Spec the Halls - The Ghost of Contests Past

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Spec the Halls: A Winter Celebration of the Weird and the Fantastic

The Ghost of Contests Past

Recommended Entries From Other Years

2009 Winners!
2008 Winners

Most recent submissions are at the top of the list.

Title

Author

Description/Sample

Zombie Elves
2009 Winner! Sue Penkivech What effect would destroying a cultural icon with the galactic significance of Santa Claus have on the Multiverse? Virginia of the Multiversal Time Protection Unit is determined not to find out.

A Son is Given Risa Wolf Chris, having lost wife and son, tries to recreate the joy of Christmas.

The Kates and I Bernie Mojzes What happens on Christmas eve when kids first find themselves trapped in outer space? And what's this Christmas thing all about anyway?

Happy Christmas Morning Jenni Dowsett Happy Christmas Morning captures the excitement and joy a child feels waking up on the morning of Christmas. Carrie's parents are not quite as merry about waking up before 6am to see what Santa brought.

'Twas the Night
Manuel Royal "So, what's it like, being Santa? Good question. You might not like the answer."

The Christmas Angel
Donna Burgess Christmas Eve one year ago
And Mommy became an angel
Red halo and red wings all spread out beneath her

A Green Christmas Jon C. Forisha When new recruit Ferris arrives on a planet ruled by an abundance of chlorophyll and mysterious aliens, he finds that all he can think about is Christmas back on earth.

Medusa's Holiday
2009 Winner! M.M. Bergstrom Here upon an evening dreary
Though all the world is wet and weary
I bundle up my head of snakes
To deliver all my Yuletide cakes

One Last Tequila Sunrise Brinna Deavellar A woman fights for her life against otherworldly attackers summoned every year by the winter solstice.

The Mystery of the Disappearing Christmas Cracker Debbie Cowens For the family of earthlings known by the name of Jones, Christmas dinners can be chaotic enough without the sudden appearance of an alien. How will they cope when a strange visitor materialises in their dining room, seeking the meaning of the enigmatic Earth object that arrived on its planet? Will the Jones be able to explain the purpose of a Christmas cracker to the satisifaction of their extraterrestial guest before Maureen's turkey dinner gets cold? Can an alien ever come to understand the true meaning of Christmas?

Snow Walker Sharon Clauss Madeline and her son found a new home just in time for Christmas. It seems idyllic, friendly, snowy, and picturesque, but the land is animated in ways that defy logic.

Tis the Season to Be... Steven Saus Some would say that it's impossible for Santa to do everything he's supposed to. But it might just be entirely unlikely.

The Horde Karlton Douglas Two warriors face a black day.

The Twelve Gauge of Christmas P.A. Gardinali "It was the old bastard, all right; laying by the fireplace, contorted in an unnatural pose. The streaks of blood ran down from the mantelpiece, which he had likely grabbed in a desperate escape attempt." A homage to my favorite noir writer of all times. Set in an alternate reality, just slightly less bizarre than ours. Warning: implied ickiness.

Silent Night D. Travis Brandel A holiday tradition leads two brothers to a nontraditional fate.

The Christmas Robots Cheeseburger Brown On the saltiest moon of Epsilon Indi's most backwater brown dwarf, a thousand dumb appliances are about to give their human masters an education on the true meaning of Christmas.

A Robotic Christmas Karlton Douglas A father uses technology to bring a traditional Christmas to his family, but things don't quite work out as planned.

Elfin Letter Suanne Warr What do the elves think of their incessant activity in making lists' and enchanting toys? Do they ever long for a new society--one in which Santa and his loaded bag of goodies has no place?

Wormhole Magic Marianne Plumridge What happens when Santa and the reindeer wake up to find the human race has disappeared? He's a bit grumpy with the first person he encounters...on the Moon.

Santa Baby Lesley L. Smith It pays to invite the right folks to your holiday party.

Last Christmas Graham Storrs The human race may perish, the stars themselves may fade and die, but what if Christmas went on and on forever?

Merry Christmas Mr. Yao P.A. Gardinali When the monitor went bleep-bleep and then waaahh, Mike knew his career as a nurse was pretty much over. When life is falling apart, daring to leave one's comfort zone might just bring on the beginning of a new and exciting adventure... or death.

Titch Sheila Crosby There's a reason why Titch has so many odd socks.

The Santa Gregory Banks The pounding on the roof alerted us that he'd arrived. The legends said he returned every Christmas Eve, the hulking red menace with his accursed sack of offerings. No matter what we did, whether we begged, pleaded, threatened, or attempted to deceive, he was never deterred from coming back each year to torment our lives...

Lapp Dancing Tracie McBride Amber is in trouble. Again. She thinks she will be safe hiding out in a backwater bar in Finland, but a certain white-bearded Lapplander has other plans for her.

Santa Claws Jess Hartley A holiday predator gets more than he bargained for underneath this Christmas tree. Note: Contains mild violence.

Brown Socks Jennifer Gardner It was Christmas morning when I decided to kill Santa. He brought me socks again, you see. And they're brown socks, as if being socks isn't bad enough already. Note: Contains swearing and violent images.

The Winter Festival Joanne Hall Elissa's lover has spent the money for their wedding on a whore, and Winterfest is the perfect time for her to have her elaborately planned revenge.

Liranel's Gift Leslie Carmichael "Liranel's Gift" is the story of a young girl who is forbidden to use her newly-discovered magical talent -- but must.

Season's Greetings Zvi Zaks "Will it hurt?" Harry asked. How could anything cause pain in December, the holiday season. The streets filled with songs and bustled with happy people. But for Harry, the music was off-key.

Three Winters and One Michael Greenhut There are many stories of children whose snowmen come to life. What happens when those children grow up? Learn about four special souls and their strange mission.

Star of Bethlehem R. Lee

Cold Hands, Warm Heart Donna Farley Jack Frost, that consummate artist, has turned his coat, leaving Old Man Winter to join the Summerfolk in the long global war. In his own words, he tells of the cold night when St. Nicholas persuaded him to turn his talents to the side of light and life.

Angelique Karen A. Romanko She is a perfect creation,
platinum hair framing
pure, porcelain skin,
white satin cloak
whispering delicate contours
Note: See associated artwork here.

The Gingerbread House Heidi Waterhouse Come in, come in, my dears!
I haven't seen you in years.
Nice of you to visit an old lady
who is past the age of shoving
anyone into any ovens.

For Arthur Elizabeth Kate Switaj Faeries have glided ice over pines
I myself have brought down stars for boughs

Title	Author	Description/Sample
Zombie Elves 2009 Winner!	Sue Penkivech	What effect would destroying a cultural icon with the galactic significance of Santa Claus have on the Multiverse? Virginia of the Multiversal Time Protection Unit is determined not to find out.
A Son is Given	Risa Wolf	Chris, having lost wife and son, tries to recreate the joy of Christmas.
The Kates and I	Bernie Mojzes	What happens on Christmas eve when kids first find themselves trapped in outer space? And what's this Christmas thing all about anyway?
Happy Christmas Morning	Jenni Dowsett	Happy Christmas Morning captures the excitement and joy a child feels waking up on the morning of Christmas. Carrie's parents are not quite as merry about waking up before 6am to see what Santa brought.
'Twas the Night	Manuel Royal	"So, what's it like, being Santa? Good question. You might not like the answer."
The Christmas Angel	Donna Burgess	Christmas Eve one year ago And Mommy became an angel Red halo and red wings all spread out beneath her
A Green Christmas	Jon C. Forisha	When new recruit Ferris arrives on a planet ruled by an abundance of chlorophyll and mysterious aliens, he finds that all he can think about is Christmas back on earth.
Medusa's Holiday 2009 Winner!	M.M. Bergstrom	Here upon an evening dreary Though all the world is wet and weary I bundle up my head of snakes To deliver all my Yuletide cakes
One Last Tequila Sunrise	Brinna Deavellar	A woman fights for her life against otherworldly attackers summoned every year by the winter solstice.
The Mystery of the Disappearing Christmas Cracker	Debbie Cowens	For the family of earthlings known by the name of Jones, Christmas dinners can be chaotic enough without the sudden appearance of an alien. How will they cope when a strange visitor materialises in their dining room, seeking the meaning of the enigmatic Earth object that arrived on its planet? Will the Jones be able to explain the purpose of a Christmas cracker to the satisifaction of their extraterrestial guest before Maureen's turkey dinner gets cold? Can an alien ever come to understand the true meaning of Christmas?
Snow Walker	Sharon Clauss	Madeline and her son found a new home just in time for Christmas. It seems idyllic, friendly, snowy, and picturesque, but the land is animated in ways that defy logic.
Tis the Season to Be...	Steven Saus	Some would say that it's impossible for Santa to do everything he's supposed to. But it might just be entirely unlikely.
The Horde	Karlton Douglas	Two warriors face a black day.
The Twelve Gauge of Christmas	P.A. Gardinali	"It was the old bastard, all right; laying by the fireplace, contorted in an unnatural pose. The streaks of blood ran down from the mantelpiece, which he had likely grabbed in a desperate escape attempt." A homage to my favorite noir writer of all times. Set in an alternate reality, just slightly less bizarre than ours. Warning: implied ickiness.
Silent Night	D. Travis Brandel	A holiday tradition leads two brothers to a nontraditional fate.
The Christmas Robots	Cheeseburger Brown	On the saltiest moon of Epsilon Indi's most backwater brown dwarf, a thousand dumb appliances are about to give their human masters an education on the true meaning of Christmas.
A Robotic Christmas	Karlton Douglas	A father uses technology to bring a traditional Christmas to his family, but things don't quite work out as planned.
Elfin Letter	Suanne Warr	What do the elves think of their incessant activity in making lists' and enchanting toys? Do they ever long for a new society--one in which Santa and his loaded bag of goodies has no place?
Wormhole Magic	Marianne Plumridge	What happens when Santa and the reindeer wake up to find the human race has disappeared? He's a bit grumpy with the first person he encounters...on the Moon.
Santa Baby	Lesley L. Smith	It pays to invite the right folks to your holiday party.
Last Christmas	Graham Storrs	The human race may perish, the stars themselves may fade and die, but what if Christmas went on and on forever?
Merry Christmas Mr. Yao	P.A. Gardinali	When the monitor went bleep-bleep and then waaahh, Mike knew his career as a nurse was pretty much over. When life is falling apart, daring to leave one's comfort zone might just bring on the beginning of a new and exciting adventure... or death.
Titch	Sheila Crosby	There's a reason why Titch has so many odd socks.
The Santa	Gregory Banks	The pounding on the roof alerted us that he'd arrived. The legends said he returned every Christmas Eve, the hulking red menace with his accursed sack of offerings. No matter what we did, whether we begged, pleaded, threatened, or attempted to deceive, he was never deterred from coming back each year to torment our lives...
Lapp Dancing	Tracie McBride	Amber is in trouble. Again. She thinks she will be safe hiding out in a backwater bar in Finland, but a certain white-bearded Lapplander has other plans for her.
Santa Claws	Jess Hartley	A holiday predator gets more than he bargained for underneath this Christmas tree. Note: Contains mild violence.
Brown Socks	Jennifer Gardner	It was Christmas morning when I decided to kill Santa. He brought me socks again, you see. And they're brown socks, as if being socks isn't bad enough already. Note: Contains swearing and violent images.
The Winter Festival	Joanne Hall	Elissa's lover has spent the money for their wedding on a whore, and Winterfest is the perfect time for her to have her elaborately planned revenge.
Liranel's Gift	Leslie Carmichael	"Liranel's Gift" is the story of a young girl who is forbidden to use her newly-discovered magical talent -- but must.
Season's Greetings	Zvi Zaks	"Will it hurt?" Harry asked. How could anything cause pain in December, the holiday season. The streets filled with songs and bustled with happy people. But for Harry, the music was off-key.
Three Winters and One	Michael Greenhut	There are many stories of children whose snowmen come to life. What happens when those children grow up? Learn about four special souls and their strange mission.
Star of Bethlehem	R. Lee
Cold Hands, Warm Heart	Donna Farley	Jack Frost, that consummate artist, has turned his coat, leaving Old Man Winter to join the Summerfolk in the long global war. In his own words, he tells of the cold night when St. Nicholas persuaded him to turn his talents to the side of light and life.
Angelique	Karen A. Romanko	She is a perfect creation, platinum hair framing pure, porcelain skin, white satin cloak whispering delicate contours Note: See associated artwork here.
The Gingerbread House	Heidi Waterhouse	Come in, come in, my dears! I haven't seen you in years. Nice of you to visit an old lady who is past the age of shoving anyone into any ovens.
For Arthur	Elizabeth Kate Switaj	Faeries have glided ice over pines I myself have brought down stars for boughs