The Third Annual International Cryptozoology Conference

As many of you know, I was first inspired to take a more serious look at cryptozoology when I visited the International Cryptozoology Museum in 2013. So when I was asked to return to Portland, Maine and speak at the International Cryptozoology Conference (which happened to be across from the museum!) it felt like I had come full circle after five years of hard work.

We spent two days driving, stopping early each night so we could check out some of the other cool stuff New England has to offer (which mostly consisted of trying lobster in various forms). Saturday I woke up at the crack of dawn because I wanted to get there and set up as soon as possible. The vendors' area opened up at 6 AM and I was there waiting. I quickly set up and then began to wander around and converse with my fellow peddlers. I got to meet some really fantastic people including Stephen Bissette, Joeseph Citro, Andy McGrath, Katy Elizabeth, Hayley Eldridge and more. I also was able to catch up with old friends such as Aleksandar Petakov and Loren Coleman. Over the course of Saturday, I spent way too much money and had a great time. After the day was done, Aleks, Katy, Andy, myself, and a few others went out for dinner, which was even better.

I spoke on Sunday. There were a pretty good amount of people in the audience and I enjoyed talking about my cryptid predation research. I spent even more money and even sold out of my books!

The biggest highlight was when the International Cryptozoology Society gave me the Mark A. Hall Young Cryptozoologist Scholarship Award. I was completely blown away. I had no idea that I was going to be given the award, but I was honored.

Honestly, I think the event was one of the best conferences I've ever been to. I learned lots, met some of the best people in the field, made new friends, and was able to teach others about my research. I had a wonderful time.

Two New and Exciting UFO Book Reviews

I am very sorry that I have not been updating the blog at all since February, The end of my Junior year of high school was rather difficult, and I found that I had less time to spend on my research. All that should change this year. I only have three classes this year so I should have plenty of time for research.

In the meantime, I did read two good UFO books that I'd like to review.

Otherworldly Encounters: Evidence of UFO Sightings and Abductions by Nomar Slevik.

This book is Nomar's second work concerning the world of UFOs. When I first saw this book, I thought it was going to be a wide-reaching examination of the current evidence for UFOs and abductions as the title suggests. Instead, it was a casebook of stories from Maine, which is where Nomar is located, which is exactly what his first book was. I'll be honest, I was initially a little disappointed that the book was just another collection of stories. But, the stories did turn out to be extremely interesting and almost entirely previously unpublished stories. Nomar writes with a passionate, but conversational, vigor that is entertaining and a joy to read. There is plenty that is intriguing about the stories but don't get fooled by the title!

Thieves in the Night: A Brief History of Supernatural Child Abductions by Joshua Cutchin

Joshua's third work may very well be his most important. Like his other two books, a major focus of the book was a specific aspect of faerie lore and how it connects to modern fortean occurrences. In this case, he explores paranormal child abductions and related phenomena. Joshua delves incredibly deep into the history, psychology, and folklore behind the changeling story (the idea that certain children are kidnapped and replaced by a faerie. Joshua also explores other faerie meddlings with children and reproduction. He then begins to look at more modern phenomena from witches to giant birds to Sasquatch to -- most extensively -- supposed alien abductions, missing fetuses, and hybrids. The conclusion which Joshua suggests is utterly fascinating and incredibly important to the fields of forteana and ufology. He also writes with a chilling prose which draws you in and makes you unable to stop reading. This book genuinely frightened me (something which has never happened with any book before). It is an absolutely fascinating read and is most certainly a must-read for every researcher in any field of the strange!

Mystery Creatures of China by David C. Xu: A Book Review

There are very few new release cryptozoology books that I get noticeably excited about anymore. Unfortunately, the field is constantly inundated with books covering the same handful of reports with little to no new information or commentary added. This is why when I first heard about the release of Mystery Creatures of China: The Complete Cryptozoological Guide by David C. Xu, I was elated. China is the source of much interest to me, especially the folklore, but it has always seemed odd that for such a large country with such a varied history, that the cryptozoological significance is confined to just the Yeren (which is China's best-known version of the wildman archetype). I was determined to get my hands on a copy of the book and was lucky enough to receive a review copy from Coachwhip Publishing.

I have since read it from cover to cover twice. It is easily one of the most important cryptozoological titles of the past ten years. The book covers over 100 various cryptids and folkloric creatures from around China and is certainly the most extensive piece of literature on the country's cryptozoological significance ever.

Xu decided to split the book into six different categories.

• Aquatic Cryptids: Creatures of the lakes, rivers, and ocean. This includes the Cyan Goat of Lake Sayram, the chimera-like Hippoturtleox, and the blue-skinned Huponiu which is an ox with a fish-like dorsal ridge along its back. 
• Humanoid Cryptids: Man-like creatures. This includes the infamous Yeren, the unusual and short-statured Hongliuwa, and the laughing Feifei that is said to eat humans as it cackles. 
• Carnivorous Cryptids: Various predatory cryptids. This includes the Lanhu or blue tiger, the Bei which is an odd looking companion of wolves, and the brown panda. 
• Herbivorous Cryptids: Exactly as it sounds. This includes the Qilin or Chinese unicorn and the Guancaishou, the beast shaped like a coffin. 
• Reptilian Cryptids: Again, exactly as it sounds. This includes the Long or Chinese dragon and the Jiao, a possible surviving sauropod. 
• Winged Cryptids: Creatures with the ability to fly. This includes the Fenghuang or Chinese phoenix and the Jiutouniao or nine-headed bird. 

The biggest strengths of the book were the wonderful illustrations, many of which are from various historical texts or witnesses, as well as the extensive references. Xu certainly did his homework for the book. But, I must say, the best part of the book, in my opinion, was the inclusion of various explanations that Xu felt were relevant to each entry. Many of the explanations were extensively explained and Xu does not shy away from the skeptical side of things. 

Mystery Creatures of China is a well-written, extensively researched, and covers a lot of ground. I think that many countries besides China would benefit from this kind of research and book. Not only is Mystery Creatures an important piece of cryptozoological literature, it is an absolute joy to read with its colorful creatures and excellent explanations. This is a must have for every cryptozoology library.

You can get the book here.