Weird NJ

Weird NJ (sometimes abbreviated WNJ) is a semi-annual magazine that chronicles local legends, purported hauntings, ghost stories, 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, 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.

Weird N.J.
Cover of issue #17
Publisher/EditorMark Sceurman
Mark Moran
Senior EditorJoanne Austin
Staff writers
Photographer
  • Ryan Doan
  • Jennifer Rose
  • Rusty Tagliareni
  • Christina Mathews
CategoriesGuidebook, Local interests
FrequencyBiannually
PublisherWeird NJ, LLC
FounderMark Sceurman
Mark Moran
Year founded1989 (1989)
First issue1992 (1992)
CountryUnited States
Based inBloomfield, NJ
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.weirdnj.com
ISSN2159-2993
OCLC27875028

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 Zippy the Pinhead. Subjects covered include the Evil Clown of Middletown, Midgetville, "Gates of Hell," Shades of Death Road, Clinton Road,[1][2] 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 several Weird NJ publications and on the magazine covers.[3][4]

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, Weird U.S., on the History Channel.[5][6] The popularity of the magazine has inspired a "community" of fans of Moran and Sceurman's work.[4]

See also

References
  1. Kurczewski, Nick (May 23, 2014). "Clinton Road, New Jersey: The scariest and strangest road in the U.S." New York Daily News. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  2. Brodesser-Akner, Taffy (October 27, 2015). "Highway to Hell: A Journey Down America's Most Haunted Road". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  3. Silbert, Jack (September 28, 2003). "Weirdest of All, the Magazine Has Caught On". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  4. Copeland, Libby (June 30, 2004). "Weird N.J., Celebrating The Odd State of Mind". The Washington Post (Page C01). Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  5. Day, Dan (January 26, 2004). "'Weird NJ' Book Flying Off the Shelves."". Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  6. Beale, Lewis (February 20, 2005). "That's just Weird". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 8, 2015.

Further reading
  • Moran, Mark; Sceurman, Mark (2004). Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 978-0760739792.
  • Moran, Mark; Sceurman, Mark (2006). Weird N.J., Vol. 2: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 978-1402739415.
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