Mark Muncy Author Event & Book Signing

The Dark Side of the Smoky Mountains

Saturday, September 26
Curious Owl Bookshop
181 3/4 West Main Street • Spindale, NC

Some of the oldest mountains on Earth have had the longest time to collect their secrets.

Join us at Curious Owl Bookshop as we welcome Mark Muncy, one of the nation’s leading authors and researchers of Appalachian folklore, paranormal history, and legendary creatures, for an afternoon exploring the hidden side of the Smoky Mountains. Mark will discuss his newest release, The Dark Side of the Smoky Mountains, share the stories behind the research, answer questions from the audience, and sign copies of his books.

Whether you’re fascinated by ghost stories, Appalachian folklore, cryptids, local history, or simply enjoy hearing a gifted storyteller bring forgotten legends to life, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

About the Book

The Dark Side of the Smoky Mountains explores the haunted roads, forgotten trails, mysterious hollers, and shadowed valleys hidden throughout one of America’s most beloved mountain ranges.

Within these ancient mountains are stories of ghostly encounters, vanished travelers, Devil Monkeys, Wampus Cats, haunted landscapes, strange creatures, and centuries of folklore that continue to shape the region today.

Written by the team behind the popular Eerie Travels podcast and bestselling Eerie Travels book series, this latest volume serves as both a travel guide and a journey into the supernatural side of the Appalachians. From some of North America’s darkest historical events to modern-day reports of ghosts, cryptids, and unexplained phenomena, the book offers readers a fascinating look at what may still be lurking just beyond the next bend in the trail.

Meet the Author

Mark Muncy is the co-host of the Eerie Travels podcast, co-author of the Eerie Travels book series, and author of The History Press’ bestselling Eerie series.

An author of paranormal history, horror, and science fiction, Mark has spent more than three decades researching ghost stories, haunted places, cryptids, and legendary beasts throughout the United States. His bestselling books include Eerie Appalachia, Eerie Florida, Freaky Florida, and Creepy Florida.

Mark is a frequent guest on Coast to Coast AM, The X-Zone, The ParaGEEKS, Sasquatch Chronicles, and Into the Fray Radio, and has appeared as a folklorist on numerous documentaries and television productions, including On the Trail of UFOs, Road Trips with Ripley’s, The Curse of Robert the Doll, and many others.

He lives in the heart of Bigfoot country in Western North Carolina with his wife, Kari Schultz. Their haunted object collection has become legendary enough that even their children occasionally need a little courage before stopping by for a visit.

Event Highlights

• Author presentation and discussion
• Behind-the-scenes stories from the research
• Audience Q&A
• Book signing
• Meet fellow fans of Appalachian folklore, ghosts, and cryptids
• Browse Curious Owl Bookshop before and after the event

Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or simply someone who enjoys a great story, you’ll leave with a new appreciation for the legends hiding in the mountains just beyond our own backyard.

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. Copies of The Dark Side of the Smoky Mountains and other books by Mark Muncy will be available for purchase during the event.