A Life Explored In Words
Posted by: Loren Coleman on February 10th, 2007
I sometimes neglect the fact that few people know really what I have written, in total. Today, for example, a young man emailed me with this message: “How many books have you done Loren? I have only come across two.”
Well, I can forget myself, often, for many reasons. It happens. Ha ha.
Memory and lists of things-to-do aside, one reason is that there are many ways to count the unfolding of my life that occurs via my modest library of written works. You can look at “how many” in terms of various editions, revisions, and reprints. Or you can view it from my point of view as an evolving body of penned experiences and discoveries, which to me feels like there’s always room for improvement and additions.
For example, the Paraview Pocket – Simon and Schuster edition (seen directly above) of Mysterious America reappears in 2007. The entire book has been rewritten, internally, often since 1983. New chapters have been added, some retained but expanded, and the actual text has been changed by 50%.
In the 1983 edition (pictured at the top of this page), the two mystery cat chapters totaled just 23 pages. In the 2007 edition, there are now over 60 pages of text in those two cryptid feline chapters, plus the new detailed listings of Eastern and Western North American mystery cat sightings. In the 1983 volume, there was no index, and in 2007, you’ll find about 275 people (from Arment to Zarzynski), places (from Abington, IN to Yakin County, SC), cryptids and things in small print over the eight pages of the new index. Are these different books? It seems like it to me, even though the books have kept the essence of the classic title intact.
For those that wanted to have a peek inside the unfolding of my quest, here’s my books, as of today, of which I am the author or coauthor:
True Giants (NY: Anomalist Books, 2007) – with Mark A. Hall.
Mysterious America: The Ultimate Guide to the Nation’s Weirdest Wonders, Strangest Spots, and Creepiest Creatures (NY: Paraview Pocket – Simon and Schuster, 2007).
Weird Virginia (NY: Barnes & Noble, 2007) – with Jeff Bahr and Troy Taylor.
Weird Ohio (NY: Barnes & Noble, 2006) – with James Willis and Andy Henderson.
The Field Guide to Bigfoot and Other Mystery Primates (NY: Anomalist Books, 2006) – with Patrick Huyghe.
The Unidentified/Creatures of the Outer Edge: The Early Works of Jerome Clark and Loren Coleman (NY: Anomalist Books, 2006) – with Jerome Clark.
The Copycat Effect: How the Media and Popular Culture Trigger the Mayhem in Tomorrow’s Headlines (NY: Paraview Pocket – Simon and Schuster, 2004).
Bigfoot! The True Story of Apes in America (NY: Paraview Pocket – Simon and Schuster, 2003).
The Field Guide to Lake Monsters, Sea Serpents, and Other Mystery Denizens of the Deep (NY: Tarcher/Penguin, 2003) – with Patrick Huyghe.
Tom Slick: True Life Encounters in Cryptozoology (Fresno, CA: Craven Street-Linden Press, 2002).
Mothman and Other Curious Encounters (NY: Paraview, 2002).
Cryptozoology A to Z: The Encyclopedia of Loch Monsters, Sasquatch, Chupacabras, and Other Authentic Mysteries of Nature (NY: Fireside – Simon and Schuster, 1999) – with Jerome Clark.
The Field Guide to Bigfoot, Yeti, and Other Mystery Primates Worldwide (New York: Avon – HarperCollins, 1999) – with Patrick Huyghe.
Preventing Youth Suicide Through Gatekeeper Training (Augusta: State of Maine, 1998, 8th rev. 2005) – with Susan O’Halloran).
Child Maltreatment and Abuse Investigations for Law Enforcement Officers (Portland: University of Southern Maine, 1998) – with Kris Sahanhik.
Creating Kinship (Portland: University of Southern Maine, 1996) – with Sharon Kaplan Roszia and Annette Baran.
Working With Rural Youth (Portland: University of Southern Maine, 1989) – with Dan Porter.
Tom Slick and the Search for the Yeti (Boston: Faber and Faber, 1989).
Elder Fire Safety for the 90s (Portland: University of Southern Maine, 1991) – with Kathryn Buxton.
Working with Older Adoptees (Portland: University of Southern Maine. 1988) – with Karen Tilbor, Helaine Hornby and Carol Boggis.
Suicide Clusters (Boston: Faber and Faber, 1987).
Unattended Children (Portland: University of Southern Maine, 1987) – with Susan Partridge and Roy Partridge.
Teen Suicide in Foster Care: Coded Cries for Help (Portland: University of Southern Maine, 1987) – with Sally Brown, Robert Schroff, Carol Boggis and Anne Bernard.
Curious Encounters: Phantom Trains, Spooky Spots, and Other Mysterious Wonders (Boston: Faber and Faber, 1985).
Creatures of the Goblin World (Chicago: Fate/Clark Publishing, 1984) – with Jerome Clark.
Adolescent Stabilization (Portland: University of Southern Maine, 1984).
Working Together: Community Involvement in Foster Care Case Review (Portland: University of Southern Maine, 1984) – with Barbara Sparks.
Mysterious America (Boston and London: Faber and Faber, 1983).
Creatures of the Outer Edge (New York: Warner Books, 1978) – with Jerome Clark.
The Unidentified (New York: Warner Books, 1975) – with Jerome Clark.
For some years I have written introductions for several books, including all of the following recent titles from this century:
The Yowie: In Search of Australia’s Bigfoot by Tony Healy and Paul Cropper (2006);
Strange Guests by Brad Steiger (2006);
Cryptozoology by Mark Bessire and Raechell Smith (2006);
Lake Monster Mysteries: Investigating the World’s Most Elusive Creatures by Benjamin Radford and Joe Nickell (2006);
Bigfoot Casebook Updated: Sightings And Encounters from 1818 to 2004 by Janet Bord and Colin Bord (2005);
Thunderbirds: America’s Living Legends of Giant Birds by Mark A. Hall (2004);
The Beast of Bray Road by Linda Godfrey (2003);
Track of the Bigfoot by D. L. Tanner (2003); and
Shadow of the Thunderbird by D. L. Tanner (2002).
Also, I have contributed to others’ cryptozoological works as well, including these selections:
“Yeti: The Abominable Snowman,” and “Yeren: The Chinese Wildman,” in Peter Brookesmith’s (ed.) Quest for the Unknown, Vol. 10, Man and Beast (London: Reader’s Digest, 1993);
“From Atshen to Giants,” (with Mark A. Hall) and “The Occurrence of Wild Apes in North America,” in Vladimir Markotic and Grover Krantz’s (eds.) The Sasquatch and Other Unknown Hominoids (Calgary: University of Calgary, 1984);
“Nine Large Animals Discovered by Western Science Since 1900,” and “Eight Worst Monster Hoaxes,” in Anne Wallace, David Wallechinsky and Irving Wallace’s (eds.) The Book of Lists #3 (New York: William Morrow, 1984);
“Phantom Clowns,” and “Kangaroos From Nowhere,” in The World’s Strangest Stories by Fate Editors (Chicago: Clark Publishing, 1983);
“Alligators in The Sewers,” in David Wallechinsky and Irving Wallace’s (eds.)The Peoples Almanac #3 (New York: William Morrow, 1981); and
“Some Bigfoot Traditions of the North American Tribes,” (with Mark A. Hall) in Le livre de l’inexplicable by Jacques Bergier (Paris: Editions Albine Michel, 1972).
Most of my recent books are still in print and available from booksellers, bookstores, and the publishers. If you are interested in seeing if I have any of the recent titles for sale, which can then be personally autographed for you or for someone else as a gift, please write me at lcoleman {@} maine.rr.com Thank you.
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
LOL Don’t feel too bad Loren. Even Isaac Asimov was not certain how many books and stories he had published. I have almost a complete collection of Asimov’s work. I’m just beginning my collection of your work, but I have a good start on it.
Loren, I think its time that a book about you and the things that you have done for the field of cryptozoology be written.
Hey BugMo that is a terrific idea!
Maybe an autobiography? That would be really great.
You are indeed a man of many words, Loren. Bravo, bravo.
That’s an impressive list there : -D
Your books abound on my shelves, I have six of them and several for which you have written the introduction including one I just received in the mail today, “The Yowie.” I enjoy your books and meeting you in person on a couple of occasions. Thanks for all of your efforts and hard work. I know it has not made you a rich man, but know you have brought a rich tapestry into the life of your readers.
I own more than a few of them. Keep it up Loren
An autobiography would actually be quite a fascinating read, I’d say. I have read quite a few of these and I am a big fan of Loren’s work. I enjoy the forwards he writes as well.
a young man emailed me with this message…love it..I’m 53 going on 20…
This is a tremendous body of work Loren and i can now carry a working checklist with me as I intend to find and purchase as many of these books as possible. Thanks for re-introducing a grown man to the wonder and mysteries of life again.
FYI- Loren Coleman was featured in the CareerBuilder.com special insert section of The Baltimore Sun today (Feb. 11, 2007), as profession: Bigfoot Hunter. He is pictured standing next to the large sasquatch model and has a half-page write-up about the field of cryptozoology, giant squid in Japanese parking lots and fossil remains of two-headed serpents.
It started with “Creatures From the Outer Edge” 1978 and then the rest followed. I can proudly say I still have them. These books are a testament to your dedication and tireless efforts in providing cryptid enthusiasts clear, concise, informative and thoroughly interesting writing on such a fascinating subject. You certainly are the best Loren. Thank you sir and keep them coming.
Loren, I’m in complete agreement with Judy Green, and like her, I have many of your books in prominent places in my bookcases. You’re writing is a constant joy to sample. I sometimes re-read (for the umpteenth time) one of your books, when I’m having a bad day – it lifts my spirits! 🙂