Spooky season starts early when Curious at Crossroads: Oddities Fest returns for its second year on June 21–22. Curious at Crossroads brings together the strange and wonderful for two days, set up throughout Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad. This event was a big hit in its first year, and this year promises to be even bigger and better.
One of the featured vendors at Curious at Crossroads is author Roxanne Rhoads, who has written books about hauntings and paranormal occurrences in Flint & Genesee and beyond. We were able to catch up with Rhoads to talk with her about her books and the upcoming Curious at Crossroads event.
How long have you been writing?
I have been working in the publishing industry and writing professionally since 2005, but I often joke that I was born with a pen in one hand and a notebook in the other. All through my school years, I wrote for the school papers and participated in young author programs. In the early 2000s, I started freelance writing for websites and magazines, which evolved into offering book reviews on my blog. I became a book publicist in 2010, which is still my day job.
What books have you written?
I write across many genres – non-fiction haunted history, spicy paranormal romance, and poetry.
My most popular books are my haunted history books: "Haunted Flint, Ghosts and Legends of Genesee & Lapeer Counties, and Haunted Hotels of Michigan."
What got you interested in the paranormal?
I just naturally gravitated towards it as a child. I loved Scooby-Doo, The Munsters, and The Addams Family. Then when I was 10 or 11, I found a copy of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. From that point on I was hooked on vampires, witches, and all things spooky.
How do you go about researching the locations you write about?
I dig through historical archives, I comb through old newspapers, I talk to people, I scour social media for mentions of haunted locations and experiences people have had, and I visit locations to get a feel for them.
I try to dig up interesting things about a location’s history that could account for hauntings. Did someone die there? Did someone love their home so much they never wanted to leave? Several haunted locations have close ties to murders, so a few chapters in my books became a blend of true crime, history, and hauntings.
What do you love most about doing book signings and readings?
I love meeting people who are interested in the same things I am and hearing about their haunting experiences. It also means so much to me when people tell me they love my books and bring them to get signed or to buy my latest. It keeps me going and keeps me writing more.
What makes Curious at Crossroads so unique?
Curious at Crossroads brings oddities to the perfect location - a historic village that is rumored to be haunted. The village is included in my books Ghosts and Legends of Genesee & Lapeer Counties, and Haunted Hotels of Michigan.
The village is beautiful, and the history is so thick you feel it. The Flint area needs more unique events at Crossroads.
Last year was a huge success with many amazing vendors and it was a magnificent turnout. They even offered a ghost hunt; it was the first time Crossroads ever opened up for that. I hope to see more of that. I will be vending at Curious at Crossroads this year with both my books and art.My books can also be found at Shops on Saginaw in downtown Flint, The Majestic Wolf Crafts & More in Burton, Blackbird Market in Montrose, and in my Bewitching Vintage Treasures antique booth at Michiganders Antiques and Collectibles in Birch Run.
Meet actor Tony Moran, who played Michael Myers in the original “Halloween” film. There will be a paranormal exploration of the village (a separately ticketed event that is guaranteed to sell out). There will be people there to read your tarot or give you insight into your spiritual journey. Shop with over 100 vendors featuring crafts, art, books, movies, collectibles, and more. There will also be guest speakers and presentations throughout the two days, as well as all the attractions that the village already boasts.
Beat the heat and head to Curious at Crossroads for some much-needed shivers and chills.
