Arcane Carolinas

We've discussed the Grey Man of Pawley's Island, SC, and the other Grey Man of Pawley's Island, SC, and we've discussed Theodosia Burr, the Grey Lady of South Carolina, so now it's time to talk about the other Grey Lady of South Carolina! Join Michael and Charlie on a deep-dive into the multiple histories funneling into one of the Palmetto State's more obscure legends! Links: Arcane Carolinas Vol. 3 (Charlie's newest entry in our series of nonfiction volumes!) Children of Solitude (Michael's latest horror novel!) Upcoming Live Appearances: Killer Pride (Williamsburg, VA - September 26-28, 2025) - Michael solo (he'll be on panels and in the vendor room selling books) SplatterFlix Film Series (Durham, NC - October 10 & 11, 2025) - Michael solo (he'll be selling books and giving away AC swag!) Book Ferret (Winston-Salem, NC - early November, dates TBD) - Michael solo (he'll be doing a reading and signing books) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

Behold the return of an old "friend"! Recorded live at Ret-Con 2025 Links: Arcane Carolinas Vol. 3 (Charlie's newest entry in our series of nonfiction volumes!) Children of Solitude (Michael's latest horror novel!) Upcoming Live Appearances: Killer Pride (Williamsburg, VA - September 26-28, 2025) - Michael solo (he'll be on panels and in the vendor room selling books) SplatterFlix Film Series (Durham, NC - October 10 & 11, 2025) - Michael solo (he'll be selling books and giving away AC swag!) Book Ferret (Winston-Salem, NC - early November, dates TBD) - Michael solo (he'll be doing a reading and signing books) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

Join Charlie and Michael on a deep-dive into the bizarre world of primate agression, recorded live at Ret-Con 2025! OUT NOW: Arcane Carolinas Volume 3 by Charlie Mewshaw! Foreword by Jason Tapp of SpookyCLT! Links: Arcane Carolinas Vol. 3 (Charlie's newest entry in our series of nonfiction volumes!) Children of Solitude (Michael's latest horror novel!) Upcoming Live Appearances: Spooky Season Kickoff @ Arcana Durham (September 11, 2025) Killer Pride (Williamsburg, VA - September 26-28, 2025) - Michael solo (he'll be on panels and in the vendor room selling books) SplatterFlix Film Series (Durham, NC - October 10 & 11, 2025) - Michael solo (he'll be selling books and giving away AC swag!) Book Ferret (Winston-Salem, NC - early November, dates TBD) - Michael solo (he'll be doing a reading and signing books) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

What's big, weird, and extremely niche? The Grafton Monster, that's what! Join us for the first of a THREE-PART live episode recorded at Ret-Con 2025! Also, a couple of tickets got returned by some folks who can't make it on Thursday, September 11, for the Arcane Carolinas Spooky Season Kickoff, so grab 'em while you can if you want to go! OUT NOW: Arcane Carolinas Volume 3 by Charlie Mewshaw! Foreword by Jason Tapp of SpookyCLT! Links: Arcane Carolinas Vol. 3 (Charlie's newest entry in our series of nonfiction volumes!) Children of Solitude (Michael's latest horror novel!) Upcoming Live Appearances: Spooky Season Kickoff @ Arcana Durham (September 11, 2025) Killer Pride (Williamsburg, VA - September 26-28, 2025) - Michael solo (he'll be on panels and in the vendor room selling books) SplatterFlix Film Series (Durham, NC - October 10 & 11, 2025) - Michael solo (he'll be selling books and giving away AC swag!) Book Ferret (Winston-Salem, NC - early November, dates TBD) - Michael solo (he'll be doing a reading and signing books) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com  

Just a quick reminder for folks who may not see the Facebook posts: our Spooky Season Kickoff is at Arcana in Durham, NC, on September 11! Tickets are free, and there are only a handful left. It'll also be a launch party for Arcane Carolinas Volume 3! Get your Spooky Season Kickoff tickets here!

We know plenty of legends based on and built around real people, from the Hunter of Purgatory Mountain to Lavinia Fisher to Hezekiah Jones. But how often do we see a legend spring up around a person as events unfold? Join Charlie and Michael for the summer road trip episode about a notorious driver and a couple of legend-encrusted vehicles! Links: Children of Solitude (Michael's new horror novel!) Upcoming Live Appearances: Spooky Season Kickoff @ Arcana Durham (September 11, 2025) Killer Pride (Williamsburg, VA - September 26-28, 2025) - Michael solo (he'll be on panels and in the vendor room selling books) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

Join Charlie for two AC Case Files interviews regarding strange experiences, one on the coast of North Carolina and one on the streets of Pittsburgh, PA! Links: Children of Solitude (Michael's new horror novel!) Grafton Monster Fest Upcoming Live Appearances: PBO Pride (maybe? - Michael solo - June 6 & 7, 2025) Grafton Monster Festival (Charlie Solo - June 13 & 14, 2025) ConGregate (Michael solo - July 11-13, 2025) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

Salem Black River Church near Maysville, SC, is one of the oldest churches in South Carolina and has a rich history as a place of worship and community. From it sprang many other local institutions and activists of tremendous importance also. But the Internet holds that today it is a place of disturbing phenomena from hauntings to monsters. Is any of that true? Go creepin' around with Michael and Charlie as we talk about why no one should trespass at Salem Black River Church! Links: Preorder Michael's next book! Upcoming Live Appearances: Carolina Cryptids @ Durham South Regional Library - Michael definite, Charlie tentative (April 8, 2025) Carolina Fear Fest - Michael solo (May 23-25, 2025) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

Bertie County, NC, is a place of rural beauty--and possibly of an angry ghost engaged in some questionable parenting from beyond the grave! Join Michael and Charlie for a deep dive into the history of one of the state's oldest counties, a fun spooky legend, and the many ways this legend connects to the history of the community where it's set. Links: Sign up for pre-order info for Michael's next book! Upcoming Live Appearances: Flyleaf Books - Michael solo (January 9, 2025) Ret-Con 2024 - Charlie & Michael together (February 21-23, 2025) Nevermore Film Festival - Michael solo (February 28-March 2, 2025) South Carolina State Library - Michael solo (March 13, 2025) Durham South Regional Library - Michael definite, Charlie tentative (April 8, 2025) Carolina Fear Fest - Michael solo (May 23-25, 2025) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

Late on a rainy, foggy night, as you drive through the early settlement of Jamestown, NC, a young woman may flag you down in hopes of refuge from the weather and a ride to her home. This is a familiar legend in the Carolinas, but it isn't unique. Is there real history behind this instance of the well-known tale of a hitchhiker from beyond? And just how common is this story? Join Charlie and Michael for a fun discussion full of surprises and deep research! Links: Charlie's visit to Lydia's Bridge HWA NC Reading at Flyleaf Books on 1/9/25 Michael's novel Perishables Michael's novel Servant Sovereign Arcane Carolinas on BlueSky Upcoming Live Appearances: Flyleaf Books - Michael solo (January 9, 2025) Ret-Con 2024 - Charlie & Michael together (February 21-23, 2025) Nevermore Film Festival - Michael solo (dates not yet announced) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

Look, up there in the sky! It's a drone! It's an alien! It's... live-action folklore in the making! Join Charlie and Michael for a quick, informal chat about the wave of "drone"/UFO/UAP sightings being reported (and sometimes recorded, and maybe sometimes manufactured) nationwide! Originally this was the intro to the next episode, but we went on long enough we thought this deserved to be its own thing. Happy holidays, and thanks for listening! Links: "Drone sightings in Wilmington cause concern following reports in New Jersey" (WECT) "FAA temporarily bans drones in parts of New Jersey amid sightings, notice threatens 'deadly force' for 'imminent security threat.'" (6 ABC, Philadelphia, PA) Upcoming Live Appearances: Ret-Con 2024 - Charlie & Michael together (February 21-23, 2025) Nevermore Film Festival - Michael solo (dates not yet announced) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

Now that Spooky Season for 2024 has drawn to a close, and Michael and Charlie have gotten a bit of a rest, let's... rewind time to the start of Spooky Season! Join Charlie, Michael, and an enthusiastic crowd as we talk about three fun and spooky stories and places from the Carolinas and beyond! Note: if you listen to the show with kids, the jokes in this are a little more risque than usual, so take that into account! Links: Photos from the Cabe Lands in Durham, NC Hiking info and map for the Cabe Lands in Eno State Park michaelgwilliamsbooks.com Lost Monster Files on Discovery Upcoming Live Appearances: South Carolina State Library in Columbia, SC - Michael solo (December 12, 2024) Ret-Con 2024 - Charlie & Michael together (February 21-23, 2025) Nevermore Film Festival - Michael solo (dates not yet announced) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

On stormy nights the spectral figure of a woman in blue dashes through the darkness to climb the stairs of the old Rear Range Light on Hilton Head Island. Why is her mission so vitally important she continues it from beyond the grave? Join Michael and Charlie as they dig deep into folklore and history in search of another Shady Lady haunting one of the Carolinas' most iconic locations! A content warning up front: this episode is about a ghost story associated with a massively destructive hurricane, and there may be folks in our community who don't want to hear about a massively destructive hurricane right now. If so, skip this episode, we'll have another new one out on Wednesday of this week! Link: American Red Cross' Hurricane Helene Efforts Register & Vote: North Carolina "One-Stop" voter registration North Carolina "One-Stop" early voting North Carolina voting by mail South Carolina early voting South Carolina voting by mail Voting information for all states Upcoming Live Appearances: "From Frankenstein to Firefly: Genre-Blending for Stronger Stories" at the NC Writers Network Fall Conference - Michael solo (November 2, 2024) Orange County Public Library - Michael solo (November 9, 2024) Morganton Public Library - Michael solo (November 23, 2024) South Carolina State Library in Columbia, SC - Michael solo (December 12, 2024) Ret-Con 2024 - Charlie & Michael together (February 21-23, 2025) Links: michaelgwilliamsbooks.com Lost Monster Files on Discovery Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

It's been a little over four years, and Charlie's new show Lost Monster Files is about to premiere, so we think it's a good time to re-introduce ourselves to folks who might be new to the show. And while you're at it, take a dive into a legend shared by more than one of the indigenous peoples of the Carolinas as Charlie tells the tale of the Catawba River Runner! If you're looking for a way to help people affected by Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas and beyond, consider donating to the American Red Cross' Hurricane Helene efforts. If you see this on Facebook, there's a link in the show notes for this episode. We hope everyone is safe and we're thinking of them all the time. Michael will also donate all royalties from Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 for the rest of 2024. Another reminder: the deadlines to register to vote are looming. Please check the links below if you need any information on voting, especially if you need to vote absentee or if you're unsure what to bring with you when you vote. Hurricane Helene has disrupted many people's lives, including displacing people, so if you're not sure what the status of services and travel in your community will be a month from now (a very real possibility) and voting is a priority for you, start planning now. Link: American Red Cross' Hurricane Helene Efforts Register & Vote: North Carolina voter registration North Carolina "One-Stop" voter registration North Carolina "One-Stop" early voting North Carolina voting by mail South Carolina voter registration South Carolina early voting South Carolina voting by mail Voting information for all states Upcoming Live Appearances: "Writing Through the Dark" in Pittssboro, NC - Michael solo (October 20, 2024) South Carolina State Library in Columbia, SC - Michael solo (December 12, 2024) Ret-Con 2024 - Charlie & Michael together (February 21-23, 2025) Links: Michaelgwilliamsbooks.com Lost Monster Files press release Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

Did you hear the story of that video game that drove that kid mad? It happened just one town over! My cousin's friend told me he heard about it at summer camp!  Join Charlie and Michael for a deep-dive into the history of an urban legend straight out of the arcade age: Polybius, the original killer app! But is there any truth behind this story? There just might be! If you're looking for a way to help people affected by Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas and beyond, consider donating to the American Red Cross' Hurricane Helene efforts. If you see this on Facebook, there's a link in the show notes for this episode. We hope everyone is safe and we're thinking of them all the time. Michael will also donate all royalties from Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 for the rest of 2024. Another reminder: the deadlines to register to vote are looming. Please check the links below if you need any information on voting, especially if you need to vote absentee or if you're unsure what to bring with you when you vote. Hurricane Helene has disrupted many people's lives, including displacing people, so if you're not sure what the status of services and travel in your community will be a month from now (a very real possibility) and voting is a priority for you, start planning now. Link: American Red Cross' Hurricane Helene Efforts Register & Vote: North Carolina voter registration North Carolina "One-Stop" voter registration North Carolina "One-Stop" early voting North Carolina voting by mail South Carolina voter registration South Carolina early voting South Carolina voting by mail Voting information for all states Upcoming Live Appearances: South Carolina State Library in Columbia, SC - Michael solo (December 12, 2024) Ret-Con 2024 - Charlie & Michael together (February 21-23, 2025) Links: "The Heroes of America in Civil War North Carolina" Civil War in the North Carolina Quaker Belt "William W. Holden and 'Disloyalty' in the Civil War" "Heroes of America" (NCpedia) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

This episode is the second half of our history deep dive into the Heroes of America, an anti-Confederate secret society that started in the "Quaker Belt" region of NC.  If you're looking for a way to help people affected by Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas and beyond, consider donating to the American Red Cross' Hurricane Helene efforts. If you see this on Facebook, there's a link in the show notes for this episode. We hope everyone is safe and we're thinking of them all the time. Michael will also donate all royalties from Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 for the rest of 2024. Another reminder: the deadlines to register to vote are looming. Please check the links below if you need any information on voting, especially if you need to vote absentee or if you're unsure what to bring with you when you vote. Hurricane Helene has disrupted many people's lives, including displacing people, so if you're not sure what the status of services and travel in your community will be a month from now (a very real possibility) and voting is a priority for you, start planning now. Link: American Red Cross' Hurricane Helene Efforts Register & Vote: North Carolina voter registration North Carolina "One-Stop" voter registration North Carolina "One-Stop" early voting North Carolina voting by mail South Carolina voter registration South Carolina early voting South Carolina voting by mail Voting information for all states Upcoming Live Appearances: SPOOKY SEASON KICKOFF @ ARCANA DURHAM - Michael and Charlie (September 26th - Durham, NC) South Carolina State Library in Columbia, SC - Michael solo (December 12, 2024) Links: "The Heroes of America in Civil War North Carolina" Civil War in the North Carolina Quaker Belt "William W. Holden and 'Disloyalty' in the Civil War" "Heroes of America" (NCpedia) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

Did you know a sprawling network of anti-Confederate organizers formed in the Piedmont of NC at the outset of the US Civil War? Join Michael and Charlie for a history deep-dive into a little-discussed corner of the reality of political organizing in the south during that era! Note: the sound is different on this one because we got to use an awesome podcasting studio and record face to face! Don't forget, Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 is out now!  Register & Vote: North Carolina voter registration North Carolina "One-Stop" voter registration North Carolina "One-Stop" early voting North Carolina voting by mail South Carolina voter registration South Carolina early voting South Carolina voting by mail Voting information for all states Upcoming Live Appearances: SPOOKY SEASON KICKOFF @ ARCANA DURHAM - Michael and Charlie (September 26th - Durham, NC) South Carolina State Library in Columbia, SC - Michael solo (December 12, 2024) Links: "The Heroes of America in Civil War North Carolina" Civil War in the North Carolina Quaker Belt "William W. Holden and 'Disloyalty' in the Civil War" "Heroes of America" (NCpedia) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

From the Devil's Tramping Ground to ghost chickens in the US Capitol, what are our paranormal bucket list items? And what makes any given paranormal hotspot such a focal point for the strange in the first place? Join Michael and special guest co-hosts Gary Mitchel and Tally Johnson for the rest of our ConGregate 2024 conversation! And don't forget, Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 is out now!  Upcoming Live Appearances: SPOOKY SEASON KICKOFF @ ARCANA DURHAM - Michael and Charlie (September 26th - Durham, NC) South Carolina State Library in Columbia, SC - Michael solo (December 12, 2024) Links: A Podcask of Amontillado Ret-Con Tally's books on Amazon DragonCon American Sci-Fi Classics Track on Facebook Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

We've all heard of Route 66, but have you heard of Route 666? Did you know a phantom hotrod terrorizes a two-lane highway through South Carolina and North Carolina by night? Or have you seen the ghostly merchant in downtown Winston-Salem? Join Michael at ConGregate 2024 with special guest co-hosts Tally Johnson and Gary Mitchel to discuss these and other stories! And don't forget, Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 is out now!  Upcoming Live Appearances: SPOOKY SEASON KICKOFF @ ARCANA DURHAM - Michael and Charlie (September 26th - Durham, NC) Southern Gothic Festival in Camden, SC - Charlie solo (October 18-20, 2024) South Carolina State Library in Columbia, SC - Michael solo (December 12, 2024) Links: A Podcask of Amontillado Ret-Con Tally's books on Amazon DragonCon American Sci-Fi Classics Track on Facebook Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com

As the episode title says, and as we say in the episode, DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE. IT IS ILLEGAL AND IT IS VERY EASY TO DIE THERE. PLEASE DO NOT DO THAT. Goat-human hybrids: science gone wrong? Or magic gone wrong? Join Charlie and Michael for a lively and hilarious discussion of a unique (or perhaps not so unique!) legend from Kentucky of a deadly railroad trestle and the mutant who stalks those who foolishly visit it. This was recorded live at Ret-Con 2024! And don't forget, Arcane Carolinas: Volume 2 is out now!  Upcoming Live Appearances: SPOOKY SEASON KICKOFF @ ARCANA DURHAM - Michael and Charlie (September 26th - Durham, NC) Southern Gothic Festival in Camden, SC - Charlie solo (October 18-20, 2024) South Carolina State Library in Columbia, SC - Michael solo (December 12, 2024) Follow us! Arcane Carolinas on Patreon Arcane Carolinas on Facebook Arcane Carolinas on Instagram Arcane Carolinas on Tumblr Contact us! arcanecarolinas@gmail.com