Ridiculous Monsters

I get a kick out of monsters with funny names, so I've compiled a sampling of silly creatures that make me snigger like a pre-schooler. Enjoy!

Bunyip: Actually refers to a class of scary beasties described by Native Australians as massive, shaggy howlers that inhabit swamps and billabongs.

Missipissy: Native Americans of the Great Lakes region called this serpent Master of the Fishes.

Imdugud: An eagle-headed demon from ancient Mesopotamia, this kindly monster brought the rain in times of need.

Pukis (not to be mistaken with the Irish Pooka): For some reason, this eastern European creature flies in the air as a dragon, but takes the form of a big cat on the ground. It brings good luck to a household, often to the detriment of others.

To Fu: A glorious, color-changing bird of Chinese legend.

Kelpy/Kelpie: This shape-shifting Scottish water monster was most often seen in the form of a gray or black horse and was considered a portent of death by drowning.

Agog-Magog: This monster of Armenian legend has a name very similar to the biblical Gog and Magog, as well as Brut and Gogmagog from Britain.

Colo-Colo: A Chilean vampire that sucks a person's saliva until they're dried up.

Boobrie: Heh. A giant bird of Scottish folklore, it devoured anything that went to the water's edge of the loch that it inhabited.

Neugle/Nuggle/Noggle: Another malicious Scottish water horse that lured its victims to drown in lochs and rivers.

Fearsome Critters: I have to end with this fun bunch of tall tales from early US lumberjacks. They sure knew how to name the things that went bump in the night. Here are just a few of the best: Kickle Snifter, Gumberoo, Pigwiggen, Mugwump, Squonk, Whirling Wimpus, Snoligoster, Flitterick, Treesqueak and Shmoo. Just awesome.

What scary beasties just make you want to giggle?

Old Meets New & a Hounded Giveaway

One of the things I really love that is done so well in speculative fiction is the blending of the ancient with the modern. Centuries old myths come roaring back to life and eldritch gods show up to mingle with punk rockers and soccer moms. Most every UF title, vampire novel and steampunk tale has a bit of that old-time appeal.

I remember reading Clarissa Pinkola Estes for the first time in high school and feeling like I could actually connect to a deeper thread of our history, bring it back with me and somehow integrate it into my life. Some of my favorite authors are masters at creating that same sense of ancient wisdom and magic in our everyday lives. I also study a lot of ancient history and religions, so seeing it re-invented for a modern audience is always exciting.

In honor of the mash-up of old and new, I'm giving away a copy of Kevin Hearne's debut novel, Hounded, to one very lucky reader. There are plenty of great releases this month, but this is definitely one I've been waiting eagerly for. Hounded hits stores today and everyone should go buy it, but if you'd like an extra copy to give to a friend, then we've got what you need.

This contest will run through end of day on May 16th and you have 3 ways to enter: +1 for leaving a comment and letting us know what spec-fic title is at the top of your must-have list for May, +1 for following our blog, and +1 for tweeting a link to the contest (feel free to do so more than once, but it still only counts for one entry). The winner will be chosen via random.org. and I'll announce the name in my post on May 17th.

Happy Mother's Day this Sunday to all the great moms out there (especially mine)!