Strange Intruders
Posted by: Lyle Blackburn on August 16th, 2013
Strange Intruders, the new book by my friend and colleague David Weatherly has just been released.
Topics include the Djinn, Slenderman, Black Eyed Beings and much more!
Order information here.
About Lyle Blackburn
Lyle Blackburn’s research and writing on the subject of legendary creatures and unexplained phenomenon has been widely recognized as some of the best in the field of cryptozoology. His previous books, including The Beast of Boggy Creek and Momo: The Strange Case of the Missouri Monster, offer a balanced view of the subjects while delivering gripping accounts of real-life mysteries.
Lyle is a frequent guest on radio programs such as Coast To Coast AM, and has appeared on television shows such as Monsters and Mysteries in America, Finding Bigfoot, and Strange Evidence. Lyle has also been featured in several award-winning documentary films, including Boggy Creek Monster and The Mothman of Point Pleasant.
For more information, visit Lyle's website at: www.lyleblackburn.com
I saw an episode of monsters and mysteries in america featuring BEKs and it freaked me out straight-away. Couldn’t really sleep the following couple of days.
Oh, and Isn’t slenderman completely fictional?
Lyle,
Exactly what could this possibly have to do with cryptozoology?
Even in a paranormal alternative universe?
Since Slenderman was created by somethingawful.com forum users, and was used as a photoshop contest, I don’t think its necessary to include him in a book about the paranormal.
Slenderman is internet fiction. I’m tired of seeing it being linked to other paranormal activities that have more basis in reality.
This is a book on mythological creatures, I’m not quite sure why it is featured on a cryptozoology blog.
Good question Volmar.
Despite their cries demanding more respect from the scientific community, more and more crypto creature pushers seem to be more interested in landing a spot on the next Discovery Network special and perhaps selling a few books along the way than in they are in trying to discover the truth about creatures that they’re writing about. I don’t think that I’d consider the ghost of a Neolithic hunter to be cryptid either, but that doesn’t mean that a book that suggests that the ghosts of cavemen are roaming around England isn’t going to be a better seller than a book suggesting that they aren’t would.
Well put, mick.
I’d like to clarify a few points on the book.
First of all, yes, Slenderman is a creation of the Internet and I’m quite aware of this fact. His full history is detailed in the book. However, like it or not, he is now very ingrained in the world of the paranormal. Oddly, despite his clear history, he now borders on being a tulpa like creature. Frantic people call Coast to Coast AM, contact paranormal investigators and recount the tales to priest. Sure, some of them are probably hoaxers looking for attention or perhaps they’re seeing something else altogether but there are some very strange encounters that people are pinning to the Slenderman and I for one would like to know why. Either way, I think it’s important to explore and ask questions.
Second, I am not advertising or promoting the title as a “Cryptozoology” book. But here’s a question for all of you, where do we really draw the line? Many would consider Mothman and Sasquatch “mythological creatures.” When does something like a Puckwudgie for instance, go from mythological being to cryptid? Opinions welcomed.
All that being said, there are some ‘cryptid’ type encounters recounted in the book. My approach is more influenced by John Keel. I find a lot of interconnections in the world of paranormal phenomena. If you’re not comfortable with this, I have no issue with it, but you probably wouldn’t enjoy the book anyway.
Third, you’ll never hear me personally crying for attention from the scientific community. I leave that in other hands but it’s not something I feel I need.
Fourth, I honestly do wish that writing was a lucrative profession but it’s not unless you’re Stephen King!
Thanks all,
David
@Mick, maybe next year Discovery will have a mockumentary on Slenderman. Why not? Anything goes on TV!
David–
That, actually, is a very good question. What launches a “phenomena” into the realm of cryptozoology? Almost all of our cryptids have roots in mythology and legends and folklore.
Is it just when we have “physical” sightings/accounts of something that said phenomena is considered a cryptid? Pictures? Other evidence, or something else altogether?
This would make a good post too to open up to the Cryptomundo community…assuming it hasn’t been brought up before. Then again, even if it has, maybe we need a refresher discussion.
@springheeledjack, you missed the point. Not all mythological creatures belong in cryptozoology. Common sense cautions us that creatures such as Slenderman, Spring-heeled Jack, Djinn, Chupacabra, etc. are purely mythological. It’s the Mermaids mockumentary discussion all over again: People should know better than believe in Mermaids, even when they watch a tv show that claims Mermaids are real! Mythology is an amazing field, but should not be used as a blueprint for cryptozoology. Only real animals that are unrecognized by Science belong in cryptozoology. That’s not the case of the creatures I mentioned above. Slenderman, for instance, is an internet based monster, not an unknown creature roaming the wilderness of North América. Can’t you see the difference? I bet you can.