The monsters have been summoned and winners have emerged. For Dictionary.com’s fourth annual spooky writing contest, we dared you to write an original opening to a terrifying monster story using 50 words or less. After nearly 900 bone-chilling submissions, our guest judges, Dan and Lynze Cummins from the Scared To Death podcast, have chosen the creepiest haunting hook of them all.
The Winner 🥇
She walked down the familiar path into the woods. The cooing owls were her only friends tonight, but the beast would scare them away soon. The path in front of her had been paved by the girls who came before. She was not the first and wouldn’t be the last.
— Hannah Martin
Congratulations to Hannah! Her story will be read on a Scared To Death podcast episode! Plus, she will receive a $100 Amazon gift card, Scared To Death swag, and Dictionary.com swag.
Fans’ Choice 🏆
We narrowed down the list to four finalists and left the rest up to the fans. After an intense round of voting, this haunting hook was crowned the winner of our Fans’ Choice!
I woke up drunk. Again. Nothing new. Facing a world-class hangover. Nothing new. The unmoving female form beside me was new. The wet coppery smell of fresh blood. That was new. Then there was the hooded figure looming in the corner. That was definitely new.
— Greg H.
Greg will receive a $50 Amazon gift card, Scared To Death swag, and Dictionary.com swag.
Honorable mentions
Some spine-tingling story openers stood out from the rest. These honorable mentions caught the eyes of our petrified panel of judges.
Tyler counted less than two Mississippis between the flash that lit up his room and the boom rattling his bed. He was under it, because his brother had finally convinced him there was no monster. Also, the lightning. “That was close,” whispered a voice behind him. It wasn’t his brother.
— Joe Hash
When the moon is full, it leaches the color from everything. Only silver and shadow remain. Even the blood, hot and steaming on her hands looks black, like ink under her nails. It tastes red on her tongue though, and the meat between her teeth is fresh and sweet.
— Katherine Hatherlee
As Winston passes a mirror, the family dog pauses to examine his reflection in the heirloom. Curiosity tilts his head while instinct interjects a bark. Winston hesitantly retreats into the bedroom. The reflection lingers. It tilts its head and forces a soundless bark. The mimicry repeats. The mirror needed practice.
— Travis Andrews
In the eerie silence of the forsaken city, spider drones scuttled like mechanical arachnids, their penetrating red eyes scanning for prey. Once a marvel of technology, they now hunted the last remnants of humanity, weaving webs of agony. As night fell, their metallic legs clicked ominously, signaling the inevitable end.
— Richard Liley
Honorable mentions will receive Dictionary.com swag.
If you’re still curious about how the contest works, you can also review the official contest rules. Stay tuned for more contests from Dictionary.com!
