Halloween is nearly upon us, and besides the orange leaves, the profusion of cobwebs and gravestones in yards, and the terrifying display of zombines in my local fancy dress shop, I can tell it's coming because of the sheer number of witch romances that are being thrown in my various social media feeds.

I love a witch romance. So much that I've already written one post of witchy romance writing prompts. And if my research is correct, there more readers than there are witchy romance novels, which means if you write one, you've got a hungry audience waiting. And witchy romance isn't just beloved at Halloween/during spooky season, either. Romance readers want it all year long, so experiment with setting your witchy romance in different seasons. Witchy beach vacation rom-com, perhaps?

Today's prompts run the gamut of sub-genres, from paranormal to sci-fi to historical, and include a mix of prompts and story starters, so there's something for every writer.

1. Tropes: Forbidden romance, student/professor, Chosen One Sub-genre: Paranormal dark academia MC 1: Student with recently discovered magical powers MC2: Academy librarian and rare books collector Prompt: Write a scene where the student and librarian are in the stacks late one night, looking for a book about the student's family history, when suddenly all the candles are snuffed out and a terrifying mist suffuses the room.
   

2. Tropes: Bang it out, brother's best friend Sub-genre: Paranormal small-town romance in a world where witches and humans freely mix MC1: Witch MC2: Human, witch's brother's best friend Story starter: "Ashley, we can't." Michael squeezed his eyes shut even as he tightened his grip on my arms, drawing me into his chest like he couldn't bare not to touch me. He wanted me. And I wanted him.

   And I'd be damned if I let my brother come between me and something I wanted. Not after how he'd treated me, my family. The ways his magic had torn us apart.

   I deserved this. I deserved Michael. So I did the only thing that made sense. I kissed him, so hard and fast that he had no opportunity to struggle, to say no. By the time his mouth was open and my tongue was snaking inside, I knew I'd won. He was powerless against me. Poor human. Didn't he know not to defy a witch?
   

3. Tropes: Fish out of water, portal fantasy Sub-genre: Paranormal fantasy MC 1: Human writer MC 2: Witch Story starter: There it is! The book was pushed far back into the shelf, nearly hidden by the ones flanking it on either side. I could barely get it out, but I crushed it to my chest when I did. Hours of searching, but at least I'd found it. My desk was calling, and I was halfway across the room, already imagining the citations I'd finally be able to get down on paper, when behind me, the wall creaked. This was an old house, ancient, actually, so I was used to the noises. But when cold air swept into the room, and flurries of snow lit the air, I turned around. And found the bookshelf wasn't a bookshelf at all. Or at least, it wasn't only that. It had opened, revealing a hole in the wall through which was a winter wonderland. And a woman, leaning against the doorway, red hair fluttering in the breeze.
   

4. Trope: Grumpy/sunshine Sub-genre: Paranormal small town romance MC 1: Witch and bakery owner MC2: Warlock and antiquarian bookstore owner Prompt: Write a scene where the witch tries to help the bookstore owner banish a ghost from his basement, and while celebrating their victory, they accidentally kiss.
   

5. Tropes: Pen pals, boss/employee Sub-genre: Paranormal historical MC 1: Daughter of a destitute baron, maid MC2: Scottish farmer who just found out he's inherited a dukedom Prompt: Write a scene where MC1 is cleaning MC2's office and finds an unsent letter he's penned to her, and realizes he's the stranger she's been writing to for the last five years. I'll be back next week with my last spooky season writing prompt! Until then, happy reading and writing!