Senior Editor Joanne Austin Year founded 1989 (1989) Based in Bloomfield, NJ First issue 1992 Publisher Weird NJ, LLC | Frequency Biannually Country United States Language English Publisher/Editor Mark Sceurman; Mark Moran Founder Mark Sceurman; Mark Moran | |
Staff writers Wheeler Antabanez; Rich Robinson; Kate Philbrick; Robert Gilinksy Photographer Ryan Doan; Jennifer Rose; Rusty Tagliareni; Christina Mathews Categories Guidebook, Local interests | ||
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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.
Contents
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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.
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. The popularity of the magazine has inspired a "community" of fans of Moran and Sceurman's work.