Haunted Asylum

Alexie is currently writing more paranormal adventures for Mia and PEEPs, and I, The Red Pen, volunteered to put together the blog post for this week.  Even though I’m still in the midst of editing Restitution, I remembered something that might be of interest: the Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital.  Coming in at #7 in CNN’s “7 of the Freakiest Places on the Planet,” Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital is an abandoned structure in Gyeonggi, South Korea.

The rumors about Gonjiam revolve around the tale of a hospital in which patients began to die from unknown circumstances.  These deaths resulted in the hospital’s sudden closure (mid 1980s).  Some say the doctor tormented his patients, and it is those patients who remain, haunting this empty, mold-blackened, deteriorating husk of a building.  Some others say it was simply a closure brought about by a bad sewage system, money problems, and the owner legging it to the United States, taking all documents pertaining to the land and building with him.

There are several videos of youtubers’ excursions into the mental hospital.  The first one I’ve linked is the best in terms of capturing the eerie visuals of the place.  It is short and steady - no shaky-cam à la Blair Witch - and is paired with creepy music.

The following are short excursions with commentary.  In the first one, a door moves towards the end of the video.  But why?  Wind? The creepy spirit that – is right behind you!  Okay, enough silliness.  In both videos, a person decides to take a souvenir.  One takes a stone piece from a game of Go, and another takes a rice paddle.  Why?  I like to present myself as a skeptic, but I would absolutely be afraid to bring something home with me.  Just imagine what “ghostly attachment” a person would be inviting into their home.

Alexie would laugh at me saying I’m skeptical.  She knows that I always lift me feet off the ground when I’m watching a scary movie, and she had to coax me out of the car when we visited a “haunted” cemetery.  Have any of you visited some places of paranormal notoriety?  If so, you are probably braver than me.  Well, back to policing commas.  Have a great weekend!

Aaron's Summer News and Reflections

Aaron the Webguy here to give some updates on all things Alexie Aaron.  The reason for me talking instead of Alexie is that she is neck deep in the waters of writing currently.  For those who haven't heard the news...

Never Forget (Haunted Series Book 15)

By Alexie Aaron

...has been released!  This is Alexie's longest Haunted Series novel to date, and yet, she isn't resting on her laurels at all.  What I mean to say is, she is nearing completion of the first draft of her next book, the 16th novel of the Haunted Series!  "Holy smokes! How does she do it?" you might ask yourself.  Well, first off, she loves writing these books and living in the world that she creates.  Alexie wakes up around the time that roosters should be crowing to get a head start on her writing time.  Many times I would wake up and find her already spouting, "3000 more words!" before disappearing back to her writer's corner to add to the count.   We had a little podcast where she told us a little about her process, and here is the YouTube embed for those who want to hear from the woman herself (plus some other awesome guy who is far too humble to brag about his part in it.) > >

Secondly, she is able to write and complete the books so quickly because of the support she gets from the whole team.  The Red Pen doubles her workload, being both the developmental editor and our artwork department.  Personally, I think the Never Forget book cover was her best work to date.  Without The Red Pen's talent we would all be looking at my MSPaint abominations. She is a busy woman, and she still got Alexie's latest to you all ahead of schedule.  

The Red Pen isn't the only member of the team doing their very best to get the book out there.  The Beta Reader got the book on a Saturday, I believe, and returned with his notes... that very same Saturday evening.  The man reads faster than Superman.  The Beta Reader dives in head first and makes it so that everyone gets to enjoy the books mere days after he is presented with them.

And finally and most importantly, she has the support of her readers.  I know we have gushed on the subject of her readers before, but it is only because we can't believe how supportive you all are.  Alexie often holds out her iPad and says to me, "Look what this person said on Facebook!"  As her son, I am genuinely grateful to all of her readers because it is all of you that make it possible for her to do her dream job every day.  All of us at Team Alexie couldn't do it without the support of all of you, so thanks again!

Enough mushy stuff already!  Oh I guess I, Aaron the Webguy, do some stuff around here as well.  Mainly fixing things I should have fixed ages ago, like making sure Sand Trap's Audiobook Link wasn't hidden in a blog post.  I also appreciate that Alexie got me to work on original music for both Wages of Cin and Never Forget.  Made me dust off my recording software and helped bring out my creative side again.  Here are both of the songs again if anyone wants a listen: 

We have branched out a lot from just a website where you can see Alexie Aaron's books.  My question for all of you is, is there anything you would like to see more of on the site? More YouTube videos, songs, or podcasts perhaps?  Let us know in the comments, and I hope you all are enjoying the new book and staying out of the summer heat.    

P.S The book that started it all is on Amazon countdown this weekend and here is a picture link below.

The Hauntings of Cold Creek Hollow (Haunted Series Book 1)

By Alexie Aaron