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Edited by Adrian Blake, associate news editor
The Journals of Father Nick Thomas Web Site Launches in Time for Christmas Offering Original Christmas Ghost Stories to Enliven the Holiday Spirit
CHICAGO, IL - December 9, 2003 /Send2Press Newswire/ -- Chicago-based
writer and storyteller Kevin Frantz announced today the launch of his
unique website, The Journals of Father Nick Thomas
(www.fathernickthomas.com), that publishes original Christmas ghost
stories for all ages.
"At one time, it was commonplace to tell ghost stories while sitting
around the fireplace on Christmas Eve, even if the stories didn't
revolve around Christmas," says Frantz. By offering a series of such
stories, he is attempting to breathe new life into a largely bygone
tradition and recapture "one of the truly great joys of the season."
"Christmas ghosts have been a part of the holiday tradition for
centuries," Frantz points out. You can find many fine examples of these
stories from writers like Hans Christian Anderson and Nathaniel
Hawthorne to Scrooge's scary poltergeists in perennial favorite, A
Christmas Carol.
Christmas ghost stories have also been a source of superstitions related
to good health and luck. It was believed that, at midnight on Christmas
Eve, the front door should be opened to let out any evil spirits. A
lighted candle was then placed in the window. If it remained lit
throughout the night, the residents would have good luck that year; if
it went out, they would experience bad luck. Another hoary chestnut
claimed that children born on Christmas Day would never be troubled by
ghosts, drown or be hanged.
Frantz started off writing Christmas stories (which can be found in the
archives of the web site) but decided it would be more interesting if he
could add an element of horror. To enhance the sinister atmosphere of
the stories, they are narrated by a character named Father Nick Thomas.
Father Nick, an 88-year-old priest, appears as a cloaked, almost
ghostly, presence on the web site. (Pictures on the web site are
available for use in publications.) The Christmas stories are based on
his journals and are updated each month. The stories are short so that
they can be easily printed out and read around the Christmas tree.
The site has a section called "Nick Thomas Presents...." where authors
can submit their own original ghost stories for publication. Writers
receive $25 for each story that is selected for the site. There is also
the Nick Thomas Foggy Night Award, a writing award given on Halloween
for the best story published in the Nick Thomas Presents series. The
winning entry receives $250.
Visitors to The Journals of Father Nick Thomas™ web site can access
Father Nick's Roundtable, a forum where members can exchange ideas,
stories and messages about the site. The site also includes helpful
links to related information that ranges from sources for storytellers,
sites about exorcism and myths and legends, to ghost hunter stories and
Gothic tales.
Organization Website:
www.fathernickthomas.com
Source of News:
Memories Productions Inc.
Illinois Newswire
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DotCom Newswire™
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