Orange circle with crimped edges reads "FWF Contestant 2026"
Challenges, writing contests

Fall Writing Frenzy 2026

Teresa Traver/Anne Rollins
Orange circle with crimped edges reads "FWF Contestant 2026"

Each year, the changing of seasons brings a number of kidlit contests around. Once again, I had a lot of fun writing an entry for the Fall Writing Frenzy, an annual kidlit contest hosted by Lydia Lukidis and Kaitlyn Sanchez. I chose picture #11 (below) for my prompt.

“Library Magic”

On a rainy Saturday, the sounds of childhood filled Northwood Institute from the cellar to the attics. No lessons, no chores, just hours for playing. . .  or for bullying.

Knowing she was an easy target, Alice escaped into the library. Here, thick walls shut out shouting and laughter, while worn carpet softened footfalls.

Alice breathed in the scent of aging paper and glue, ran a finger along the spines of a row of leatherbound tomes, and chose a volume at random.

Then the door crashed open and a pack of laughing boys tumbled into the room. “I think she came in here.”

She panicked when she recognized Tom’s voice. Had they noticed her? No—rows of shelves hid her from view. She crouched behind a chair and held her breath. Maybe they wouldn’t see her…

Strangely, the book in Alice’s hand grew warmer. Something glinted from between the pages. When she cracked it open, golden light poured out, blanketing her with warmth.

Tom passed Alice’s chair, looking directly at her. But he only said, “There’s no one here.” And the boys left.

He didn’t see me! But how? Alice stared at the book in awe. Reading really was magic!

Person with bare legs and knit socks sits on the floor, holding a cup of coffee. They are surrounded by books and autumn decorations.
By Magnific

If you enjoyed that, you should check out the other entries!

Picture Book Journey

Celebrate St. Francis

Teresa Traver/Anne Rollins

Did you know that October 4 is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi? As a saint, Francis seems to beloved by many people beyond the Roman Catholic Church. Many churches hold a “blessing of animals” ceremony on his feast day, and his statue frequently decorates gardens. You don’t have to be religious to respect his love of animals and the natural world.

As a child, animals were one of my special interests, so St. Francis was always one of my favorite saints. I loved the story of him “taming” the wolf of Gubbio. I’m glad I got to include Francis and the wolf in A is for Anthony, my booklet about saints and animals.

A hand reaches out of the mist carrying an old-fashioned lantern. Only the hand and arm of the person are visible.
Challenges

“Wayfaring Jack”

Teresa Traver/Anne Rollins
Orange circle with jagged edges. At top, large capital letters "FWF." Smaller letters below say "Contest". An autumn tree stands below the words.

It’s Fall Writing Frenzy time! Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis host this kidlit writing contest every year. It’s been a few years since I last participated, but writing this was a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy it!

“Wayfaring Jack” by Teresa Traver


“They’re coming,” Gabe whispered. “Do you hear?”

Withered leaves rustled in the breeze. A crow cawed. Then I heard the distant blast of a hunting horn, followed by hounds baying.

Cold fear pierced my heart. “You’re right. We need to find shelter.”

But where? Abandoned farms lined both sides of the creek, but I knew an unoccupied house offered no protection. Threshold magic only worked where there was light and comfort, warmth and hope.

I squared my shoulders. “The Sawyer place is closest. If we cut across the cornfield, we’ll be there in minutes.”

Edie gasped. “The cornfield where Jack walks?”

“Better Jack than them.” I gestured toward the distant pack.

My younger siblings nodded, and we set off.

We paused at the edge of the cornfield. Deep inside, a light glimmered in the mist, slowly drawing closer.

“Hello?” I called. “Who’s there?”

A hand reaches out of the mist carrying an old-fashioned lantern. Only the hand and arm of the person are visible.
Freepik via Alexdon24

No answer, until a hand bearing a lantern broke through the mist. It had to be him: Wayfaring Jack.

The horn sounded behind us, much too close. “Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea,” I muttered.

I grasped Gabe and Edie’s hands, drew a deep breath, and followed the lantern into the mist.

The End. . . for now!

Book Announcements

New way to purchase!

Teresa Traver/Anne Rollins

Greetings, kidlit fans! I’m experimenting with IngramSpark’s “Share and Sell” program. Buying through these links may or may not save you money, but it means cutting out “middlemen” like Amazon.

This direct sell method only works for the editions that are published with IngramSpark. That includes the paperback of Sprinkles to the Rescue and the hardcover of Spooky and the Gargoyle. Both of these picture books remain available in digital form on Kindle Unlimited.

Cover of a small booklet labeled "A is for Anthony: An alphabet of Saints and Animals." Dover depicts a cartoon version of a Franciscan friar sitting on a dock, talking to fish in a lake.

If you want to buy A is for Anthony directly from me, you’ll find it on ebay.

Curious about what I’m working on? Most of my writing attention is focused on romance novels at the moment, but I do have some kidlit ideas percolating. Hopefully I’ll be able to share more soon!

Challenges

Holiday Writing Contest

Teresa Traver/Anne Rollins

If you’re part of the picture book world, you may already know that it’s seasonal contest time again! Here’s my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Holiday Writing Contest.

The Snack Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and Santa Claus needs a snack break. Frosted sugar cookies and a table for one, please!

Look who’s chirping at the door—an Arctic Warbler. How about a snack for two with caterpillars and cookies?

Another guest already? Hello, Ground Squirrel! Table for three, please, with grass seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.

How you doin’, Arctic Hare? The four of us will feast on fresh berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies. Yum!

Ah, Mr. Fox is right on time! We’ll have a festive snack for five, with birds’ eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.

So glad you could join us, Captain Caribou. Six is the perfect number for a meal of lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.

Come in, come in, Polar Bear! Just for you, we’ll add a seventh chair. Blubbery seals, lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies are on the menu.

Mr. Walrus was running late, but our party’s getting lively, ‘cause now we have eight! Please enjoy clams, seals, lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.

Oh boy, Beluga, things are getting crowded. But we’ll find room for all nine guests. We’re dining on cod, clams, seals, lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.

Another guest? We’ll have a party of ten. Hello, Mr. . . . Abominable Snowman?! Oh no, he looks hungry! We gotta get out of here! Run!

Abominable Snowman, party of one?

Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com