Donald R. Schmitt

Book Recommendations at the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference 2016

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A guide to some titles conference director Tea Krulos has on his shopping list

Hey, Tea here! One thing that really makes me happy about the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference is that it’s also a literary event. As an author myself, I love to geek out about books. We have a lot of talented writers in a variety of genres this year. There’s too many good titles available to even list them all, but I thought I’d give you a rundown of stuff I’d definitely like to see on my bookshelf. A lot of these titles have 2016 release dates and a few are hot off the press just in time for the con!

Remember, the holidays are happening very shortly after the con, so get some shopping done on our vendor floor– a signed book, original art, and the many other unique items on our vendor floor make great gifts! Check out the amazing vendor line up here: milwaukeeparacon.com/activities

Books I want to pick up from Guest Speakers (and all of these speakers will have a table on the vendor floor):

Iceman1. Neanderthal: the Strange Saga of the Minnesota Iceman, by Bernard Heuvelmans, afterword by Loren Coleman

Our guest speaker Loren Coleman has written dozens of books on cryptozoology and all of them are recommended. His reference book Cryptozoology A-Z was a huge help while I worked on my own book Monster Hunters. Loren will have copies of Neanderthal, written by pioneering Belgian cryptozoologist Bernard Heuvelmans, recently translated and published with a new afterword by Coleman. It ties in directly with his Milwaukee Paranormal Conference presentation: milwaukeeparacon.com/2016/07/11/guest-speaker-loren-coleman

 

chadlewis2. Lake Monsters of Wisconsin, by Chad Lewis

Another brand new title that fits directly into an author talk. Chad Lewis is giving a presentation of Lake Monster sightings in Wisconsin, and what better way to supplement his talk than with this book!

More info on his presentation: milwaukeeparacon.com/2016/05/04/guest-speaker-chad-lewis

 

 

97803991762413. Monster Among Us, by Linda S. Godfrey

This brand new book from Linda has an October release date. Linda has written a lot of paranormal classics, including ones of specific interest to Wisconsinites. American Monsters, Real Wolfman, Weird Wisconsin, and The Beast of Bray Road: Tailing Wisconsin’s Werewolf being just a few examples. We gave Linda the “Wisconsin Researcher of the Year” award last year based on her work as a writer, so obviously we’re always excited by a new book from her and her presentation ties directly into the book.

More info on her presentation: milwaukeeparacon.com/tag/linda-s-godfrey

goatman-front-web4. Goatman: Flesh or Folklore? by J.Nathan Couch

I’ve already actually got this one on my shelf, but you might not. J. Nathan had a well received talk on Goatman last year, and for an encore we’ll talk about old Goaty on the “Wisconsin’s Wildest Urban Legends” panel.

Panel info here: milwaukeeparacon.com/2016/07/15/panel-discussion-wisconsins-wildest-urban-legends

 

 

 

roswell5. The Children of Roswell by Donald R. Schmitt and Thomas J. Carey

This new book by Donald R. Schmitt (and co-author Thomas Carey) came out earlier this year and is based on interviews with the children of Roswell witnesses, a follow up to the author’s previous titles like Witness to Roswell. Schmitt is participating in “The Roswell Debate” but we’re not showing favoritism here– his debate rival Mark O’Connell has a book coming out in 2017 that we’re also excited to see.

More on the Roswell Debate: milwaukeeparacon.com/2016/06/03/the-roswell-debate

 

chase6. Admissible: The Field Manual for Investigating UFOs, Paranormal Activity, and Strange Creatures by Chase Kloetzke and Richard Dolan

This manual covers methods for investigating pretty much everything discussed at the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference and is co-authored by our guest speaker Chase Kloetzke. Hey, and a quick update on Chase– she is flying into Milwaukee directly from a case she is investigating in an undisclosed location in Peru!

More info on Chase: milwaukeeparacon.com/2016/07/25/guest-speaker-chase-kloetzke

 

61YG8qt42DL._SX345_BO1,204,203,200_7. Haunted Bachelors Grove by Ursula Bielski

This brand new book by Ursula is part of Arcadia Publishing’s “Haunted America” series, and examines a location Ursula has been researching and investigating for decades– Bachelors Grove cemetery, located outside of Chicago. I’ve had a chance to visit that location during the Chicago Dark Shores Ghost Con, so I’m excited to see this.

More info on Ursula: milwaukeeparacon.com/2016/08/31/guest-speaker-ursula-bielski

 

Book covers8. Murder & Mayhem in Rockford, Illinois by Kathi Kresol

We’re so glad to have Kathi, proprietor of Haunted Rockford, up here for our “Haunted Road Trip” panel and to check out her research into classic crime stories.

More info on the panel: milwaukeeparacon.com/2016/08/08/panel-discussionhaunted-road-trip

 

 

 

sanjay9. Tales of the Night Watchman by Sanjay R. Singhal

Last  but not least, our panel moderator Sanjay (“Searching for Wisconsin’s Sasquatch”) has a new book out collecting short stories of supernatural themed fiction! We know Sanjay has been on some real life hair raising expeditions, which we’re sure he must have tapped into for some of these stories.

More on Sanjay’s panel: milwaukeeparacon.com/2016/08/02/panel-discussion-searching-for-wisconsins-sasquatch/

 

 

And here’s some titles by authors you’ll find out on our vendor floor:

black bells10. Black Bells by Dawn Napier

We’re glad to have Dawn on the floor (Sunday only). She writes fantasy/ horror and all her titles sound great, but this one caught my attention for some reason I can’t quite place my finger on. Books do that sometimes.

 

 

 

 

campfire11. Monsters Around the Campfire by Donovan Scherer

We got to meet Donovan at the Milwaukee Comic Con at Serb Hall a couple months ago and he had a great set up! Donovan writes and illustrates books aimed mostly at children (most with a spooky theme, of course).  I’m going to pick this one up for my nephew.

 

 

 

Adventures in Death & Romance (1)12. Adventures in Death and Romance: Vrykolakas Tales by Monette Bebow-Reinhard

We got a couple signed copies of this book here at MKE Paranormal Central Station, which will be given away as prizes during the con. The book follows the adventures of vampire Arabus Drake and his encounters with the Turk army, pirates, Tories, a vindictive lawman and a wily ghost who stands between him and a woman he thinks can finally love him.

 

FirstContact_w10063_med13. First Contact by Kat Green

Written by authors Kat de Falla and Rachel Green (aka Kat Green) this book is about a real estate agent dealing with the paranormal. Put a SOLD sign on that!

 

 

 

 

Krampus-510x72814. The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas: Roots and Rebirth of the Folkloric Devil by Al Ridenour

This book is coming out shortly before the conference and it looks beautiful (in a hideous Krampus kind of way). I was going to say it would be a great Christmas gift, but of course St. Nick’s Day might be better.

Publisher Feral House is a sponsor of our appearance by Minnesota Krampus. Stop by their presentation for a chance to win a free copy of the book! Publisher Feral House also has a table on the vendor floor.
More Minnesota Krampus presentation info:

milwaukeeparacon.com/2016/06/26/guest-speaker-minnesota-krampus/

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Vendors of the Week 26-39: Guest Speakers

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The Scene on the 2015 MPC vendor floor last year. It was busy! This year we will have 50 tables spread through the UWM Ballroom East.

Time is flying! We’re going to move ahead a few spaces today by mentioning tables on our vendor floor that will be used by people who are also guest speakers at the conference. If you click on their names, it’ll take you to a web entry that will give you more information.

Stop by their tables, get a book signed, talk to them about their podcasts or radio shows, ask your most burning questions, and talk to them about all the other cool stuff they’re involved with.

26. Author and researcher Chad Lewis (Sunday only)

27. Author and researcher Linda S. Godfrey

28. Researcher Mike Hoke and researcher and author J.Nathan Couch

29. Author, researchers, ufologists Nick Roesler and Chase Kloetzke

30. Author and researcher Donald R. Schmitt

31. Researcher and tour host Allison Jornlin of Milwaukee Ghosts- Tours and Investigations

32. Researcher, author, tour host Ursula Bielski of Chicago Hauntings

33. Krampus group Minnesota Krampus

34. Inventor and star of Ghosts of Shepherdstown Elizabeth Saint

35. Sanjay R. Singhal, author and host of Beyond the Forest Radio

36. Mike Huberty and Wendy Staats and See You on the Other Side podcast/ Madison Ghost Tours

37.  Author and researcher Loren Coleman of the International Cryptozoology Museum (Saturday only)

38. Celeste Contreras, founder of Dia de los Muertos Milwaukee (Saturday only)

39. Deadgar’s Dark Coffin Classics, hosts of our Ghost Story Open Mic!

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The Roswell Debate

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Mark O’Connell

Presentation: “The Roswell Debate,” with Donald R. Schmitt and Mark O’Connell, Saturday (Oct.15), Wisconsin Room

At a cursory glance, Donald Schmitt and Mark O’Connell have some things in common– both are Wisconsin residents, writers, and researchers of the UFO phenomenon. Both were guest speakers at our first Milwaukee Paranormal Conference last year. Both also have found inspiration from pioneering UFO researcher Dr. J. Allen Hynek.

However, they don’t quite see eye-to-eye.

The issue put forth in this debate: the alleged 1947 crash of a UFO at Roswell, undeniably the most famous UFO case of all time, explored thoroughly in books and the inspiration for TV shows, movies, and other popular culture.

Some of the things likely to be debated– the impact the Roswell case has had on UFO research, the credibility and relevance of the Roswell case, the Roswell Slides, and more.

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Donald R. Schmitt

We are excited to host our first Milwaukee Paranormal Conference debate and we think this is a great opportunity to hear different perspectives on UFO research and the Roswell case.

Schmitt will have his books available, including his latest, Children of Roswell (2016). O’Connell’s new book, The Close Encounters Man, will be released in May of 2017.

The debate will be moderated by David Henning, head of Lakeland College’s debate and forensics program. Henning has over 30 years of debate experience. His students will assist in the debate.

KGRAlogoSPECIALborderWe are also happy to say that if you can’t make it to Milwaukee for the conference, you’ll be able to listen to the debate anywhere in the world thanks to a live broadcast from our media sponsors KGRA Radio.

 

Milwaukee Paranormal Conference tickets: milwaukeeparacon.brownpapertickets.com
June is our VIP ticket drive. Tickets go up from $75 to $100 on July 1, so get yours today!

Roswell  101 Gallery

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The front page of the Roswell Daily Record, July 8, 1947

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RAAF Major Jesse Marcel displays pieces of a weather balloon, the official story of what was found crashed outside of Roswell. Many Ufologists say this story is a cover up.

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One of the Roswell Slides released last year. Schmitt was a member of the team who revealed the slides, found in a collection in an attic. It was later determined the pictures actually show the mummified remains of a child on display in a museum.

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Schmitt’s first book, released in 1991, became a best seller and part of the early 90s UFO-mania.

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Dr. J. Allen Hynek was a pioneering ufologist. Schmitt is the former co-director of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies and O’Connell is currently wrapping up a biography of Dr. Hynek.

 

 

2015 Speakers: Ufology

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don-schmitt

DONALD R. SCHMITT: “The Evidence for the UFO Crash at Roswell”

Author and leading authority on the Roswell case

Donald R. Schmitt is the leading investigator on the case of the Roswell UFO crash of 1947. His books on the subject include the bestselling books UFO Crash at Roswell, Witness to Roswell, and his most recent book: Inside the Real Area 51: The Secrect History of Wright-Patterson.
Schmitt is the former co-director of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, where he served as Director of Special Investigations for ten years. Prior to that, he was a special investigator for the late Dr. J. Allen Hynek and the art director for the International UFO Reporter.
He has led and organized several archaeological dig projects at the actual Roswell crash/debris field over the years. The 2002 effort became the central theme of their highest rated show up till that time in the 10-year history of the SCI FI Channel – The Roswell Crash: Startling New Evidence, which also resulted in the book The Roswell Dig Diaries, of which he was a contributing author. The basis of his research and consultation has been the theme of many documentaries, and he makes frequent media appearances and lectures about the subject.
Mr. Schmitt was an on-set consultant at Paramount Studios on one episode of the popular Roswell TV series and was a UFO Consultant to NBC’s Unsolved Mysteries. He also appeared with Sally Kellerman in the pilot episode of “Greetings From the Unknown.”
By far his greatest achievement was the Golden Globe Best Picture nominated motion picture ROSWELL, which was based on the first book. Besides consulting on the movie, he made a cameo appearance. Presently, he is a contributing writer for UFO Magazine, and on the Board of Directors for the International UFO Research Museum. Currently, he is Associate Producer on the upcoming feature film 701.

Website: www.roswellinvestigator.com

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MARK O’CONNELL: “High Strangeness in Wisconsin: Odd UFO Encounters in the Cheese State“

Biographer of Dr. J.Allen Hynek and Mutual UFO Network Chief Investigator for Wisconsin

Mark O’Connell has written several episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine — one of which, the DS9 episode “Who Mourns For Morn?”, was recently named by Hugo-winning science fiction writer Charlie Jane Anders as #72 on the io9.com list of the Top 100 Star Trek episodes of all time.

Mark has had feature film projects in development with Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Launchpad Productions, Barcelona Films and Al Ruddy Productions. He currently writes the UFO blog “High Strangeness” at www.highstrangenessufo.com, is writing the authorized biography of UFO scholar Dr. J. Allen Hynek, and is set to make his reality show debut in 2015 in “Monumental Mysteries” on The Travel Channel. Mark lives in southern Wisconsin with his wife.

Website: www.highstrangenessufo.com

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NICHOLAS ROESLER: “Beyond Deep Black: UFO Secrecy, Black Projects, and the Road to Disclosure”

Researcher and author

Nicholas Roesler has been involved in UFO and paranormal-related research for nearly two decades.  In that time, he has served in multiple capacities for both the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), as well as the Smoking Gun Research Agency (SGRA), as well as consulting for a think tank dealing in national security concerns.  He has written and lectured extensively on the topic throughout the United States.  He is the author of IN FOCUS: Photographic Evidence of Unconventional Flying Objects (2009) and BEYOND DEEP BLACK: UFO Secrecy, Black Projects, and the Road to Disclosure (2015).  He hosts a weekly radio program on KGRA Radio, dealing with UFOs, the paranormal, and national security issues.
Website: www.beyonddeepblack.com

BREAKING: Does Milwaukee Paranormal Conference Speaker Donald Schmitt Have the Smoking Gun on Roswell?

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RoswellRecord3
Yesterday we announced our line up of speakers (www.milwaukeeparacon.com/speakers) for the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference, including keynote speakers Linda S. Godfrey, Noah Leigh, and Donald Schmitt. The latter also made news yesterday by announcing that he will be unveiling what could be “the smoking gun” on the Roswell UFO crash of 1947: the Roswell Slides.

Schmitt and his research partner, Tom Carey, say they were given the slides by an undisclosed party. The origin of the slides is explained as thus:

“Some years ago, while an attic was being cleaned out, a chest was found containing many Kodachrome slides. Two Kodachrome slides were later found to have separately hidden in an envelope within the inner lining of the chest’s lid. The chest and it’s contents were traced and found to have belonged to an intriguing, childless couple [Bernerd and Hilda Blair Ray] that are now deceased.”

You can read more of the press release here: http://www.theufochronicles.com/2015/02/roswell-alien-slides-to-be-unveiled-in.html

Schmitt, Carey, and astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell will be presenting the slides in an event that will be livestreamed in Mexico City on May 5, 2015, just one month before the Milwaukee Paranormal Conference.

Are these slides going to be the incredible proof of extra-terrestrials the world has been waiting for? That is an answer I don’t have, but I’m very curious and excited to see what happens May 5 and then hear Donald Schmitt tell us about the case in person at his presentation here in Milwaukee. It will be a “slideshow” to remember!

Milwaukee Paranormal Conference 2015 Line Up

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Let’s hear a round of applause for our 2015 speakers and panels! Our guests include a variety of experts on subjects of the paranormal. You’ve probably seen some of them on shows like Finding Bigfoot, My Ghost Story, Ghost Adventures: Aftershocks, Monster Quest, Monsters and Mysteries, and The Roswell Crash: Startling New Evidence, among many other media outlets. I’d like to thank the many other people who inquired about speaking at the event. We had a limited number of speaker time slots, and those filled up quickly. We are hoping for a bigger event with more speakers in 2016.

If you click on the speaker’s name, it will lead you to their website. We will be updating this site with speaker bios and talk titles in February and March 2015. Other activities, such as potential documentary screenings, will be updated soon as info becomes available. We still have vendor tables, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities available, see respective tabs on this site. And now, without further ado…

2015 Keynote Speakers

Donald R. Schmitt, expert on UFOs and the Roswell Crash, author of UFO Crash at Roswell, Witness to Roswell, and Inside the Real Area 51: the Secret History of Wright Patterson.

Linda S. Godfrey, author of The Beast of Bray Road: Tailing America’s Werewolf, Weird Wisconsin, and American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America.

Noah Leigh, founder and lead investigator, Paranormal Investigators of Milwaukee.

Paranormal Investigation/ Ghosts

Melissa Tanner, founder and lead investigator, TnT Paranormal Investigations.

Allison Jornlin, ghost historian and proprietor of Milwaukee Ghosts Tours & Investigations.

Panel: “Communicating With Clients: Dos and Don’ts,” Noah Leigh, Melissa Tanner, Valerie Kedrowski (Stevens Point Paranormal).

Sociology

Tea Krulos, author, Monster Hunters: On the Trail With Ghost Hunters, Bigfooters, Ufologists, and Other Paranormal Investigators.

Marc Eaton, professor of sociology, Ripon College.

Cryptozoology & Folklore

J. Nathan Couch, author, Goatman: Flesh or Folklore?

Jim Sherman, Michigan field representative, Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (as seen on Finding Bigfoot).

Irish Folklore speaker TBA

Ufology

Nick Roesler, author, In Focus: Photographic Evidence of Unconventional Flying Objects.

Mark O’Connell, biographer of Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Mutual UFO Network Chief Investigator for Wisconsin.

Documentary Screening Session

Echoes of the Past (2015), documentary featurette, director David Gloyd.

PIM: A Paranormal Documentary (2015), documentary feature, director Bradley James Kroll.

After Party: Shaker’s Cigar Bar (Milwaukee’s Haunted Bar) details TBA.

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/915715895128453/