The now fully official Author’s Hangout Halloween 2025 competition support thread

[DEFCOM5]

Halloween 2025 yields 44 stories, did you look for just Halloween, which will pick up some from earlier years?

People are working out that tagging in a comp can make you a target.

You are correct as usual,

I did a search using Halloween 2025 and it returned 136 stories. I found one from March without the tag. So confused!

What do you mean that tagging can make you a target?

 

[EmilyMiller]

You are correct as usual,

I did a search using Halloween 2025 and it returned 136 stories. I found one from March without the tag. So confused!

What do you mean that tagging can make you a target?

It’s an easy way to size up who the competition are and act on this.

 

[DEFCOM5]

It’s an easy way to size up who the competition are and act on this.

You mean people would actually click a story and give it a 1 just to tank them?

Seriously? That is SO wrong!

 

[MelissaBaby]

You mean people would actually click a story and give it a 1 just to tank them?

Seriously? That is SO wrong!

Dude...there are people who will shiv you for $150, you doubt they'd give you a one bomb?

 

[EmilyMiller]

You mean people would actually click a story and give it a 1 just to tank them?

Seriously? That is SO wrong!

Of course. It happens all the time.

As I say, competitions are fun and a way to get greater exposure, and randomly maybe reach some readers you might not anyway. But please don’t confuse them with a measure of merit. So many shennanigans go on, and so much is random. If you place it’s like having a winning lottery ticket, with about as much skill required.

Comps are fun, enjoy them for what they are, not what they aren’t.

 

[DEFCOM5]

Of course. It happens all the time.

As I say, competitions are fun and a way to get greater exposure, and randomly maybe reach some readers you might not anyway. But please don’t confuse them with a measure of merit. So many shennanigans go on, and so much is random. If you place it’s like having a winning lottery ticket, with about as much skill required.

Comps are fun, enjoy them for what they are, not what they aren’t.

I entered without any hope, intentions or desire to win. I entered because it was fun and I could connect with fellow writers. I entered it because I was hoping it would help me reach new readers. I never expected people to try to game the competition. I guess I am naive, even at my older age.

I like your analogy of a winning lottery and the skills required. Excellent way to put it.

 

[DEFCOM5]

Dude...there are people who will shiv you for $150, you doubt they'd give you a one bomb?

I live a very sheltered life ......

 

[dreams_in_words]

Of course. It happens all the time.

As I say, competitions are fun and a way to get greater exposure, and randomly maybe reach some readers you might not anyway. But please don’t confuse them with a measure of merit. So many shennanigans go on, and so much is random. If you place it’s like having a winning lottery ticket, with about as much skill required.

Comps are fun, enjoy them for what they are, not what they aren’t.

I never expected my silly little story to win. I am enjoying the eyes on it though. Feel like I should have chosen a different category besides erotic horror. I wasn't sure where to put sexy evil mutant bunny girls.

 

[Djmac1031]

My story is done and edited.

Sleeping on it and waiting for the feedback of one more proofreader *caugh* @EmilyMiller *caugh* before I submit, probably tomorrow.

 

[EmilyMiller]

My story is done and edited.

Sleeping on it and waiting for the feedback of one more proofreader *caugh* @EmilyMiller *caugh* before I submit, probably tomorrow.

It’s not good using @. You’re meant to look in a mirror and say Rellim Ylime three times.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I never expected my silly little story to win. I am enjoying the eyes on it though. Feel like I should have chosen a different category besides erotic horror. I wasn't sure where to put sexy evil mutant bunny girls.

Never will I ever darken the door of EC again. I should have figured that out twelve months ago, but I’m .

 

[Actingup]

If you place it’s like having a winning lottery ticket, with about as much skill required.

Hey! In my case it took considerable research into choral singing (and altos in particular), Munich saunas, and prog rock. All of which was extremely enjoyable.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Hey! In my case it took considerable research into choral singing (and altos in particular), Munich saunas, and prog rock. All of which was extremely enjoyable.

Research is its own reward

 

[StillStunned]

If you place it’s like having a winning lottery ticket, with about as much skill required.

That's a tad harsh. You need at the minimum a decent story to get anywhere near winning. But yes, above a certain skill level it's pretty random.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Welcome to Day 12 of The Halloween Competition

https://www.literotica.com/stories/contest.php/halloween-2025

 

[Djmac1031]

View attachment 2570798

Welcome to Day 12 of The Halloween Competition

https://www.literotica.com/stories/contest.php/halloween-2025

So, a typical Monday outfit for Emma, then...?

 

[DEFCOM5]

@EmilyMiller, Is Emma a generic classic western version of a witch (minus the warts) or are you referring to a specific movie?

Thank you for doing this. I brightens my morning!

 

[Djmac1031]

@EmilyMiller, Is Emma a generic classic western version of a witch (minus the warts) or are you referring to a specific movie?

Thank you for doing this. I brightens my morning!

pretty sure she's Hermione from Harry Potter

 

[EmilyMiller]

@EmilyMiller, Is Emma a generic classic western version of a witch (minus the warts) or are you referring to a specific movie?

Thank you for doing this. I brightens my morning!

Not all of them are movies. This one isn’t.

 

[DEFCOM5]

pretty sure she's Hermione from Harry Potter

Ok. The wand. Ok. The sorting hat.

The black robe?

 

[DEFCOM5]

Not all of them are movies. This one isn’t.

So is it an homage to a book? a song? Or just Emma with a witch outfit?

 

[Cockatoo]

I'm in. My haunted hotel story "Stay With Me" is being looked over by my people. I'll post it later on tonight.

 

[Djmac1031]

Submitted mine this morning after two good griends gave it a very thorough edit

 

[DEFCOM5]

Submitted mine this morning after two good griends gave it a very thorough edit

Let me know when it is live.

I cannot wait to read it.

 

[EmilyMiller]

good griends

That’s mighty griendly of you to say