New Release: LESSER CRYPTIDS OF APPALACHIA

Happy belated book birthday to "Lesser Cryptids of Greater Appalachia." This collection of cryptid-themed folk horror is available now in ebook and print from Brood XIV Books, and includes my short story "The Not Deer."

"Not deer" are a more recent "pop cryptid" unique to Appalachia, born not from centuries of mountain legends, but rather online word of mouth through platforms like Creepypasta and Tiktok. Although similar in appearance to white-tailed deer indigenous to the area, "not deer" are distinguished by their abnormally elongated legs, forward-facing eyes (unlike normal prey species), erratic movements, and bizarre ability to walk upright on their hind legs. Unlike a deer's natural aversion to humans, "not deer" are said to be fascinated with us -- in unnerving, predatory fashion. Some speculate that deer suffering from chronic wasting disease are the source of rumored "not deer" sightings, but others say the creatures are really shapeshifters in disguise. Whatever the truth may be, it remains irrefutable: "not deer" are a terrifying new breed of Appalachian folklore.

In "The Not Deer," an adolescent boy, still mourning his father's death, takes a fateful trip to the heart of the Appalachian Mountains with his mother and her new boyfriend. Here, the family's idyllic visit to the lush forests of North Carolina quickly turns into a nightmarish encounter with bizarre local wildlife.

TBH - this is one of my personal favorites of short stories I've written recently. In case I've never shared, I absolutely love researching, and I was able to do a lot of digging to try and find unique and fun cryptids to feature in both this story, and "Pop Goes the Wasset," which was featured in the "What Lurks" cryptid anthology.

In trying to find cryptids that are unique to Appalachia, I came across many better known ones, but none that struck my interest in terms of story fodder until I discovered the not deer. The further down the rabbit hole I fell in researching them, the more fascinated I became -- and the more potentially horrifying they seemed. I hope readers will agree.

"Lesser Cryptids of Appalachia" is available here.