Do You Still Play?

 

I do. I find it therapeutic. There are so many stressors since the coronavirus lockdown of 2020. I find it essential as a writer to have other outlets. It lets my mind relax and ideas flow. Sometimes there are no words for the feelings I have at the moment, but they come to me when I use my hands. 

Since early 2021, I have picked up two new art mediums; I am working on guerilla chalk art and also the Kindness Rocks campaign. I've painted over 400 hundred rocks and guerillaed a few parks, used my driveway as a canvas, and drawn outside of places where friends live. It's been a lifesaver. It helps me to have another creative outlet to feel less isolated and keep me sane. 

I hope this post finds you healthy mentally and physically. The pandemic has altered our world forever. We are living in a time of cultural, social, and media whiplash. Sometimes I tune out for my own sanity. I'd like to share some pictures of my artwork with you. I hope it brings you joy. It does for me. You can find more of my chalk work online. Please share your own work in the comments. It brightens my day.

Rejection Isn't Bad

What? You're thinking I'm crazy or had a momentary lapse in judgement. Why would I embrace a failure? Well, it's not a failure, if you put your work out there and one publication rejects it. There could be a number of reasons your work was rejected:

• They got slammed with great submissions and didn't have room to publish them all.
• You might have misjudged the market and have a great story that would fit better with another press.
• Not everyone has the same taste as you.

My Latest Publications and Podcasts

I realized since I've been gone awhile, I better update everyone on what I've been up to during Coronapocalypse. I've been busy writing and also picked up a few new art hobbies. Last month, my short story, The Witch of Fox Point, debuted in The Beyond: Stories Inspired by the Lucio Fulci Death Trilogy: Curated by Raffaele Pezzella. Taken directly from the Amazon description:

Nora B. Peevy’s darkly comedic ‘The Witch of Fox Point’, which features a cast of memorable characters including a plucky teenager who, along with her witch grandmother and the ghost of a young girl, battle against a veritable swarm of the undead (and zombie cows) in order to save the world.

I am in great company in this anthology. If you are interested, you can purchase it, along with the music composed specially for the collection from Amazon or from Eighth Tower Publishing.

If you haven't seen the Lucio Fulci trilogy, check it out first. I love all his work.

In February of this year, I joined a group of talented women for Women in Horror Month on The Wicked Library podcast. I wrote a short story, Dirt and Iron, about the hodag, a cryptid from Rhinelander, Wisconsin. My dad is from Rhinelander, so this story is very close to my heart.

You can read more about the hodag here: What's the Hodag? - Rhinelander, Wisconsin (explorerhinelander.com).

And then on April 22, 2021, I was a guest on Michael Brightside's Podcast where I discussed Dirt and Iron, writing, current events, and other topics. 

I also discussed Hodags, other cryptids, hauntings, the paranormal, and ghosts on Wicked Little Things in November of 2020 with DA Roberts and Catt Dahman. They co-run The Horror Authors Guild. DA Hermann, a talented photographer, and Ashley Dioses, a horror poet, also joined the podcast. We had a really good time and it's worth a listen.

Later this week, I will blog about the new art projects I've been working on, so check back for some pretty pictures.

Thanks for reading, my demon hunters.

Eighth Tower Publishing News

The tragic and unexpected loss of Psymon (Moon) Marshall has rocked the publishing community. I was fortunate enough to work on one project with Psymon. He was an easygoing, friendly person, a lover of  good stories and good music. I know he has many friends and will be missed by everyone in the writing community. While I could never fill Psymon's editorial shoes, I am going to be the editor for the next three writing projects Eighth Tower Publishing curates. I feel honored to have worked with Psymon on Raffaele's last project, The Beyond: Stories Inspired by the Lucio Fulci Death Trilogy. 

Because of his sudden passing, Moon's family has not prepared for his funeral. There is a gofundme page and anyone can contribute.

I hope Raffaele Pezzella and I can help Moon's passion live on through our works and this brings his friends and family love and peace.

The Beyond: Stories Inspired by the Lucio Fulci Death Trilogy can be purchased through Amazon or at Eighth Tower Records.

Guest Bloggers Wanted!

 

If you are a writer, poet, book illustrator or designer, playwright, reader, actor/actress, songwriter, performer, publisher, blogger, or work in publishing, I want to hear from you! I am looking for guest bloggers for The Demon Stole My Pencil. Your guest post must be on the writing industry in one of the subjects listed. I am looking for artists of all genres, but horror/sci-fi/fantasy artists are my main focus, though I am open to other genres.

Comment below, if you are interested. Leave your email like n o r a w i n s t o n at gmail.com, so you are not picked up by filters. I will contact as you soon as I am able. Serious inquiries only. I will provide guidelines in the email I send you.

Thanks, demon hunters!

The Scenic Side of the Spooky Witch's Tower - Dayton, Ohio Hike

 As promised, my demon hunters, here are the pretty nature photos I took on my hike to The Witch's Tower. Enjoy!

Sheldon and Larry Hiked with Us.

Roadside memorial for 21 year old, Tony

Box Elder Bug

Kissing Bug

Kissing Bug

Me at the Witch's Tower.

Welcome Back & The Haunted Witch's Tower in Dayton, Ohio

It's been a long time, my demon hunters, but I am finally back and ready to share a new tale of terror with you!

Yesterday, I visited Five Rivers Parks and hiked to the infamous Witch's Tower, also called the Lookout Tower, Patterson's Tower, and Frankenstein's Castle. This site is reportedly haunted and a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the USA.

The tower, built in 1941 by the National Youth Administration, is made out of salvaged stone and stands 30 feet tall. The walls are more than three feet thick and an impressive spiral staircase with fifty steps leads to the lookout at the top. Unfortunately, due to a tragic accident in the late 60s and vandalism in the 80s, park officials decided to block entrance to the exquisite tower, removing and sealing the doorway forever and adding iron rebar to all the accessible windows. If you watch YouTube footage, you will see that some enterprising people have gotten around these obstacles, though.

In 1967, 16 year old Peggy Ann Harmeson from Bellbrook and her 17 year old boyfriend, Ronnie Stevens, were caught in an evening downpour in the park. The young couple sought shelter in the tower. Lighting struck the tower and Peggy was found dead on the 11th step; half her body covered in horrible burns. Ronnie was the lucky survivor, though I am sure he didn't feel so lucky losing his girlfriend.

There are reports of shadow figures seen dancing atop the tower and a lady in white has been seen. Peggy Harmeson also haunts the tower where she died.

I went to investigate for myself with a friend and wasn't expecting the ghosts to put on a show for me, but I got more than I bargained for that afternoon. The hike to the tower was a normal one, though it is a rather steep climb. It is very scenic in the woods. The forest is bustling with squirrels and bird life, even in the fall and the changing tree colors were beautiful to photograph. 

As I approached the tower from below, I felt a shift in the air, but I told myself this was just my imagination. Upon reaching the tower and walking around it, I noted however, that all the normal forest noises I heard on the way up were gone. It was like being in a soundproof bubble. I put my hand on the stone of the building and felt it vibrating, which again, could just be psychosomatic, but with what happened on the hike down, I am going to say it was the lasting effect of visiting the tower.

I wasn't able to see much inside the windows, even though, I snapped a few shots. I didn't see Peggy or hear any ghosts and there were no dancing shadow figures present on top of the tower, much to my disappointment. After photographing for a while, I headed back down the steep trail and this is when I started to get woozy and develop a wicked headache. I also noted the forest sounds had returned, after leaving the tower. Thinking to check my blood sugar, I recorded that my sugars had dropped by 60 points, which is unusual for me because my blood sugar usually climbs when I am working out, even if it is just walking. Also, I had made sure I had a snack before I went out to hike the location. The further down the path to my car I went, the more sick I became. I felt terribly nauseous and my head was pounding.

The tower windows.

The missing door handle.

   Upon reaching the car, my friend noticed the driver's side door was locked, but none of the passenger doors were locked. If he had locked the car, all the doors would have been locked, but he left his 20 year old car unlocked that afternoon. He too experienced the same sound bubble, the headache, the dizziness, and the extreme nausea. We both concluded it was the tower drawing off of our energy. We started to feel much better after leaving the park and heading to lunch. 

Can I truly say The Witch's Tower is haunted? Well, I have no factual evidence, only what I and my friend experienced together that day, but I believe there is some unusual activity at the site and it is worth investigating. It is also interesting to note that Dayton is home to many prehistoric Native American mounds, some of which were desiccated by white settlers in the 1800s and a prominent ley line runs through the city. There is also a source of fresh running water in the woods and water is known to be conducive to active paranormal sites. Others have captured EVPs and floating orbs and had their own experiences. It's a haunting and ethereal place and if you have the time and money, I invite you to explore The Witch's Tower for yourself, my demon hunters.

Here are some links for more information on The Witch's Tower:

The Ghostly Tales Behind the Witch's Tower

Hills and Dales Lookout Tower: The Real Story

Tolloween Tales

Ghoul Scouts Present: Specter Inspectors Patterson's Tower

Top of Witch's Tower, Dayton Ohio

Have you ever explored a haunted location? Do you believe in the paranormal? Have you had any interactions with ghosts? I would love to hear from you in the comments below. 

Check back tomorrow for some more scenic nature pics of the surrounding woods.

Stay safe, my demon hunters, until next time.