About

I grew up amidst the bleak, rugged yet stirring landscape of northern England, before moving down to the darkest depths of M R James country. I now dedicate what little free time I have to reading and writing the ‘Tales of Mystery and the Supernatural’ to which this site is dedicated.

127 Responses to “About”

  1. talkzcheap September 18, 2011 at 5:03 am #

    I love your blog. You have some pretty interesting things on here. Thank you for sharing.

    Tiffany

    Reply
  2. Mona September 21, 2011 at 8:04 pm #

    The world of wordpress brings so many interesting people onto the same page through tags and categories. Who knew that “horror” would connect our writing. But I am glad to have found your page. I am actually British and lived in Oxford for a year of graduate school…St. Anne’s. And I love mysteries set in England … big PD James and Reginald Hill fan. So I look forward to exploring your writing and recommendations.

    Reply
    • anilbalan September 21, 2011 at 9:02 pm #

      Thanks, lovely to hear from you

      Reply
  3. youngamericanwisdom.com September 21, 2011 at 8:51 pm #

    Cool blog! I’m so glad you found my blog because now I get to enjoy yours.

    Reply
  4. clinock September 27, 2011 at 5:27 am #

    So glad you liked ‘Rising’ at Art Rat Cafe – (perhaps because of the ghostlike figure in my drawing)! I have enjoyed exploring your blog and wish you luck in your writing. I read the sample – great, except for the rather stereotyped image of the North American tourist, especially Canadian – I am one:) I grew up in England’s West Country surrounded by ghost stories and have remained a fan of all things paranormal so thank you for your blog’s focus and I will click your ‘Follow ‘button.

    Reply
    • anilbalan September 27, 2011 at 8:42 am #

      Thanks, much appreciated!

      Reply
  5. Diane September 27, 2011 at 1:23 pm #

    Wow! Impressive blog Anil and your book is definitely one I would love to read.

    Is there any other way one can purchase a copy, other than through Amazon? We had an account with them and actually own a kindle, but then started getting money drawn from our credit card for no reason and with no explanations from Amazon, so we have canceled our account with them.

    Reply
  6. anilbalan September 27, 2011 at 2:40 pm #

    Unfortunately not at the moment but the paperback and e-pub editions should be published in a couple of months and be available more generally so watch this space!

    Reply
  7. mheretowrite September 29, 2011 at 1:55 pm #

    Nice blog! I like your writing and the topics. I’m subscribing. Looking forward to reading more of your blogs.

    Reply
  8. mheretowrite September 29, 2011 at 4:33 pm #

    I nominated you for Versatile Blogger Award 🙂

    Reply
  9. robinofrockridge October 7, 2011 at 10:06 pm #

    Howdy anilbalin. Thanks for the “like” and subscribing to my blog.
    You might also keep an eye out for my friend Billie Settles’s ghost novel set in Napa, County, California. I hope she has it out soon!

    Reply
    • anilbalan October 8, 2011 at 7:10 am #

      Thanks, like your blog too 🙂

      Reply
  10. Alan Cook. October 15, 2011 at 1:34 pm #

    Hi there anilbalan,
    Thanks for clicking my subscribe button.
    I also write and draw a sinister comic strip which may also interest you.
    It’s right here: http://www.alcooksnecropolis.wordpress.com

    Thanks again,
    Al Cook.
    Glasgow, Scotland.

    Reply
  11. jdc-witherton October 15, 2011 at 6:01 pm #

    Thanks for visiting my little blog mate, as you can tell I am quite the horror and macabre fanatic so I thought would visit you and looks like we have a few interest in common. Looking forward to hearing more from you mate. http://www.jdcwitherton.com

    Thanks Again,

    witherton

    Reply
  12. Cowboy October 17, 2011 at 10:38 pm #

    Howdy Anil –

    Wanted to stop by and thank you for subscribing to my blog. I’ve yet to read your blog but I have a feeling I’ll enjoy it. 🙂

    Take care

    Reply
  13. beaufortninja October 25, 2011 at 1:57 pm #

    I’ve decided to do a week of nothing but ghosts/monsters to celebrate Halloween. I might have some stuff you’re interested in. I love writing about paranormal stuff but it’s kind of hard to tie in bigfoot or poltergeists with presidential election news.

    Reply
  14. thesweetkitten October 30, 2011 at 8:18 am #

    Hello!
    First of all, thanks for stopping at my blog: http://365yummy.wordpress.com. I decided to have a look at your blog too and I am so impressed that I subscribed to it. This is really very interesting! And by the way, if you like traveling, have a look at my other blog: http://cosytravels.wordpress.com 🙂 Greetings from a sunny Belgium!

    Reply
  15. anilbalan October 30, 2011 at 8:29 am #

    Thanks, I found both your blogs very interesting reading too!

    Reply
  16. Donna C. Terrell November 3, 2011 at 5:10 pm #

    Hi! Thanks for subscribing to my blog! Now here’s the thing—I started reading your story about Mortenson Mansion–forgive me for not writing the title. I’m hurriedly writing this because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED???!!! Is this not finished? Are you going to finish it? IT’S FANTASTIC, but what is going on???? I am in such suspense!

    Reply
  17. anilbalan November 3, 2011 at 8:25 pm #

    Thanks, yes it’s finished and by popular demand I will be posting it soon 🙂

    Stay tuned!

    Reply
  18. julesjustwrite November 5, 2011 at 12:33 am #

    Very cool blog. Signing up. Look forward to reading more.

    Reply
    • anilbalan November 6, 2011 at 4:19 pm #

      Thanks, you’re too kind 🙂

      Reply
  19. Ximera Grey November 6, 2011 at 1:54 pm #

    Hi! You liked my “personal ghost story” on my blog, and so I came here to check out yours. I love, love, love it! I’ll definitely be following you. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
  20. poemsandponderings November 10, 2011 at 3:23 pm #

    Thank you so much for your “like” hit, and more importantly your subscription. I hope you enjoy what I “throw against the wall.” There should be something for everyone here, eventually… Thanks again,
    Jake.

    Reply
  21. bernhardreicher November 12, 2011 at 2:28 pm #

    Hi Anil, thank you so much for hitting the “Like”-Button on my blog. I’m deeply interested in folk stories, mythology and so on — and I love the Green Man, on whom you’ve written a great article :-)! Currently I’m developing a whole universe based on a secret organization fighting paranormal threats located in Graz, Austria. That’s what my blog is about. The pilot movie (that will have subtitles in English, too 😉 ) is due to be released in January 2012. Have a good, spooky time!
    Bernhard

    Reply
    • anilbalan December 2, 2011 at 8:10 am #

      Sounds good, will check it out!

      Reply
  22. Joanna M. Weston November 17, 2011 at 6:43 pm #

    I’m glad you liked my ‘We walk together’ and are now a subscriber to my blog. I don’t always write ghostly or weird poems but the supernatural has always been an interest, so I guess I write about it often enough. I like your blog too, lots of interesting material.

    Joanna

    Reply
  23. raspberry91 November 21, 2011 at 1:40 am #

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! I look forward to reading more of your posts. They’re terribly, gruesomely, wonderfully interesting.

    Cassie.

    Reply
  24. Lily-Elaine Hawk Wakawaka November 24, 2011 at 8:10 am #

    Ah! Glad to find you here. I appreciate you following my blogs, and am happy to have discovered yours as a result. Look forward to seeing more of your work! Cheers!

    Elaine

    Reply
  25. meenas17 November 30, 2011 at 11:16 am #

    Thanks Anil for subscribing to my blog.I went through your posts at random.They ,at the very first shot seem interesting. I will read them carefully and revert.
    Keep in touch.
    Meena.

    Reply
  26. schannepj November 30, 2011 at 6:22 pm #

    Thanks for subscribing, Anil! You’ve got a lot of material here on your site, and I’m looking forward to taking some time to explore. In the meantime, I’m now following you on Twitter!

    Reply
  27. ithinkisawsomething December 5, 2011 at 1:27 pm #

    Thanks for the “like”, Anil

    Reply
  28. wildinjapan December 5, 2011 at 8:41 pm #

    Thanks for liking my post “Mujina and Mami – the Myth and the Mammals”.
    I love a good tale, but I’m almost as interested in the history and folklore behind it. Good luck with your blog – although I doubt you need any luck!

    Reply
  29. mpwnewsphilly December 6, 2011 at 6:03 pm #

    this is great, the supernatural has always intrigued me. i will go back again and again as iI do more reading. thanks for posting your blog.

    Reply
    • anilbalan December 6, 2011 at 6:33 pm #

      Thanks, you’re very welcome 🙂

      Reply
  30. 2bacting December 8, 2011 at 10:45 am #

    Very interesting stuff. Good work. Thanks for the like!

    Reply
    • anilbalan December 8, 2011 at 11:02 am #

      Thanks, much obliged!

      Reply
      • Gretchen O'Donnell December 8, 2011 at 1:09 pm #

        There’s something fascinating to everyone, I think, about ghost stories and the supernatural. We like to get goosebumps, even if we don’t think we believe! I look forward to reading more of your posts. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

  31. sweagraff December 8, 2011 at 2:00 pm #

    Thanks so much for visiting yesterday. I am a new author and am just getting started (first book just went up on Amazon).

    I enjoyed your post on the history of witchcraft (a subject most important to me). Will keep stopping by. Thanks again.

    Steve

    Reply
    • anilbalan December 8, 2011 at 5:52 pm #

      Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
  32. fantasyfurnace December 9, 2011 at 2:35 pm #

    Clearly we both write about two different types of fantasy. Yours has always been a favorite of mine and I will just make the assumption that Sports is another interest of yours. Hope you enjoy our posts and will be a regular visitor as I will be of Ghost Cities. Perhaps we should change our name from fantasyfurnace to fantasycauldron…

    Thanks again!

    Reply
  33. twinklysparkles December 10, 2011 at 11:32 pm #

    Thanks for stopping by and subscribing to my blog. I am looking around at your posts. Very interesting content….I especially like the post about November and want to read it again.

    Reply
    • anilbalan December 11, 2011 at 5:21 pm #

      Thanks, good to hear from you

      Reply
  34. muchmorewherethatcamefrom December 15, 2011 at 5:25 pm #

    Thanks for following my blog. I’ve enjoyed exploring yours and have especially enjoyed the first excerpt I read of your writing. Great job!

    Reply
  35. lawrenceez December 21, 2011 at 2:13 pm #

    Hi Anilbalan,

    Very interesting looking site. I also grew up in the north of England (Lancashire area) and it figures a lot in my writing. Also grew up hearing about the Pendle trials from several centuries back. All the best with your writing,

    Lawrence

    Reply
    • anilbalan December 22, 2011 at 1:21 pm #

      Greetings, all the best to you too 🙂

      Reply
  36. mrmarymuthafuckingpoppins December 23, 2011 at 8:46 am #

    I like this site its something new and different. I will be checking it out in the days to come. From across the pond
    -Dave

    Reply
  37. equallyoked December 23, 2011 at 8:51 am #

    Thank you for visiting my blog! Have yet to enjoy England, but have always wanted to…

    Reply
    • anilbalan December 23, 2011 at 4:18 pm #

      It’s well worth a visit 🙂

      Reply
  38. Caddo Veil December 26, 2011 at 5:50 pm #

    Thank you for visiting my blog recently–I’m hoping to get back over here, as I have more time after the New Year. God bless you richly!!

    Reply
  39. tmeternal January 24, 2012 at 12:48 pm #

    Thank you for visiting my blog, I am so happy that I now know your blogs are on here! I love them. Such an interesting bio, what is it like in East Anglia?
    ~Hugs,
    Tara

    Reply
    • anilbalan January 24, 2012 at 2:37 pm #

      Thanks, not many hills, lots of churches and plenty of pleasant countryside 🙂

      Reply
  40. wghutch February 5, 2012 at 11:41 pm #

    Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog and for the like. I found your blog a very interesting and informative read.

    Reply
    • anilbalan February 8, 2012 at 10:40 am #

      Thanks for the follow 🙂

      Reply
  41. Stephanie Saulter February 8, 2012 at 9:55 am #

    Hi there, I stopped by to thank you for liking my post and following my blog … and have now done the same here! Your writing is clear and evocative, I’m looking forward to reading more of it.

    Reply
    • anilbalan February 8, 2012 at 10:40 am #

      Thanks, hope you find plenty of things you like on here

      Reply
  42. wendystrohm February 25, 2012 at 9:04 am #

    Thank you so much for liking my poem Halloween. I love your blog – really interesting.
    All the best

    Reply
  43. Stephen Boyer February 29, 2012 at 6:46 pm #

    Great website! Glad you liked my video and I found it! Cheers!

    Reply
  44. willowdot21 March 11, 2012 at 1:39 pm #

    Hello and thank you visiting and following my blog I shall have some looking around yours! Your introduction has wetted my appetite!! Good to meet you Be well and happy!

    Reply
    • anilbalan March 11, 2012 at 4:50 pm #

      Hope you find plenty you like on here!

      Reply
  45. Buster the Administrator March 11, 2012 at 3:09 pm #

    Thanks for following Anti-Film School! Your website was a pleasant surprise for someone who is very interested in the supernatural and did a bit of amateur ghost hunting in high school and college. Very, very awesome website! Consider me a fan!

    -Steve
    Anti-Film School

    Reply
    • anilbalan March 11, 2012 at 4:51 pm #

      You can consider me a fan too – love your work!

      Reply
  46. artbystacibrown March 25, 2012 at 5:46 pm #

    Now I see why you were attracted to my blog! 😀 The GHOSTS! 😀 thank you for subscribing to my blog! I hope you enjoy watching the ghosts/spirits as they manifest themselves into many of my abstract paintings! 😀

    Reply
  47. John April 8, 2012 at 1:45 pm #

    Thank you for clicking my About button! Nice reading here. 🙂

    Reply
  48. reesa April 22, 2012 at 1:45 pm #

    Thanks for stopping by the blog. Yours is very interesting. I can imagine how East Anglia could inspire a lot of ghostly imaginings.

    Reply
    • anilbalan April 22, 2012 at 7:07 pm #

      Yes, it’s M R James country, after all!

      Reply
  49. ksgarvin April 22, 2012 at 7:48 pm #

    Nice blog. I’m going to have to spend some time reading! 🙂 I see you are in East Anglia. My mother was from Great Yarmouth and I’m planning a trip for next year. Any good “haunts” to recommend?

    Reply
    • anilbalan April 22, 2012 at 8:11 pm #

      There’s the Gog Magog Hills – the haunt of witches and giants in ages past, so they say 😉

      Reply
  50. easyondeyes April 27, 2012 at 12:24 pm #

    Thank you for stopping by and following us. You have an interesting blog. Best wishes for your current and forthcoming books! Happy reading and writing 😀

    Reply
    • anilbalan April 28, 2012 at 9:41 am #

      Much appreciated, you too 🙂

      Reply
  51. lostupabove May 7, 2012 at 10:32 am #

    Thank you for following my blog.

    Reply
  52. phreedomphan May 13, 2012 at 6:50 pm #

    My wife is from Sunderland. Her sister still lives there in a house she thinks is haunted. Wouldn’t surprise me. Now, whenever I misplace something, I blame it on the Poltergeist that stowed away in my wife’s luggage when she returned from a visit. To be honest, many of those cases can be attributed to my fading memory, but some are really strange.

    Reply
  53. Scribblerbean May 27, 2012 at 11:58 am #

    I adore a good ghost story, and where you live has some brilliant ones. Thank you for stopping by my blog. I look forward to reading yours!

    Reply
  54. IntrovertedAnalyst June 5, 2012 at 8:55 pm #

    Hey there! I just wanted to let you know that I’ve awarded you the Versatile Blogger award, to do with as you please. http://maggieflynn49.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/some-belated-blogging-awards-goodreads-and-camp-nanowrimo/
    Keep up the good work here!

    Reply
  55. LA Edwards June 11, 2012 at 6:09 am #

    We have nominated you for the Sunshine Award. Please see our June 10, post for details. Cheers!

    Reply
  56. Christine. June 24, 2012 at 9:49 pm #

    Hi. I have nominated you for a beautiful blogger award. Go to http://baarmychris.wordpress.com/ to see what you have to do now. Love your blog. 🙂

    Reply
    • anilbalan July 22, 2012 at 10:20 pm #

      Thanks, I feel really privileged 🙂

      Reply
  57. MikesFilmTalk July 1, 2012 at 2:34 pm #

    I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award. Check out my latest post ‘Really, It’s an Honour To Be Nominated… Which will be up in a moment.

    Reply
    • anilbalan July 22, 2012 at 10:20 pm #

      That’s really great, thanks so much!

      Reply
  58. Paul J. Stam July 15, 2012 at 1:25 pm #

    So glad you liked “Where Ancients Walked” on Paper, Mud and Me, Anil. And thank you so much for following. I am doing the same with you. Having “sampled” many of your post, I am looking forward to having the time to delve more deeply into you writing.

    Reply
    • anilbalan July 22, 2012 at 10:21 pm #

      Thanks, I’m looking forward to reading more of yours too!

      Reply
  59. Hermionejh July 21, 2012 at 6:43 pm #

    Hi! I nominated you for the One Awesome Blog Award (updated by me from One Lovely Blog Award). Cheers! Jerri

    Reply
  60. ChiChi Artworks August 6, 2012 at 5:27 pm #

    What a crazy cool blog! Thanks for following mine! 🙂

    Reply
  61. mrgoshtythingguy September 4, 2012 at 10:52 pm #

    how do i post!? i know alot about greek mythology, and i thought that would be a good idea for this site.

    Reply
  62. beeseeker October 21, 2012 at 1:17 pm #

    guess you will already have read the M.R. James stuff then – “A Warning for the Curious” (?). Thanks for visiting “muck, line and thinker” (a blog more about my allotment than my other blog, beeseeker. Cheers.

    Reply
  63. jennifer November 5, 2012 at 3:05 am #

    I am just a lifelong lover of ghost stories, especially the ghosts of classic literature – but some of the newer stuff too. I have been looking for a blog that had a lot of focus on those types of stories, it seems most blogs that deal with the supernatural are geared more towards modern horror lovers, or are solely ghost stories sent in by readers, you know, their personal experiences.

    I was hoping to be able to discuss some of my favorite stories, learn about some new ones, and meet some like-minded people. I haven’t had a chance yet to look over everything here, but so far it looks pretty good!

    Reply
    • anilbalan November 5, 2012 at 8:13 am #

      Thanks, look forward to hearing more from you!

      Reply
  64. jhobellkristyl November 11, 2012 at 8:03 pm #

    Hello there. Thanks for following my blog, BOOK MAVEN’S PICKS. I followed you back. Great blog! Take care.

    Best,
    Jhobell Kristyl

    Reply
  65. windhound December 21, 2012 at 8:46 am #

    This is a wonderful collection of writings which I will explore in more depth over the coming weeks. Thank you for finding and following dragonshades.

    Reply
  66. Deborah DeLong December 23, 2012 at 6:33 pm #

    I am, literally, haunted by the Victorians!! Thanks for making me feel like I’m not alone. 🙂

    Deb

    Reply
  67. Mercy Desdemona February 10, 2013 at 11:53 pm #

    Thank you for the follow and liking “Spirit Stories”.

    Reply
  68. mawsley February 12, 2013 at 6:51 pm #

    Nice work, you can’t beat a scary tale.

    Reply
  69. elisegainer February 25, 2013 at 1:20 am #

    Thank you so much for reading my blog and following. I look forward to exploring your postings here, and when I get my link page up, I’ll be sure to recommend you! I love ghost stories – duh, and can’t wait to read the ones you have here. Plus I love England.

    Reply
  70. bluemoondreamer March 22, 2013 at 3:08 pm #

    Thanks for the like and follow; I really appreciate it! 🙂

    Reply
  71. katmcdaniel July 9, 2013 at 3:31 pm #

    Hi anilbalan! I’ve given you the Very Inspiring Blogger Award because your blog is fascinating and exciting to read. Great research, great writing! Consider this a big thank you and pay it forward to someone who has been an inspiration to you. If you aren’t into this sort of thing, then just know that someone out here admires your work.

    The Very Inspiring Blogger and One Lovely Blog Awards

    Yours,
    kat at synkroniciti

    Reply
  72. thecreativecortex October 19, 2013 at 8:22 pm #

    Just found your blog, it looks really interesting 🙂 Looking forwards to reading through your posts!

    Reply
  73. michelle April 12, 2014 at 10:40 pm #

    are you your own publisher?

    Reply
    • anilbalan April 13, 2014 at 9:35 am #

      Hi, details of my published short stories and publishers can be found on the right hand side of this blog page, towards the top.

      Reply
  74. zej96 June 23, 2014 at 12:36 pm #

    I am glad to stumble across your blog site! 🙂
    You’re an incredible writer, keep up! 🙂

    Reply
  75. Scurrilous Dude January 7, 2017 at 5:13 pm #

    I have been perusing the site and find it most interesting.

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. A Very Special Tabhartas (tribute)… « Kate Wood's Blog - December 22, 2011

    […] Anil Balan ~ Ghost Cities, Tales of Mystery and the Supernatural. Anil posts on everything from media reviews, true stories, and tall tales to urban legends and history. Again, one of the very few blogs I follow where I eat up everything dished out. Slàinte to you Anil ~ Many blessings to you in 2012. […]
  2. I’m Versatile! | S. J. Paige - February 10, 2014

    […] https://anilbalan.com/about/    <—– Blog posts about ghost cities and everything ghostly related! Boo! […]
  3. One Lovely Blog Award | S. J. Paige - November 5, 2014

    […] Ghost Cities — This blog is after my heart–tales of mystery, the supernatural, etc. Also, Oxford is such a beautiful place. […]
  4. A Very Special Tabhartas (tribute)… | Kate Wood - July 14, 2015

    […] Anil Balan ~ Ghost Cities, Tales of Mystery and the Supernatural. Anil posts on everything from media reviews, true stories, and tall tales to urban legends and history. Again, one of the very few blogs I follow where I eat up everything dished out. Slàinte to you Anil ~ Many blessings to you in 2012. […]

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