On the Wings of Magic: Exploring Witchcraft and Flying

The witch is taking flight, soaring through the night sky on her broomstick. With a cackling laugh, she leaves behind the safety of the ground and embraces the freedom of the air. Her black cloak billows out behind her as she streaks through the darkness, casting a shadow on the landscape below. Her long, crooked fingers grip the worn handle tightly as she steers through the crisp night air. The wind whips through her hair and fills her with a sense of exhilaration. The moon shines down on her, guiding her path as she navigates through the stars.

Short Story Contest

PoeFest is celebrating its 15th year commemorating the works of Edgar Allan Poe, and you can be a part of it all at multiple locations throughout Phoenix, Arizona this October.

The moon shines down on her, guiding her path as she navigates through the stars. There is a certain mystique to witches in flight. They are both feared and celebrated for their ability to leave gravity behind and take to the skies.

EVENTS

PoeFest is celebrating its 15th year commemorating the works of Edgar Allan Poe, and you can be a part of it all at multiple locations throughout Phoenix, Arizona this October. PoeFest has been a labor of love for a decade. When PoeFest first opened, it did so to just six audience members. With a packed audience on the third night, they knew they had something special. The fest includes mainstage productions of Poe’s short stories every weekend during the month of October with Poe’s stories rotating nightly. PoeFest usually culminates on Halloween night with ‘The Raven’ at Rosson House Museum. But there’s something extra special about PoeFest that makes Bookmans honored to be a sponsor!

Here are the updated rules for 2023:

STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION

Short Story Contest

1. All Arizona students in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades for the 2023-2024 school year are eligible.
2. Home-schooled students are eligible.
3. Student authors must be residents of the State of Arizona.
4. The submission deadline is Midnight on October 29, 2023.
5. All short story submissions must be between 1,000 and 7,500 words.
6. The themes for short stories must stick to the genres of horror and/or mystery.
7. Stories must be original.
8. Authors retain all copyrights.
9. Revised previous submissions accepted.
10. Submissions can be made in electronic form ([email protected].) Word document or PDF formats only, please.

1. All submissions must include the email and phone number of a parent or guardian. All authors must have the permission of a parent or guardian to participate.

1. All submissions must include the author’s name, birthdate, school, and grade for the 2023-2024 school year. (Home-schooled students are welcome.)

1. One winner will be declared and notified via email and/or phone on October 31st, 2023. Public Notifications on social media pages will be posted after contact with winners. Initials of winners will be posted and the city they are from.

1. All submissions will be adjudicated by a panel of judges.
2. Prize packages will be provided by Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange.

STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION

Poetry Contest

1. All Arizona students in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades for the 2023-2024 school year are eligible.
2. Student authors must be residents of the State of Arizona.
3. Home-schooled students are eligible.
4. The submission deadline is Midnight October 29th, 2023.
5. All poetry submissions must be no more than 422 lines.
6. Themes for poems must stick to the genres of love, horror, and/or death.
7. Poems must be original.
8. Poets retain all copyrights.
9. Revised previous submissions accepted.
10. Submissions can be made in electronic form ([email protected].) Word document or PDF file formats only, please.

1. All submissions must include the email and phone number of a parent or guardian. All authors must have the permission of a parent or guardian to participate.

1. All submissions must include the poet’s name, birthdate, school, and grade for the 2023-2024 school year.

1. One winner will be declared and notified via email and/or phone on October 31st, 2023. Public Notifications on social media pages will be posted after contact with winners. Initials of winners will be posted and the city they are from.
2. All submissions will be adjudicated by a panel of judges
3. Prize packages will be provided by Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange.

We can’t wait to see all of the submissions! If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. Happy writing everyone!

STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION

In folklore and literature, witches are often depicted as powerful, enigmatic figures who harness the natural forces of the world. As the witch soars through the night, she is in tune with the elements around her. She feels the energy of the wind and the moon, channeling their power into her flight. It is a transformative experience, connecting her to a higher realm. But being a witch in flight also comes with its dangers. The night can be unforgiving, with thick fog and unseen obstacles. The witch must rely on her intuition and knowledge of the skies to navigate safely. She is a solitary figure in the vast expanse, a lone adventurer on a journey known only to her. With each passing moment, the witch gains a deeper understanding of herself and her abilities. She is no longer bound by the earth’s constraints; she is free to explore and discover new horizons. There is a sense of liberation in her flight, a feeling of empowerment that comes from defying societal norms and expectations. The witch is taking flight, and with each stroke of her broomstick, she leaves behind the mundane world below. In her flight, she finds solace and purpose. She embraces her true nature and embraces the unknown, knowing that her journey is just beginning. The witch in flight is a symbol of strength, independence, and boundless possibility..

Reviews for "The Witching Hour: Exploring the Mystery of Flying Witches"

1. John - 1 star

"The witch is taking flight" was an absolute disappointment for me. The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. There was no depth or complexity to the plot, and it felt like a wasted opportunity. I was expecting an engaging and thrilling read, but unfortunately, it fell short in every aspect. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-crafted story.

2. Sarah - 2 stars

I had high expectations for "The witch is taking flight," but it failed to captivate me. The writing felt lackluster, and the pacing was uneven throughout the book. The characters were underdeveloped, and I found it challenging to connect with them or their struggles. The supposed twists and turns felt forced and didn't add any excitement to the overall plot. It's a shame because the premise had potential, but the execution was lacking in several areas.

3. Alex - 2.5 stars

"The witch is taking flight" was an average read for me. While the concept was intriguing, the execution fell flat. The pacing was all over the place, making it difficult to stay engrossed in the story. Additionally, some of the character motivations were unclear, leaving me disconnected from their journey. I appreciate the effort the author put into creating a unique world, but ultimately, it didn't deliver the depth and excitement I was hoping for.

Zooming Through the Skies: The Fascination with Flying Witches