#13: Spooktacular

This Thursday is Halloween! And you know we couldn't let October 31st go by without giving you all a batch of spooktacular writing prompts.

But don't worry if your tolerance for the scare factor is low: whether you're a fan of spine-chilling fiction or prefer stories about friendly ghosts, there's something in these prompts for everyone!

If you want to do some Halloween reading after you submit your short story, here are some great resources to help you find the perfect, spooky read.

100 Best Horror Books of All Time

All of the Best Stephen King Books, Ranked

And Then There Were None: The 10 Best Agatha Christie Books

33 Best Vampire Books to Sink Your Teeth Into

The 50 Best Suspense Books of All Time

Guide to Southern Gothic: 10 Dark Must-Reads

This week's prompts

Write a story about someone spending the night in an old Victorian home-turned-hotel on Halloween.

Halloween – 45 stories

You go to visit your neighbor. When you ring the doorbell, a stranger appears and tells you that your neighbor has been dead for ten years.

Thriller and Suspense – 49 stories

Write a story about someone who sees a black cat cross their path... for the tenth time that day.

Mystery – 40 stories

You go for a walk and accidentally bump into someone. They feel the bump, but the person can't seem to hear or see you.

Thriller and Suspense – 52 stories

Write a story about an eventful evening of trick-or-treating.

Kids – 37 stories

Stories

“The blue fedora” by Judy McIntosh

Submitted to Contest #13

Tommy placed a bright red X on the calendar square. October 31 was his favorite day of the year. This was the one night he could go outside and mingle with the other kids. Giddy with delight, Tommy did his chores while whistling his favorite Halloween silly songs.He carefully brushed his favorite blue fedora hat then tucked a jaunty pheasant feather under the band. He admired his handiwork, pleased that the hat now looked festive for this special night. He ironed his pillowcase for collecting candy. Tommy then did his chores. He dusted ever...

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“I.O.U.” by Mark Krijgsman

Submitted to Contest #13

Stacy could not believe she had promised her mother she would go trick or treating with her younger sister. She was eighteen now and had nearly begged her mother to allow her to go to Clive Owens Halloween party, but no, she had to accompany her little bratty sister on her trick or treating. Her mother had even dared to get her sister to bring along some friends while not allowing Stacy to spend time with hers. It would have been better if Grandmother would have still been there, she always took Stacy’s side. “Come on now...

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“The Ghost Shadow” by Cassandra Norton

Submitted to Contest #13

“My name is Kathy,” the littlest girl at the sleepover spoke as everyone gathered around, “and I have a scary story to tell.” All the girls from Kathy's new school had gathered for a slumber party the night before Halloween. With excited chatter, they discussed their costumes for the big day. Kathy had chosen a long, black dress with a black mask and black shoes; her strange costume, however, comes with a story. “Last Halloween, I lived in another town where there were no strangers. On Halloween morning, I dressed into my pretty princess cos...

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“Girls Gone Vampire” by Emilie Conroy

Submitted to Contest #13

Have you ever gone shopping for a corset? Soon after I’d started poking around in the real and for true vampire community, I received an invitation to a vampire ball from a fellow called BlackSwamp. To be celebrated on Halloween night, “A Midsummer Night’s Scream” proposed the most diverse, splendid, and confusing dress code I’d ever seen. “Let the flowers of the night be in full bloom,” the invitation said. “Let Elizabethan gowns and hose mingle with the tight vinyl of the now. Let gr...

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“Project Trick-Or-Treating” by Simone Stark

Submitted to Contest #13

Oh hello, I'm Jake Erikson. I'm eleven and I live at some apartment here at Shining City. Shining City is known as the most cheerful place in the whole world. Every week we celebrate festivals that aren't even important just like (festival), (festival), and (festival) but none of it matters because a few more days Halloween will take over Shining Town. I mean c’mon everyone likes Halloween except for Principal Dan. You can sense it in his name D-a-n, sounds like a made-up name if you ask me. The guy n...

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“THE GRIMLEY GHOSTS” by Ed Kuhn

Submitted to Contest #13

It sat in the middle of the block, once a well manicured property, a single two and a half story house with garage and driveway. A small gated front yard along with a small fenced back yard. That's the way it looked before a fire ravaged it's appearance and tak...

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“Shy Halloweeners” by Mabel Ortiz

Submitted to Contest #13

It seemed like we would not do anything! I told Jenny, "Forget it!!" How could we become trick or treaters without costumes? People would just laugh at us.It was just past seven, and most little kids were returning from their evening exploration of the neighborhood. Their bags were full of candy, cheap candy, but still candy. I really wanted to go scavenger hunting. Tommy did. too. But we simply could not gather ourselves to yell "Trick or treat!" in our regular clothes."It's too late! " Finally, Joe spoke after wiping a tear which he tried ...

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“The Carlyle House” by Katherine Gibson

Submitted to Contest #13

It was storming outside. It was nearly always storming at the Carlyle House. There wasn’t any kind of scientific explanation for it, as far as Coretta Stump knew, but there you had it. Of course, it hadn’t been storming the day she’d toured and bought the old Carlyle House, oh no. It had been sunny that day, and the manor had seemed warm and inviting, the perfect place to open the bed-and-breakfast she’d always dreamed of. She had heard the rumors about the ghosts, of course. But Coretta was a Stump, and Stumps did not hold with such nonsens...

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“Halloween Secrets” by Kenna Allen

Submitted to Contest #13

Your eyes grow tired trying to see through the dark, gloomy night. The fog only continues to thicken as the night drags on. But at least I’m able to admire the night during my drive, you think to yourself gazing into the cloudy trees. The Halloween spirit slowly creeps up on you, throwing you back in time. ***You placed your hand on the cold glass of the front window. You used to watch the kids in costumes pass for hours. You never knew why your mother despised Halloween so much. ***Spotting a sign on the side of the road, you slow...

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“Night Ride” by Ashar Qureshi

Submitted to Contest #13

The rain continued to beat down on to the windshield of Eric Bellinger’s black ‘95 Toyota Avalon. That combined with the fast approaching night made it more and more difficult to drive along the highway properly. In addition he had now been on the road for 20 hours. He had stayed up this long because of the pure adrenaline rush from his crime, but that was depleting. He took a look at his rearview mirror and saw how bloodshot and droopy his eyes appeared. “Next exit.” He muttered as his eyelids gained weight with each blink. There he s...

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“He Wanted To...” by D.W. P.

Submitted to Contest #13

He walked all the way to the middle of the forest, gone off the trail, climbed through trees and rocks to find a place where he could be alone. He walked all the way out there perhaps because he was tired of feeling alone whilst surrounded by people, or maybe to escape everything that reminded him of something. Or who’s to say he didn’t just enjoy the fresh air. He walked to the middle of that forest where he stood alone, feeling the breeze on his plum cheeks. He was tired from walking, or perhaps from running away. His sweat dripped through...

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“Haunted Village, Haunted Lives” by Juli Seyfried

Submitted to Contest #13

“Why don’t you wait in line here with Sonny while I go see if the lines are shorter at other houses?” I say to my husband, Del. “This haunted village is more popular than I thought it would be.”I get a nod from him. He’s shivering slightly from the dark, cold night. I’d just like to get inside and get warm. Our young son in his Halloween costume is toasty and excited to see scary stuff. Waiting in a long line could put an end to that.“If I’m not back in 10 minutes, look for me,” I say to Del.Del says, “Don’t worry; I’ll know you by your...

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“Common Courtesy” by Marin Dremock

Submitted to Contest #13

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry.” I extended my arms to steady the young man I had just carelessly stumbled into. He did not return the courtesy. Instead, he just glanced around in confusion, as if he was only disturbed by the trickle of raindrops falling from the October clouds. He stood still, frantically darting his eyes back and forth as if they were trailing a small fly buzzing in his personal space. Feeling disturbed myself, I tracked his movements, wondering why he wouldn’t bother to say a word. The people in this town aren’t lik...

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“If Only "I Do"” by Jasmine Crumb

Submitted to Contest #13

Today is the day. I’m finally becoming Mrs. Alexander. All of the planning and long nights were worth it. I throw the covers to the side and slide into my house slippers, which I only took off a few short hours ago. I’m running off of 3 hours and 12 minutes of sleep but I couldn’t be more excited. Tony Alexander stole my heart 2 years to the day, on a train going upstate. He was shy, but charming and had a smile no woman could resist. I never did make it to my destination that day, Cupid had other plans in mind for me. And we’ve been togethe...

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“Anonymous Fillers” by Sam Deans

Submitted to Contest #13

“Fuck you Corporate America!” John Smith said aloud, while walking back to his house in the suburbs. Everything had been going great until Corporate had decided to upgrade the department. What the hell is this! Was his exclamation and honest question in response to finding that moving monitors had replaced half of his coworkers, upon returning to work. His colleagues, Patrick, Jacquelin, Derek, and Samantha were gone. Now all that remained of his social circle from work was Matthew, and Matthew had never really been a big part of the group a...

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$50

Prize money

223

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 01, 2019 EST

Won by Zilla Babbitt 🏆

Title: Queen Cymbeline

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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#13: Spooktacular

This week's prompts

Write a story about someone spending the night in an old Victorian home-turned-hotel on Halloween.

You go to visit your neighbor. When you ring the doorbell, a stranger appears and tells you that your neighbor has been dead for ten years.

Write a story about someone who sees a black cat cross their path... for the tenth time that day.

You go for a walk and accidentally bump into someone. They feel the bump, but the person can't seem to hear or see you.

Write a story about an eventful evening of trick-or-treating.