View source for Weird NJ

{{Short description|Magazine for oddities based in New Jersey, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox magazine
| title = Weird N.J.
| logo = 
| logo_size = 
| image_file = Weird NJ cover.jpg
| image_size = 
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = Cover of issue #17
| editor = <!-- up to |editor5= -->
| editor_title = <!-- up to |editor_title5= -->
| editor2 = [[Mark Sceurman]]<br/>[[Mark Moran (writer)|Mark Moran]]
| editor_title2 = Publisher/Editor
| editor3 = Joanne Austin
| editor_title3 = Senior Editor
| previous_editor = 
| staff_writer = {{plainlist|
* [[Wheeler Antabanez]]
* Ryan Doan
* Jon Grove
* Cheryl Ann Marino
* Kate Philbrick
* Jesse P. Pollack
* Keith Seminerio
}}
| photographer = {{plainlist|
* Ryan Doan
* Jennifer Rose
* Rusty Tagliareni
* Christina Mathews
}}
| category = [[Guidebook]], Local interests
| frequency = Biannually
| format = 
| circulation = 
| publisher = Weird NJ, LLC
| paid_circulation = 
| unpaid_circulation = 
| circulation_year = 
| total_circulation = 
| founder = [[Mark Sceurman]]<br/>Mark Moran
| founded = {{start date|1989}}
| firstdate = {{start date|1992}}
| finaldate = 
| finalnumber = 
| company = 
| country = United States
| based = [[Bloomfield, NJ]]
| language = English
| website = {{URL|www.weirdnj.com}}
| issn = 2159-2993
| oclc = 27875028
}}
'''''Weird NJ''''' (sometimes abbreviated '''''WNJ''''') is a semi-annual [[magazine]] that chronicles local [[legend]]s, purported [[haunting]]s, [[ghost story|ghost stories]], [[folklore]], unusual places or events, and other peculiarities in [[New Jersey]]. The magazine originated in 1989 as a newsletter sent to friends by [[Mark Moran (writer)|Mark Moran]] and [[Mark Sceurman]], but as it grew in popularity, it became a public magazine published twice a year. It spawned a series of books called ''[[Weird US (book series)|Weird US]]'', which chronicle oddities from individual states in the United States aside from New Jersey, which in turn led to [[Weird U.S. (TV series)|a television series]] that aired on the [[History Channel]].

==History==
''Weird NJ'' began in 1989 as a personal newsletter sent to friends by [[Mark Moran (writer)|Mark Moran]] and [[Mark Sceurman]]. Gradually it evolved from a [[fanzine]] into a public magazine published twice a year in May and October. Abandoned places, eerie experiences, unique people, and strange landmarks were and still are common subjects for the magazine. Past issues have covered everything from the [[Jersey Devil]] and [[Unidentified Flying Object|UFO]] sightings to abandoned [[Project Nike|Nike missile]] silos, the legend of the [[High Bridge Branch#Local legend|"Hookerman" Lights]] and the life of [[Zippy the Pinhead]]. Subjects covered include the [[Evil Clown of Middletown]], [[Midgetville]], "Gates of Hell", [[Shades of Death Road]], [[Clinton Road (New Jersey)|Clinton Road]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/autos/creepy-cursed-curvy-new-jersey-clinton-road-frightening-road-america-article-1.1803331|title=Clinton Road, New Jersey: The scariest and strangest road in the U.S.|last=Kurczewski|first=Nick|date=May 23, 2014|work=[[New York Daily News]]|access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/highway-to-hell-a-journey-down-americas-most-haunted-road|title=Highway to Hell: A Journey Down America's Most Haunted Road|last=Brodesser-Akner|first=Taffy|date=October 27, 2015|website=[[Atlas Obscura]]|access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref> [[Demon Alley]], and the Devil's Tower. The painting of a grinning face named [[Tillie (murals)|Tillie]] from the [[Palace Amusements]] building in [[Asbury Park, New Jersey|Asbury Park]] has appeared in several ''Weird NJ'' publications and on the magazine covers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/28/nyregion/jerseyana-weirdest-of-all-the-magazine-has-caught-on.html|title=Weirdest of All, the Magazine Has Caught On|last=Silbert|first=Jack|date=September 28, 2003|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="washington post">{{cite news|last=Copeland|first=Libby|title=Weird N.J., Celebrating The Odd State of Mind|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16284-2004Jun29.html?referrer=emailarticlepg|date=June 30, 2004|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|issue=Page C01|access-date=March 8, 2015}}</ref>

In 2003 a ''Weird NJ'' book, made up of content from earlier issues, was published. The next year saw the follow-up ''Weird US'', covering sites and stories across the country. That led to a series of ''[[Weird US (book series)|Weird US]]'' books for other states and areas, including [[Florida]], [[Illinois]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Texas]], [[California]] and [[New England]], and a [[television series|TV series]], ''[[Weird U.S. (TV series)|Weird U.S.]]'', on the [[History (U.S. TV channel)|History Channel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-89842658.html|title='Weird NJ' Book Flying Off the Shelves.|last=Day|first=Dan|date=January 26, 2004|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=March 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095108/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-89842658.html|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-feb-20-ca-weird20-story.html|title=That's just Weird|last=Beale|first=Lewis|date=February 20, 2005|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=March 8, 2015}}</ref> The popularity of the magazine has inspired a community of fans of Moran and Sceurman's work.<ref name="washington post" />

==See also==
* [[List of paranormal magazines]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last1=Moran|first1=Mark|last2=Sceurman|first2=Mark|title=Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets|publisher=Barnes & Noble|year=2004|isbn=978-0760739792}}
* {{cite book|last1=Moran|first1=Mark|last2=Sceurman|first2=Mark|title=Weird N.J., Vol. 2: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets|publisher=Barnes & Noble|year=2006|isbn=978-1402739415}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|url=http://www.weirdnj.com}}
* [http://www.weirdus.com WeirdUS.com]
* [https://www.facebook.com/weirdnewjersey Weird NJ Facebook Page]

[[Category:1989 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:2003 non-fiction books]]
[[Category:Biannual magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Local interest magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 1989]]
[[Category:Magazines published in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Paranormal magazines]]