‘Nonfiction horror’ writer will share real-life ghost stories on Oct. 21 at the Farmington Library

by Andrew Miller
Thisweek Newspapers

Scary stories are Michael Norman’s stock in trade.

From poltergeist encounters in abandoned farmhouses to sightings of vague spectral entities in old Victorian mansions, the River Falls, Wis.-based journalist and author has documented them all.

Norman will discuss his new book, “The Nearly Departed: Minnesota Ghost Stories & Legends,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Farmington Library. The event is free and open to the public.

PHOTO: Michael Norman

Area residents will recognize many of the reputedly haunted locales featured in “The Nearly Departed,” which contains 48 eerie accounts of run-ins with apparitions from across the state.

The St. Olaf College campus in Northfield, the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul, even the state Capitol – all tagged as possible vortices of paranormal activity, according to Norman.

Norman said he approaches his investigations – which involve interviews and archival research – as an “open-minded skeptic.”

“I’m not a parapsychologist or a ghostbuster or anything of that sort,” said the retired University of Wisconsin-River Falls journalism professor who’s authored six books of “nonfiction horror.” “I don’t tell the reader what to believe or what not to believe. What I do is tell the story in a journalistic way and let the reader decide.”

Despite years spent vetting reports of the paranormal throughout the Midwest, Norman has yet to have a personal encounter with a ghost or any sort of otherworldly being.

“I’ve never seen one personally,” he said. “I’d like to – I think it would be interesting.”

Information about “The Nearly Departed” and Norman’s other books can be found on the Web at www.michaelnorman.us.

IN BRIEF: Author/journalist Michael Norman will discuss his book, “The Nearly Departed: Minnesota Ghost Stories & Legends,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Farmington Library, 508 Third St., Farmington. The event is free and open to the public; Norman’s books will be available for signing and purchase.

Andrew Miller is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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