I tend to be very protective of my friends and fans, so I’m relieved that no one is playing [...]]]> UPDATE: All but one of the calls have been sorted out. Generally, they were related to my upcoming appearances at Tenney Gate House and other events.  People were calling about me, and the voicemail was confusing.

I tend to be very protective of my friends and fans, so I’m relieved that no one is playing a prank on them.

This was the original notice, in case there are further questions:

This week, I’ve received a couple of emails from people saying that I’d telephoned them.  In most cases, they weren’t at their desks or otherwise missed the call.

My phone number is unlisted, for privacy.

I never call anyone unless I know them in real life or I’m already working on a project with them.  And, even then, I hardly ever call people.  I’m too busy.  (Once I’m on the phone, I tend to forget about the time and spend far too long chatting.  People who know me well don’t call unless it’s really important.  They use email instead.)

So, anyone calling you as “Fiona Broome” is probably not me. And, if someone does call you claiming to be me… well, my voice is fairly recognizable from my podcasts.  Ask some tricky questions if you’re not sure.

If you suspect it’s not me, please jot down the person’s phone number (from Caller ID) and contact me (with the Contact form, linked at the top of this page).

Remember: Don’t take chances.  I won’t be offended if you’re too cautious and seem rude.

I will never call anyone and ask them for money (even for an event), or suggest meeting them in an isolated location.

I sometimes meet people for coffee, but that will always be in a very public location, and you should recognize me right away from my photos.  The picture at right was taken in August 2009 by my husband in our living room. It’s not a retouched photo.

Most of my friends and fans are cautious about odd phone calls.  However, I’m leaving this info online for those who don’t know me well, or have questions.

I’m aware of the problem, and appreciate their concerns.  I no longer work with Gavin Cromwell on any projects, and I haven’t worked with him for several months.  He and I haven’t spoken since May 2009.

My Dragon*Con bio was written almost a year ago, [...]]]> Several friends have contacted me about my Dragon*Con 2009 biography.

I’m aware of the problem, and appreciate their concerns.  I no longer work with Gavin Cromwell on any projects, and I haven’t worked with him for several months.  He and I haven’t spoken since May 2009.

My Dragon*Con bio was written almost a year ago, before I realized what a mistake it was to pursue a new career direction.  However, Dragon*Con is a massive (and wonderful!) event.  Once a bio is submitted,  it remains, as-is; that’s standard for any large event.

My Dragon*Con bio for 2010 will focus on my current books (my three newest books are being released in autumn 2009) and my co-authorship of several other books, including the upcoming sequel to “Weird Hauntings” (in the Weird USA series).

Here’s what happened:

Last summer, I met Gavin Cromwell when he toured the east coast with a group organized by Ron Kolek (of the New England Ghost Project) and featuring  “Most Haunted” psychic David Wells plus Norie Miles.  I was one of the psychics on stage at some of those events.

Dazzled by Gavin’s apparent skills as a psychic, I offered to work with him (and his manager/partner, Martin Clowes) on several projects.

Soon, I was involved in local and national events, TV shows, radio, and so on.  At the time, it seemed exciting and fun, though work in the entertainment field took me away from my research and writing projects.

By the spring of 2009, I realized that participating in some entertainment-related projects and PR could compromise my credibility as a serious paranormal researcher.

Therefore, I resigned from work on “Cromwell’s Quest” and I declined to broadcast on “Psychic Rock Radio.”   I’m not involved in any projects with Gavin Cromwell or Martin Clowes.

This wasn’t anything dramatic and it isn’t a feud.  I wish Gavin Cromwell and Martin Clowes the success they’ve earned through their work in this field.

I have not seen either of them since spring 2009. I don’t closely follow Gavin’s career… or anyone else’s.  I’m too busy catching up on my own projects.  (As I write this, I’m putting the finishing touches on my second book of the summer, and preparing to write two more books by the end of 2009.)

This has been a learning experience for me, with many fun adventures but surprising disappointments as well.

So, my Dragon*Con bio is not current, and — though I appreciate the concern of friends and fans — I hope there’s no confusion: I do not work with Gavin Cromwell or Martin Clowes, and do not plan to, in the future.

The report has been expanded to 165+ page as Fiona’s new book, “Ghost Hunting in Haunted Cemeteries: A How-to Guide,” which will be available in late September 2009.

On September 1st, this report, “Finding and Evaluating Haunted Cemeteries,”  was withdrawn and no further [...]]]> IMPORTANT: This report is no longer available.

The report has been expanded to 165+ page as Fiona’s new book, “Ghost Hunting in Haunted Cemeteries: A How-to Guide,” which will be available in late September 2009.

On September 1st, this report, “Finding and Evaluating Haunted Cemeteries,”  was withdrawn and no further copies sold.

Everyone* who purchases this report will receive, free of charge, two “sneak preview” chapters from Fiona’s next two books — plus special audio bonuses — as they’re completed.  (These bonuses will be sent to the email address you used when ordering this report.  You will need to confirm that address when the bonuses start arriving.)

*If you ordered this report prior to this announcement, don’t worry! You’ll be added to our mailing list to receive the “sneak preview” chapters and audios as they’re released. 

Look for the confirmation email in your in-box, and your bonuses, in the coming months.

—————————

Here’s the original announcement for the report:

Would you like to know exactly how a professional finds and evaluates haunted cemeteries?

• What kinds of cemeteries to investigate.
• How to find haunted cemeteries near your home.
• What to look for when you get there.
• How to tell when a cemetery is worth a second (and third) visit.

In my 25-page report, Finding and Evaluating Haunted Cemeteries, I explain how I find cemeteries in any community, and the reasons why I choose some for investigations… but ignore others.

Here’s what you’ll download immediately.

• My 25+ page illustrated report, Finding and Evaluating Haunted Cemeteries.
  (It’s a PDF that you can print or read on your own computer.)

You’ll also receive:

• The audio version of the book, read by me and recorded as an MP3, so you can listen to it on your computer, in your car or at the gym. (It’s about 30 minutes long.  A lot of people sell their audio books separately from the text.  I want you to have this information, so the audio book is included as a bonus.)
• My conversation with psychic paranormal researcher, Sean Paradis, sharing his tips for finding and exploring the “hot spots” in haunted cemeteries. (Recorded while we were investigating haunted Old North Cemetery — and the Minot Enclosure — in Concord, NH.)
• My personal worksheet for evaluating cemeteries, and an instruction sheet to help you get the most from it. You can copy this form for your own use, and share it with your team.

This report is enough to get you started with your own research, and it’ll save you a lot of time sitting around cemeteries where nothing will happen.  My researchers and I have done the trial-and-error work for you, so you can find the best locations for research, right away.

“Finding and Evaluating Haunted Cemeteries”

Customers were sent an email immediately
including the download links.

——————————————————————————————-

Questions, comments or a problem with your order?

Use the contact form, linked at the top of this page.

(Also see the full sales page.  It’s a little commercial, but it may answer your questions.)

Thanks for your interest.

Entertainers appear in the media, and/or they’re paid guests at events and at “investigations.”  Their primary standard isn’t necessarily truth.  They are there to entertain you.

If you enjoy their performances, [...]]]> In ghost hunting — and the paranormal field, in general — there are two very different approaches… and a broad overlap between them.

Entertainers appear in the media, and/or they’re paid guests at events and at “investigations.”  Their primary standard isn’t necessarily truth.  They are there to entertain you.

If you enjoy their performances, they’ve succeeded and their careers grow.  If they don’t, they fade away, reinvent themselves, or shift to another line of work.

Their primary job is to create an illusion so the audience suspends disbelief long enough to enjoy the performance, regardless of its foundation in truth.

David Blaine is one of many entertainers who appear to be working mystical feats.   He correctly describes himself as an illusionist.

Researchers conduct studies and look for breakthroughs in paranormal studies.  Their standard is integrity.

Most researchers don’t care if they entertain anyone.

They report their research in papers and reports, at websites and conferences, and in books.

Some researchers’ writing, or the tools and techniques that they develop, become far more famous than the developers’ names.

Bill Chappell is the inventor of the Ovilus and the Puck, but more people recognize the tools’ names than his.

I consider myself a researcher, not an entertainer.  I say, “Fiona Broome” and people may look confused.  I mention HollowHill.com and they suddenly recognize me.  (Frankly, I like it that my work is better known than “Fiona Broome.”)

The grey area between entertainers and paranormal researchers  is wide.

• An entertainer may have (or develop) a genuine interest or gifts in the field of paranormal research.
• An entertainer may discover that his (or her) audience expects the entertainer to be a genuine psychic or researcher.
• Researchers may appear at events or public “investigations” to lend credibility to them.  (For the record: Sometimes we’re paid; more often, we’re not.)
• A researcher on a TV show or at an event may be pressured to produce (fake) results for the audience, as if he (or she) is an entertainer.  Generally, researchers won’t fake anything.

John Zaffis is a good example of someone who works in both research and entertainment.  He’s a respected researcher and demonologist, and has been for many years before ghost hunting became popular.   He appears at events and talks about the reality of spirits and demons.  His manner of speaking is entertaining… but he’s presenting the results of genuine research.

However, “his” character in the movie, The Haunting in Connecticut, bears little resemblance to John Zaffis or the role he played in the real investigation.  (The movie represents John as a priest with an entirely different name.)

That’s an extreme example of how different entertainment and research can be.

If you want to know the true story of that incident, see A Haunting in Connecticut when it’s repeated on the Discovery Channel, or see it on DVD.

Before evaluating any event or “investigation’ that you attend, it’s important to adjust your expectations.  For the past 15+ years, I’ve said in my Guidelines for ghost hunters, ”…if someone is charging you money as if they’re providing a show… perhaps they are.”

Keep in mind that there’s a difference between a con artist and an entertainer.  In most cases, the entertainer separates his (or her) role, on stage, from what’s true in his personal life.  The lines may blur, but there’s no fraud involved.

Con artists

A very wide gap separates most con artists from researchers and entertainers.

An entertainer receives money for the performance; a con artist obtains favors and money based on promises (rarely in writing) or suggested rewards that will follow.  If the entertainer uses lies to obtain money or favors, that’s where the line blurs.

An entertainer may disappoint you with a poor performance, but that’s different from being a fraud or a con artist.

Likewise, a researcher’s results may be disproved by later studies.  That’s not a con, it’s a normal part of trial-and-error research… there will be errors!

A researcher’s integrity is his or her most valued asset.  However, if he (or she) begins to fake results for money, fame or power, he too has crossed the line into the realm of scams and cons.

The vast majority of entertainers and researchers are good, honest people.  It’s important not to use inappropriate labels when their work is merely disappointing.

For more on each of these topics, see my other articles and essays:

Scams and Con Artists

Fake! Does it matter?

Do you have a question or opinion on this subject?  Let me know in the comments form, below.

This was a tremendously successful event, even though Gavin Cromwell cancelled at the last minute.

I was delighted when I saw the huge number of people who were there to support Hilldale Cemetery, and honored to fill in for Mr. Cromwell.

The Essex County Ghost Project opened the evening with [...]]]> Follow-up report:

This was a tremendously successful event, even though Gavin Cromwell cancelled at the last minute.

I was delighted when I saw the huge number of people who were there to support Hilldale Cemetery, and honored to fill in for Mr. Cromwell.

The Essex County Ghost Project opened the evening with a great welcome and a short discussion about Hilldale Cemetery in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and its importance to the community.

After a brief workshop about ghost hunting in general, we dashed to Hilldale Cemetery, hoping to complete our investigations before the rain began.

Due to the number of participants, we split into groups for our investigations.  Deb O’Leary (of Pelham Paranormal Researchers) led one group and shared her psychic insights.  Deb has quickly become a rising star among New England psychics.

Chris Gentry also provided information using his psychic gifts.   In addition, he discovered a very personal connection to Hilldale Cemetery when he was drawn to the graves of his relatives.  Until then, he had no idea that family members had been interred there.

What made this event especially memorable were the many gifted psychics and sensitives among those who attended it.   Just a few feet from our cars, many people were already sensing energy in what looked like a field.  Then, a local historian explained that our insights were correct; we were standing in the middle of the paupers’ graves, generally unmarked.

Throughout the night, the exchange of information was fascinating.  Each psychic brought his or her unique views to the investigation, and the cooperation was tremendous.  We shared our thoughts about the energy we detected, and the result was a very cohesive picture of each “hot spot” in the Haverhill’s Hilldale Cemetery.

Light rain finally interrupted our explorations (and especially our photography), but the evening had nearly concluded anyway.  As we walked back towards our cars, we were rewarded with a unique sight:  An ice cream truck had arrived!   That was one of the best moments, ever, in my many years of ghost hunting.

We returned to our meeting place, the Sons of Italy hall in Haverhill, and swapped questions, answers and stories.

It was one of the best investigations I’ve ever been on, and the participants made all the difference.

Thanks to everyone who attended, and especially to the team of the Essex County Ghost Project, Deb O’Leary, and Chris Gentry.

The original post for the event follows.

——————————————

IMPORTANT UPDATES: Gavin Cromwell had to cancel his appearance at this event.

I’m still teaching tonight’s ghost hunting mini-workshop, and I’m replacing Gavin at the investigation in Hilldale Cemetery.

Also, all proceeds from this event are going directly to the Hilldale Cemetery fund.  I’m donating my time and waiving travel expenses to support this worthy cause.

Here’s the previous announcement, before Gavin had to cancel:

We’re going back to Hilldale Cemetery for a more in-depth investigation!  Join me when I return to Haverhill with the Essex County Ghost Project, Pelham Paranormal Research, and Gavin Cromwell.

We’ll start at 6:00 p.m. with a meal at the Sons of Italy Hall in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Then, we’ll hear about Hilldale cemetery and the plans for its future.

After that, I’ll teach a brief workshop about ghost hunting.

Next, it’s time for the evening’s main event:  An investigation at Hilldale cemetery with Gavin Cromwell, the Essex County Ghost Project, Pelham Paranormal Research… and me, of course.

Tickets are just $20.

One of several links to this article:

A Very Grave Blog

This is the same site featured in one of this season’s episodes of Ghost Hunters, and we’re [...]]]> Friday, April 25th: Join members of the Ghost Hunters International team with John Zaffis,  Fiona Broome  (HollowHill.com), Gavin Cromwell, and others, as we explore the legendary haunted home of author Edith Wharton in Lenox, Massachusetts.

This is the same site featured in one of this season’s episodes of Ghost Hunters, and we’re expecting it to be very active.

This event begins at 7 p.m. and continues until 2. a.m.

For tickets, contact Ideal Event Management.

Here’s what she said afterwards:

This was a great show with a wonderful staff and interesting questions.

Before the show, I was nervous about the potential for arguments, since the other guest and I seemed polar [...]]]> On Wednesday evening, April 8th at 10 p.m. GMT, Hollow Hill’s Fiona Broome was on IPI Radio.

Here’s what she said afterwards:

This was a great show with a wonderful staff and interesting questions.

Before the show, I was nervous about the potential for arguments, since the other guest and I seemed polar opposites in many ways.

Instead, this was a fun show and a conversation that I wish we’d had over dinner or drinks.  It could have continued for many entertaining hours.

You can listen to the show at the IPI archives.  We’ll post the link here, later, or you can check the IPI site — linked above — for more information.

Marla’s show is on Para-X radio.  Tune in at 9 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, May 8th, for a fascinating discussion!

Stirring the Cauldron, with [...]]]> On May 8th, join radio host Marla Brooks when Fiona Broome (HollowHill.com) is her guest.  We’ll talk about ghost hunting and the paranormal world.

Marla’s show is on Para-X radio.  Tune in at 9 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, May 8th, for a fascinating discussion!

Stirring the Cauldron, with Marla Brooks :: Para-X Radio

Fiona’s follow-up:  I had a great time talking with Mark and Barbara, and it was wonderful to be joined by Tom Lynch of  the Essex County Ghost Project.

From the controversial topic of provoking ghosts, to whether an angry spirit can be dangerous, to intriguing new research tools, the discussions spanned many [...]]]>

Fiona’s follow-up:  I had a great time talking with Mark and Barbara, and it was wonderful to be joined by Tom Lynch of  the Essex County Ghost Project.

From the controversial topic of provoking ghosts, to whether an angry spirit can be dangerous, to intriguing new research tools, the discussions spanned many fields.  Next week, I’ll start writing and podcasting about several of them.

Tonight (Friday, March 27th), I’ll be researching in Haverhill’s haunted cemeteries.  Then, I’m packing my painting easel for a (mostly) relaxing weekend in the White Mountains… at a hotel with a haunted reputation.  I may also check a few sites mentioned it Haunted Hikes of NH. (I really like that book.)

Yes, I will be taking my ghost hunting tools with me.  If I find any unexplained and paranormal phenomena, I’ll report it here.

Here’s the original announcement of the March 26th show:

March 26th – Join Fiona Broome on Mark Nelson’s radio show, Positively Psychic on Para-X Radio.  Fiona will be Mark’s guest on Thursday night, March 26 at 10 p.m.   (Eastern Time).  Fiona and Mark will discuss many topics, including how Fiona  combines history, science and intuition to discover haunted and  fae locations.

Learn to use your psychic gifts for paranormal explorations, too!