The Wisconsin Writers Association’s (WWA) newest fiction anthology, A Wisconsin Harvest of Horror, includes a story set in the City of Whitewater.
Chris Welch’s tale “The Water Tower Witch of Whitewater” is one of fifteen scary stories set across the Badger State, some of which are based on local folklore and urban legends. Authors are either members of the WWA or the Wisconsin Chapter of the Horror Writers Association (HWA). The book’s release date is March 3.
“When the idea for this anthology was first discussed, I knew the perfect place to write about,” said Welch, a former freelance reporter for the Daily Jefferson County Union and WFAW radio. He covered news in Jefferson County, but Whitewater was his primary beat, where he covered the city council, school board, community issues, and events on the UW-Whitewater campus.
“Whitewater has a reputation for alleged supernatural elements, but none are as remarkable as the water tower witch,” Welch said. “When I first arrived in Whitewater and heard the legends, I was fascinated by them. I’m a big nerd who loves ghostly tales and horror stories, but what really struck me was how interests in Whitewater’s legends peaked every year when a new batch of freshman arrived on campus. Every generation learned the legends anew, and in turn, each generation added another element when they re-told them, whether it was factually accurate or not. Mostly not.”
Welch added his story is structured on Whitewater’s lore, not its factual history. How three college students perceive Whitewater’s spooky past while menaced by the witch drives the narrative. “Stories about monsters, ghosts, witches are always more fun than the debate about whether such things exist or not,” Welch said. “These things only exist in stories, so their stories need to be told.”
Editor’s note: Karen McCulloch, proprietor of The Book Teller at 171 W. Main Street, told The Whitewater Banner that her store will be carrying the book.
The book’s description from WWA Press:
WWA Press’s A Wisconsin Harvest of Horror is spine-tingling! Whether you’re a Badger State native or simply enjoy vacationing in the Wisconsin Northwoods that’s haunted by spooky forests, misty lakes, or shadowy small towns, this anthology will make your spine tingle. These stories of horrors and jump-scares are told by writers who know the land’s lore and are attuned to the secrets of hidden hollows, backwoods byways, and dark waters. These chilling tales grip the soul, lingering like a fog over Lake Michigan. From the ghouls of Door County and legendary cryptids lurking in Lincoln County, to zombies worth avoiding, you’ll travel to creepy corners of the state, one ear cocked for things that go bump in the night. This anthology will make you afraid to turn out the light! The WWA’s A Wisconsin Harvest of Horror is available in trade paperback, hard cover, and digital formats.
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Chris Welch.
