What is that in the air? Is it the holidays lurking around the corner, a candle burning, a flavored latte? No, I smell…. a contest! Susanna Hill’s Halloweensie Contest is in full swing. Every year I relish in the spooky and sweet entries! This year, may I present my story Kit’s Costume at 99 words. I hope you enjoy it!
 
 
 
 
Kit’s Costume
By Kari Ann Gonzalez
 
“Finally, Halloween!”
Kit couldn’t wait to go trick-or-treating.
The ooey-gooey goodies, the goosebumps, the KIDS!
All he needed was a bit of black paint
and he could be part of it!
One last glob…
“Purrrrfect!”
Under the moon’s glow-in-the-dark light
Kit crept to the corner and peeked.
“Look Mum, a kitty!”
Kit beamed,
finally walking freely.
And with so many people in sight!
Kit marched with creative costumes,
devoured thrills, chills and too-much candy
Until…
He felt a wave of wet.
“SPRINKLERS!”
Kit raced to stay dry
but, the paint had…
“Run! SKUNK!”
 
“Well…that had been fun.” Kit sighed.

I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of such a welcoming and supportive community that embraces new writers to seasoned with a warm embrace. One way I have learned to connect with other writers in the community is through participating in contests. And there are many to choose from!
Whether it is a writing contest like Fall Writing Frenzy hosted by Lydia Lukidis and Kaitlyn Sanchez or Halloweensie hosted by Susanna Hill, contests with amazing, writerly prizes are just around the corner. The prizes are of course amazing, but also amazing is how we forge friendships over craft and creativity, how we support one another through spreading cheer in a tough industry to break into, and how we amplify fellow writers in all of the amazing work they have put into their heart projects both published and unpublished.
Cheers to all of the opportunities! One such opportunity is still up and live until October 31st! Entrants in the contest have a huge opportunity to win critiques and connect with published authors and agents, but also to support the same authors that give back to their writing community by purchasing and reviewing their books. What are you waiting for? It’s time to enter! Hop on over to PBSpotlight and enter PBCritiqueFest21. While you’re there, if you happen to see a cute, purple monster named Dennis in The Book Of Rules written by Brian Gehrlein and illustrated by Tom Knight, pre-order it! Dennis demands it, or at least he should. Snag your pre-order today!
Thanks for being part of this amazing writing community with me, and good luck on all the contests!

​Fall is finally here! I am relishing pumpkin everything, the golden, orange and red falling leaves  and especially the super spooky Halloween decorations. Another favorite part of the season? The contests! 

This year for Fall Writing Frenzy I challenged myself to step outside my usual picture book and middle grade age range and write a super spooky YA story in free verse. With only 200 words!




Image credit: Halloween- Credit: Neon Brand/Unsplash

Clowning Around
By Kari Ann Gonzalez
 
Late!
I fly off the porch steps,
tugging on my malicious-looking mask.
Splashing past a puddle,
I’m relishing the look of my new warped, white face.
The creepy corkscrew curls
and red rubber nose
stacked over a sinister, ruby-red smile.
Max and those other bozos
deserve everything they have coming.
 
C-R-E-A-K.
I slip through the carnival’s back gate,
tuck into the shadows
and wait…
They are going to scream
and pee their pants
when Jake and I jump out from hiding.
Almost there!
 
Wait.
Wait.
Heart pounding like a drum,
I peek.
No one…good.
Slipping into the dark House of Horrors, I whisper…
“Jake?”
My heart pounds louder.
I toe around an almost-headless horseman.
Then, crawl through sticky cobwebs
past the ginormous, rearing spider.
“JAKE!” I whisper louder,
struggling to see through the fake fog.
 “Where are you? They’re going to be here any minute!”
I squint hard.
Edge forward.
Finally seeing something…
 
“Jake!”
I take in all of him.
Bloodstained jumpsuit.
Disheveled rainbow hair.
Rubber nose.
Maniacal smile stretching over rotting teeth- terrifying!
Jake’s ax even glints like steel.
“Great costume, Jake! That ax looks almost real. Are you ready?”
 
“Oh, I’m ready…” the voice growls, “But, who’s Jake?” 



So-how did I do?

A huge thank you to Kaitlynn Lean Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis for hosting another fun contest. I hope this little piece jumpstarts your October with a little shiver. Thanks for stopping by to read my entry! Wishing the best of luck to all the contestants!