Friday Post!

Hello my ghosts and ghouls. You're probably all reading this on Thursday, because I always post on Tuesday and Thursday. I have a review coming for you on Friday, but the film hasn't been released yet, so I was told to hold off until the 27th to release my opinion.
Therefore, I will let you all know that I'll be posting my review on Friday, the 27th at my usual time! Check back then!! But for now...here's the trailer:

Speaking to Cody Meirick of Scary Stories: A Documentary

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a collection of folklore that has haunted children and adults all over the world. It has sold over 7 million copies...that's a lot of terror to spread. If you didn't read these books as a kid, you either need to get yourself to a bookstore this instant, or you're lying to me.

The books have been picked up for an adaptation for film, and I don't think I could be more excited. Heck, that's what got me started here in the first place; the fact that these books are one of the reasons that horror has become more than my little hobby, but my lifestyle and my obsession.

But did you know that this incredible book series has acquired so much attention scaring the living daylights out of people, that schools and libraries all over the world are banning them? They're suppressing childrens' abilities to enjoy the spooky stories and disgusting drawings by taking them away from them.

Now, if you really read these books, you know that the stories were absolutely creepy, but it was the illustrations by Stephen Gammell.

These illustrations haunted our dreams for decades. But what is the draw to these books? I got the opportunity to speak with Cody Meirick, the director and producer of Scary Stories: A Documentary. (YES, THERE IS GOING TO BE A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT ONE OF THE BEST BOOK SERIES IN THE HISTORY OF LITERATURE. ARE YOU AS EXCITED AS I AM.) We talked via email, and we got to talk about some of the things he's researched for his documentary. This documentary covers vital investigations into what draws us to all things creepy, the folktales and urban legends that are told in the books, literature of gothic nature for children, and artists inspired by the drawings of Stephen Gammell, to name a few.

So what did Cody have to say about this documentary?

Taylor: What sparked you interest in creating a documentary about these stories? Is there another documentary that influenced your decision to make your documentary in any way, whether it be in style, or topic?

Cody: It started with my interest in children's literature in general. My background is in children's literature, both academic and with Erikson Institute. Of course I loved the books growing up like a lot of people, but what really started to take shape are big topics related to the books that really lent themselves to documentary form. I saw how much people gushed over them, liked them on social media, upvoted them. I'm sure a lot of other people have noticed the same thing. But along with the interest, you're talking about a series of books that inspired generations of children to open a book and read, as well as spark an interest in art and illustrating, while also being one of the most banned books of the last 30 years. Those things add up to being a really fascinating story.

TK: On your website, you have a list of topics that may be covered in the documentary. Which was your favorite topic to explore (up until this point) and why?

CM: Although I talk about the banned books topic and the illustrations as art, some of those topics that I know we will explore which are really interesting topics, I guess in my heart of heart my natural inclination is towards folklore and connections to traditional children's literature. My degrees are all in English Literature, so I like to sit down with a professor or folklorist and talk about those things. But again, all topics interest me quite a bit.

TK: I know that personally, these books helped shape me as a person in my childhood, allowing me to delve into outlets other than what was considered "the norm" in reading. I grew up to be a horror fanatic with a love of all things dark and creepy. Do you feel that the reason parents steer their children clear of these books is because they believe that they will enjoy it? Or do you feel that parents think their children will be scared? To put it briefly...why do you think parents keep their children from enjoying dark, scary things?

CM: These are the types of questions I want to explore. Just to throw a few of my own thoughts. I'm sure it varies a lot. I'm sure there are some parents who actually believe these can be "taught" to children... as if reading about death or murder will give a 12-year-old the idea and suddenly they become a sociopath. There are probably a few parents out that like that. But by and large I imagine it is a bit more tame and not quite as extreme as that. They just want them to be a bit older until they are reading certain things. The problem is, the act of banning in an entire school determines that other kids that maybe are ready for it, and could benefit from it, don't have access. So there are a lot of dimensions that I think people could delve into.

TK: What do you think draws children to such dark topics?

CM: I think similar reasons to why I enjoy a good scary movie. I don't know that I could accurately describe my own desire. But I wouldn't mind talking with a few experts who could posit some theories about why that is. Why do I like Freddy Krueger so much?

TK: How did you come across the people to interview for your documentary? What about the crew for the production?

CM: Research, research, research!

TK: Tell us about Open Books! It seems like an organization that you're passionate about, how did you get involved with them?

CM: Erikson Institute where I work isn't too far and I sometimes wonder over there to browse. I love their model. Used bookstore and the proceeds go towards literacy programs. I love it.

[Open Books is an organization featured on Scary Stories: A Documentary's indiegogo page. If you donate to the documentary, a part of the proceeds go to Open Books! It's all about children's literacy!]

TK: What is your ultimate goal for the documentary? What do you want it to accomplish?

CM: I want to pay tribute to this book series that was important to a lot of childhoods while also exploring important aspects of children’s literature. The early years are so fundamentally important. What is put in front of our eyes and processed through our minds during those key developmental years goes to shape who we are. Examining what it is that draws us, inspires us, interests us when we are young I think says a lot about the human condition. Looking at just this particular example I think can be both fun for a lot of fans but also enlightening.

TK: There have been talks about a film adaptation of the stories; are you excited to see those childhood stories we know and love become a reality on the big screen?

CM: I'm intrigued of course. I'm a big John August fan, so that really piqued my interest. We'll see.

TK: The illustrations of Stephen Gammell in the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books have been iconic over the years. If you could have yourself drawn into any of the illustrations, which would it be and why?

CM: I'll play along. I've always loved the illustration for Oh Susannah. I have no idea what dimension or reality that is, but I'd be interested in exploring.

I'm honored to be able to help such a cool cause gain exposure. You guys should check out Cody's documentary's progress, if you haven't already! Help fund his campaign, too, and get our love of horror out there! Until next time, ghosts and ghouls. Stay spooky!

Dirt Lullabies: A Novel Review!

I had the privilege of reading the new novel by author Jeremy Megargee, Dirt Lullabies.
Honestly, the opportunity came about in a pretty cool way...we've been following each other on Instagram for some time, when suddenly, a message appeared! Jeremy asked me to read Dirt Lullabies and I agreed, hence where we are now!

Let me tell you, guys, I ripped through this book. 5 hours, and I was finished with the whole thing. It was a snowy day here in New York (I'm writing this on Thursday night, but you guys will see this on Tuesday) so I had a little time on my hands to sit down and truly get involved in a book.
Well, I didn't exactly expect that I would be so immersed in this book that I would finish it in one sitting. I also didn't know I could sit still for 5 hours.

Let me give you a quick synopsis:
Roman Merrick lives in West Virginia with his parents, and the family is just barely scraping by. He discovers a crack in the ground in the root cellar beneath his home that could just be the answer to all of his family's problems...when a melodic voice calling itself M drifts up from the crack promising a way out, Roman is faced with a life-altering decision.

I KNOW, even the synopsis is awesome. The story is very original, and I found myself slightly crushing on the antagonist, M, which is pretty disturbing. I mean, you're going to have to read it to find out why.

It's gory, it's gripping, it doesn't let you go, and I was turning pages like a madwoman. I probably looked insane reading it. Good thing I was curled up in a ball under the blanket to read it during this insane weather. The characters are awesome and memorable, and I absolutely love their stories. It just feels so complete- you don't finish reading with any questions like "wait why did that happen?" or "who was that?" or anything like that, it's completely full-circle and cohesive, which is nice. Also, there may or may not be an awesome goth girl that reminds me a lot of myself.....she's my favorite.

I honestly don't have enough good things to say about this novel. I loved every second of reading it and I am so honored to have been asked to give it a read. If you're looking for a novel to really grab your attention, Dirt Lullabies is absolutely a great place to start. Also, you'll be supporting Indie writers, which is even more awesome, because their talent needs to be exposed!

Let me know if you decide to read Dirt Lullabies, you're really missing out until you do!!

Haunted Locations I Love: Sweet Hollow Road

Hey ghosts and ghouls! This post is something new that I'd like to try. If you follow me on Instagram, you know what I'm all about aside from horror...though I suppose it could still be horror related...but in my spare time (so when I'm not slinging soap 5 or 6 days a week, and I'm not posting on here), I'm a paranormal investigator! (and if you don't follow me on Instagram, you can find me here, if you want!)

I got started a few months ago- it started out as more of a joke than anything, which I've come to find is how most of the people in the paranormal community got started. "It was a dare" or "I thought it was funny" are the responses I've found most common, and mine is no exception. My other half and I were introduced to Ghost Adventures around Thanksgiving, we were intoxicated and laughing and joking around about how awful it was, and then I had a thought. "Hey, maybe this isn't so bad" crossed my mind. I kept it to myself. After all, I had watched Ghost Hunters years before on a DVD I had.

Flash forward to Christmastime 2015. We bought up all of the seasons of Ghost Adventures we could find on DVD. We watched it in hysterics, joking about Zak's attitude and Aaron's faces. And suddenly it dawned on me: I actually really, really loved it. I kind of hated myself for it, but I couldn't deny it.

Christmas rolled around, and I received a P-SB7 as a gift. For those of you that aren't into ghost hunting, it's a spirit box- it picks up spirit voices in between radio frequencies. It's not foolproof, I get radio voices all of the time, but you know something is a little off when you get the same voice over multiple frequencies. I consider this the time when something is trying to establish a connection.

This won't be a post about my personal experiences, because I know that there's a lot of skepticism about that, and I want to leave this as a spooky horror blog, not a place for fighting over the existence of an afterlife. If you'd like to know about my paranormal experiences, please leave me a comment! I'd be happy to contact you and tell you about them.

Anyway, on to the point of this post! Where I live, there are plenty of haunted locations. The Fire Island Lighthouse, Kings Park Psychiatric Center, even Pilgrim State Psych. I haven't been to all of the locations I'd like to go to, but a place near and dear to my heart is Sweet Hollow Road.

There are a few stories that go along with the haunted history of Sweet Hollow. It's been featured on tv shows and websites all over the place because of how "active" it is.
One story has to do with Mount Misery Road, a road running parallel to Sweet Hollow. A small asylum was built in the woods back where the road ends, and one of the patients, Mary, supposedly set it on fire, essentially killing almost everyone in the building. Rumor has it that you can still hear the screaming patients from the fire. Even creepier: apparently they rebuilt the asylum...and it burnt down a second time. Weird, huh?

But there is an overpass crossing Sweet Hollow Road, and that is where I've personally been. Driving down that road at all is enough to make you cringe. The road is winding, dark, and covered in trees on both sides. It creates such an enclosed, claustrophobic feeling. The story is that a handful of teens hung themselves off of the overpass, and if you flash your lights while driving underneath, they will appear.
There is also the story of a woman who was killed in a head-on collision above Sweet Hollow.  If you flash your lights, you can see a shadow sit up. Is it a trick of the eyes? Or does the woman see you and sit up?

There are even more, if you can believe it, one of which has to do with a police officer who only has the front of his head intact, and a "hell hound" that means imminent death if you see him with his glowing red eyes.

All I can say is the feeling of being there is so terrifying and unsettling.....I love it. I can tell you more stories of hauntings around me if you guys are into this post! Let me know!