Gnarled witches cackle over boiling cauldrons...

Bats keen from the moon-shrouded skies as crimson leaves skitter across the ground, blown about by crisp Autumn winds.

The year wanes. It is a time for endings, when all the crops are in, and we ward off chilling thoughts of the long winter to come with tales of ghosts and goblins told over cups of hot cider.

Some gather about a roaring bonfire to mark the end of the harvest, and placate the restless shades of the dead. Others garb themselves in costume and flit about the neighborhood, in search of candy and mischief. Still others revel in Dionysian madness with spirits of the bottle, or take up flashlights and tape recorders, and go in search of spirits of another kind.

However it is celebrated, it has been celebrated for millennia. It is a time of death, of fear, but also of courage, and laughter at the mortality that binds us all.

Samhain. All Hallow’s Eve. Halloween.


THE CONTEST

This is a simple contest, and a small one, to start. I invite you to enter a story, or a poem, or a song, or any written thing you like. The only stipulation is that your creation involve Halloween, in any interpretation, angle or form you choose. Your piece may be grisly, or funny, or chilling, or romantic, or all (or none) of the above. You may bestow it with all the trappings of the holiday, or show me a side of All Hallow’s Eve that I’ve never seen before.

When your piece is ready, link it in a note to `Memnalar, and I’ll add it to the tally.

I invite volunteer judges. No costume required. Let me know by note if you’re interested.

I invite prize donations. No toothbrushes, please. Again, please note me.

Above all, I invite entries. The deadline is Friday, October 23, midnight CST. Ideally, winners will be announced by October 31, if the goblins of real life so permit.


PRIZES

First Place
$30 value from winner’s Wish List, OR one-year Premium Membership from `Memnalar

Second Place
Three-month Premium Membership, AND $10 value from winner’s Wish List from `Memnalar

Third Place
Three-month Premium Membership from `Memnalar

At present, all entries will be judged together. I may separate them (poetry, prose, etc.) depending on the number of prizes and judges that materialize.


Prize donors may enter if they wish. Judges can’t enter, but I won’t let you walk away empty-handed for your efforts. After all, I prefer treats to tricks.

Good luck! Please keep an eye on my journal for updates. [link]

Enjoy your cider, and don’t forget to look under the bed before you go to sleep…