This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
I love Halloween. Partly because it occurs in autumn, my favourite season, and partly because it’s so closely linked to myth and storytelling. Neil Gaiman has taken this idea and created an excellent initiative called All Hallows Read. The idea is that instead of (or, in addition to) giving sweeties to children, you give a spooky book as a gift. For ideas of age-appropriate scary stories head to the All Hallows Read site. For five more ideas to make your Halloween more literary, read on…
1. This scrabble tile pendant features Edgar Allen Poe’s raven and the word ‘nevermore’. It makes a classy gothic accessory for the spooky season and costs around £5.70 from Pretty Whimsical on Etsy.
2. This Letterpress art print features the Shakespeare quote: ‘By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes’. It's perfect as upmarket Halloween decoration or a special seasonal gift. Priced approximately £9.50, the print measures 8 x 10 inches and is available from Etsy.
3. Going to a party this Halloween? Avoid the boring old staples of witch, cat, ghost or pumpkin, and use this year as an opportunity to dress up as a book character. I like this Mad Hatter costume from Mega Fancy Dress, but it will set you back £50. If you want a really cheap and easy idea, go dressed as an author: PJs, large mug of tea, and a pencil behind one ear. You're welcome.
4. Encourage the youngsters in your life to write letters with this creepy stationery set. Designed by artist Roman Dirge for Dark Horse, the set includes paper, envelopes and stickers and costs £3.68 from Amazon.
5. Whether used a dressing-up prop, a journal for secrets or a place to scribble spells, this handcrafted journal is up to the task. It has a leather embossed cover, 120 pages of high quality linen parchment and a brass clasp. £29.99 from Every Witch Way.