Weird NJ
 Cover of issue #17 | |
| Publisher/Editor | Mark Sceurman Mark Moran |
|---|---|
| Senior Editor | Joanne Austin |
| Staff writers |
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| Photographer |
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| Categories | Guidebook, Local interests |
| Frequency | Biannually |
| Publisher | Weird NJ, LLC |
| Founder | Mark Sceurman Mark Moran |
| Founded | 1989 |
| First issue | 1992 |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | Bloomfield, NJ |
| Language | English |
| Website | www |
| ISSN | 2159-2993 |
| OCLC | 27875028 |
Weird NJ (or WNJ) is a semi-annual magazine that chronicles local legends, hauntings, ghost stories, folklore, unusual places or events, and anything considered "weird" in New Jersey.
History
Weird NJ began in 1989 as a personal newsletter sent to friends by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman. Gradually it evolved from a fanzine 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 sightings to abandoned Nike missile silos, the legend of the "Hookerman" Lights and the life of Zip the Pinhead. Subjects covered include the Evil Clown of Middletown, Midgetville,"Gates of Hell," Shades Of Death Road, Clinton Road, Demon Alley, and the Devil's Tower. The painting of a grinning face named Tillie from the Palace Amusements building in Asbury Park has appeared in many Weird NJ books and on the magazine covers.[1][2]
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 guides for other states and areas, including Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Texas, California and New England, and a TV series, Weird U.S., on the History Channel.[3][4] The popularity of the magazine has inspired a "community" of fans of Moran and Sceurman's work.[2]
See also
References
- ^ Silbert, Jack. "JERSEYANA; Weirdest of All, the Magazine Has Caught On." The New York Times, 27 Sept. 2003. Web. 07 Mar. 2015.
- ^ a b Copeland, Libby (June 30, 2004). "Weird N.J., Celebrating The Odd State of Mind". No. Page C01. Washington Post. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ Day, Dan "'Weird NJ' Book Flying Off the Shelves." Associated Press Online. Press Association, Inc. 2004. HighBeam Research. 8 Mar. 2015.
- ^ Beale, Lewis (February 20, 2005). "That's just Weird". Style & Culture. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
Further reading
- Moran, Mark and Mark Sceurman (2004). Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 0-7607-3979-X.
- Moran, Mark and Mark Sceurman (2006). Weird N.J., Vol. 2: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 1-4027-3941-9.