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Cryptids, Kaiju & Corn: Poems and Micro-Stories about Modern Midwest Monsters
In an exciting 148-page anthology, more than 50 emerging and established voices of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, horror, and other genres join to deliver fresh visions and explorations regarding the “forgotten” terrain and deep recesses of the American Midwest!
“As people who live and visit here already know, the American Midwest is more than just ‘Children of the Corn,’” writes anthology editor Randy Brown. “Giants still walk our flat and rolling lands, and swim in our deep lakes and rivers. Ask around any truck stop or diner, and you’ll likely meet or hear-tell of frog people. Dog men. Wendigo spirits. Even our endless, flyover-skies contain ancient and thunderous birds. Remember that, as you run to your next connections.”
The book Cryptids, Kaiju & Poems and Micro-Stories about Modern Midwest Monsters collects
more than 70 short poems and 300-word narratives of mythic beasts that illuminate, celebrate, or challenge stereotypes of Midwestern identity. Sections of the anthology Little Houses, Dark Answers to the age-old “How’re Ya Gonna Keep Them Down on the Farm?”Not From Around Here, are They?: Some cryptids, like you, may be just passing through.Squonks, Squawks & Something is calling. Maybe it’s an alarm. Either way, it’s bad.Neighbors, Stones & “Good walls make good neighbors.”
To motivate other writers, veterans, and readers, the anthology includes 7 pages of discussion-starters and prompts, for use in writing workshops, book clubs, and other gatherings!
“As people who live and visit here already know, the American Midwest is more than just ‘Children of the Corn,’” writes anthology editor Randy Brown. “Giants still walk our flat and rolling lands, and swim in our deep lakes and rivers. Ask around any truck stop or diner, and you’ll likely meet or hear-tell of frog people. Dog men. Wendigo spirits. Even our endless, flyover-skies contain ancient and thunderous birds. Remember that, as you run to your next connections.”
The book Cryptids, Kaiju & Poems and Micro-Stories about Modern Midwest Monsters collects
more than 70 short poems and 300-word narratives of mythic beasts that illuminate, celebrate, or challenge stereotypes of Midwestern identity. Sections of the anthology Little Houses, Dark Answers to the age-old “How’re Ya Gonna Keep Them Down on the Farm?”Not From Around Here, are They?: Some cryptids, like you, may be just passing through.Squonks, Squawks & Something is calling. Maybe it’s an alarm. Either way, it’s bad.Neighbors, Stones & “Good walls make good neighbors.”
To motivate other writers, veterans, and readers, the anthology includes 7 pages of discussion-starters and prompts, for use in writing workshops, book clubs, and other gatherings!
152 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2025
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About the author
Randy Brown
11 books13 followersFreelance writer and citizen-soldier by day, and secret (writing as "Charlie Sherpa") blogger by night, Randy Brown was preparing in 2010 to deploy as the sole "knowledge manager" for an Iowa National Guard unit of 3,000 soldiers. ("Historian, librarian, lessons-learned reporter—it was sexier to say my job was 'Brigade Staff Jester,'" he jokes.) After a paperwork snafu dropped him off the list, he retired with 20 years of military service and a previous overseas deployment. He then went to Afghanistan anyway, embedding with his former colleagues as a civilian journalist.
Brown's often-humorous military-themed poetry and non-fiction have appeared widely in literary journals and anthologies. He was the 2015 winner of the inaugural Madigan Award for humorous military-themed writing, presented by Negative Capability Press, Mobile, Ala.
Brown was the 2012 winner of the Military Reporters and Editors' (M.R.E.) independent-blogging category, and a past finalist in the Milblogging.com awards' reporter (2011) and veteran (2012) categories.
He is the current poetry editor of Military Experience & the Arts’ literary journal As You Were.
Brown's often-humorous military-themed poetry and non-fiction have appeared widely in literary journals and anthologies. He was the 2015 winner of the inaugural Madigan Award for humorous military-themed writing, presented by Negative Capability Press, Mobile, Ala.
Brown was the 2012 winner of the Military Reporters and Editors' (M.R.E.) independent-blogging category, and a past finalist in the Milblogging.com awards' reporter (2011) and veteran (2012) categories.
He is the current poetry editor of Military Experience & the Arts’ literary journal As You Were.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 23, 2025
omg the poem on page 122 is so good, I bet the author is handsome and good at kissing
October 24, 2025
Creepy, funny, profound...so many surprises lurk in these pages.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews