The Case for Cryptids

by E.F. Schraeder

100 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 20, 2026

About the author

Active member of the Horror Writer's Association

Member of Science Fiction Poetry Association

E.F. Schraeder writes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. In addition to anthologies, recent creative work has appeared in a number of journals including Mobius: The Journal of Social Change, The NonBinary Review, Strange Horizons, and others. Schraeder's short non-fiction has appeared in Vastarien: A Literary Journal (Vol. 4.1), Bloody Women, and other venues.

Reviews

[Victoria H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book for free as an e-ARC on NetGalley in exchange for offering my honest opinion.

I loved this book. I kept taking notes of different quotes from these poems. The titles were clever. I loved the ones that were from the cryptids' perspectives, but also the ones that acknowledged why people are suspicious of claims of cryptids and evidence. I'm not much of a cryptid fan myself, but I am a poetry fan and I love when people do something really fun with it.

I'm an adult and I really liked it, but I could imagine this would be a great book to give to a kid who's a fan of cryptids as well, as something to get them into poetry more. Nothing about it is scary---which is great because I am very easy frightened in all honesty.

Some of my favorite lines/quotes (that honestly I'd probably like to have on a mug or some other merch):

From One Mysterious Life: "Forget the legends, the warnings./I hide my own evidence, bury labels/like withered secretions/One must resist whims that fail,/commit to something more."

All of This is Not a Hoax, but especially "It's an agenda is what. Denial as policy/If you believe the news,/you're worse than that professor./The facts are lies. Believe me, I know."

The whole of Sasquatch Crowdfunds His Healthcare.

All of Legalize Grassman, but especially "FYI, that property line you love so much/ain't nothing but dust."

Everything about Vote Frogman, especially "What a relief to know a little guy like that still exists, still wins./He listens like an angel to the ignored and wounded./Now that's a guy you can count on. Someone to trust."

Mothman Defines a Sense of Place is a beautiful poem with amazing imagery.

And finally, my absolute favorite, In the Shadow of Mothman: "Finally, Ohio delivers a night to die in,/wrapped in a deep, wet cold,/same as a hundred others..." and so on (I love all of it), but I don't want to copy the whole poem over!

[Melanie Artis Wuertzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I'll be honest-- when I was offered the chance to advance review this book, I half- did it on a lark, and half- did it so that I would have something to talk to my stepson about. My kid has been into Mothman since he was in grade school, and he is 30 now-- so yes, at first I picked this up on a lark.

What I found was actually an amazing compilation of both humorous poems and critical thinking stories. As a scientist my entire life, the short poem "Pseudo Science" was right up my alley-- "Statistically, good data has the power to prove exactly what you want." Yep, that just about sums up most of Appalachia when it comes to Bigfoot, Mothman, and who knows whatever else they come up with in the mountains of West Virginia (where my son currently lives).

Then there was the poem, "Homophily, a Chorus", and I was like, am I high? What in the heck did I just read? I think that was the point though- to point out the absurdity of the ideas of these cryptids and unknown monsters throughout North America, while acknowledging their place in our zeitgeist.

As a former sailor in the United States Navy, I do however take issue with "Frogman." Those are Navy seals darn it! Not some random four- legged thing running around the hills of Ohio! Humph.

Finally, I think I grew up on way too many Indiana Jones movies, because I read the poem "Joyful Discovery" like the young maharaja in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Go ahead, try it.You will never be able to get it out of your head now! 

Thank you very much to #NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to advance read this book. #TheCaseforCryptids 

[Selene Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a poetry reader. I actually didn’t realize this was poetry when I signed up for the ARC and likely wouldn’t have signed up for it if I had realized. Turns out cryptids were the gateway drug I needed to read poetry and throughly enjoy it.

This collection was hilarious, clever, and way more thought-provoking than I expected. It balances humour with serious topics like deforestation, pollution, and humanity’s impact on the world, all while giving us perspectives from the cryptids themselves, researchers, and believers.

My absolute favourite poems were “Sasquatch Crowdfunds His Healthcare” and “On Hold for Citizen Science.” They perfectly captured the collection’s mix of humour and heart.

So, if you’re like me and usually avoid poetry… maybe you don’t actually hate poetry. Maybe you just haven’t found the right hook.

Apparently mine was Bigfoot.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and the author for this ARC!

This book of verse is remarkable. The poet’s work winds its way through different narratives, from that of the believer to that of the believed. Cryptids and curious humans, alike, grace the pages of this book and evoke feelings of genuine empathy, curiosity, and excitement.

As someone who has always kept their eyes open for the creatures that lurk in the liminal spaces… I can’t recommend this selection enough. The author avoids making a mockery of the subject, spinning stories that left me wondering not only what is out there, but what has this person seen?

A deep and delightful book of poetry.

[E.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I guess the thing about deciding who belongs depends on who names the trespasser."

Pretty interesting twist on a poetry collection. I like that it still says something about us and about society but through the lense of cryptids/witness of cryptids.

I'm not a poetry expert but I enjoyed reading the poems themselves, and underlined a lot. I think it's one I'll dip in and out of in the future, to re-read a poem here and there for pleasure.

"I am homesick with nowhere to go."

I was given a copy of this collection by Raw Dog Screaming Press via NetGalley. All Opinions are my own.

[Jordi Morri Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 rounded up to 4*

I was given this book for free as an e-Arc on Netgalley in exchange for offering my honest review.

I am not usually a big reader of poetry, but cryptids had me sat.

I liked the premise of these being compiled notes from believers, with sprinklings of poetry from the perspective of the cryptids such as Bigfoot and Mothman.

There was also some very poignant undercurrents to the poetry, touching on deforestation, urbanisation and capitalism and how this changes our beliefs and takes away whimsy!

I would definitely recommend this for those who are fans of cryptids and want to dip a toe into poetry, especially with it being a relatively short collection.

[Mande · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I am a huge fan of cryptids, so the moment I saw this book it was an immediate grab for me. I am not generally a big poetry person and was hoping for a bit more of the 'field guide' part with anecdotes and other things. However, I really did enjoy the prose throughout the collection. E F Schraeder does a great job of making us think from the POV of these creatures, right through to the thoughts of someone who truly believes in the fantastical. A good quick read!

[Katie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping my love for cryptids might outweigh my not really being a poetry person, but it unfortunately did not. I want this collection to land in the hands of a cryptid and poetry lovers because I really do think they'll enjoy it.

As someone with a pink, sparkly, heart covered 'baby girl Jersey Devil' tattoo "Jersey Devil has always been kind of a dick" did make me chuckle.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

[Jakki (BizzyBookNook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been a big poetry reader and when I saw this collection of poems that center on cryptids I knew I had to read it. I loved this. There was a good mix of the fantastical as well as a very strong anchor in reality. I loved that the poems were grounded and well thought out. I especially enjoyed the ones that were from the perspective of the cryptids themselves. So many great quotes and new thoughts that will live rent free in my head.

[Nicola Blamires · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've given this 3 stars due to it being well written and an enjoyable read. I read it in about 30 minutes. It's described by the publishers as part guide book which it isn't at all and I personally don't think it should he tagged as being in the horror genre. It's good poetry but it's very light on cryptid

[ChanaReadsHorror · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a huge fan of cryptids this was an insta read for me. I did not think it was going to be all poems and that was fine as well. I was able to read this in one night and I highly enjoyed all the poems. While they were all great, they were all super short. If you are a poetry fan or a cryptid fan, then you will enjoy this collection.

[Ambi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun quick read! Schraeder creates witty, unique poems for many famous cryptids. I loved the imagination of the collection, the tightrope between fact and fiction. My favorite poems were “Doubt” and “Welcome to the Valley of Misbelief”. This was a fun introduction to Schraeder’s work, and I look forward to reading more!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course this poetry collection drew me in with its title and cover. But the thing is, while I'm a huge fan of cryptids, I'm not such huge fan of modern poetry - to me, it mostly reads like oddly cut up and stacked up, compacted fiction. That said, the cryptids won the day here, overriding the format with their innate awesomeness. So, overall, a cute quick read. Thanks Netgalley.

[Katherine Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely collection of cryptid poetry. I saved these up like candies and savoured each one over the course of a week.

Biiiig mothman head these days so these really landed

“Shadow’s the best half of the show.” 🗣️🗣️🗣️

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars
If you're a fan of cryptids or anything mysterious and unexplained, this is a fun little read. It offers a unique perspective on these legendary creatures and is packed with plenty of cryptid commentary to keep things interesting.

[bee ⭑.ᐟ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’m not familiar with poetry so maybe that affects my rating but i’m still glad i gave this a go. as someone who’s recently become interested in cryptids and the unknown i immediately had to give this a go when i found it. i liked the way the pov seemed to be from the cryptids themselves. but unfortunately non of the poems really stood out to me or made me feel anything. i’m still glad i gave this a go!

[Natasja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. I am not a poetry fan, but cryptid poetry? Sign me up. This is a very fun, quick read, and I'll definitely be re-reading it.