happy Trick-or-Treating for Prizes!
A GRAVEYARD TEA
By Amy LaMae Brewer
Who will come to the graveyard on a moonlit night?
Zelda Zombie wants to have tea with friends.
Do you dare eat treats with them?
Scones with snake butter, eyeball eggs, cockroach cupcakes and chilled jello insect bites!
All her favorite friends are going; Gretta Goblin, Gary Ghoul, Winston Werewolf will, won’t you?
A frightfully delicious time you’ll have sipping Tasmanian devilish tea.
And meeting friends that scare a night away when sharing Zelda’s stew.
A Harvest of Friendship
By Sharon McCarthy
On the eve of the Worm Moon, a special night when the earth wakes up from its winter slumber, Farmer Boy thinks, this year, I will feed all the hungry children of the world!
So, for over a month, Farmer Boy tilled the soil, sowed the seeds, and pulled the weeds all by himself, while his farm animal friends didn’t lend a helping hoof or paw and grazed in the warm sunshine instead.
Then, one magnificent day, his crops bloomed a mile long, making Farmer Boy feel proud and strangely troubled.
That night, a black cloud of crows mysteriously appeared, blanketing his crops, screeching, caw, caw, caw, causing Farmer Boy enough fear to run and…
The Good Goblin’s Guide to Pickling Pumpkins
By Shaunessy Sinnett
Hey Boo-Tube, I’m your host Hob Goblin back with one of my favourite Halloween recipes: pickled pumpkin! It’s sure to impress your ghoulish guests and it couldn’t be easier, so let’s get started:
Fill a large jar halfway with water, then add 1 pound of salt, and 1 quart of vinegar.
Slice your pumpkin lengthwise into quarters and add dill, chilli flakes, and garlic to taste: vampire viewers, don’t overdo it here!
Cover and chill for at least 48 hours, or until ready to serve.
That’s all for this week, but I’ll be back next week with the recipe for my eerie-sistible Hungarian ghoul-ash. Don’t forget to like this video,…
BERTA'S TREASURES
by Janet Frenck Sheets
The sign on the shop door said “BERTA’S TREASURES,” but nothing inside looked like treasure to Jenny.
While her mother and Berta cooed over Victorian vases, Jenny picked up a porcelain bulldog. The figurine wiggled in her hand, and Jenny dropped it with a gasp.
Fast as a bat, Berta grabbed Jenny’s wrist. “We don't want your little girl cutting herself on the pieces,” Berta called to Jenny’s mother. “But don’t worry about my curio--after all, children are the real treasure.”
Only Jenny heard Berta hiss, “And that’s why they ought to be buried.”