Finding Charlie

I recently made my television debut. Having said that, I feel like this next bit needs to be said to clear things up, because I know a couple of people might be thinking somewhere waaaay out in left field. No, I was NOT on an episode of COPS.

For everyone else, the show that I blessed with my ugly mug probably won't be a huge shock. Afterall, if you've read my books, you're aware of this particular obsession.

My happy ass was featured in Animal Planet's Finding BIgfoot!

Here's a couple of screenshots from the episode that I was on. It was filmed in Asheville, North Carolina in February of 2016.

The episode is called "The Family That Squatches Together"

Click HERE to watch now.

I got to meet and speak with the cast (including Monkey who was hanging out with me, discussing life's major issues like fleas and losing your ball - take that last one however you like). Everyone was very nice and sociable. 

Upon arriving at the location that served as the Town Hall, I was chatting with as many people as I could and was able to meet some great folks, hear some really cool stories, see a few pictures and even take a gander at some plaster casts.

It was an incredible night and I was glad to have been fortunate enough to have the experience and make some new contacts. 

The BFRO will occasionally open expeditions to the public. That's my next goal. I've been on many trips into the woods in search of these creatures, but it would be nice to go with the BFRO just to learn some new tricks and hit some new locations. Who knows...perhaps we'll see each other on one of the future outings.

- From Cryptomundo.com - > Finding Bigfoot: The Family That Squatches Together Premieres tonight, January 8 @ 8:01 PM CST on Animal Planet

Also airs:

Sunday, January 8 @ 11:07 PM
Monday, January 9 @ 3:00 AM

With the help of family and friends, the team is investigating sightings along the Appalachian Trail. With a possible squatch in their midst, the group descends on a location along the trail, hoping for a squatchy night in the wilds of the Appalachia.

He Creeps Out Around Dusk...

"I doubt you'll find a lonelier, spookier place than down around Boggy Creek." So says Vern Stierman in his haunting narration in The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972). Anyone who has ever viewed the film can certainly see the logic in that statement.

If you've been following this blog for a while, you know that my love for this film has been expressed on numerous occasions. It sparked my interest in cryptozoology and filmmaking. The desire to make short films eventually evolved into writing short fiction. I've always wanted to write a tribute piece to pay homage to the film and I did just that in October of 2013.

A Cold Night In Fouke quickly became a reader favorite and set some personal records. It was my first young adult story, it was my most - and best - reviewed work and my biggest seller to date. Whatever it was that I did with this story had obviously struck readers and I couldn't be happier with the response.

The story ended with a question mark. Was that really the end? I've been asking myself that question for the past three years. Was that all I had to say about the legendary Fouke Monster?

Nope.

Halloween In Fouke picks up just a few days after the events of the first story with two boys who have heard about Emmett's encounter. Curiosity drives them deep into the swamp to seek out answers. Like the original, there will be plenty of atmosphere and suspense. The focus will be on that growing sense of dread and pure horror. You'll also find some historical facts about the creature and I'll be throwing in as much reality as I possibly can.

Keep your eyes on this site for updates.

Sticks And Stones 2 - Sample

With the long awaited release of Cut And Run: Sticks And Stones Part 2 just ahead, I thought that I would give you guys a sample to whet your appetite.

Coming soon from Back Road Books!

Copyright ©2016 by Charlie Morgan

When we walk among the burning dreams...

Blackberry Winter was in full swing when Jake and his hunting partner, Gary, hit the woods on the southern end of the Lowe Road. This last stretch of woods was all that was left to explore on a weeklong excursion.

Jake was tall, muscular and worked as a court clerk during the week. In his free time, he was completely absorbed in his hobby. In his youth he had been introduced to a film that would change his life. The Legend of Boggy Creek was a drive-in era, cult classic. It told the true story of a giant, hair-covered creature that terrorised a small Arkansas town. His interest quickly grew into obsession as he read all the books, articles and reports that he could get his hands on. In his teenage years, he would hit the woods when school was out, hoping to find some sign that hinted of a creature passing through.

Gary was tall, skinny and drove a cement truck during the week. He'd met Jake through a mutual friend several years back. Seeing that both of them shared interests in Bigfoot and Cryptozoology, a friendship quickly grew that eventually led to outings to look into any local reports. When the incidents of the Lowe Road  finally broke after the attack on a logging crew, Gary was in shock to see such a significant event happening so close to home.

Both men had planned the weeklong vacation into the mountains, camping and seeking whatever evidence they could lay their hands on.

So far, the trip had been a complete bust. The only thing they'd found was a big, steaming pile of shit that turned out to have been manufactured by a black bear that they saw just forty yards ahead of them.

They passed the site of the Laymon Logging Company incident and came up empty. Most of the forest floor was covered in branches and fallen trees. The clear spots had been riddled with tracks of the logging crew, paramedics, police, etc. If there ever were any tracks made by the creatures, they'd long been destroyed.
Gary froze in front of a large fallen pine. There were dark, rust-colored stains along the bark. His stomach began to churn as he tried to picture what had happened. I wonder if this is where one of those men was killed?

The local newspapers had gone wild when one of the injured men told what had really happened. The original story, told to the press by Laymon, had been that the men had been attacked by a bear who had a cub nearby.  Speculation began when analysis of the bite marks and other injuries pointed toward another, unknown, culprit.

When the injured man awoke after surgery, the story he'd told had been much more bizarre. He'd said that a dozen, or so, hair-covered things sprang from the forest. They ran on two legs and were gigantic and fast. The first man had fallen before he had time to react. The creature swiped at his head, snapping his neck with one thunderous blow. The other creatures charged at the loggers like the gates of hell had opened; spitting forth it's berserker warriors.

One of the men had managed to bury an ax into the chest of his attacker. The creature, enraged by pain, shot forward and sank it's teeth into the man's skull, shattering bone with ungodly strength.
From atop the hill, RJ Laymon raced to his truck and grabbed the .38 Special that he kept in the glovebox. He returned to scene and began firing at the attackers. Several fled at once after the first shots rang out. The rest soon followed as shots continued to strike around them. The whole event lasted almost two minutes, but to those who were there, it seemed like hours.

In the end, two men were dead and eight were severely injured. No bodies of the creatures had been recovered.

SNOWBLIND by Michael McBride

I had the immense pleasure of reading one of the first books in ages to unnerve me more than a little.

Anyone who knows me, knows that one of my favorite subjects is Cryptozoology - specifically Bigfoot. I've written my share on the subject (with more to come) and it never fails to grab my attention when I find a new book.

Enter Michael McBride.

I purchased Snowblind, and it's sequel, several months back. Working my way through my "to read" pile, I finally got to this gem. Ladies and germs, I have to admit that I was utterly floored by this book! It is CREEPY AS ALL HELL and an absolute MUST for anyone interested in Bigfoot.

Michael McBride has firmly announced himself as a tremendous voice in horror fiction and that voice howls like a monster on the hunt.

Buy this book! I can't possibly stress that enough. If you read this blog, chances are good that you like sasquatch tales. You will LOVE Snowblind!

Trust me, folks, this guy knows what he's doing and isn't afraid to dig his teeth into the raw meat. This is easily the best fictional Bigfoot tale since Eric S. Brown's original Bigfoot War.

...and there is a sequel.

Click HERE to get your copy.

A Secret is Revealed

This announcement has been a long time coming. Its been around five years since the release of Sticks And Stones and, since that day, people began asking for a sequel. One was promised and has since been in limbo.

There were many ideas as to where to take the series. Some remained, many were tossed to the four winds and banished.

The current incarnation began during a sleepless night and the thought of fuck it. Let's give it another go. Before I knew it, I had written nearly three thousand words and the sun was creeping up the horizon. Since then, I locked myself away, determined not to say one word to anyone  until it was finished.

Fifteen days later, the once cursed project's first draft is now complete. I've waited many years to say those words. This sequel binds every installment thus far. Those who have read Just In Sight, The Wilds and Here Be Devils will notice some familiar territory. There's plenty of new faces, surprises and nastiness awaiting. The original Sticks And Stones has been a reader favorite from day one. I hope this sequel lives up to your expectations.

Editing will begin in the coming days and I'm hoping to have a final draft ready for a release around Independence Day of this year.

This book is for all of you that have been asking for it. It wouldn't have happened without you.

THE FIRST DRAFT OF BEFORE THE DAWN: STICKS AND STONES PART II IS FINALLY FINISHED!

In the past, I've posted my playlists for certain projects to serve as a sort of unofficial soundtrack. So, here was my background during these sessions.

Lulabox - Ride On
Silent Scream - Mary Elizabeth McGlynn
Deus In Absentia - Ghost
We Will Rise - Arch Enemy
Don't Open Til' Doomsday - The Misfits
Extinct - Moonspell
7 Devils - The Goddamn Gallows
Party Time - 45 Grave
Shallow Grave - A Pale Horse Named Death
Heavy Metal (Takin' A Ride) - Don Felder
Haunted - Poe
The Hearse Song - The Marshmallow Ghosts

New Formats Available

Break out your favorite eReader. My latest book, BIGFOOT: A GUIDE TO THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD is now available in several new editions. Follow the links below to grab your copy!

Throughout the world people have reported seeing giant, humanoid creatures. The scientific community refuses to accept the existence of these creatures, despite the growing amount of evidence.

Within this book, you'll learn the basics of Bigfoot research to help you get started in the field of cryptozoology.

Casting prints - gathering evidence - history - actual reports and much more.

Kindle

Paperback

Nook

Kobo

iBooks

Page Foundry

Scribd

Paperback Available Now

Bigfoot: A Guide To The Beasts Of The Field is now available in paperback.

Click HERE to get your copy now!

New Bigfoot Book Arrives on Kindle

This has been a long time coming. Way back, in December of 2013, I began working on my first nonfiction book - Bigfoot: A Guide To The Beasts Of The Field. The idea of writing this book, however, has been floating around in my head for many years.

During the course of writing it, I got the chance to explore some cool places, revisit some old tales from my youth, personal experiences and, above all, I got to meet some really awesome people (including the cast of Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot - all awesome folks, especially Bobo's dog Monkey).

This book is also my first release through my new publisher, Back Road Books. Jeremy Peterson (happy birthday, by the way) and James Jobling have been a blast to work with. Their tireless efforts in getting this book out cannot be understated.

I also had the opportunity to work with longtime friend, and fellow cryptid fanatic, Eric S. Brown. He did an amazing job writing the Foreword and I hope to be able to work with him again in the future.

Finally, I received a message that got me a wee bit excited. I was contacted by a local teacher who is working with some homeschooled students. He proceeded to tell me that part of a particular class had a "cryptozoology component." After voicing my jealousy (wish that component was there when I was in school), we talked for a while and I offered to help in any way I could, including sending him a copy of the book to share with the class. I never thought I would ever write something to be presented to a class in an academic setting. Needless to say, it's very cool and I'm very proud.

So, without further delay, you can grab the Kindle edition by clicking HERE. Paperbacks and other formats should be along soon.

Also, in doing all of this, I forgot to do the next chapter in the free serial, My Best Fiend. That will be going up as soon as possible.

Cover Art Reveal and a Freebie

Coming soon to an eerie forest bookshelf near you!

My first ever nonfiction book BIGFOOT: A GUIDE TO THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD will, at long last, be seeing publication! It has been a long road with lots of ups, downs, twists and turns. It also marks another new chapter in my writing. It will be my first release by my new publisher Back Road Books. Hopefully there will be many more to come (we are already throwing ideas around for possible future projects). It's an exciting time here at eBookNightmare and I couldn't be happier.

Keep watching this space for future announcements on this and other titles.

Oh, one more thing. I also have started work on a free serial book called MY BEST FIEND. New chapters are posted every Friday. The first is up right now! Click HERE to start reading it now and don't forget to hit "subscribe by email" on the right side of the screen.

See you later!

Some Interesting Changes

Howdy, folks.

There's a few things coming up on the horizon that have me incredibly excited and, at last, I'm able to share it with you.

Let's start at the beginning.

First up in the news, I have a new publisher. I have officially joined the ranks of James Jobling (author of National Emergency) and Jeremy Peterson (author of A Devil In God's Country) at Back Road Books. This has resulted in them picking up my upcoming book, Bigfoot: A Guide To The Beasts Of The Field, which will be published later this year.

Next up, Back Road Books not only deals with the written word, but also (wait for it......) film production. Back Road will be filming a documentary that is slated to begin production in 2017 or 2018. The film will tie into my Bigfoot field guide and will focus on, what many believe to be, one of the single greatest pieces of Bigfoot evidence ever - the Patterson/Gimlin film. It will be filmed in and around Willow Creek, California. I'm giddy to announce that I will be going along to take part in this project. This has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember and I'm above and beyond honored to be going. Truth be told, I'm happy as hell!

Finally, I have began working on a new, fictional, novella that is a bit of a tribute piece to the late, great, Richard Laymon entitled The Atavist. The story will follow a family on a camping trip that runs afoul a group of maniacal survivalists. Its my nastiest, most graphic, story to date.

More news on all of these will be along just as soon as it becomes available.

Take care.

Field Guide - Update

Howdy, folks.

Its been a long time, hasn't it? As some of you know, there's been quite a bit going on around the Morgan household for the past couple of years. My dad and I had taken on the roles of caregivers for my dad's uncle, who had terminal cancer. During that time, any and all projects that I had been working on were put on hold. It was a long, dark, couple of years. On December 9, 2015, the uncle passed away. At 80 years old, he had lived a full life and was at peace with his passing.

JOSEPH SPURGEON MORGAN

October 23, 1935 - December 9, 2015

A NEW BOOK IS ON THE WAY

A couple of years ago, I made the announcement that I was working on my first ever nonfiction book - Bigfoot: A Guide To The Beasts of the Field. Ever since I first broke the news, it seems that the project was cursed to remain in limbo due to various issues. I'm happy to report that the curse has (hopefully) been broken and the finish line is within sight. 

The book is a field guide for those who wish to learn more about Bigfoot research. Its for all ages and has some historical accounts (including one by a future President of the United States) as well as a few that I have investigated personally. One such investigation took me to one of the spookiest places I have ever been in my life! I'm beyond excited about this one and can't wait to see what you guys think. My good friend, and fellow Bigfoot junkie, Eric S. Brown is writing the foreword. There will also be a little surprise tucked away in the back.

In the days leading up to the release, I will be bringing back the "Bigfoot Week" posts and may even try to have some guest bloggers come on board for some of them. 

I will also be posting some extras that'll be exclusive to this project. I have one investigation left to do and am planning on doing some videos to go along with all of this. Exciting times are on the horizon!

There is no official release date as of right now, however, I am shooting for sometime in February or March 2016.

BIGFOOT: A GUIDE TO THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD - Synopsis

SOMETHING IS OUT THERE!

It is one of the greatest mysteries that the world has ever known. For centuries, people have reported seeing giant, manlike, creatures roaming through the dense forests. The scientific community refuses to accept the existence of these beings despite the growing amount of evidence.

Within this book you'll learn the basics of Bigfoot research and forensics to help get you started in the field of cryptozoology.

Learn footprint casting, evidence gathering, and the history of these creatures. Also contains actual reports investigated by the author.


Here's a look at the cover art.

That's about all I have for the moment. Keep watch on this page for more in the coming days. See you soon!

Going back to the swamp

Its been a little over a year and a half since the release of my young adult story A Cold Night In Fouke. That story quickly became my most successful effort and has been well received by readers. It peaked at #2 on the best seller list and remained in the top 100 for the better part of a year. I never dreamed that it would be the hit that it was and still is.

The story is loosely based on The Legend of Boggy Creek, a cult classic documentary from the drive-in era. It was more than just a film. The history of The Fouke Monster is a long one and filled with many hair raising encounters that took place in and around the small Arkansas town. I first saw the film when I was about four and was immediately hooked. It has remained my favorite film of all time and introduced me to the world of Sasquatch and Cryptozoology. I wrote A Cold Night In Fouke as a tribute and could not be happier with the reception.

Ever since the release of my story, I've wanted to do a sequel and have been kicking around ideas ever since. I'm happy to announce that the time has come. Today I officially began work on Welcome To Boggy Creek. This story will take place four years later and will tie in to A Cold Night in Fouke but can also be read as a stand alone tale. Fans of Fouke will be getting their wish for a longer story because Welcome To Boggy Creek will be a novella. Keep your eyes on this page for updates. I will also be doing Bigfoot Week again. I hope you're as excited as I am.

The Legend Lives!

You can also find a print version of A Cold Night In Fouke in my new collection of shorts The Hangman's Lullaby and Other Horrors by clicking HERE.

Its coming

The Hangman's Lullaby - Out Now!

Hey, guys. Lots of stuff going on in this post. The coming days are going to be pretty exciting!

I'm very happy to announce that my new book, THE HANGMAN'S LULLABY AND OTHER HORRORS, is now available on KINDLE and SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK.

- synopsis -
Amazon.com Best Selling Author Charlie Morgan returns with a new collection of tales to make your blood run cold.

THE HANGMAN'S LULLABY - A desperate act of revenge transforms into a successful business venture for a man in the old west. Life is good, but he will soon learn the horrific consequences of making a living in death.

PROWL - After learning that he has a life threatening illness, a young man and his friend set out for one final fishing trip in the North Carolina mountains. When a violent car crash leaves them stranded and seriously injured in the middle of nowhere, they must work together in order to survive. But the nightmare is far from over. Something is lurking in the woods. Watching, waiting and hungry.

THE WILDS - A prequel to the award-winning Sticks And Stones.

HERE BE DEVILS - While staking out his barn in attempt to ward off coyotes, a man makes a horrific discovery.

Also contains the poems THRENODY and BOOGEYMAN

Special Edition Paperback contains
A Cold Night In Fouke (first time in print)
Carcass
and Carcass II: Bloodstorm (first time in print)

I will be signing copies at Greeneman's Treasures in Hendersonville, NC on Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 5 - 7 pm. If you're in the area, swing by and say "hello!" I will also be making an announcement about an upcoming project that I'm extremely excited about!

Hope to see you there.

Here's the official press release

Contact

Pattie Greene

Telephone

828-606-8834

Cell

828-606-8834

Email

greenemanstreasures2013@yahoo.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2015

Greeneman’s treasures hosts Local best selling Horror Author, Charlie Morganfor his new book Launch and signing 

Hendersonville, NC, March 23, 2015– GreeneMan’s Treasures, located at 2000 Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville, announces a rare Book Signing Event by WNC’s own Charlie Morgan on Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 5 -7 PM at our shop. Mr. Morgan will be signing books available for sale ($5.99) at the Event and on Amazon.com. All are welcome to come out and mix and mingle and meet the Author. Refreshments will be served.

We at GreeneMan’s Treasures are so proud to present, our friend, Charlie Morgan with the much anticipated release of his latest published work, The Hangman’s Lullaby,” says Pattie Greene, Co-owner and Proprietor of GreeneMan’s Treasures.

About the Author: Charlie Morgan, a WNC native, is an Amazon.com Best Selling Horror Author. He is a lifelong horror fan and cryptozoology enthusiast. For the past ten years he has also served as a fireman for Green River Fire and Rescue. Charlie is the author of numerous short stories and novellas, including the best sellers: Sticks and Stones, and A Cold Night in Fouke.

“Slick Gothic Pulp with gusto that is fun and goes down smooth… Charlie Morgan captures the drudgery of small town life quite nicely.” - Chip Fehd of Buyzombie.com

GreeneMan’s Treasures is a locally owned and operated Thrift Store featuring Antiques, Furniture and so much more, gratefully serving Henderson and surrounding counties for nearly 2 years.    

# # #

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Pattie Greene at 828-606-8834 or email at greenemanstreasures2013@yahoo.com.

New Beasties On The Way

First of all, thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes (even the ones who sent spiders...*grumble grumble* asswipes).

There's been so much going on around here that I really haven't had time to be around as much as I would like. I am happy to report that there's some light at the end of the tunnel and things should be back to normal very soon.

Tomorrow is October 1st (Halloween is just around the corner!) and is also the first anniversary for A Cold Night In Fouke. I couldn't be more happy with the way it's been received. It has been my biggest seller and best reviewed effort to date. Needless to say, the venture into YA territory paid off and there will be more of those to come.

In between working out some things at home, I've been working on the final stages of editing Prowl, my first werewolf story. That should be seeing release in the near future.

I'm still working on my first nonfiction book. As of right now it's untitled but will be a Bigfoot field guide. I would say that its about 85% complete.

Next up is a new novella called Bestial. I'm just going to tease you with it for now. I will say that it's something different and definitely explores the darkest depths of human nature. Possibly the most disturbing thing I've ever written.

And finally, my friend Darren Barker has just released a new novel entitled Deadly Sexual Trance. Cover art by the handsome bastard known as Charlie Morgan.
}:-)~
Be sure to pick it up on your next Amazon raid.

That's about all I have for the time being. I hope you guys are doing well and will talk with you soon.

BEFORE THE DAWN: S.A.S. 2 SAMPLE

I've been working on something for quite a while. With any project, there's always snags along the way, but with this particular book, I would be willing to say cursed. It's been almost two years since Sticks And Stones was released, and since then I've been promising a sequel. Fast forward annnnddd... glitches, false starts, hair loss, ditched drafts, rickets, insomnia etc etc. For the longest time, it just seemed like it was doomed. I know how much you guys liked the original and I wanted to deliver something that would live up to that and, with a little luck, surpass it. There's been several drafts that I've abandoned because I just felt that it wouldn't live up to what you guys want. Yes, I know it's "write the story you'd want," but that wasn't happening either. They felt rushed and watered down and I wasn't about to deliver that to you guys. Not a chance in hell. But now... we've got something! As we say in North Carolina, "I believe that dog'll hunt!" I'm currently working on a draft that I am very proud of and I don't think you'll be disappointed. There's some new characters coming aboard as well as some familiar faces. Also, you'll be getting a deeper look at the creatures themselves and going inside their heads for a while. This installment will also be longer - novella length, at least. Now, as promised on my Facebook page, here is a free sample chapter. Let me know what you think in the comments and please feel free to share this around. Welcome back to Lakewood, North Carolina. We'll be starting our tour on the Lowe Road. Sit back, relax and please, for God's sake, don't feed the animals! BEFORE THE DAWN: STICKS AND STONES PART II FREE EXCERPT ©2014 Charlie Morgan (violators will be butchered and fed to pet sasquatch - or forced to listen to a Matt Moneymaker lecture, depending on mood) PROLOGUE Jami Sroka kicked her shoes from her aching feet and collapsed to the couch. Since taking over her father's orchard in the wake of his retirement, she had barely had any time for herself. That's changing this weekend, by God, she thought, leaning back. Tomorrow, Tim and I are going out. I don't give a rat's ass what we do or where we go, but we're going to have fun and I don't want to see one goddamn apple all weekend! She flipped through the channels on her television, only half paying attention to what was on. Really, all she was looking for was some background noise to fall asleep to. Just going to crash on the couch tonight. Tootsies are way too sore to tackle the stairs. Again, Jami thought of Tim. They'd been together for a little over a year and it was the happiest she'd ever been. There was something about him that was truly special. He was the only guy that honestly got her and always made her feel like she was on top of the world. Last fall, Tim had taken a job as a long-haul trucker to earn some extra cash. There was a nice house in the Shadowbrook subdivision that they had both fallen in love with. It was a two story house with a beautiful view and "room to grow" Tim had said, trying to be subtle about the possibility of children in their future. "It's great, isn't it?" Tim had asked during their walkthrough with the realtor. "Just think, honey, if we work hard and save up enough cash for about a decade, one day, we may be able to afford the gas to drive up here and look at this place," he said jokingly and earning a playful punch to his shoulder. Things were going well and fast. With Tim driving and Jami running the orchard, they almost had enough to cover the down payment. It only added to her excitement for tomorrow. Tim would be back for his birthday and Jami had a nice, romantic evening planned for him. She hoped he liked the present she'd gotten him. "Shit," Jami said, sitting up with a hint of panic in her voice. The present! In her rush to get home, she'd forgotten to take it home with her. It was still sitting on the desk in the office. "No... aw, fuck a duck!" Ignoring the aches and pains, she rose from the couch and slipped her shoes back on. She had to go back tonight. Tim would be home early in the morning and she wanted it there when he walked in the door. Sure, she could swing by the next day and give the surprise to Tim on the way to dinner, but that would dilute her plans. She wasn't setting foot in that damn place this weekend. This was their weekend! ***** Jami's car silently rolled north on Highway 225. Just before the entrance to the Lowe Road, a bright yellow sign that read SROKA'S ORCHARD - 50 YARDS AHEAD and a blue arrow pointing the way. Her headlights illuminated a large, red building that resembled an old tyme barn on the side of the road. Behind the building was a steep hill, overgrown with kudzu-choked trees that resembled gnarled hands reaching for the building with their talons. Beyond the trees was the Lowe Road. It was late and the place was deserted. The only sound came from a light breeze that whispered among the leaves. Jami didn't like it there at night, not one bit. It was too close to that place where those loggers were killed. The summer before, a logging crew was hired to clear a large plot of land to make room for a new subdivision. It was supposed to be high end real estate that would overlook the valley below. She had heard that there were some big names already interested in buying homes - a golf pro and an actress supposedly had already made offers. The project was a big deal. It would've provided jobs and a much needed economic boost. Everything had the greenlight until they found the bodies. When the crew didn't return from their shift, a supervisor was sent to see what was going on. He brought a deputy with him when nobody answered his repeated calls. The whole ordeal was heavily documented in the papers for weeks. The entire crew had been found torn apart and partially eaten. There was also thousands of dollars in equipment damages. The official report had stated that it was an animal attack, most likely the work of a bear. Jami had lived in Lakewood her entire life. She knew there were bears in the area but attacks were rare enough to be almost nonexistent. It didn't sound right to her. A single bear taking out an entire logging crew just didn't sit well with her. She pulled in next to the door and shut off the engine. With a deep breath to steady herself, she stepped out and raced to the door. She had the key in the lock and the door open in record time. Not wanting to take any more time than necessary, she ran to the office, scooped the bag into her arms and was on her way back out. Through the windows above, the trees danced in the wind, under soft moonlight, casting ghostly shadows on the cement floor. She used the light to illuminate the keys in her hand. "Almost done," she whispered. A shadow moved across the floor, something large and bulky with a distinct human shape. A whimper caught in her throat and the sound of glass breaking ripped away the silence. Something fell from the gaping hole from the window and landed behind Jami. She tried to run but was slapped from her feet, sending her flying through the air and crashing against a wooden crate. Dazed, she tried to stand. A strong, musty scent burned her eyes and nostrils. Something stood above her, glaring at her crumpled form with bright amber eyes that resembled a wildfire. Jami screamed and the creature charged.

Fouke Sequel Cover

For some reason this didn't pop up on the original post.

Fouke Sequel Sample

With the overwhelming success of my short story A COLD NIGHT IN FOUKE, I've been working on the follow-up entitled HALLOWEEN IN FOUKE. Again it will be a young adult book and the fans of the first will get their wish of a longer tale. HALLOWEEN will be at least novelette length. So here's some goodies to tide you over.

HALLOWEEN IN FOUKE
Copyright ©2014

Lori Wolfe literally hit the ground running as she dove from her bedroom window. She could hear the sounds of the creature's fury as it tore through her house, destroying her home with savage ease. Stopping for the briefest of seconds to pull a shard of glass from her arm, Lori turned to look over her shoulder in time to see a hulking silhouette tear her back door from the hinges and charge forward. Lori raced into the damp autumn night, dodging trees and stumbling through thickets that caught and cut at her arms and legs. There was no time to carefully maneuver the dense woods, the creature was gaining. Never had she seen such a beast. It was covered in thick, dark hair like a bear but had the body of a gigantic, disfigured man. It had a stink similar to a dead skunk rotting under the summer sun. Lori cried while she ran. She was no match for the rage-fueled speed of the beast and could already feel it's hot, rancid breath on the back of her neck.

10 Million Dollar Bigfoot Bounty - review

I first heard of this while I was a guest on ZombiePalooza: Dead Again Radio. I was immediately intrigued and just had to check it out. Tonight was the first chance I had to give it a look and get caught up on what I had missed. I'm actually still watching it. What I'm seeing is basically SURVIVOR: BIGFOOT EDITION. The reason for that is simple, this is a game show that follows that format. Teams of "hunters" are given two challenges per episode and at the end, one team is eliminated. Is this what I expected? No. Sometimes that can be a good thing. You get a pleasant surprise and discover something brilliant. That's not the case here.

The teams consist of people who seem to spend more time fighting than bigfooting, not just with other teams but with each other. You also have the so called "Bigfoot Killer" Justin Smeja. Supposedly Justin shot two sasquatches and actually killed a juvenile. According to him, instead of bringing back what would be the single greatest zoological discovery in history, he thought it would be a better idea to bury the body and walk away. Later, fueled with bravado and a touch of fame, he returns to the, now frozen, grave and brings back a clump of hair that was in the general vicinity and claims it was 100% certain from the creature he killed. After testing, the hair was proven to be from a bear and Justin started crying. You can see this on Bigfoot: The New Evidence. So, this is just my opinion, Justin is a hoaxer. Having him on a team such as this dents the credibility for me.

The big problem is the game show format. If producers were serious about this, instead of eliminating people, they should place each team in a known hotspot and turn them loose. Have them spend the duration of the season searching their designated area and if nothing is found, move to a new spot on the next season.

These are just my opinions. You may really like the show and if so, more power to you. I just don't think this is the way to handle this particular subject. I will say, however, it's leaps and bounds better than that abomination that the National Geographic channel aired in which researchers and witnesses were made fun of by a comedian host.

I have had numerous people ask for my thoughts on TMDBB and, as promised, gave it a shot. I am pleased to see that Bigfoot is growing in interest. My hope is that the future will hold more shows that have legitimate interest and take things seriously. In that case, more information will be available for those who want to hit the woods and start their search. I would love to see Bigfoot be proven in my lifetime.

One final note:
The two camps in Bigfooting is kill and no kill. I'm not going into my personal stance on this just yet but if you are on the kill side, see a Bigfoot, shoot it and kill it, DON'T BURY IT AND WALK AWAY! BRING IT BACK SO IT CAN BE TESTED!

Thanks for dropping by and I'll talk with y'all later.
- Charlie

Radio Interview About Upcoming Books, TV Protests and More!

I recently got to do an interview from Jackie Chin. I've done several shows in the past but this was the best so far. We all had a great time and lots of bull was shot about books, cryptozoology, butting heads with a major television network, Star Wars and much more.

Click HERE to give it a listen.