VAN ALLEN PLEXICO'S 'GIDEON CAIN - DEMON HUNTER'

Airship 27 Productions & Cornerstone Book Publishers have teamed up with noted fantasy, science fiction author, Van Allen Plexico to bring to life a brand new sword wielding adventurer; Gideon Cain – The Demon Hunter. Originally conceived on an internet forum, this swashbuckling, globe trotting avenger is the result of half a dozen creative minds pooling their ideas and imaginations into bringing forth a tortured hero cast in a classic pulp mold.



During the famous Salem Witch Trials (1692-93) British born Puritan soldier, Gideon Cain, aided the inquisitions, believing them to be just. Soon thereafter, God revealed to Cain that he and the righteous citizens of Salem had been duped by a cunning, ageless demon from Hell known as Azazel. The guilt of his actions weighs heavily on his conscience and rather than be driven mad by it, Gideon chooses to make atonement. Taking up his sword, the blade inscribed with holy runes, he bids farewell to his wife and children and departs on his sacred mission. Now he wanders the earth doing God’s work and destroying evil in whatever shape or guise it appears; his one consuming goal, to find and destroy Azazel.

Airship 27 Productions is thrilled to be bringing pulp fans this great new character written in the tradition of Robert E. Howard’s Solomon Kane. Here are seven exciting, action packed tales of the Demon Hunter by Scott Harris, Brian Zavitz, K.G.McAbee, Ian Watson, James Palmer, David Wright and Van Allen Plexico. Design and interior illustrations by Art Director Rob Davis with a painted cover by Davis and Shane Evans.

The book also features a special introduction by co-creator, Kurt Busiek. (Marvel’s – Astro City

WEIRD HORROR TALES: THE FEASTING

Picture this: a man’s head explodes into leaves thrown up and away into a hoary midnight.

That is the cover of the second of a trilogy of novels from author Michael Vance, “Weird Horror Tales: The Feasting”. Like the first novel in the series, this second braided novel of fifteen interrelated horror, SF, and fantasy stories was written in the style and tradition of pulp magazines in the ‘20s, ‘30s, and ‘40s, and will be released in the fall of 2010.

The cover was done by France’s Christophe Dessaigne, a journalist, scenarist for role playing games, and photographer. Mainly influenced by the science fiction, horror, and fantastic genres, his atmospheric, surreal creations combine digital photography and manipulation in a dark and post-apocalyptic future. Dessaigne’s creations are fantastic surrealist photomontages. His work is desolate, vast and dream-like featuring huge structures and visions. His work has appeared in cover art books, on music CD covers, and in magazines including Advanced Creations and PSD Photoshop.

“I was immediately drawn to his outré work which I originally found on Flickr, a shared community on-line for images,” said the author. “His dark, subtle visions capture the heart and atmosphere of my own stories which try to capture the something other in an otherwise normal world instead of a slavish use of graphic horror.”

The interior illustrations are by artist Earl Geier, best known for his horror, fantasy and science fiction artwork.

"The response to volume one in this series by the pulp-horror community has been tremendous," commented Ron Fortier, Managing Editor of the series for Airship 27 Productions. "We know there is strong anticipation for this follow up book and I'm here to say Michael's fans will not be disappointed. This is a truly marvelous collection."


“My stories are founded on the premise that there is something larger than our narrow view of reality,” said Vance. “Each interconnected story is set in Light’s End, a creepy little burg of the coast of Maine.” These stories about the fictional town have been favorably compared to the work of H. P. Lovecraft and Ray Bradbury.


Vance has written for national and international magazines, and as a syndicated columnist and cartoonist in over 500 newspapers. His history book, “Forbidden Adventures”, has been called a "benchmark in comics history”.


The publisher of “The Feasting” and “Weird Horror Tales”, Cornerstone Book Publishers also publishes Masonic and esoteric books, selected pulp fiction, art literature, limited children's books, and poetry collections. The braided novel, “Weird Horror Tales, is available on-line, at book stores, and from Cornerstone. For more information about Cornerstone, go to www.cornerstonepublishers.com.


Airship 27 packages and publishes anthologies and novels in the pulp magazine tradition.

In the past, Airship 27 has released “Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective”, a series of “Captain Hazzard” pulp thrillers, more pulp fiction in “The Green Lama” and “Secret Agent X”. For more information on Airship 27, go to www.airship27.com.

FACT OR FICTION: Short Cuts in Approaches

The new SyFy series, Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files, is off to a good start with some solid research and some logical approaches. One enduring urban myth that pops up in several locations was treated in one episode. The so-called gravity hill of San Antonio (there is one claimed in several other locations around the country as well). This is the one that could have been better by simply following their own rules.

The group seeks to provide scientific testing to prove or debunk such videos as the one provided from Texas. They did a good job on the hill itself but on the claimed paranormal fingerprints they fella little short. The basis of the show is to test if results can be replicated with the same results (i.e. the 'scientific' experiment model). One aspect of the claim of the gravity hill locations is that if you put baby powder on the car fingerprints of small children emerge to reveal it was they who pushed the car.

"Fact or Faked" short cut that aspect by simply using fingerprint powder to see if prints emerged. They were therefore not replicating the conditions of the accounts or the video. They were basing their results on a product designed to pick up the traces left by oils on skin on a surface. Therefore, if something other than an oil based source provided trace the process would not pick it up. The claim is spectral presences created the fingerprints so is it logical to assume they would leave an oil based impression? What would have happened had they replicated the original with the baby powder as well?

They eventually brought out the transit proving the laws of gravity were still firmly in place but that nagging substitution is bothersome. Such shortcuts or shellgames are noticed when they happen, and despite allowances made for entertainment or time constraints, the expectations are that such shows never make assumptions about the intelligence level of their audiences. I will be waiting for new, and even more exciting, explorations by this team.

'DAYBREAKERS': HORROR FILM WITH ARTISTIC BITE

Another vampire film? Vampires, zombies, werewolves will they ever reach a saturation point? Popularity of subject matter inevitably leads to ham handed approaches to overworked plots or themes. "DAYBREAKERS" have the premise of the plague of vampirism successfully took over the world, using humans as blood farms until they are bled dry. Then the inevitable happens when demand supersedes supply. With the human population dwindling a crisis nears with the certainty of the next sun rise.

Actually, despite the many offerings in this genre this one was surprisingly well done. The film was of high quality in level of story, acting, and direction. A fine, light, and skillful hand was well used to avoid tipping the scales at any time toward easy action or stereotypical caricature. The result was a movie with subtexts, layers, nauances, and restraint so often missing from horror films.

This is one now available on DVD and cable. Although it came out in 2009, I discovered it on a day when I too was hiding inside in the shade well away from the sun ; what can I say, it was summer and hot. Anytime of year, this is one to have a look at and keep nearby when in the mood for some good horror.

Koontz "Lost Souls" Begins Great New Story Line

Remember when you were small and your parents said you could not have that extra cookie or you had to put that light out and go to sleep? That is the feeling after reading, "Lost Souls", one of Dean Koontz's newest Frankenstein series. This particular cookie was savoured in delight, suspense, and awe at the creativity found in its pages. As always Koontz' creates complex characters with great soul and humanity and villians who strip bare to revel the human potential for evil. At the last page, knowing more was coming, the desire for another...and another....are great.

Koontz has imaginatively retooled the great classic and smoothly transferred it into the matrix of a modern society that is itself Frankenstein in nature and choices. As always in heroic tales, a small cadre of souls band together to fight for the right, or in this case, human existence.

Shelly originally challenged readers to question who was the monster in her great novel and to search out the sources and goal of consuming ambition; Koontz continues that tradition with skill, daring, and more than a few shivers.

Hurry....I can hardly wait for the next book....and the next.

Mexico's Mysterious Saint of Death

Spoken of in only whispers, iconic symbols etched in flesh, strange rituals, or hidden in secretive locations it is Santa Muerte. Superstition run amuck, gothic devotion to and fear of death, just what is behind this strange devotion and where is it leading? Uncovering the truth of the history and meaning of the mysterious Mexican saint of death, adopted by drug cartels and assassins alike, Kail illuminates one the puzzles of modern times.


http://anthonykail.weebly.com/ and available at Amazon.com

NOW THAT THE WHOOPLA HAS DIED DONE...

"Paranormal Activity" was a low-budget phenomena that utilized novel marketing techniques and a film style designed to evoke reality TV and the immediacy of real events. It tapped into the public interest in all things paranormal.

Did it work, though, as a paranormal movie?

On one level the film did draw in the view with a raw sense of the frustration and couriosity abot what was going on. Some of the scenes were truly spine tingling, especially those taken as 'night vision' video...

Yet, I found myself very disappointed at the rather hackneyed and heavy handed descent into a demonic rationale and a 'been-there-done-that' cliff hanger ending.

A less stereo-typical ending, more questions, and a lot more suspense would have helped the ending to rise above the 'YouTube" realm of supernatural suspense and the 'Got Cha' cliche ending....

But do view it, especially with someone who has not seen it before....that can be entertaining.

PERSPECTIVES

Cropping, shading, out of context: anything can be extraordianary in those circumstances...

WEIRD HORROR TALES: THE FEASTING

“Run!” he screamed. “It’s still alive!!”



Yes, Tulsa author Michael Vance is still alive and writing, and has signed with Cornerstone Book Publishers and Airship 27 for publication of the second of three novels, “Weird Horror Tales: The Feasting”. His second braided novel of fifteen interrelated horror, SF, and fantasy stories was also written in the style and tradition of pulp magazines in the ‘20s, ‘30s, and ‘40s, and will be released in the fall of 2010.



"The first volume of this collection was simply the unnerving appetizer. Vance and Geier now offer up the main course and it's a terror filled delight!” said Ron Fortier, editor of “The Feasting”.



“My stories are founded on the premise that there is something larger than our narrow view of reality,” said Vance. “Each interconnected story shares setting, history, prominent families, and a macro plot. The stories also focus on the Azrealites, a religious cult that works tirelessly to reinstate that ‘Other’ on Earth through science and the occult.”



These stories about the fictional town of “Light's End” in Maine have been published in dozens of magazines in three countries. Vance’s influences on these stories are H. P. Lovecraft, William Faulkner, and Ray Bradbury.



The cover was done by France’s Christophe Dessaigne, a journalist, scenarist for role playing games, and photographer. Mainly influenced by the science fiction, horror, and fantastic genres, his atmospheric, surreal creations combine digital photography and manipulation in a dark and post-apocalyptic future.



The interior illustrations are by artist Earl Geier, best known for his horror, fantasy and science fiction artwork. In the role playing game industry, his work includes art for “Battletech”, “Call of Cthulhu”, and many others. He has illustrated books for “Cemetery Dance” magazine, Chaosium, Gryphon and Subterranean Press. For comic book, he's had work published by Dark Horse Comics, Comiczone, Now, Innovation and DC Comics Paradox.



Vance has written for national and international magazines, and as a syndicated columnist and cartoonist in over 500 newspapers. His history book, “Forbidden Adventures”, has been called a "benchmark in comics history”. He briefly ghosted an internationally syndicated comic strip, wrote his own strip and several comic books. He is listed in the Who's Who of American Comic Books and Comic Book Superstars.



The publisher of “The Feasting” and “Weird Horror Tales”, Cornerstone Book Publishers also publishes Masonic and esoteric books, selected pulp fiction, art literature, limited children's books, and poetry collections. The braided novel, “Weird Horror Tales, is available on-line, at book stores, and from Cornerstone. For more information about Cornerstone, go to www.cornerstonepublishers.com.



Airship 27 packages and publishes anthologies and novels in the pulp magazine tradition.

In the past, Airship 27 has released “Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective”, a series of “Captain Hazzard” pulp thrillers, more pulp fiction in “The Green Lama” and “Secret Agent X”. For more information on Airship 27, go to www.airship27.com.

KOONTZ' FRANKENSTEIN OPTIONED FOR MOVIE

Dean Koontz, master of the macbre and steller writer of the meaningful, has made a rare deal with Hollywood movie makers to bring his reimaged tale of Frankenstein's monster to the big screen. The popular and imaginative series has also been adapted as a graphic novel.

Envisioning a potential series of films based on the intriguing and awesome tales (in several volumes) of a modern mad man with money and a twisted dream of correcting humanity, the project shows great potential if movie makers can truly tap into the genius of Koontz to present a gripping tale that challenges and inspires at the same time. Time will tell. In the meantime, pick up the first book, or the graphic, in the Frankenstein series and enjoy......

Book Review: Messages: The World's Most Documented Extraterrestrial Contact Story

Messages is a disturbing account of alien abductions. I feel really sorry for the author, Stan Romanek. He and his family have simply been terrorized, and sadly, this man has no where to turn for help. What official government agency would even believe his tales, let alone offer any assistance or protection?

Like so many stories of alien abduction, Romanek's Messages illustrates some common themes that we see again and again in this genre. First, his history with UFOs began when he was child. Some researchers assert that one will often find a military connection to the abduction scenario, and indeed, Romanek's father served the United States as a career military man. Screen memories were implemented, and this means that the abductee will recall a completely different memory than what is actually experienced. The theme of an alien-human hybrid program is also outlined in this story. Finally, while Stan has not fathered any human children, his step-son has also experienced alien abductions. It seems that families are studied by aliens generation after generation, but to my knowledge, it is rare that step-children also suffer from this phenomenon.

The book begins with the accounts of a most unusual "woman" who terrified Stan a handful of times with telepathic messages when he was a boy. These subsided, and Romanek did not, to his knowledge, have any unusual encounters until he was well into adulthood in 2001. Progressively, his sightings and paranormal experiences accelerated throughout the decade. It appears that aliens invade his home with great regularity.

Hypnotic regressions have aided Stan in gaining clarity about his experiences. During these sessions, Romanek has produced intriguing mathematical equations relating to physics and interstellar travel. Despite being harassed by both aliens and human surveillance, overall Stan asserts that this has all been a positive experience for him. He believes that he is meant to share his messages, and that he is one of seven specially selected individuals to bridge knowledge from these entities that haunt him, to the general public.

An incredible account of high strangeness...

Next week, I will be posting a review of Stan Romanek's book: Messages. Until then, please enjoy this article and video clip.



Since UFO Sighting, Stan Romanek Claims Extraterrestrials Haunt Him - ABC News

Book Review: Ghosts Among Us: Uncovering the Truth About the Other Side

Experiencing my first ghost encounter with the spirit of my father at the age of 32, my entire concept of the after life changed. Being one who thought that once you were dead, you simply ceased to exist, I am now absolutely certain that this is not true. Still, I was curious if anyone had ever witnessed anything similar to what I had observed. Happily, I was drawn to this book, and it has certainly answered some of my nagging questions.

With his life-long ability to communicate with ghosts, author James Van Praagh describes in this work what happens to an individuals spirit after death. Also, he states that the most common reason a ghost will make contact, is to help their loved ones while grieving. It was indeed a tremendous comfort when my father contacted me several times after his death.

Ghosts Among Us offers many fascinating accounts of spirit encounters. In addition, Van Praagh describes in detail how readers can attempt to contact the spirit world. The author has lived a unique and gifted life, and this book provides readers with a glimpse into his world.

Paranormal Internet Radio

I just love Internet Radio, and there are quite a few great paranormal radio formats that you can listen to free-of-charge. I have put together a short list of my favorite programs. I hope that you will enjoy them too.

The Jerry Pippin Show: http://www.jerrypippin.com/ Jerry Pippin is such a nice man, and he always treats his guests with great kindness. Check out the UFO-FILES and the PARA-ZONE.

BoA Audio: http://binnallofamerica.com/boaaudio.html/ Tim Binnall is a younger enthusiast of the paranormal, but he interviews legends in Ufology like a seasoned broadcaster. You will enjoy his latest interview with veteran researcher Stanton Friedman.

Kevin Smith Show: http://kevinsmithshow.com/ Another great interviewer, Kevin Smith offers access to his most recent broadcasts for free, and you have the option to just listen, or watch his latest show.

As a note of thanks to these broadcasters, I know it takes a considerable amount of time to produce your programs, not to mention a substantial amount of money. Thanks for keeping the information free to those of us who are not quite in a position to afford access to paid archives. Knowledge is power.

'LIGHT' WORK

Well known late night talk show host, George Noory (Of Coast to Coast radio show fame) has a new book out that continues the story of the book, "Worker in the Light". The new title, "Journey to the Light" focuses on personal stories of self-empowerment.

Enlightening, challenging, and inspiring, the book is a must for every self-improvement collection and for everyone searching for ways of becoming more as a human being. Available from Amazon.com.

THE UFO FILES: THE INSIDE STORY OF REAL-LIFE SIGHTINGS by David Clarke

What a treat to read. Frankly, it's rather astonishing that this book even exists. No matter where you stand on the issue of UFOs, there is no question that the British Government was perplexed as how to manage UFO reports. All sightings and accounts offered in this book were once locked up and tucked away in the National Archives in the United Kingdom. These very reports were likely never intended to be read by the public. At one point, reports held in the Archives prior to 1960 were destroyed, but then later reports were saved, and now all remaining documents are available to the public. What a curious turn of events.

I commend the author for sifting through a myriad of reports to publish fascinating accounts from school children, diplomats, pilots, and police officers. The book begins with sightings in the early 1900s of scare ships and phantom airships. Could these craft have been misidentified Zeppelins? Or perhaps they were the very same cigar-shaped craft people the world over report seeing today.

Accounts are presented in a concise manner along a timeline of events familiar to a U.S. audience ranging from Foo Fighters to Flying Saucers and Roswell to RAF Bentwaters.

The UFO FILES is a quick read, and one need not be a Ufologist to enjoy this book. Any researcher will appreciate viewing the many reproduced primary resources featured throughout the text.

1ST ANNUAL URBAN FANTASY COVER ART AWARDS 2009

All Things Urban Fantasy Presents
The 1st Annual Urban Fantasy Cover Art Awards 2009
Nominations will run throughout the month of November and voting will open up to the public beginning December 1st. Winners will be announced on December 30th.

AllThingsUrbanFantasy.blogspot.com
Questions? Email Abigail at AllThingsUrbanFantasy@gmail.com

SCARY TALES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR OKLAHOMA HISTORIC HOUSE

“Scary Tales and Twilight Tour” at the Overholser Mansion:Thursday October 29th7:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. & Friday October 30th 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.hear scary stories told by Oklahoma storyteller Marilyn Hudson (aka The Oklahoma Ghosteller) followed by a twilight tour of the mansion.

MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW as space is limitedCall 525-5325 to RSVPAdmission:$10.00 for Adults / $5.00 for childrenOverholser Mansion is located at 405 NW 15th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73103Note: Event may not be suitable for younger children
[photo by Cullan Hudson, used by permission

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

From graphic artist Cullan Hudson of Strange State blog. See his Halloween t-shirts at Fresh Eire Design.

IKnowWhatISawTheMovie

IKnowWhatISawTheMovie

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UFO Documentary

A new UFO documentary!"I Know What I Saw," directed by James Fox will appear on the History Channel, Monday, October 19: 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Check out the trailer below.

Video of haunting courtesy of CNN

Recent Ghost Photos - Articles - Coast to Coast AM

Recent Ghost Photos - Articles - Coast to Coast AM

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OKLAHOMA'S 'DR. FEAR' PUBLISHES NEW BOOK

Description

John C. Malcolm was not prepared for his new line of work. He and three others were chosen by President Lincoln to infiltrate Indian Territory in the year 1865 to simply ‘cleanse’ it. Their orders loosely followed the procedure that all agents in the Department of Indian Affairs must use to fine and evict anyone that should not be in the designated region but was vague. Caught in the middle of the Civil War, John and his companions must enforce the Indian Intercourse Act of 1835 with special badges and paperwork and nothing more.

Barely a hundred miles into the territory had the dysfunctional team of agents discovered that things are not what they should be. They find small settlements and a city that should not exist and the existence of strange cults, witchcraft and monsters. Each new discovery takes John and his team into a much darker and disturbing world of secret technologies and horror that Mankind does not know about. They are eventually lead on a bloody trail to the City of Immortals where another world seems to exist in private behind mighty walls and where the privilege of living at all is a rare luxury rarely granted by the Immortal lords within.
The startling revelations found inside the city’s walls will open up new eyes for the agents and begin a long nightmarish ride to survive. John and his companions will discover a secret society that has been in an ancient secret war against the Immortal inhabitants of the mysterious city and those elsewhere in the world and must help to wage the war. While dealing with their own personal issues, the agents fight to survive and discover the meaning of life and living and what it means to be Human in the end. De Civitate Sanguino is a tough, fast paced story about the mysteries in the world and the darker side to mortality and what the living will do to remain alive.
This is part one to the series of The Silent War that will cover various moments in global history during the 19th century and beyond from a fresh Steampunk Horror perspective.
Author Biography

Born in Okeene, Oklahoma in the early seventies, Brian was quick to get interested in the arts by the age of four. The two influences were watching the Godzilla cartoon and the band KISS; both gave his imagination the needed stimulus to begin drawing. These influences somehow fed on an over active imagination until one thing led to another and by the early eighties he was drawing fantasy and Science Fiction regularly, this love for warriors, dragons and wizards was fired strongly by the fantasy/medieval rock groups strong at the time.
Even school was no obstacle to get in the way of more ideas, concepts and themes. By Junior High his goal was to become a professional artist by his twenties. Taking on a job in radio in the late eighties, the fun and sometimes stress of show business was now common-place. The greatest influence was discovering role-playing games as a hobby in the early eighties, this outlet brought Brian’s mind into new places undreamed of before.

This hobby was a means to explore many limitless genres of ideas: Sci-Fi, horror, historical and obviously fantasy. From this hobby came a catalyst to so many other outlets such as reading novels, script-writing, etc. One of the earliest attempts at writing was during this period as the multitude of ideas were almost unstoppable and had to be put to paper in some form, unfortunately these early projects never flowered. The possibilities for stories, unusual characters and settings now grew into a plethora of endless ideas due to the gaming influence. By the early nineties a friend had published a role-playing game and Brian was able to submit artwork into it making him into a professional artist as hoped.

This began a long trek of producing many works; at first strictly fantasy based but later Celtic. His artwork was shown and many times sold out at Science Fiction/Fantasy conventions across the state of Oklahoma. Brian’s interest in Celtic studies was initially started by owning a few role-playing games that shared that theme. From the early nineties on Brian’s interests became completely Celtic. This lead to curiosity about King Arthur and a life-long study in the field culminating in earning the world’s first Masters of Arthurian Studies from the University of Wales Lampeter in the summer of 2007.

The research of Celtic languages, mythologies, history, and art was now academic and by 1998 Brian illustrated and wrote the book ‘Lyver-Lywans Bukkyas Keltek’. The world’s first tri-lingual Celtic language book, though directed towards children for the sake of coloring, it was a project new to the world. He took an active part in helping the Cornish language scene in writing and participating in journals and organizations as well working towards becoming a teacher to further educate on the vast subject. By the Fall of 2001 Brian has earned a BA in History from NWOSU and later that next spring started working at a local TV station. The six month stint at the TV station was the birthplace of his horror shows that are still going strong since 2002. Changing stations in the Fall of that year the show ‘The Mysterious Lab of Dr. Fear’ was born.

Being inspired from watching the Oklahoma legend Count Gregore in his youth, now Brian and his friends and family film campy horror skits while playing old horror classics and not so classics every Saturday night for fans everywhere.

Gradually this inspired Halloween events locally and taking part in many related events from Enid to Oklahoma City. By the end of the six month stint Brian became a professor teaching the Humanities at a local college, a job that he is completely happy with and loves to this day. The TV show itself gave birth to a radio incarnation called ‘The Mysterious Hours of Dr. Fear’ which airs every Sunday night and plays the weirdest mix of horror, Halloween and Gothic music and is streamed online worldwide for all to hear now. Because of the constant exposure to all things dark and gothic along the way Brian started to look at the horror scene, in both movies and books and naturally wanted to contribute in some way more.

The Silent War series is planned to be written so long as there are devoted readers of this unique style literature. Beginning in 1865 and ending with the end of World War II, this series will explore a ‘hidden’ history to recent world events that deals with weird sciences, conspiracies and horror but laced with plenty of gripping action. Mr. Young’s greatest literary influences are Robert E Howard and H.P Lovecraft with some Tolkien and L. Sprague D. Camp.

Source: www2.xlibris.com
ISBN: 1-4415-6544-2 (Trade Paperback 6x9)
ISBN13: 978-1-4415-6544-0 (Trade Paperback 6x9)
Pages : 224
Book Format : Trade Book 6x9
Subject : FICTION / Science Fiction / General

Ghost stories from San Luis Obispo County - Halloween - San Luis Obispo

Ghost stories from San Luis Obispo County - Halloween - San Luis Obispo

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Paranormal/Strange Stories Solicited

The OKLAHOMA PARANORMAL RESEARCH PROJECT is soliciting stories of real events that could be labeled 'strange' or 'unexplained'. They are looking for people willing to go on the record with a detailed narrative of their experience. They are looking for several layers of experiences.

TYPE A : The event must be verifiable (others must have experienced it, it was written about in a family history or local history, etc.) The report must contain who, what, when, where, etc. in some detail. Details may include things like the date, location, weather conditions, time of day, reason for being in the area, etc. The submitter acknowledges that by submitting the story they will allow their name and story to be used in an anthology of such accounts.

TYPE B: The event is a personal experience but may be tied to the history or experiences of people in the location or setting. The submitter must provide some details of who, what, when, and where. A name must be submitted, however it can be kept anonymous if requested.

Experiences can include but are not limited to:

• Ghostly, haunting or shadow people encounters or sightings
• Unidentified flying objects
• Unexplained experiences
• Sightings of anomalous animals or places
• Strange, bizarre, or mysterious events or experiences
• Locations can be Oklahoma, but also from other areas are welcome

Please send your submissions in the following form:

PRP

Type of Submission (Ghost, UFO, etc.)

Narrative of your submission (who, what, when, etc.)

Your name

Your address

One of the following:

__Yes, I give permission for this story and my name to be used

__No, I give permission for this story to be used but do NOT want my name printed.

Send to:

marilynahudson@gmail.com

Place: Paranormal Research Project in the subject line

WILLING TO GO ON RECORD?

A writing project is underway right now and seeks stories from people willing to 'go on the record' with their paranormal experiences. The projects are divided into three sections:

1) General paranormal, strange, and unexplained (including BIGFOOT) experiences in OKLAHOMA.

2) General paranormal, strange, and unexplained experiences ANYWHERE.


You will need to be willing to include your name (although you can ask for a pseudonym), include dates, places, and names that can be verified and allow for expanded research.

Send your submissions to author Cullan Hudson at strangestateok@yahoo.com

GHOSTS OF THE MCBRIDE HOUSE

"What is it about the McBride House that serves as a beacon to the dead? Built in the oldest town in Oklahoma by physician George McBride in 1895, this Victorian home is rife with ghosts from the past. Ghostly parties at 2:00 a.m., spirits calling family members and houseguests by name, dolls that talk even after the batteries have been removed...The Back family has been subjected to impossibly bright lights, loud crashing noises, weird shrieks—even ominous odors such as decaying matter.

Each ghost in the McBride House has a personality of its own, including one entity whose antics are downright terrifying. But instead of fleeing, the Back family remained and gradually got to know their "spirited" residents. This is their story. "

The book by Celia Back is a true accounting of her family and their experiences in this historic and haunted house. This 192 page book is easy to read and at times engaging but at other times slightly disturbing. Living in a house with sometimes cankerous spirits pushes the bounds of being a good neighbor! There is no gore or deep mystery but rather a family's open acceptance that the house they had purchased was considered home to those no longer living. All in all a worthwhile read as history and as metaphysical journey.

Available on Amazon and from Llewellyn Worldwide http://www.llewellyn.com/

Product details.

WEIRD TALES WINS REVIEWS

Vance offers up thirteen tales of Lovecraftian horror with a deft sense of suspense and heart-pumping terror. His grasp of terror is second to none, and delivers nightmarish scenes with incredible, horrific feelings. Ron Fortier

“I'm a-skeered just lookin' at that!! Woooooooooooooo” Van Allen Plexico.

“Scary!” Guglie

“Nice, spooky cover.” Bobby Nash

“That cover is to die for (from?)! This looks to be a great anthology and a great start to this year's wave of Airship titles. A must have!” Andrew Salmon

“You said the magic word, Ron..."Lovecraft". It is now on my wish list to buy.” Mike Schau

“Oooh, that IS a scary cover! It would even make a good sword-and-sorcery type cover.” Duane Spurlock



I did get a chance to read "Picked Clean". As you requested, I am going to be completely honest!

So far as the story goes -- I especially liked the pressurized atmospheric effect that you describe during the two men's encounter with Caleb's island environment. This was very effective. Caleb is a very unnerving character, desperate and deformed, with strange agendas. Ezekiel is brutal and greedy, and operates in a very clearly defined manner with no ambiguity, a nice offset to Caleb. Hiram seems like he's been dragged along for the ride, and provides the necessary sympathetic character, and the hint of a continuation of the story with his survival.

The suspense built up by the end, when Hiram enters the cave chamber, is palpable, and the dread approaching is wonderfully crafted, especially as the ultimate denouement doesn't occur until after Hiram's fate is settled for the reader. Meanwhile, the reader sits, their mind imagining what the horror could have been.

The giant maggot kind of threw me. It seemed like ... well, the spider leg reference was disorienting, and the biological method necessary to encourage Caleb to create a maggot monster offspring baffled me, and distracted me from how well the suspense had been built up to that point, until I had reread the story a couple of times and regained that sense of dread prior to the monster's reveal. I think I had been expecting something oceanic, since it lived in a sea well -- that might part of it. So for me, the suspension of disbelief got thrown at this point because of the extremism of the monster, which was a pity after the build-up of historic mood and setting.

But overall, I enjoyed the story! While I was out at lunch, it occurred to me that in a pulp-story sense, the creature was perfect for that genre -- over the top and hideous, an amalgamation of evil and man's warping influence.
Michelle Souliere


Mark Orr
Michael Vance has produced a terrific cycle of tales, inspired by but not slavishly imitative of Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. He seems to draw from some of the same tainted wells that Lovecraft did, and from those drilled after Lovecraft passed on, but has assembled those traditions in a new and deliciously creepy way. Frissons abound in his tales of Light's End. Highly recommended.


By Frank Creed

After King and Poe, Lovecraft is widely acknowledged as one of the top three horror writers to impact American horror. Lovecraft's horror world even has its own name: the Cthulhu (Kuh-Thoo-Loo) Mythos. Fans of Howard Phillip Lovecraft's style, rejoice--there is an author you simply must meet. Algernon Blackwood and August Derleth have a stylistic contemporary in Michael Vance, a professional writer of non-fiction for over thirty years, who has mastered the short story form.

The award-winning Vance does not write in the Cthulhu Mythos itself, but his Lovecraftian style features patiently built suspense rich in setting and character, usually with short vivid climaxes and resolutions. Properly written, the effect puts a reader into the story, with page flipping curiosity.

Vance paints portraits of fated personalities in an eerie little town on Maine's northern Atlantic coast. Light's End can also be found on brink of madness. Deep spiritual influences and events, guilty evils, and ancient lore are scrimshawed into memorable tales centered on the moral implications and consequences of personal actions.

Vance's voice is distinct from Lovecraft's on several points. Horrors of the dark human heart, rather than horrific alien mysteries, are the center of each work. Readers are snatched from madness' edge by an overall Christian worldview, which gives horror, and moral choices, context.

Weird Horror Tales' thirteen short stories, and a few non-short story treats, showcase a Lovecraftian sins-of-the-fathers theme. The collection is what's known as a braided novel. The tales, all in and around Light's End, are set chronologically from the early twentieth century, to present day and near future. Common threads of symbol and prophecy progress through the stories. Any of the stories could be enjoyed individually, but read sequentially, there's a bigger tale.

Vance's fiction does not cower from language and subjects that most Christian publishers avoid. Vance uses dark imagery and language in a tasteful and literary sense. Pre-teens would see examples of good literature, but graphic content is appropriate for high school and older maturity levels

Sadly, Vance's literary level may be too high. I fear readers won't like Random Pairings: a literary dialog, boldly written without quotation marks, with one of the most dramatic endings in the braided novel.

Overall, Weird Horror Tales is a must-read for genre fans, especially those who of the Christian worldview. Note that one tale, The Lighter Side, should be saved for a reader's zany reading mood. When you want something fun, the humor in this piece rivals Douglas Adams and Stephen Leon Rice.

OKLAHOMA AUTHORS VISIT ENID

Two new Oklahoma authors will be visiting the Enid, Oklahoma public library on Oct. 10, 2009. The 10 a.m. program will feature Cullan Hudson, author, artist and blogger,whose book STRANGE STATE: MYSTERIES AND LEGENDS OF OKLAHOMA, has been cited as "the premiere collection of stories about the strange and the marvelous in Oklahoma."

Also featured will be TAMMY WILSON, one half of the dynamic duo that keeps the paranormal (and those who research it)in Oklahoma hopping. Longtime paranormal researcher, she and her writing collaborator, Tonya Hacker, recently published GHOSTLAHOMA, a collection of ghost stories from the Sooner State.

OKC'S BBQ AND BANSHEES

Oklahoma City's legendary "County Line" resturant is uniting with GHOULI to present a series of select evenings of "BBQ and Banshees". Enjoy fantastic food, legendary conversation from authors, researchers, and storytellers. Stick around to see if the ghosts in the storied resturant reveal themselves....space is limited! Information:http://www.ghouli.org/countylinedinner

OKLAHOMA GHOSTTELLER

Marilyn A. Hudson is the "Oklahoma Ghost Teller" who shares legends, folklore, literary and original stories that go "bump in the night".

marilynahudson@yahoo.com

'SHADOW TALES' SOON TO AVAILABLE

Author Marilyn A. Hudson announces that soon her collection of short stories will be available as print on demand. Many of the tales were inspired by the folklore and stories of Oklahoma and some from the imagination of the author. Leave a light on..and keep an eye on the shadows...

'CIRCLE OF SOULS' A THRILLING READ

This novel by new author Preetham Grandhi is a riveting work of strong and unique characters. A delicate young girl begins to have strange dreams, a horrific killer strikes a peaceful community killing a young girl, and the genesis of a story of love, human corruption, and struggle are revealed with the an artist's touch.

Can the caring doctor help the young girl in his care? Can he make sense of her troubling dreams before something happens to her? More importantly, can he really believe what her dreams seem to imply about the nature of reality and of life and death?


Strongly recommended as a welcome addition to lovers of suspense, the paranormal, crime stories, and a good read. Set aside time to read with this one....you will not want to put it down until the last page.


Webpage: http://www.acircleofsouls.com/

'RELENTLESS' IS UNFORGETABLE

Author Dean Koontz has become a great favorite of mine. Emerging from the often mindless horror and suspense genre - where reason and motive are less important than new imaginative ways to destroy a human life - his works over the last decade have transcended the common and become extraordinary. 'Relentless', his latest, contains an almost lyrical beauty within its text and a rare strand of hope for the dark of life. Like a lighthouse, his works send out search beams that remind that we are not alone. They encourage the willing heart to reach out and connect - before it is too late - with the better part of ourselves in those around us. We are in the middle of a herd of lemmings rushing toward the cliff - but catch the eye of those around and escape the doom of a soulless future.

With heavy doses of natural humor, a keen insight into the logical goal of thoughtless philosophies, and a mild touch of the supernatural - this is a book for the intelligent, thoughtful, and human among us.
--The Paranormal Librarian

BOOKS I'D LOVE TO SEE AS MOVIES

With limitations. I would hope that they would first come to truly understand the book and the story, grasp the layers and the depth of these authors in presenting a good old fashioned story that just happens to be one to give you chills. Both of these have great use of character and mood in a story. "Ammie, Come Home" was made into a awful television film in the 1970's, I think the cast just walked on the set and read the script and five minutes later they filmed it. No understanding of the story, a lot of cheesy aspects, and little to no suspense. "Lightening" - just grabs from the first lines....like most authors Koontz has had bad luck getting his stories translated with understanding and vision into a film media.

WEIRD HORROR TALES GARNERS FOLLOWING

Interviews with author or artist available; email MiklVance@Yahoo.com
Cover art is available on request.

The reviews are pouring in on Michael Vance’s Weird Horror Tales, the recently published braided novel of horror, science-fiction, fantasy, and mainstream short stories set in Light’s End, Maine.

Tim Walters: Michael Vance's “Weird Horror Tales” is a collection of thirteen stories set in Light's End, Maine. Vance has created a fascinating and detailed background and cast of characters for his continuing Light's End series.

"Billie Hell" is a harrowing tale set in the sordid Light’s End district dubbed "The Alley", an underbelly of rough-and-tumble dance halls and bars, circa 1914. Bishop’s Alley is teaming with drunkards, drug addicts and prostitutes and, of course, is secretly frequented by some of Light's End's most prominent and respectable citizens. From this squalid and decadent scenery emerges the tale's aptly-named title character, Billie Hell. A highly effective story, and one of the more unsettling chapters in the Light's End oeuvre. "Unhinged" features Schlomo Nantier and Charlie Azreal, two boys growing up in the Light's End of the 1920s and 1930s. There are comic strips and pulp magazines (“Weird Tales”, “The Shadow”, “Doc Savage”) and movie matinees, but it's far from an idyllic portrait of childhood friendship in a small town. Issues of race, class and religion are woven throughout this poignant coming of age saga. The timeline extends into the 1940s with Schlomo Nantier shipping out to fight the war in the Pacific, then returning home to Light's End. This tale offers a vision of small town America that, beneath the surface, is much darker than the wholesome Norman Rockwell images often associated with the era. Other tales in this collection include "Face Off", "Random Pairings" and "The Zoo". Michael Vance is a writer in the finest tradition of H.P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury and other masterful purveyors of the imaginative genre. I highly recommend that readers climb aboard and take a trip to the small but unforgettable town of Light's End, Maine. You won't regret it.

Cover artist Keith Birdsong painted the cover for “Weird Horror Tales”, which is an homage to the horror pulp magazines of the ‘30s and ‘40s, and interior illustrations are by artist Earl Geier who is best known for his horror, fantasy and science fiction artwork

The publisher of “Weird Horror Tales” is Cornerstone Book Publishers. Airship 27 packaged the anthology. For more information on Airship 27, go to www.airship27.com.

ANCIENT TALES OF GHOSTS

In ancient Greek writings, there was a tale recounted as true by Pliny of a haunting. The story was that dreams revealed the death of someone and when the body was found it was just as the dreams had said.

In ancient China there is a story of a girl thrown down a well who haunted the location - especially any men who came by - until someone solved the mystery of her death and disappearance.

In the Bible is the story of King Saul going to the "Witch of Endor" - a medium or discerner of spirits - to get advice from his deceased mentor, Samuel. The act is frowned upon by Judaic-Christian teachings, but nonetheless, even though the woman was probably a fraud, on this occasion the woman apparently brought up something that scared even her!

THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR

One of the myths of every Hollywood movie and more than one story is that a haunted house must look the part. Author Ann Rivers Siddon challenged that years ago with a novel, The House Next Door. The story is about a brand new house that... from its inception is somehow...not right. It's glossy, modern lines hide a perversion usually only seen in musty, cankered castle walls. Somehow, this genesis in the normalcy of modern life is worse and Siddon's work balances the modern complexities and neuroses with ancient fears. Check out a public library, book store, or the book club page for more information.

DREAM SHARE

What happens to people in a coma? Can our dreams be real? Do 'alternate realities"' exist?

"Dream Share" is a book for older elementary and middle school readers. It's the story of a twelve year old who accidentally enters the comatose state of his elder brother and the two begin exploring the mystical realms between life and death. Fun soon turns to fear the boys find themselves fighting for their lives in a place where your worst nightmares come true, and each is forced to confront their own demons in order to survive.

Author, Rita Milios, is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and workshop presenter. Rita Milios, known also as The Mind Mentor or The Dream lady, is an expert in the subconscious mind and in the use of the mind, Rita has been researching and writing about dreams, intuition, meditation, visualization, creativity, and other mind-related topics for more than twenty years.

The book is an engaging and very human story told with energy, understanding of human nature, and sympathy for the real anxieties and fears youth face. The theme of the paralyzing influence of fear is predominant and as the protagonist of the story, Sam, learns to "see more deeply", the boys begin to understand that reality is often what you perceive it to be. This truth is what will lead them safely home.

A bonus section at the back of deals with the the "story behind the story" as the author discusses the real life and real science inspiration for the books paranormal themes: what happens when a person is in a coma? What are "out-of-body" experiences? Do alternate realities truly exist? A special glossary to understanding dreams and a "Dream Journaling" section is included.

Milios, Rita. Dream Share. Rose Heart Publishing/Cypress Imprint (www.roseheartbooks.com), 2009. ISBN: 978-982233728 Cover Price: $12.95 (U.S.)

SPIRIT OF OKLAHOMA STORYTELLING FESTIVAL IS HAUNTED

Not really. But it got your attention! The 3rd annual storytelling festival on the campus of Seminole State College in Seminole, Ok will have an intensive workshop on telling ghost/scary stories on Friday June 5 with nationally known storyteller, Dan Keding.

Dan Keding, storyteller of international acclaim, is well known for his telling of traditional world folktales, personal narratives of his boyhood in Chicago, ghost stories and dark tales, and superbly crafted original pieces.

As a child he learned the traditional stories that his grandmother brought to this country from Croatia. A well-respected ballad singer, he accompanies himself on guitar, banjo and spoons. This combination of dynamic storytelling and powerful ballad singing has made him a festival and concert favorite throughout the US, Great Britain and Ireland, endearing him to audiences of all ages.

Workshop description: "Why are we fascinated by ghost stories? When do they fit into our working repertoire? In this workshop we'll discuss researching, tellling, and interpreting the scary story. This workshop will focus on ghost stories, horror stories and ghastly tales from around the world. They're not just for October."

There will also be a late evening ghost story session with the keynote tellers. For registration, costs, etc. go to http://www.territorytellers.org/

--"The Oklahoma Ghostteller" aka Marilyn A. Hudson

THE PARANORMAL MUSEUM

John Zaffis, of the Paranormal Research Society of New England, has many photos related to his "Paranormal Museum". This web page holds images of numerous objects taken from homes, or given by people, because of negative energy or unexplained occurrences related to their presence. Dolls, books, paintings, organs, clothes, and statues are on display.

Celebrating World UFO Day

World UFO Day is coming! It will arrive in our atmosphere July 2, 2009.

I am producing an article for Stories for Children Magazine, which has UFOs as one of their themes for the July issue. I find it interesting and promising that such a professional and well-received online magazine is taking part in the UFO discussion.

The article will be a Q/A interview with Dr. Richard Boylan, a former university professor and psychotherapist who has presented at conferences at MIT and other respected venues regarding UFOs and "space visitors".

Does anyone else have plans for celebrating World UFO Day?

Rita Milios, The Mind Mentor
Latest book: Dream Share, a paranormal "tween" novel
Visit www.DreamShareBook.com (coming May 09)

GHOST HUNTING 101 AND 102 WORKSHOPS

P.I.T.T. (The Paranormal Investigation Team of Tulsa) hosts two informative workshops created to aid and support paranormal research. "We will advise from years of experience, and field knowledge, "states the group, " on the latest trends, data collection protocals, and so much more." Discover how to apply scientific and technical procedures to research into the paranormal phenomena.

• 101 Workshop is Saturday, June 13th, Tulsa Little Theater (1511 S. Delaware), 9:30am -5:00pm. There is a cost.
• 102 Workshop is Saturday, July 25, Tula Little Theater (1511 S. Delaware), 9:30am-5:00pm. There is a cost.

The workshops provide opportunities to learn to eliminate and identify false positives, learn to verify accurate historical research, and apply theory, ethics, and techinal procedures. Learn proper video and audio analysis, data collection, correlation, and more!

Must pre-register to attend, and some proceeds will go to the Tulsa Little Theater.

Questions - call Teri 918-694-7488 or visit www.PITTok.com

KOONTZ "ODD"

No, the author is not odd but his character of Odd Thomas is both odd of name and odd of talent. The popular novels about the fry cook with a fey skill of seeing the dead and sensing things often best left unseen, have won a following. There is a haunting beauty under the horror and the happenings of this character, a rare fabric of the hero lost amid the jumble sale polyester of so much of modern life, and a shining light of hope in the polluted air of the horrific. Not everyone's cup of tea, but for those who have found in Odd a favorite read, these are eagerly awaited books. Visit Odd's page at http://oddthomas.deankoontz.com/

GHOSTLAHOMA: Over 100 Years of Oklahoma's Haunted History

In El Reno, at the historically haunted Elks Lodge, during Paracon Oklahoma 2009, the book, GHOSTLAHOMA, featuring Oklahoma's true ghost stories was unveiled. Authors Tonya Hacker and Tammy Wilson present over forty tales that cover the state. The work salutes the familiar ghost stories of "Dead Woman's Crossing" but also lesser known tales such as the "Bricktown Banshees" and present fascinating reports of their first hand investigations into such places as the Woodward Hospital and the old Skirvin Hotel. The 128 page, illustrated, permabound book is published by Whitechapel Press (Dark Haven Entertainment )and available from Amazon.com Link: Ghostlahoma webpage

13 NIGHTMARES DELIVERS

Dennis McDonald's recently released story collection, 13 Nightmares, delivers on the chills and thrills scale. A tagline from one of the stories is featured on the back of the book : "Horror is best written in the dark." McDonald was surely in the deepest bowels of subterranean dark when penning these tales because they will satisfy the most supernaturally starved, macabre munching, horror hound around. So sit back - do not try to get comfortable because these will keep you on the edge of your seat - and do read "13 Nightmares". Find it on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com

KEITH BIRDSONG TEAMS WITH MICHAEL VANCE

Something big just got bigger. Legendary cover artist Keith Birdsong has painted the cover for “Weird Horror Tales”, an homage to pulp magazines from the ‘20s, ‘30s, and ‘40s “Weird Tales” and “Horror Stories”. The collection was written by Michael Vance, and is now available.

Birdsong, amous for his extremely realistic covers for “Star Trek” novels, featuring the actors from the movies and television series, has also done work for “Star Wars”, the cyberpunk role-playing game “Shadowrun”, and children’s books like “The Halloween Hex”. Additionally, Birdsong’s work has been featured in films, on Hamilton Collection collectors’ plates, and on U.S. Postage stamps.

"Vance offers up thirteen tales of Lovecraftian horror with a deft sense of suspense and heart-pumping terror,” said Ron Fortier, editor of the title. “Earl Geier’s art for these stories is as stark and brutal as a cold knife’s edge. His grasp of terror is second to none, and delivers nightmarish scenes with incredible, horrific feelings. Whereas Keith Birdsong’s cover is simply creepy to the max. It is a work of intense imagination that will pull you into this collection like a twisted siren’s song.”

“My stories are founded on the premise that there is something larger than our narrow view of reality,” said Vance. “Each interconnected story shares setting, history, prominent families, and a macro plot. The stories also focus on the Azrealites, a religious cult that works tirelessly to reinstate that ‘Other’ on Earth through science and the occult.” These stories about the fictional town of “Light's End” in Maine have been published in dozens of magazines in three countries, including “Dark Corridor”, and have also been recorded by renowned actor William (“Murder She Wrote”) Windom.

Vance’s influences on these stories are H. P. Lovecraft, William Faulkner, Alfred Hitchock movies, and The Twilight Zone television series. The interior illustrations are by artist Earl Geier who is best known for his horror, fantasy and science fiction artwork. In the role playing game industry, his work includes art for “Battletech”, “Call of Cthulhu”, and many others. He has illustrated books for “Cemetery Dance” magazine, Chaosium, Gryphon and Subterranean Press. For comic book, he's had work published by Dark Horse Comics, Comiczone, Now, Innovation and DC Comics Paradox. Vance has written for national and international magazines, and as a syndicated columnist and cartoonist in over 500 newspapers.

His history book, “Forbidden Adventures”, has been called a "benchmark in comics history”. He briefly ghosted an internationally syndicated comic strip, wrote his own strip and several comic books. He is listed in the Who's Who of American Comic Books and Comic Book Superstars. The publisher of “Weird Horror Tales”, Cornerstone Book Publishers also publishes Masonic and esoteric books, selected pulp fiction, art literature, limited children's books, and poetry collections.

For more information about Cornerstone, go to www.cornerstonepublishers.com. Airship 27 packages and publishes anthologies and novels in the pulp magazine tradition. In the past, Airship 27 has released “Witchfire”, a series of “Captain Hazzard” pulp thrillers, more pulp fiction in “Brother Bones” and “Secret Agent X” and the WWII/SF thriller “The Light of Men”. For more information on Airship 27, go to www.airship27.com.

'GHOST STORIES' Theme of Paracon 2009

In historic El Reno, Oklahoma, Paracon 2009, Sat. March 21, will focus on ghost stories: why we love them and why they linger on. Various personalities will address the topic from a variety of viewpoints: storytellers, television personalities, skeptics, researchers, historians, and others...

For info:

Tonya Hacker, Tammy Wilson, or Amanda Wagamanokparacon@gmail.com(580) 402-6732www.ghouli.org or www.eerieok.comOklahoma ParaCon 2009 Hosted by the “Ghost Divas” and the El Reno Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is set for Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Historical & Haunted Elk’s Lodge No. 743.El Reno, OK – The 4th annual Oklahoma Paranormal Conference will be held at the historic Elks Lodge in El Reno, Oklahoma on March 21, 2009. This year’s event will feature many speakers from across the nation and Oklahoma. 2009 speakers include nationally recognized ghostologists such as Oklahoma favorites Troy Taylor, author, and TruTV’s “Haunting Evidence” star Patrick Burns who will headline the conference.

Other speakers are Oklahoma’s very own skeptic, Dr. Bryan Farha, Paranormal Deep Sea Diver Lee Ehrlich of Florida, Georgia Ghost Society founder Bob Hunnicutt, Oklahoma story-teller Marilyn Hudson, Oklahoma’s only TV horror host Brian “Dr. Fear” Young, and Paranormal Investigation Team of Tulsa and Tulsa’s Spirit Tour coordinators Teri French and Russ White. The event is being emceed by internationally known Brian and Anna Marie of Ghostology! - internet radio powered by CBS.

This year’s theme is “It was a dark and stormy night…Celebrating the ghost story!” Ghost stories have intrigued everyone for centuries, so we invite everyone to explore, share and understand the power of the ghost story. From the psychology behind why we like to be afraid to the ghostly tales of yesterday and today, it will all be discovered in a fun and educational setting.

Ghostlahoma, the only book solely dedicated to Oklahoma ghost stories will be released at the Oklahoma ParaCon. Written by para-historians Tonya Hacker and Tammy Wilson, Ghostlahoma will chill your bones and warm your heart with over 40 true tales of hauntings from the Sooner State. From the first published ghost story in Oklahoma to present day phantom hitchhikers, this book will take you through over 100 years of Oklahoma’s haunted history.

HAGER HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST, EL RENO, OK

Feel in the mood for something different? Visit the Hager House Bed and Breakfast in the future. Two different teams have been in the B&B and have found a great deal of activity according to owner , Raelyn Grant .

The Hager House Bed and Breakfast

619 S. Hoff Ave.El Reno, OK 73036

405-262-2565

1905 Weatherford, Oklahoma

In 1905, Mrs. Katy James and her baby went missing while out in a buggy. Frantic family members searched the area around Weatherford but found no sign of her, the baby, or the buggy. Eventually it came to light she had been murdered by Mrs. Fannie Norton of Clinton, Oklahoma. Her baby had been left with a family. Investigating the disappearance and the murder was the noted Sam Bartell, Deputy Sheriff in Oklahoma Territory and one time U.S. Marshall. Finally, Norton was identified and trackd to Shawnee where she attempted suicide. It was a crime that captured the attention and imagination of the entrie region. Some investigators in years to come would muse that Mr. James, seemed a little distant in the affair and perhaps did not grieve as much as a man in his position might be expected. Rumors of possible divorce and perhaps loss of property and land have been discussed and caused many to wonder if Norton had been hired to do the dirty work, as their appeared so little motive otherwise.

Later, pranksters from the local university in Weatherford would confuse the story and terminally cloud exact locations, the truth of "Dead Woman's Crossings", and generally everything else about the story. It is interesting to note that in the region are several hillocks named "Dead Woman" as well as the water realted site. Is it possible there is an older back story that helped confuse the two events into one? Definitely something to consider and research.

The Skirvin - The Real Story

Over the years, around this romantic and marvelous hotel, have grown many legends. Many of the 'facts' reported have perpetuated errors in the historical record of the building. Some paranormal groups have profiles of the hotel's past with these errors. It is time to clear the air.

The Skirvin Hotel - gem of Oklahoma City for decades and recently reopened in rennovated glory - was inspired by the Southland Hotel in Dallas. Galveston native and capitalist, W.H. Skirvin bought land in 1909 at the corner of Broadway and First in Oklahoma City and announced his plans in 1910 to build a "modern hotel" ("Work Starts Soon on the New "Skirvin House". The Oklahoman. (Feb.27, 1910; pg. 5).

The architect for the hotel, Solomon A. Layton, oved the classical styles and incorporated them into many of his buildings. That location was also where a delapidated landmark was falling down, the old Richardson Real Eatate Office, known from very early days ("Landmark Demolished..." The Oklahoman (May 1, 1910;pg. 39). The Skirvin House was being called the SKIRVIN HOTEL by April of 1911 when a story advertized the "ten-story hotel". It opened September 26, 1911. Within about months additional floors were being added and expansion continued at a good pace. ("Add Five Stories to Skirvin Hotel", The Oklahoman (July 10, 1912:pg. 1). The hotel soon became one of the stellar facility hosting events attended by politicians, the wealthy, and large conventions. As early as 1913, it could honestly claim in its ads that it was "one of the great hotels of America" (The Oklahoman, Dec. 21, 1913:pg. 14).

In 1913, manager Fred Scherubel died, "Health Troubles Cause of Suicide of Skirvin Manager (Oklahoman, April 18, 1913:pg. 1) followed a day later by an article indicating bullet trajectories and other issues had the police looking more closely at the death ("Officers Probing Scherubel Death", ibid, April 19, 1913, pg. 5) and two days later he was "tenderly laid to rest" in full Masonic rite splendor ("Fred Scherubel Funeral" ibid., April 21, 1913, pg. 1).

Is it haunted? Over the years nebulous stories of phantom and frisky ghosts had emerged but lack any real substantive historical basis or quantative evidence. Until someone can supply some dates, names, and facts - or can do a quantative study of the facility - they should probably remain in the arena of urban legend. That is perfectly fine as well. Stories give the past its depth, romance, and appeal.

The hotel is a survivor, a lovely old building that somehow dodged the bullet of the mis-guided movement called "urban renewal" that stole so much of the past from the future.

Some excellent old images of this historic site:
http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/PhotoSkirvin.htmhttp://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-02-26-skirvin-hotel-reopens_x.htmhttp://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/vintage/1.skirvin.htmhttp://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2006/08/skirvin-hilton.html