Legends of the Mountain State

Legends of the Mountain State #1

by Michael Knost (Editor), Thomas F. Monteleone, Jude-Marie Green

This literary work portrays and even amplifies the mysterious, bizarre and bloodcurdling Mountain State tales and ghoulish legends that have been passed down over the years. A unique and eerie anthology, this volume includes thirteen chilling accounts of Mountain State ghostly manifestations, myths and mountain mythology, based on known legends from West Virginia. Rural hauntings and stories of the macabre take center stage. Topics and stories covered include the Mothman monster, the Ethel coalmine spector, Silver Run, the Chapmanville high school haunting, the Ghost of Holden #22 Mountain and many, many others.

West Virginia noted horror writer Michael Knost, of Logan County, WV, aptly serves as the anthology's editor; and writers for this special project are an amalgamation of nationally respected authors in the horror, science fiction and fantasy fields. There are also several up-and-comers included who are from in and around the state.

All 13 of these disquieting accounts take place in rural West Virginia and are surprisingly of a family-friendly nature. However, Knost laughingly suggests that these are not the types of stories to be read late at night. He added, "The thirteen tales are more than just documented biographies of legends, ghosts or spooky events. These are individual cases as told by some of the best storytellers in the business. Buckle up your seatbelt and enjoy the ride."

Images in anthracite / by Thomas F. Monteleone
The Chapmanville dead / by Trent Walters
How the night receives them / by Kealan Patrick Burke
The Blackwater lights / by Michael M. Hughes
Silver run / by Scott Nicholson
Money well-earned / by Joseph Nassise
Afterdamp / by G. Cameron Fuller
Country roads / by Tim Waggoner
The way home / by Mark Justice
Screaming Jenny / by Bev Vincent
Smoke and steel / by Marta Murvosh
The hungry earth / by Brian J. Hatcher
Wild mountain freesia / by Jude-Marie Green

Genres: Horror, Fiction

160 pages, Trade Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Bram Stoker Award-winner Michael Knost is an author, editor, and columnist of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and supernatural thrillers. He has written many books in various genres, helmed anthologies such as the Bram Stoker Award-nominated Barbers & Beauties. His Writers Workshop of Horror won the 2009 Bram Stoker Award for superior achievement in nonfiction. His critically acclaimed Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy came out in early 2013—a writer’s guide with works by Neil Gaiman, Orson Scott Card, Ursula K. Le Guin, and many others. His latest novel is Return of the Mothman. To find out more, visit www.MichaelKnost.com.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first volume of a series of original anthologies Knost edited comprised of stories of spooky happenings in the state of West Virginia. Most of the stories are traditional ghost stories, though a few address other paranormal phenomena such as Joseph Nassise's Mothman story, and a fine walk on the weird side by Michael M. Hughes. I was particularly impressed by Smoke and Steel by Marta Murvosh because of the accuracy of her vision of a steel foundry, and also enjoyed stories by Thomas F. Monteleone, Trent Walters, Brian J. Hatcher, and Jude-Marie Green. My favorite was Country Roads by Tim Waggoner, a short, winsome, and whimsical tale. It's a short book, a nice little collections of post cards from the dark side of wild & wonderful.

[☆Angel☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors in this anthology take West Virginia legends and add their own fictional twist. I love stories involving WV, (especially ghost stories)and this book didn't disappoint. However, with most anthologies, there is a story or two that I didn't care for and this book was no different. Mostly, though, this was a good read for me!

[Andrea L Tackett · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection if nicely written short stories, though details of plots are often vague & sometimes confusing. The collection is likened to stories told around a campfire. If I heard these stories around a campfire, I would have a lot of questions for the storytellers. I am not familiar with any actual events upon which the stories are said to be based, so it may be those readers who are aware of the real-life occurrences will not be confused by lack of detail or fuller explanation.

[Michael Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could I not like this book... it contains my first published short story!

According to the publisher, it has broken all sales records for a regional West Virginia title (no jokes about the 3 people in the state who can read, please).

[Kurt Criscione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of stories about the ghosts and myths of West Virginia.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the others.Really enjoyed meeting Michael Knost also, very nice guy.