The other day JW Schnarr, an editor from Northern Frights Publishing, contacted me about reviewing Shadows of the Emerald City, an anthology set for release on October 15, 2009.
While the book isn’t a ghost travel guide or anything of that nature, here’s the tagline: “Tales of Terror inspired by the writings of L Frank Baum and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” A collection of stories exploring the “darker side of the Oz Mythos?” Okay, I admit it. That caught my attention.
And it got me to thinking. Autumnforest of Ghost Hunting Theories posted a blog not too long ago about ghosts of our past. Haunt Jaunts are no different. Like visiting (or being visited by, depending on the scenario) the ghosts of our past, there are also different types of Haunt Jaunts one can make. Literal jaunts, such as to Spooky Stays or Historic Haunts, virtual jaunts, such as to paranormal websites, or fantasy jaunts, such as the ones that books and movies take us to.
The Wizard of Oz blew me away as a kid. But now that I’m older, I’d like to discover the more complex background of this unusual place. The seedier side. Because every place, no matter how shiny and bright it appears on the surface, harbors darker terrain beneath its pristine veneer, doesn’t it?
That’s why I agreed to review the book. Because if Oz really existed, it would certainly make my list of haunts to jaunt to. But since it doesn’t, I have to rely on authors to transport me there.
Plus…WOW! Someone contacted me about checking out an advance review copy? Rock on! Sometimes blogging and maintaining a web site really DO have their perks!
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.