''Weird NJ'' (sometimes abbreviated ''WNJ'') is a semi-annual

magazine A magazine is a periodical publication, generally published on a regular schedule (often weekly or monthly), containing a variety of content. They are generally financed by advertising, purchase price, prepaid subscriptions, or by a combinatio ...

that chronicles local legends, purported

haunting The list of reportedly haunted locations throughout the world, that are locations said to be haunted by ghosts or other supernatural beings, including demons. Reports of haunted locations are part of ghostlore, which is a form of folklore. Ar ...

ghost stories A ghost story is any piece of fiction, or drama, that includes a ghost, or simply takes as a premise the possibility of ghosts or characters' belief in them."Ghost Stories" in Margaret Drabble (ed.), ''Oxford Companion to English Literature''. ...

, folklore, unusual places or events, and other peculiarities in New Jersey. The magazine originated in 1989 as a newsletter sent to friends by Mark Moran and

Mark Sceurman Mark Sceurman is a graphic artist and co-creator and publisher with Mark Moran (writer), Mark Moran of ''Weird NJ'' magazine and a state-by-state series of books. With Moran he co-hosted the spin-off television series ''Weird U.S. (TV series), Weird ...

, but as it grew in popularity, it became a public magazine published twice a year. It spawned a series of books called '' Weird US'', which chronicle oddities from individual states in the United States aside from New Jersey, which in turn led to a television series that aired on the History Channel.

History

''Weird NJ'' began in 1989 as a personal newsletter sent to friends by Mark Moran and

. Gradually it evolved from a

fanzine A fanzine (blend word, blend of ''fan (person), fan'' and ''magazine'' or ''-zine'') is a non-professional and non-official publication produced by fan (person), enthusiasts of a particular cultural phenomenon (such as a literary or musical genre) ...

into a public magazine published twice a year in May and October. Abandoned places, eerie experiences, unique people, and strange landmarks were and still are common subjects for the magazine. Past issues have covered everything from the Jersey Devil and

UFO An unidentified flying object (UFO), more recently renamed by US officials as a UAP (unidentified aerial phenomenon), is any perceived aerial phenomenon that cannot be immediately identified or explained. On investigation, most UFOs are id ...

sightings to abandoned Nike missile silos, the legend of the "Hookerman" Lights and the life of Zippy the Pinhead. Subjects covered include the

Evil Clown of Middletown The Evil Clown of Middletown is a large outdoor sign in Middletown Township, New Jersey. Originally built by and for Food Circus grocery store, which later became known as the regional supermarket Foodtown (United States), Foodtown, it is now a ro ...

Midgetville Midgetville (also known as "tiny towns") refers to real or legendary communities of "midgets", people with forms of dwarfism who are normally proportioned, or collections of small "midget-sized" houses. Real or legendary, they are at times given fa ...

, "Gates of Hell,"

Shades of Death Road Shades of Death Road is a two-lane rural road of about in length in central Warren County, New Jersey. It runs in a generally north–south direction through Liberty and Independence townships, then turns more east–west in Allamuchy Townshi ...

Clinton Road Clinton Road is located in West Milford, Passaic County, New Jersey. It runs in a generally north–south direction, beginning at Route 23 near Newfoundland and running roughly 10 miles (16 km) to its northern terminus at Upper Greenwood L ...

Demon Alley West Milford is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 25,850, reflecting a decline of 560 (−2.1%) from the 26,410 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in ...

, and the Devil's Tower. The painting of a grinning face named Tillie from the

Palace Amusements PALACE AMUSEMENTS was a historical indoor, Open-Year-Round amusement park in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was built in 1888 and expanded several times over its history. With Asbury Park falling on hard times, starting in the 1970s, and peaki ...

building in Asbury Park has appeared in several ''Weird NJ'' publications and on the magazine covers. In 2003 a ''Weird NJ'' book, made up of content from earlier issues, was published. The next year saw the follow-up ''Weird US'', covering sites and stories across the country. That led to a series of '' Weird US'' books for other states and areas, including Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Texas, California and New England, and a

TV series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed betw ...

, '' Weird U.S.'', on the History Channel. The popularity of the magazine has inspired a "community" of fans of Moran and Sceurman's work.

References

External links

* {{official, url=http://www.weirdnj.com
WeirdUS.com
1989 establishments in New Jersey 2003 non-fiction books Biannual magazines published in the United States Local interest magazines published in the United States Magazines established in 1989 Magazines published in New Jersey Paranormal magazines

History

See also

References

Further reading

External links