I've always enjoyed going to the library. When I was small, my mom enrolled me in the summer reading program at the downtown library. It was fun checking out different books and then telling the librarian about them we I checked them back in. Of course, back then, I'd choose thin books, sports biographies and history stories, things that still interest me today. I've always liked to read, but I had no idea then that I would grow up to be an author. I thought I'd end up in the broadcast booth, a play-by-play man or analyst.

But fast forward a few decades and I'm convinced that being an author is my true calling. It's a play-by-play man of a different sort. And my stories are much longer than those few thousand word books I used to read. But they are on the shelves of libraries, and it's always exciting to hear librarians telling me they are being checked out regularly.

Today, I experienced an even bigger thrill. I went to the library on the campus of Northeast Alabama Community College with my mom to view a collection of Civil War artifacts that were housed in the reference room. I've said many times that history and haunts go hand in hand, and my ghost story collection, Hollers from the Hollows, is not only included in this special collection, it was being used for research by patrons working on a project. Research! My book!

Now that's rewarding.

I don't usually blatantly promote my books. But, with Halloween less than a week away, I thought I would mention the first book I wrote, HOLLERS FROM THE HOLLOWS. It's a family-friendly collection of ghost stories set primarily in DeKalb County, Alabama. There are 17 stories of haunts that are (mostly) true accounts - haunted houses, ancient cemeteries, historic buildings, phantom and UFO sightings.

Whether or not you believe in ghosts is up to you. I didn't until my mother, who is the most level-headed person I know, told me about her encounter with a woman who manifested in her bedroom late one night. Since then, I've been open to the possibility that people see "something" that may or may not be out of the ordinary. I captured a ghost on film. Antebellum Annie was seen in an upper window at the old courthouse in the Lebanon community. When I started asking around, people began to share their stories with me. The result was my first book. The stories have been compared to those penned by the late great Kathryn Tucker Windham. 

The stories are popular. Last week I sold out of all I had on hand at Colorfest. If I had had 50 copies with me, I probably could have sold every one of them. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to order additional copies. As long as they're selling, I'm happy. Folks have asked me if I plan to write another volume. I don't know; maybe. Perhaps I should. I don't put much stock in all the paranormal stuff, but it is fun to tell, or hear, a good ghost story - especially this time of year. Happy Halloween!        

My friend and colleague, Debra Glass, has invited me to be a guest host this Thursday evening, August 6, as she launches her latest volume of ghost stories from the Shoals area of north Alabama. Also appearing will be Jessica Penot, as well as Keith & Tashina from Half Minute Horror. It's sure to be a fun time as we talk about Alabama ghosts and things that go bump in the night.

Debra is a great writer, and I'm thrilled to be a part of this event. Of course, I've read 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey by the late, great Kathryn Tucker Windham. My book, HOLLERS FROM THE HOLLOWS has even been favorably compared to it. High praise, indeed. But, it was Debra who inspired me to write about ghosts. Her true Shoals ghost stories collections are superb. She's also a fantastic oral storyteller. I've had the privilege to sign with her on a couple of occasions, and to hear her tell a story is truly entertaining. In fact, if you ever get a chance to go on her Haunted History of the Shoals Ghost Walk, held every October in Florence, Ala., don't miss it. It's something you won't soon forget. 

To join us for the Facebook book launch party, please visit this link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1448328222140400/

Sweet screams. Happy haunting. 

Back on the second day of July, I went to see a new country group, a trio of girls who call themselves Sweet Tea Trio. I had never heard of them before a full page ad ran in the Fort Payne Times-Journal announcing their upcoming appearance as part of the Independence Day celebration. Well, about two songs into their set, I was hooked. These young ladies are all 18 years old, sing, write their own songs and play instruments. They are very talented, and are working on original songs to record for a forthcoming EP. They plan to pitch their album to major record labels in Nashville in hopes of securing a major recording contract. I wish them the best of luck. I pray their dreams come true. I've since been to another of their concerts, and was even more blown away. Needless to say, they made a lasting first impression.  

I got to meet them after both shows. In Fort Payne, I was first in line at the meet and greet. I mentioned that I was a writer and had two books of ghost stories. They seemed interested, so I sent them a link to my website. Last night, after their show, I again went by to say hello, and they all recognized me. One of them even said she had checked out my stories. I guess I made a good first impression. All right. How cool would it be if they made it big in the music business and remembered me and my work? Very special! Last night we talked as if we were friends. Know what? That's exactly what we are.  

I'm tickled when anyone buys my books, reads my articles or attends my speaking engagements. My goal is to leave a lasting impression. Any customer, especially repeat customers, are special. But to have people remember you, you first have to make a good first impression.    

As I schedule events for the autumn, I'm already thinking about ghosts and goblins.  I'm excited about The Phantom Cavalry of Little River Canyon being chosen to run as a feature in the fall edition of Lookout Alabama magazine.  It's the cover story of my book Hollers from the Hollows.  The editors are running it as a fiction story, and okay, I did take bits and pieces of things people told me and combined them into a compelling story.  So, are the phantoms real or not?

Well, the coffin-shaped rock located on Eberhart Point at Little River Canyon is definitely real.  No one seems to know exactly how or why it got there.  Union and Confederate soldiers roamed the area during the Civil War and the Cherokee lived there for thousands of years before being forced away on the Trail of Tears.  The 500-foot drop into the canyon is also very real.  People have reported hearing strange rumblings and seeing ghost-like apparitions floating over the abyss.  Maybe the phantom cavalry is not so made up, after all.

Just to be safe, if you're visiting the area and suddenly hear what sounds like horses' hooves coming at a gallop, move away from the ledge.  You wouldn't want to be conscripted into riding forever with the phantoms, would you? 

I think I'll go play my guitar for a while.  For some reason Ghost Riders in the Sky is on my mind. 

While taking pictures of the old courthouse in the Lebanon community of DeKalb County on November 1, 2011, I captured the image of a ghost.  No really.  Take a look at the upper right window and you can see "Antebellum Annie" waving to me with her left hand while her right arm rests down at her side.  (For a closer view please refer to the home page.)  Her right hand seems to be coming through the glass of the window pane.  Spooky!!

For years there has been the rumor that a female spirit roamed the upstairs of the historic structure, and it's true!  But why did she choose to manifest herself to me?  Maybe it's because I was writing her story, to be included in my collection of ghost stories and spooky tales from DeKalb County titled Hollers From The Hollers.  Or perhaps it's because I remind her of someone special.  She's waiting for her Johnny to come marching home.  Is she still forlornly waving goodbye, or waving hello?  Was someone beside me that I wasn't aware of? 

This is another legitimate reason to preserve historic structures.  When something dramatic or traumatic occurs at a place it leaves an indelible mark that cannot be erased.  When they are neglected or torn down, not only does the outside vanish, what's inside does as well.  These old places have stories to tell.  Voices are calling, and spirits waving, to us.  We need to pay attention.  There are lessons to be learned in preservation.