J.A. Hernandez
Bio
J.A. Hernandez enjoys horror, playing with cats, and hiding indoors away from the sun. Also, books. So many books—you wouldn't believe.
He runs a weekly newsletter called Into Horror History and writes fiction.
https://www.jahernandez.com
Stories (113/0)
- Top Story - January 2024
Legends of Sandwood Bay in ScotlandTop Story - January 2024
Way up on the rugged northwest coast of the Scottish Highlands is Sandwood Bay, a remote beach reached by a 4-mile (about 6.5 km) journey on foot. There are some strange stories from the area that haven't become widespread enough for most people to know of. For those with an appetite for dark intrigue—and I know you're one of them—Sandwood Bay is more than just a beach; it's where nature's beauty intersects with eerie legends of phantom mariners, mysterious lights, imposing mermaids, and ancient shipwrecks.
By J.A. Hernandez3 months ago in Horror
Mapinguari of Brazilian Folklore
The Amazon rainforest is 6.7 million square kilometers (2.587 million miles). It covers an area too large for any of us to really wrap our heads around it. Just imagine how much may be hiding there that none of us know about. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise to know that tales and legends of all manner of strange things have been passed down through generations of people living in the rainforest. Among these, the stories of the mapinguari stand out—you'll see why in a minute.
By J.A. Hernandez3 months ago in Horror
Vila of Slavic Folklore
Folklore is such an intriguing topic to dive into in any part of the world. In some cases, the folklore we know about today comes from an amalgamation of the entire history of a region—influences from different tribes, cultures, religions, and changing beliefs—creating a rich tapestry with threads connecting all over. Slavic folklore is an area that it's easy to get lost in because there's so much that's simply fascinating about it, from the unique creatures (or unique takes on them) to the sheer volume of branches of folklore to explore. We'll look at one of them now, a type of nature spirit that you never want to insult.
By J.A. Hernandez4 months ago in Horror
The Great King Boo Conspiracy
Here's a lighthearted and fun one for the new year. It's been a while since I mentioned how many topics are on my idea list to write about. There are about 1,400, and only a handful of video game-related topics. Last week, I wrote about Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, and this week, to my surprise, I randomly rolled for a subject (as is my standard method of choosing what to write about), and I got another video game topic. The odds of that happening are low, so I'm now wondering if a ghost in the machine is messing with my rolls. Which ghost?
By J.A. Hernandez4 months ago in Gamers
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Gothic literature spawned all kinds of awesome over the years, like Gothic video games. At some point, I may dive into a history of Gothic games, but for now, let's head back in time...way back in time. (Cue time travel sound effects.)
By J.A. Hernandez4 months ago in Gamers
Abbey of Thelema in Sicily, Italy
Have you ever wondered where you might find an old, abandoned, haunted abbey that was once the playground for magicians, occultists, free spirits, possibly Satanists, and maybe even the Beast of Revelation? I know it's one of those questions that hits me at night when I'm trying to sleep: Does this type of place exist? And, if so, where might I find it?
By J.A. Hernandez4 months ago in History
- Top Story - December 2023
The Posthumous Execution of Oliver CromwellTop Story - December 2023
Some events from history are so strange that we should all take a moment, look back, and collectively say WTF. This is one of those. It's about a man so hated that his corpse was dug up for the sole purpose of mutilating it because being dead wasn't good enough (bad enough?) for those who hated him. Can you think of anything more hate-fueled that could happen to a dead body?
By J.A. Hernandez5 months ago in History
Restless Spirits of Bachorza Manor in Poland
Deep within Poland's beautiful landscape stands a place called Bachorza Manor. Bachorza Manor has long been a topic of interest for people who are into architecture and ghostlore. It has a fascinating past, full of grandeur, tales of aristocracy, and, somewhat more recently, whispers of apparitions and dark shadows. Let's briefly tour Poland to find our way to Bachorza Manor, where the boundaries between history and legend blur.
By J.A. Hernandez5 months ago in Horror
Haunting of Ackergill Tower in Scotland
Did you know that every single castle in Scotland is haunted? At least, that's what I suspect because it's the one country I've found with more haunted castles than people. Sure, castles generally have a higher-than-average number of stories about ghosts, but something about castles in Scotland really kicks the paranormal up a notch.
By J.A. Hernandez5 months ago in Horror
Chessie of Chesapeake Bay
Steeped in history and brimming with cryptozoological intrigue, Chesapeake Bay bears a name that can be traced back to a few potential origins. Diving into etymology, the word "Chesapeake" comes from the Algonquian word "Chesepiooc," meaning a village situated at a big river. Chesapeake may refer to the Chesepian or Chesapeake people, a Native American tribe that inhabited the area. The waters of Chesapeake Bay are an ecological haven with a diverse array of life, which may include a giant sea monster named "Chessie" that's been terrorizing the locals for decades.
By J.A. Hernandez6 months ago in Horror