When I first started writing The Bigfoot Files for HorrorAddicts.net in April, I was worried I’d have trouble finding enough books and films to review for two columns each month.

Boy, I was wrong.

Bigfoot is even more popular in books and movies than I ever imagined.

Looking at the number of novels and films centered around Bigfoot on Amazon alone showed me that there aren’t enough days left in my life to review everything out there.

My first two reviews for The Bigfoot Files in May were the novels Dweller by Jeff Strand and Swamp Monster Massacre by Hunter Shea.

The authors were kind enough to respond promptly to my interview requests, which is awesome because I like to weave the writers’ inspirations and thoughts regarding Bigfoot into my reviews.

By the way, Strand and Shea are prolific and talented horror authors even if they’d never written a Bigfoot novel.

I actually met Strand, a literary hero of mine, at the Georgia Bigfoot Conference in April. They say never to meet your heroes, but he and his artist wife Lynne Hansen were delightful in every way. I even bought a print of Lynne’s book cover art for Dweller, which is one of my all-time favorite novels.

As for Shea, he’s an author who should be on every Bigfoot lover’s reading list. When it comes to cryptid fiction, Shea is as good as it gets. His enthusiasm and knowledge of cryptids add a level of authenticity to his novels.

My next two reviews for The Bigfoot Files are slated for June. They are “The Road Best Not Taken,” a short story by Richard Dansky from his Snowbird Gothic collection, and the novel Wood Ape by C.G. Mosley.

Dansky is another writer I met at the Georgia Bigfoot Conference. He is an avid Bigfoot enthusiast like me, but with a much more intriguing background as a video game writer.

I hope to file my Bigfoot movie reviews soon. I have the film reviews ready, but I’m waiting on responses for my interview requests from the directors.

I think the interview is important because it provides an interesting perspective from the creator, giving the reader added insight into the works I review.

I ask the same three interview questions:

1. How much did the actual Bigfoot legend inspire you?
2. Do you believe Bigfoot is real?
3. Why do you think Bigfoot remains so prevalent in pop culture?

All of the authors’ answers have been fascinating to me.

What I’ve learned is Bigfoot is a legitimate inspiration to the authors who write about the creature.

Personally, I think the respect they show the Bigfoot legend elevates their fiction, and I suspect is the main reason I’ve enjoyed their works so much.

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Exploring Bigfoot in Film and Fiction with My New Column