We went wandering yesterday, and ended up at an outlet mall that sold Fiestaware, Corning, books and power tools. But the Fiestaware and power tools weren't what we were looking for.In the past week or so we've seen some interesting "welcome to" town signs, but yesterday an old-style wooden sign welcomed us to Flatwoods, "Home of the Green Monster". Oh yeah! This was my kind of place.
Back in 1952, a group of kids and a few adults witnessed the crash of a UFO in the hills of southern West Virginia, and ran to the crash site (yes, to...this happened before people had cable television and internet to entertain themselves, remember).
At the crash site the group encountered a hostile and poisonous being later dubbed "the Green Monster" who would become first local news and then national legend, and eventually inspire countless science fiction stories, films, and even the term "Men in Black" through West Virginia native Gray Barker.
Personally, I also suspect it of some influence on the Teletubbies.
We drove through the town and back again, disappointed to find no giant monuments to the event, nor alien gift shops, nor gangs of folks walking the streets in long green capes and pointy hats. It was all, well, distressingly normal.
Hurrah for the outlet centre! Their factory seconds provided a quick shot of retail therapy, and there we found the Braxton County visitor centre giving away free coffee... and selling Monsters!
Big Ole Face Full of Monster has the coolest of names, and is looking for short fiction that is creepy, chilling, haunting, and taut. For this they will pay 2.5c/word. Or, send them something else: "true regional horror stories, discussions of film and literature (both classic and current), terrifying travelogues, creepy music reviews, revolting recipes, art (for cover and within the zine), photos, original papers, articles, interviews, reviews and MORE" (their capitals) and they'll pay 2 copies upon acceptance.
Monsters Next Door is working on a themed issue for the fall, so if you have a ROAD TRIP story, send it in. (I can't believe my luck.) If you have a different kind of monster story, they're also reading for their regular quarterly issues, so keep polishing. Check the link for complete guidelines including payment details.
Pill Hill Press is currently looking for "dark and/or disturbing" rural horror that makes a reader want to pack her bags and move back to the city. "Think abandoned buildings. Think small towns with nosy neighbors. Think malevolence in middle America. Think long, creepy country roads. Most importantly, think outside the box!"
Books for Monsters wants action and adventure in a variety of genres, for stories as short as 500 words or thousands more, paying $5 and up by length.
Please remember Kathleen May in your prayers: she was one of the original witnesses to the Flatwoods incident, and passed away last month at the age of 88. Condolences are posted at Flatwoodsmonster.com
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21 comments: join in!:
Why sister is that you? So hard to see on a little iPhone. You mean no Spock, R2D2, Picard, Zulu, Yoda? Bummer. Toto I don't think they are in Kansas anymore. Wonder if Henry Lee Duke is around. Well I must say. Enjoyed the info and the post :). I'm off to see the wizard. Later :)
Wow....kind of a Christmasy looking critter, isn't it? :)
What an interesting story. Looks like I have a date with le Google and a certain poisonous alien this evening. Also wine. Must have the wine.
Looks like ya'll are a having a great time exploring.
Hey Thom, no not me but my kids. My oldest kid is as tall as I am however... and still no sign of Henry Lee Duke. I'm looking!
Hope, yes very! And has garden gloves for hands apparently. LOL
Ashley, this place is too much fun--exploring is irresistible!
Ok, something is wrong here as I have never heard of the monster! I'm an hour from Mothman's territory and they got a cool statue for him.
I'm glad you are having a good time.
Cathy, we've planning a trip to Parkersburg and thereabouts and I'm hoping to hit Mothman country then! I *was* a bit amazed to find that among UFO enthusiasts at least, Flatwoods is worldwide legend. I'd never heard of it either, before last year.
Sounds like a fun place to visit. I'm glad you are enjoying your visit across the pond.
Oooh, the true birthplace of X-Files!
This is almost funny. I drove a very narrow, shady bit of country road today. The trees were quite dark and scraggly and dense. The woods looked a bit sinister and I thought, "Wow! Now here's a setting for a creepy story." Then I checked my gas gage and pressed a bit harder on the accelerator.
Janie, New York and Chicago have nothing on this place I think! LOL
Quilly, it's a road trip story!! Go for it!
Hmmm, interesting place! I'd love to poke around there for a bit! Like that Christmasy looking guy! Sounds like you guys are having a great trip!
How FUN!!!!!!!! Susan, you're having the greatest time, aren't you!? ♥
Susan, I actually have a Flatwoods monster costume AND the statue. And a book or two about this. I was fortunate enough to meet Mrs. May some years ago; she never wavered in her story about what happened that night. The night that this monster was supposedly sighted there were many lights in the skies and lots of people calling the police to report the strange goings on. The story of what happened is good reading; to this day people debate what actually happened on that hill.
You will have fun in Point Pleasant! When are you going? You'll have to pass right by me, ya know! The TNT grounds are fascinating, esp at night or on a dark rainy day. And the museum--worth the trip. Do be sure to visit the guy in the shop across the street from the museum though. Very interesting fella.
I'm glad you're having so much fun. And you've only scratched the surface. Have you heard about the Snallygaster yet? Or the ghost cow in the belltower in Morgantown? More fun awaits!
Oh, please, can we talk Bigfoot for a while??? What a interesting case... check out bfro.net for more information... that'll send some goosebumps down your spine!
Sylvia, yes! It's been great so far, and we've still got a lot to look forward to.
Mimi, I love it! It's a hoot!
Susanna, everyone wants to hear about the ghost cow now. And those tips are excellent, thanks! We're about to run into a car issue next week so not sure when we can schedule anymore road trips... you wouldn't happen to know anyone selling a car very cheap? VERY cheap? LOL
Carol, thanks for that! I'm way overdue for bed but will check out that website in the morning...though not sure I should read about Bigfoot until AFTER we've taken the kids camping??
(probably just ME being a fraidy-cat!)
LOL
I thought those aliens only congregated at Roswell. This is very interesting. These aliens also look different from the group at Roswell. They are obviously from another planet. You will have to investigate this further. :-)
I knew it. The minute I came home and saw that picture I said, that's too good looking. Gotta be the daughter. ROFLMAO. You still haven't seen Henry Lee Duke. You can find the story HERE.
Great looking kids...you done did good sister :)
I think Castlebar needs a little green man. (sigh) I'll get the paint.
You found my long-lost relative, Susan. Thanks!
You are uncovering some interesting Americana. Thanks for keeping us posted!
You really do make me giggle and it's way past my bed time! I have a friend who's mad for Fiesta ware but I've never heard of it here. As for the 'green monster' raises it's ugly head around here sometimes but doesn't have anything to do with aliens! I'm still waiting for the Roswell crowd to pay me a fortune to see the alien on my gum tree!
Kay, this weird thing has such a large following I couldn't believe I'd never heard of it before. People come from all over the world to see the site, and there's an annual Festival for it coming up in September!
Thom, *I* think all my kids are gorgeous but always love to hear someone else agree! LOL I did read your masterpiece, yesterday or the day before, but it wouldn't let me comment and then the connection dropped; I just went back to comment and it worked. And I have the song in my head AGAIN now ARGH.
Ken, how wide open did you just leave yourself to the RUDEST of replies? But don't worry, I like you far too much to mention ANYTHING about your little green man.
ROFL
Sandy, the back roads here are filled with treasure, as are its state parks. I know what I'll be for Halloween anyhow!
Baino, I don't see the attraction in Fiestaware in all so you're not missing anything IMHO; I think it rather plain and its colours ugly, and it's brutally expensive. Yes, the alien on your tree may well be related! LOL
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