The 13th Child

April 24, 2019April 24, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

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Jersey Devil | New Jersey, USA

Hooved creature with bat-like wings and a blood-chilling scream.

It lives in the Pine Barrens in South New Jersey but is also considered a mythological creature talked about in Philadelphia.
It’s always described to be a flying biped with hooves. The combination vary: kangaroos, wyverns, goats, and horses are some of them.
The Jersey Devil started as The Leeds Devil, also the Devil of Leeds. These names originated in the 1700s about a family (the Leeds) and a crazy story surrounding Mother Leeds. Mother Leeds had 12 children and fell pregnant with a 13th child. She wasn’t exactly the happiest expecting mother. She decided to curse the 13th child, saying it would be born as the ‘Devil.’ Supposedly, the Jersey Devil is the 13th child.
Although the Jersey Devil was born in the 1700s, publications and sightings didn’t begin until the 1800s. As time went on, the name changed into the Jersey Devil. But the story still remains.
None of the stories say its attacked humans or has any reason to…but it will rampage through towns and cities, if it wants to.

On Location

April 19, 2019April 19, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

It’s not in everyone’s best interest to sit in their home office to write. Works for some, not for the rest. A few may take a ride in their car to a local place they find inspirational. Others take a hit to the wallet and hop on a place to their most relaxing destination. The purpose isn’t to escape the process of writing, but lay the seed of inspiration and nourish it with the surrounding scenery.

Is anyone a location-inspired writer? If so, where do you like to write?

Coffee shops?

The beach in a comfy chair with your toes in the sand?

In a hotel with a magical view of snow-capped mountains?

Local park?

The Jungle Dwarf

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019Hershman Rights1 Comment

Curupira | Brazil

Jungle genie with bright red hair and backwards feet.

Curupira is a blend of West African and European fairies, and was once considered a demon.
The name comes from the Tupi language, which translates to covered in blisters.
You’ll be able to spot this creature from a mile away. He has bright red/orange hair, usually resembles a man or dwarf, and has feet turned backward.
How can this little guy be threatening? He creates illusions and produces sounds to drive their victim to go crazy.
Don’t worry…they only go after poachers and hunters; those who take from the jungle they live in.

Mother of the Mountain

April 12, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

Madremonte | Columbia

Forest mother that protects flora and fauna from mankind.

The mother of the mountain has been described as an elegant woman who wears moss and leaves with a green hat to conceal her face.
You’ll find her living in the jungle and whenever she bathes in a river, her presence will cause flooding and heavy storms.
Her motive lies within protection. She will haunt those who steal land and casts plagues on those who fall under that realm.
She also dislikes unfaithful spouses, vagabonds, and other types of problem makers. When these people walk through her forest, they’ll encounter numerous obstacles to wear them down and force them to sleep for many hours on end.
She’s also compared to that of Mother Nature.

La Chupacabra

April 3, 2019April 1, 2019Hershman Rights1 Comment

Chupacabra | Puerto Rico

Bear-sized, spiky creature that drinks livestock blood.

Breaking down the word, chupacabra can be translated to “goat-sucker” (chupar means ‘to suck’ while cabra means ‘goat’.)
It’s primarily found in Puerto Rico but it’s been reportedly seen as far north as Maine, and as far south as Chile. Occasionally, you’ll hear of the creature popping up in Europe.
The chupacabra’s first reported attack happened in 1995. This myth is still very young!
Appearance varies on the place; it can be the size of a small bear, can have scales (making it more reptilian), a sharp spine, or may have quills. But guess what? It’s only supposedly 3 feet tall (can be up to four feet) and hops like a kangaroo. It’s sometimes described like a dog.
They’re motive is similar to a vampire; their victims are always found drained of blood – not slaughtered.

Canada’s Loch Ness Monster

March 27, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

Ogopogo | British Columbia

Lake-dwelling serpentine monster.

Sightings started in the 19th century but have been discredited to being a legendary water spirit, living in Lake Okanagan.
Other than having the body of a snake, the head has been described to be that of a snake, horse, or even a goat. Sometimes it has long ears or horns with blue or brown scales.
It eats flesh. That means humans…turn into prey. Hunters become the hunted. Native Americans never traveled across the lake without sacrificial meals on board. Now, its believed the monster dwells in one of the corners of the lake.
It’s very similar to the Loch Ness monster of Scotland.
The ogopogo is sometimes thought to be an extinct whale or marine reptile.

March Madness in Terms Of…

March 25, 2019March 25, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

Audiobooks!

Out Of Control

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019Hershman Rights1 Comment

Relinquishing creative control can feel like the end of the world. One cannot simply do everything and have a successful book launch.

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Let your editor edit. You’re paying them to do so. Give them space. Let them work. And if they don’t meet their deadline, let ’em have it. All hell will break loose. Be easy on your editor who’s focusing on the substantive editing. They need to pick apart your story and ask questions. Don’t flip out on them. Take a chill pill.
Unless you’re designing your own cover, you’ll also need to take a step back and tell yourself: “I’m not the expert.” Give the designer what they need, info-wise. Maybe a little more. Be realistic in your feedback and don’t get irrationally angry if they don’t follow your original request. They may have a marketing tactic or two behind their reasons why. Just ask.
If you’ve hired PR to help with your marketing, then you need to lay out your terms and conditions to a degree. Once again, you’re paying this person to do a job for you. They’re the expert. Not you! They will treat your upcoming work with TLC and sketch out a marketing plan tailored to a genre and audience. If they don’t, something isn’t being done right. Ensue virtual yelling.

Think of this time away from your work as a vacation. Go to the beach, go for a hike. Drink a nice, cold pina colada. And when you’re notified from any of the people you’ve hired about your book…

Panic.

The Cannibal Monster

March 20, 2019March 20, 2019Hershman RightsLeave a comment

This is one of the last two areas of the world we are traveling too. So, let’s venture into the deep woods of the Americas to start the beginning of the final countdown!

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Wendigo | Algonquian Tribes

Cannibalistic beastly humanoid, possibly once human.

This creature is aligned with murder, insatiable, and cultural taboos against “normal” behavior. They’re also associated with the winter, the north, coldness, famine, and starvation.
The Wendigo is bigger than a human, and whenever it feeds on human flesh, it grows! It never gains weight and will always appear thin. They’re always hungry so watch out!!
There’s also an explanation as to why they may have been human once before turning into the Wendigo. When they were human, they may have been incredibly greedy. Or if the human was in contact with Wendigos for too long, they would become one.
Powers include: mimicking human voices, possession, controlling weather, manipulation of darkness (sunset), control of forest creatures, healing, and incredible strength and speed.
Believe it or not, there is a psychological disorder called the Wendigo Psychosis. People diagnosed crave human flesh even though they have access to normal food sources.