FALL WRITING FRENZY 2025
Fall Writing Frenzy is an annual writing contest for kidlit writers to keep the creative juices flowing. The task is to write one piece (no more than 200 words) for a kidlit audience- ages 12 and under. The piece is to be inspired by one or more of the provided photos that change every year. This event is organized by Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis. I encourage you to visits their sites!
ANYTHING BUT THAT! (194 words)
I am NOT wearing that costume!
No way. I’m skipping Halloween.
Anyway, trick or treating is for babies.
I’m a big kid.
I’m too old to dress up.
Who needs candy?
Yes, I like candy but I can get candy other ways…
from my grandma’s purse, for example.
Does she have chewy chocolate bars?
Fantastic candy fizz?
Is her candy as gooey as sticky caramel?
No.
No.
And yes… but not for the right reasons.
Maybe her candy does have a bit of tissue fuzz on it but that’s ok because I am not wearing THAT!
It has floppy ears.
It has a tail.
It’s pink.
I hate pink.
I know I picked this costume but that was three weeks ago.
I’m grown up now.
Can you please buy me something else?
Please?
Pretty please?
Pluuuueeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz?
Fine, I will make my own costume.
What do we have around here that says “Halloween”?
Candy bowl.
Nope.
Ghost decoration.
Nope.
Pumpkin.
Interesting.
There it’s on.
Let’s go.
Wait.
It smells in here.
It’s wet in here.
It’s dark in here.
Okay.
I will wear the pink costume.
But, first how do I get this pumpkin off?
October 2025
PICTURE BOOK PARTY
Picture Book Party is an annual event hosted by Mindy Alyse Weiss. Entering it’s 11th year, I participated with the submission of one of my current manuscripts. The manuscript earned an Honorable Mention from over 1000 entries.
May 2025
FALL WRITING FRENZY
Co-hosted by Kailyn Leann Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis this annual contest encourages kidlit writers to write a kidlit piece of work (200 words max) inspired by a photo. Below is my submission. Please note, the submission is written for a YA (young adult) market.
Check out this page for the official rules: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/fallwritingfrenzy-2024-rules/
Check ous FAQs here: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/faqs-fall-writing-frenzy/
Leave the Light On
By Reed Hilton-Eddy
199 words
Inspired by Photo #1 Credit: Unsplash via Marko Blažević
Deep in the woods where no one plays there is a path.
It weaves and winds through the trees towards a weathered lantern.
There are days the lantern is lit… mostly it’s not.
Some say the spirits leave the light on to guide lost souls home.
When the flame flickers the woods turn to fog.
The golden glow becomes a serenade that summons like a signal to the infinite invisible silhouettes who shuffle in the shadows.
Like a bell, it beckons the spirits towards it.
In a trance they twirl and twist through the twiggy trees.
Today I saw the spark of saffron.
I migrate towards its magnetic pull, startled by its spooky strength – I surrender.
Doubt dissolves from me as I drift down the path past playmates preoccupied in pastimes unaware of the unyielding light.
Away from the familiar, I float forward further from friends and family.
Faint laughter breaks the spell, briefly I stop and look back longing.
I squint in the silence at the sunlight surrounding them.
But …
“Come!” the light calls to me like an eerie echo.
I resist.
I refuse.
I relent.
Compelled into calm as I’m comforted to enter eternal rest.
October 2024
SPRING FLING
Hosted by Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/ and Ciara O Neal https://ciaraoneal.weebly.com/ this annual contest encourages kidlit writers to use a gif with a “spring” theme as a prompt for a 125 word max. story.
It’s Spring
It’s Spring!
Hooray.
Toss your mittens and your sled.
Put on your runners and grab your bike.
Let’s go…
Wait, it’s raining?
It’s Spring!
Yippee.
Toss your runners and set aside your bike.
Put on your rainboots and grab your umbrella.
Let’s go…
Wait, it’s snowing?
It’s Spring!
Woohoo.
Toss your rainboots and set aside your umbrella.
Put on your mittens and grab your sled.
Let’s go…
Wait, … it’s sunny?
It’s Spring.
Goodey.
Toss your mittens, hat, runners and rainboots.
Set aside your sled, bike and umbrella.
Let’s… wait… sigh
Stay inside today.
April 2, 2024
50 PRECIOUS WORDS CONTEST!
Hosted by author Vivian Kirkfield https://viviankirkfield.com/ this contest challenges kidlit writers to create a piece in 50 words or less. Over the years this contest has grown in popularity with over 600 entries!
Grow Down by Reed Hilton-Eddy (50 words)
What if instead of growing “up” I grow DOWN?!
Maybe, I could…
Daydream.
Wiggle.
Cry.
Play make-believe.
Make noise.
Run, jump, skip.
Cuddle my bear.
Hold your hand.
Make mistakes.
Tumble and a kiss would make it all better.
Perhaps tomorrow, I will grow up.
But today, I’m a kid.
February, 2024
13th ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONTEST!
Another annual writing contest run my Susanna Leonard Hill. The challenge is in 250 words or less write a holiday themed submission that includes a countdown. Here is my submission.
UNTIL THEN…
By Reed Hilton-Eddy 186 words
Just 10 more sleeps! Until then…
We can craft a colourful countdown clock.
Just 9 more sleeps! Until then…
We can grab skates to glide and slide.
Just 8 more sleeps! Until then…
We can spin the dreidel by soft Menorah light.
Just 7 more sleeps! Until then…
We can sing songs – some silly others sweet.
Just 6 more sleeps! Until then…
We can create cookies with chocolate chunks to crunch with hot cocoa.
Just 5 more sleeps! Until then…
We can sip cinnamon cider on the darkest night near the crackling yule log fire.
Just 4 more sleeps! Until then…
We can slip on a suit and sail on a sled.
Just 3 more sleeps! Until then…
We can gather garlands of greenery to greet holiday guests.
Just 2 more sleeps! Until then…
We can package presents with pretty paper and wrap it with ruby ribbon.
Just 1 more sleep! Until then…
We can set a star that shines bright on top of our tree, covered in baubles and lights.
No more sleeps!
We can finally hold each other in a humongous holiday hug.
December 6, 2023
13th ANNUAL HALLOWEENIE CONTEST!
This fun contest is run by Susanna Leonard Hill https://susannahill.com/2023/10/29/the-13th-annual-halloweensie-writing-contest-aahhhrrrooooooo/#respond. The challenge is no more than 100 words and three theme words must be used in the submission. This year’s words are : werewolf, fright (frighten/frightening), superstitious. I have been a winner in the past. Here is this year’s submission.
Trick IN a Treat
Reed Hilton-Eddy
97 words
A trick IN a treat?
Smirk – silly superstition.
CHOMP
Gnaw, grind, gobble.
First lumpy and bumpy
And crispy, crusty and crumbly
Then sip, slurp and suck.
Savory, sour and subtle.
Feverishly I flop to all fours.
Wobble, bobble, tumble, bumble.
My face shifts to furry and fuzzy while I quake and shake.
Is this frightening or funny?
A bark bursts out with a boom.
GROWL
HOWL
Sallow and yellow my eyes glower at the shadows.
I sniff a whiff of something musky and skunky.
Am I a… werewolf?
What about you?
Care to try this tricky treat?
October 30, 2023
FALL WRITING FRENZY 2023 – update!
There were 187 entries. 16 winners and 18 honorable mentions. My submission below was selected as an HONORABLE MENTION.
Thank you for Kaitlin Leann Sanchez and all the judges and prize donors and congratulations to all the writers.
October 2023
FALL WRITING FRENZY 2023 contest
The poem below is inspired the picture Photo by Josh Hild on Pexels.com
Two Worlds (129 words)
There is a line between two worlds, at the far end of the field, where the fence posts meet.
The line sways in a haze of shimmery light.
One side is dreamy.
Idyllic.
Its air cools like a balm. Hushed it flutters and whispers as it ambles past carrying hints of
flowers and honey.
This is the world of play. Fairies. Make-believe. Childhood.
Pause.
Swing.
Hover.
Swing.
Pause.
This is the world of work. School. Chores. Grown-ups.
Its air is fresh and crisp. Echoing it rustles and crinkles as it hurries past with whiffs of earth and
herbs.
Edgy.
One side is ordinary.
The line rocks with the sky aglow.
Where the fence posts meet, at the far end of the field, there is the line between two worlds.
KIDLIT VIBES – 2023 contest
Reed’s entry The Bashful “b” was selected as a winning entry in the KIDLIT VIBES 2023 contest this March!
SPRING FLING – 2023 contest – Reed’s entry below
Spring Magic (150 words)
Spring was a magical time for Lilly. Buds bloomed, the weather warmed, and mystical mortals materialized.
Lilly’s wish to meet a mortal was perceived as whimsical. Others stopped dreaming like that years ago, but Lilly was determined.
In stories, they were drawn to miniature gardens with shiny stones. They liked hollowed-out trees with holes for hiding. They used branches to build bungalows in the woods.
If Lilly made one, maybe they would come to her.
From dusk till dawn, she cultivated and created.
While some laughed at her efforts – she persisted.
Finally, a full moon, she snuck out to stand watch.
She waited.
Nothing.
The sun peeked on the horizon.
And then….
RUSTLE
SHUFFLE
GASP!
There was one!
They stopped and stared.
Silently, still, they stood knowingly.
As the world woke the spell was broken.
It ran away giggling.
Lilly headed for home…
With a flutter of her fairy wings.
April 1, 2023
50 PRECIOUS WORDS 2023 CONTEST
Much of 2022 was a year of growth. Reed participated in a number of writing development opportunities including 12 x 12, Rate Your Story, CANSCAIP PYI Conference, and Picture Book Summit to name a few.
2023 started off with a BANG with an Honourable Mention in Vivienne Kirkland’s 50 Precious Words contest.
March 2023
WOULD YOU READ IT?
THE ALLEY CAT CHRONICLES – MR BOOTS (book 1) CB manuscript that is in revisions was features on kidlit author Susanna Hill’s blog! Visit her site to see the post and explore all the amazing content she offers.
January 26, 2022
SOLD!
Nicole’s most recent commissioned piece, 30 x 40″ acrylic on canvas.
December 2021
2021 Successes
Children’s author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year. She believes the way New Year’s resolutions are traditionally made come from a place of negativity – what DIDN’T get done or achieved in the previous year. Instead, she suggests we set goals for the New Year that BUILD on our achievements from the previous one. I decided to participate in this Anti-Resolution Revolution! Here is my list for 2021.
I want to add that success is a relative concept. As a newbie in the industry I need to remember that this is what I have achieved in less than 10 months. Am I where I would love to be? No, but I accept that right now this is where I need to be in my writing journey. These are some highlights:
- Launched a website with my best friend and artist Nicole to present our collaborative work as well as our own creations.
- We queried our collaboration as an easy reader but are now doing a revision into an early graphic novel.
- I started and completed an 11 chapter kidlit book – that I adore!
- I am heading into 2022 with 5 polished picture book manuscripts – ready to query
- I participated in four PB writing contests (won one and got an HM in another)
- I participated in Picture Book Summit
- I listened to Julie Hedlund’s mini-PB sessions
- I organized and attended a PB writing workshop with Alison McGhee
- I joined SCBWI
- When lockdown ended I took out 10-20 PB published in 2020-2021 per week from the library
- Joined Twitter
- I participated in pitch fests for the first time (got no likes, but kept on writing)
- I had professional critiques of my work (curled up in a fetal position for 12 hours, then kept on writing)
- I attended pitch writing workshops
- I applied for a mentorship (got rejected and still kept writing)
- I queried (and got rejected but kept writing)
- I listened SCBWI podcasts
- I posted my contest submissions publicly
- Told a few people about my writing (huge for me)
- I am here a year later and I am STILL writing
Isn’t this icing on the cake?! An honorable mention! If you would like to read all the honourable mention stories please visit: https://motherhoodblockparty.net/birthday-birthday-honorable-mentions/
11th Annual Holiday Writing Contest
As I continue my journey of critique, rewrite, revise with manuscripts that I will query in the new year, you will notice I have kept my writing chops fresh with writing contests. So here is likely my last contents for 2021. Another fun challenge from Suzanna Hill. Parameters include: kidlilt (readers under 12 years of age, max. 250 words, no art notes, holiday focused and must include a contest). One never knows what the judges are seeking, but my little story entertains me – I hope it entertains you too!
THE STAR – this MS has been removed!
Another Writing Contest!
As I continue to edit and rewrite my current manuscripts, I feel it is important to keep my writing juices flowing by writing fresh material. These contests give kidlit writers tight parameters and it challenges us to apply the core concepts of picture book writing with limited word count and theme.
The most recent contest left the theme wide open but required the writer to complete a 100 word story, for a child under the age of 12 using two words from a list. My two words are slurp and whoosh. Hope you enjoy.
TOILET MONSTER
By Reed Hilton-Eddy (99 words)
The toilet monster eats everything – it JUST slurped Lucy’s goldfish.
Mom said there is no such thing, but Lucy knew better.
When Lucy needed to pee, she
Leaped with her legs,
Skipped and sang,
Or
Danced a disco
– but eventually, she had to go!
Lucy took a deep breath and flushed.
But before the monster slurped,
she flushed again,
And
Again
And
Again.
The monster went BUUUUUURP
The toilet went WHOOSH, and the water rose
Higher
And
Higher
And
Higher
Until…
Tada! Her fish was back!
Lucy’s mom was mad.
Lucy’s mom must be working with the toilet monster.
November 20, 2021
Exciting News!
Just found out my story submission for the Halloweenie 2021 was one of 13 manuscripts selected out of over 300 submissions as a FINALIST!
November 9, 2021
Halloweenie 2021
One of the joys of kidlit writing is the opportunity to participate in writing challenges. They are called contests and I suppose they are, but really I see them as opportunities to apply the components of our craft in ways outside the norm. This event, run by Susanna Hill it in its 11th year!. The challenge – write a story or poem with a target reader under the age of 12, with a main character, story arc using “glow-in-the-dark”, “goosebumps” and “goodies.” Oh, since it is Halloween contest, it needs to take place on Halloween night. Easy? Ok maybe, did I mention it needs to be 100 words or less? Ah ha… there is the challenge. And here is my result!
My Last Trick-or-Treat
It was the biggest house, once showy now spooky and scary with oodles of stairs that led to darkness; but this was my last Halloween.
Leaves crunched and the wind cried.
Alone except for goodies bumping in my bag.
Ahead, a glow-in-the-dark hand on a curtain at the window. A ghost? A ghoul? Goosebumps form.
Shadows surround me.
At the top a door – large and looming.
Knock, Knock.
CRRREEEEEEK.
A hand materializes from the darkness behind the door.
PLUNK.
I look in my bag.
I am filled with horror.
Looking back at me, one small box of … RAISINS!
October 29, 2021
Picture Book Critique Fest 2021
I have been in the dance world and the theatre world – it’s a rough place. In addition to the criticism, long hours, low pay – your colleagues are not really your support system. Since I have entered the kidlit world I am humbled and uplifted on how writers and illustrators (agents and editors too) work hard to lift each other up. We see space on the book shelf for each book. It is not competition, it is about group growth and it energizes me.
Brian Gehrlein has organized an amazing opportunity for kidlit writers and author-illustrators to connect with authors, author-illustrators, and agents who will provide critiques! This is gold in our industry. The sharing and passing of knowledge. It is important to note, that these critiques are voluntary from people who are busy with their own projects or representing completed projects, Like all arts, it is all consuming; but they see the value in passing the torch.
Over the next two weeks, I will have an opportunity to explore the published works of these amazing, accomplished volunteers and hopefully encourage others to do the same. One day I aspire to have an opportunity to be in their shoes – accomplished enough to give back to this creative industry.
To learn more about this helpful event and Brian’s upcoming debut book visit: https://www.pbspotlight.com/
#pbcritiquefest
October 17, 2021
Nicole’s latest acrylic on Canvas! Visit her art page to see more of her work.
October 5, 2021
FallWritingFrenzy-2021
Please enjoy my submission for this fun writing contest! Inspired by the picture, no more than 200 words.
MYSTERY MAIL
SQUEAK,
RUSTLE,
SIGH,
BANG!
“Any mail for you, Chloe?” called out Mr. Granger as he shuffled by, with his pug TuTu.
“Nope … again,” Chloe said plodding up the driveway.
Every day, hop off the bus. Every day, scurry to the mailbox. Every day -SQUEAK, RUSTLE, SIGH, BANG. Every day, the same answer to Mr. Granger – nothing.
The leaves were changing, but the mailbox stayed the same.
SQUEAK,
RUSTLE,
CRINKLE,
GASP!
“Any mail today, Chloe?” called out Mr. Granger.
“YES!” she squealed as she skipped home.
The envelope displayed HER name and a real stamp.
Mail addressed to her – declaration of her importance.
But from whom? It was mystery mail.
Inside: a pumpkin, a hat, a purple ruffled collar and a stick.
Carefully she constructed the contents.
At dinner, it held a place of honour.
At night, it lay ceremoniously.
At school, it met intrigue.
Hop off the bus. Scurry to the mailbox. Plunge the pumpkin into the ground.
Stepping back, gazing with glee.
“What have you got there, Chloe?” Mr. Granger called out.
“My mystery mail!” she exclaimed.
Mr. Granger smiled and shuffled by, with a twinkle in his eye.
October 1, 2021
Picture Book Summit – 2021
This evening Reed had the great pleasure of enjoying the kick-off Summit event for the founders. First they shared how the same topic can be published at the same time because each author will have a different spin. Second, they showed how one author leaves her mark on all her work, despite the topic through her unique rhythm and word choice. Looking forward to the full event this weekend.
September 28, 2021
Alison McGhee!
Reed had the great pleasure of participating in an intimate 4-hour PB workshop with Alison McGhee today. It was informative, inspiring and the creative juices are flowing! Stay tuned for exciting works developed this fall.
August 28, 2021
Summer Refresh
Nicole is planning to enjoy an opportunity to paint and sketch as she explores nature with her family. Reed will continue to participate in FirstDraftFridays, PB Critique Crew and PB seminars and workshops. Hope everyone enjoys their summer.
June 30, 2021
New Story
We have a new manuscript ready for review. Visit THOSE BOOTS, located under STORIES to learn more!
June 11, 2021
PB Twitter Pitch
We will be pitching THE ADVENTURES OF SUPER SISTER AND DIAPER DIVA-LICK next week – watch for us on twitter!
June 9, 2021
PB Writing Challenges
Reed has been participating in PB writing challenges. Visit our “Stories” Page for new stories ready for review.
May 20, 2021
New Page!
Check out our latest page – “Nicole’s Art” features highlights of her work in various mediums. It will be updated regularly so check back to see the latest additions.
April 3, 2021
We are live!
First version of the site launched today. We really enjoyed collaborating on the layout, colours and font. All these steps towards the end goal of publication.
March 22, 2021
It’s Happening!
After over a year of multiple drafts, thumbnails, revisions, edit templates, industry research, doubt, text messages, phone calls, online meetings… we are almost there! This week we are taking that leap; we are sending out query letters with our first dummy – Lick – we hope they love it as much as we do.
March 13, 2021
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Reed and Nicole 