Uncanny, eldritch, spooky, mysterious… These are words I use a lot as the editor of Tripping Magazine. That’s tripping as in travel, not the other thing. Tripping Magazine showcases destinations of paranormal interest. If you like to tour haunted houses or watch the skies for aliens while staying at a nice B&B and doing a bit of souvenir shopping, then Tripping is the magazine for you.
As an added benefit, Tripping focuses on the United States. In these tough economic times, why travel halfway across the world to see an abominable snowman when we have our very own Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest? If you’re lucky enough to hear our sasquatches grunt a word or two, you won’t need a foreign language dictionary to understand it, and the water is always safe to drink.
I spend most of my day on the computer, ferreting out the odd and unexplained. Our most recent feature, about perpetually young Doreene Gray and her aging portrait, came as a result of online gossip from an unpaid intern. Some think that’s a little unethical, and I have to agree. Internships are nothing but indentured servitude with coffee. Regardless, our visit to Port Townsend, Washington, was an odyssey of family secrets and disappearing paintings. There was also a plague of slugs.
Sometimes fate steps in and brings us a story. We were first on the scene for Charlotte Baskerville’s ghostly Chihuahua because the wife of Tripping’s owner is related to her – Charlotte Baskerville, that is, not the Chihuahua. The fact that the location for that story, Manitou Springs, Colorado, has several haunted businesses and an annual coffin race was icing on the spectral cake.
As it happens, I’m writing this while on location for our next feature, in central Florida, close to Silver Springs natural theme park, where Creature from the Black Lagoon was filmed. Head writer Michael Abernathy, photographer Suki Oota, and I are braving scorpions and alligators in search of Daeodon, a monstrous prehistoric pig. This story came about as the result of a YouTube video. Some of my favorite search terms on YouTube are attack, shocking, and you won’t believe this. The results can be questionable, but I’m always entertained, and that is the main thing.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Day in the Life of the editor of Tripping, the travel magazine of supernatural destinations.
You can read more about Angus in The Portrait Of Doreene Gray, the second book in the “Tripping Magazine” mystery series. The first book in the series is Chihuahua of the Baskervilles.
** Thanks to the Esri, I have one (1) copy of THE PORTRAIT OF DOREENE GRAY to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends July 22. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Meet the author
Esri Allbritten is the author of the Tripping Magazine mystery series, which falls somewhere between Agatha Christie and Scooby Doo. In addition to sushi, bowling and madrigals, she enjoys discovering quirky, real-life towns and wreaking fictional havoc in them. Esri lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband, Angel Joe, her cat, Musette La Plume, and her Chihuahua puppy, Josie O.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
What a fun concept.
mary-fairchild@sbcglobal.net
I enjoy the paranormal investigation TV shows so this book series is a no brainer for me!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
I would like to win – sarah2323 at gmail dot com
Thank you for the chance to win. I love cozies.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
I would buy these books just for the covers and the clever titles, but the plots sound pretty entertaining. I’ve got one of these on my “favorites” list. Haven’t gotten it yet ’cause I’ve got a gazillion in my TBR pile (many suggested by you). dz 87507 @ gmail dot com
Sounds like something I would enjoy – thanks. kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com
Great sounding cozy, thank you for hosting the giveaway!
OOPS! Forgot my email address: wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I need to check out the first book in the series. It’s great when authors tie in to classic novels.
lynettek51(at)yahoo(dot)com
The title alone is a huge hook! And the cute puppy is the clincher.
ncroessner (@) comcast.net
I hadn’t heard of “tripping” before—sounds British to me even though the setting in in the US.
Love the little dog on the cover and would like to read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Since Angus is from the UK, he was thinking of “daytripping” when he and Len Pendergast named the magazine. Len is the orthodontist that funds Tripping. He came of age during the 70s, and thought it would grab people’s attention.
I have read both books and enjoyed them, will be waiting and watching for the next one.
Running a magazine must be a lot of work. Was wondering since Suki now has Gigi will she be allowed to bring Gigi along on the next assignment?
Hummerhollow@aol.com
Deborah: Suki is bringing Gigi on the next assignment. They’re going to be very careful about alligators.
I’ve been waiting for my copy of “Portrait” from Mystery Guild, but, so far, it’s on backorder. I hope this bodes well for the popularity of your work!
Fingers crossed, but it may just be St. Martin’s warehouse.
This sounds right up my alley! 🙂
tori (at) torilennox (dot) com
Oh my, this sounds like a great series. I love the quirky premise and I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the post and the giveaway!
jrobinson12 (at) austin (dot) rr (dot) com
Sounds like a good time to me. I love dogs and travel. No-brainer (the decision I mean). Thanks! carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
Our comedy troupe is working on an Abominable Snowman skit currently. He doesn’t come up in every conversation so it’s funny to see your comment, Esri. Eager to check out this series. Thanks. judydee22002 at yahoo dot com
Sounds like comedy gold to me. Way to go!
I’ve read the first one and would love to win the second. I love books with animals in them.
spookycat72(at)gmail(dot)com
contest is closed