Category: Other Sites

Books, Books, Books!

(This post is an expanded version of my Substack article.)

 As of last week, I’ve relaunched four of my books, and I hope to complete at least one more in the next week or so.

My current plans are to include everything pertinent to each topic in each book, with a goal of completing this project before Halloween.

So far, my favorite updated books include Haunted or Not?, which is a radically revised edition of my former “Is Your House Haunted?”

This time, I lead with the reasons that 80% of “haunted” houses probably aren’t haunted, after all.

(I’m sorry if that spoils readers’ fun, but too many ghost hunting TV shows – and YouTube channels – look like parodies of serious research. It’s become imperative to speak up.)

Then, after explaining how to thoroughly debunk a possibly-haunted site, I explain what to do if the house still seems haunted.

My next major project was my other favorite book – a long-time classic – Ghost Hunting in Haunted Cemeteries – A How-To Guide. This edition includes more complete information, plus tips for team investigations, and… Well, everything you might need to know for this kind of research.

… But, for those who want “just the facts, ma’am,” there is a shorter version of that book. It’s missing many useful tips, but for someone who just wants to find a haunted cemetery and see if they like that kind of research… Well, it’s a good, quick way to start.

And finally (and long overdue), I’ve edited, updated, and corrected an embarrassing number of typos in 101 Ghost Hunting Questions, Answered.

The original version of that book had been too-hastily copied directly from my Ghosts 101 (dot com) website, when I realized that Google had de-indexed most of that site’s pages. (This is the one where I paused, blinked, and had to say, “Oops!“)

It now contains updated insights and (I hope) no (or few) typos.

I don’t expect further updates to any of these books. Really, I’ve included almost everything I know about these topics.

Upcoming projects include making all of these books available through Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and so on.

In addition, there will be more books. Many more books, as I compile (and update) old articles from HollowHill.com into topic-specific books.

Also, Ghosts101.com is mostly offline, at least for now.  I’ve replaced it with a single webpage that links to my books, and I’ve embedded four popular videos from my ghost-related YouTube channel.

All of this is to ensure that useful ghost hunting information remains available, no matter what changes are made by Google (et al).

 

The Mandela Effect Site is Back… Sort of

Is this actually big news…? Maybe.

Unexpected? Probably.

The short version is: We now have a Mandela Effect YouTube channel.

And, as of a few hours ago, the two Mandela Effect videos that were at my ghost-related YouTube channel are now at the new Mandela Effect YouTube channel.

I’ve also added a YouTube Shorts video – less than a minute long – for those who have a passing interest in the Mandela Effect topic.

I’ll be adding content to both of my YouTube channels (the Mandela Effect one, and the ghost-hunting one) over the next few days, and then as time permits.

Here are the (boring?) details…

I’ve created a Mandela Effect YouTube channel, to keep it separate from my main, ghost-related YouTube channel.

So far, that YouTube channel contains the two Mandela Effect videos that had been at my ghost-related YouTube channel. (We’ve moved the videos, and fixed the subtitles so – finally – they’re readable.)

I’ve also created a one-minute video, explaining what the Mandela Effect is.

In the next few days, this new YouTube channel will feature more new YouTube Shorts (videos that are one minute or less) on the Mandela Effect topic. (That’s just the beginning. I’m working on this as fast as I can.)

Meanwhile…

The Mandela Effect WordPress site has been updated as well.

Here’s why I’m making these dramatic changes.

The Mandela Effect videos never fit the topic of my ghost hunting YouTube channel.

I just didn’t know where else to put them.

And really, the hyperbole around the Mandela Effect topic had become so preposterous — and volatile — I thought I’d never talk about it again. (I know, “never say never,” right? lol )

Early yesterday morning  – around 3 AM – after reading the great, recent CNN article about the Mandela Effect, I woke up realizing that the Mandela Effect topic is now mainstream enough to encourage calm, genuine conversations. I’m hopeful.

NOTE: This does NOT mean I’m able to read or reply to emails or comments about that topic. Halloween – my busiest ghost-related time of year – is almost here, and I’m far behind on projects I’d promised my fans.

Mostly, I realized that YouTube could resolve two of my biggest Mandela Effect website problems: Inflammatory comments and website hosting costs.

Here’s why YouTube seems to be the answer:

    • YouTube blocks the most extreme comments, while allowing continued dialogue among viewers with a genuine interest in the topic.
    • YouTube can handle the massive traffic that the Mandela Effect topic seems to attract.

So, I’m pleased, and hoping this works.

Of course, some people will ask about the channel earning money. As if it’s immoral or something.

I addressed that general topic last March, when I more-or-less formally – and finally – “retired” from publishing my Mandela Effect research and participating in conversations.

But yes, in the future, with enough YouTube channel subscribers and a massive number of viewing hours, I may qualify for income from the ads YouTube displays with almost all of my videos.

(YouTube doesn’t approve all channels for that, and it’s not why I’ve created the channel. In fact, it’s a fairly moot point; for an income of about two cents for each view, I’m not seeing dollar signs in this move. It’s just saving me hosting bills. And time.)

For me, YouTube seems be a place where – once again – the origins of the Mandela Effect topic (and my actual opinions on it) can be seen, and friends’ conversations can continue.

Will this work…? I have no clue, but it seems worth a try.

(And yes, there will be trolls at YouTube. It’s the Internet. Do your best to ignore them, okay…?)

This was not an easy decision for me, and we’ve spent the past ~48 hours making the initial changes. It’s been a LOT of work.

However, I’m hopeful that — once and for all — YouTube solves the biggest problems related to sharing my original content. And, at the same time, it’s a place where people can comment and have conversations about this topic.