Well, I've been holding out the best October has to offer till the very end. For the lead up to Halloween I have some wonderful treats in store! Tricks...not so much, but I might think of something.
With us this week I am honored to present the author Michael Norman. Perhaps you've caught him on the Discovery Channel, he's been on a few haunted castle documentaries hosted by Robert Hardy (Cornelius Fudge to you). Or Perhaps you've seen him on late night cable being interviewed by Space Ghost? Or maybe you've passed his books in Barnes & Noble? But after today I'm going to make sure you know who Michael Norman is! (That's if you don't already.) He's the king of ghost stories, having written the popular Haunted America series of true ghost stories. Haunted Wisconsin was published in 1979 and since then he has written six more books centering on the supernatural, all still in print! He's my "blogman" of the month, and I couldn't think of a better canidite for such a spooky phantasmagorical time of year than this veteran ghost hunter. He is currently "running hither and yon promoting The Nearly Departed," his newest book for the Minnesota Historical Society, but he'll be stopping by later this week for an in-depth Q&A with such important questions as his favorite all time Halloween costume. But in the meantime...a new competition!
Mike has generously offered up a signed and inscribed copy of his latest book to the winner. Let us take a quick look at this wonderful prize:
The Nearly Departed: Minnesota Ghost Stories and Legends by Michael Norman
Published by: Minnesota Historical Society Press
Publication Date: September 1, 2009
Format: Paperback, 304 Pages
To Order
The official patter:
"Everyone loves a good ghost story.
Phantoms of the Paramount, Shadows on Third Avenue, The Legend of Ann Lake, The Boy in the Red Cap. Veteran ghost hunter Michael Norman has uncovered almost three dozen stories of legitimate Minnesota eeriness to thrill readers. Norman, author of five nationally popular collections of ghost tales, interviewed local storytellers and combed newspapers to document legends involving supernatural and strange occurrences. Following old and fresh leads, he gathered stories from all over the state.
Ghost stories have existed as long as humans have been telling tales. Perhaps they rise from our curiosity about what happens to us and our loved ones after death, perhaps they explain phenomena that we do not understand, or maybe, just maybe, the dead do walk the earth. Norman does not attempt to prove or disprove the existence of ghosts but instead allow readers to make up their own minds. his tales feature people's strange and paranormal experiences in quite ordinary places, including homes, theaters, B&Bs, and restaurants. Many of the engaging and hair-raising accounts involve strange and frightening incidents of the last fifty years; some tales document very recent unexplainable or spectral events. The book includes a list of sites open to the public and documents the hauntings' locations–from Taylors Falls and Pipestone to Northfield and Nobles County–for Minnesotan who may want to "pass through" the sites.
Beware: these stories do not have conclusive endings, since they remain mysteries to this day. but perhaps that's best. An ending would just take the fun out of it."
THIS COMPETITION NOW CLOSED
Prize:
The Nearly Departed: Minnesota Ghost Stories signed and inscribed by the author, Michael Norman
Question:
What was you favorite Halloween costume? (Come back later in the week to find out Mike's answer!)
The Rules:
1. Open to EVERYONE (worldwide), and just because you haven't been following me all along doesn't mean you don't matter.
2. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if your name is drawn, either your blogger profile or a link to your website/blog or you could even include your email address with your comment(s).
3. Contest ends Saturday, November 7th at 11:59AM CST
4. How to enter: Just post below
5. And for those addicted to getting extra entries:
+1 for answering the question above
+2 for becoming a follower
+5 if you are already a follower
+10 for each time you advertise this contest - blog post, sidebar, twitter (please @MzLizard), etc. (but you only get credit for the first post at each site, so tweet all you like, and I thank you for it, but you'll only get the +10 once). Also please leave a link!
I'd like to thank Mike Norman once again for stopping by for all hallows week and offering up a great prize for one of my wonderful followers. If you haven't yet be sure to check out his website and all his great books for a truly spooky time. But now onto the part I know you're all waiting for, you're just like wolves at the gates...so anyways, the winner of the signed and inscribed copy of Michael Norman's new book, The Nearly Departed is...princess...DarcyO! Congratulations Darcy, and I hope you are ready to lock the doors and turn on all the lights as you read about the supernatural forces at work in Minnesota!
