A Hairy Encounter Easter Egg

Congratulations!

You have found a secret page where very few readers actually have access. You see, you most likely have found this page by using a copy of the book with a unique QR code. A book that was placed personally in a Little Free Library, by me, A.B. Queen. 

Now, I’m not saying it’s a big deal that I placed it there, after all, I’m not a well-known author and most certainly don’t have that big of an ego. I mean, I am an author, I have a little bit of an ego, but not big enough to think it’s a big deal you found a copy of my book. I’m getting off track. What I am trying to say is that I have always wanted to give back to the communities in unique and more inspiring ways. One day I was brainstorming how to achieve this when I walked by a Little Free Library. I thought to myself, “What if I place my books in random Free Little Libraries around the country?”. So I committed to doing just that. 

But then I thought about other ways I could make it a more unique experience for you, the reader. That’s when I decided to take my love for pop culture Easter eggs and place one inside these unique copies of the book. 

Below you will find out more information on A Hairy Encounter. Items that inspired me, more information on the characters, and maybe a few other items here and there. 

So, I hope you enjoy/ed A Hairy Encounter. I appreciate you, and giving an author, such as me, a chance and the time of your day. 

Inspiration

A old closed coal mine entrance.

I recently found out that this coal mine just off of a hiking trail near me. Now, this isn’t the actual coal mine that inspired the one in the story. It did however, help keep the vision alive.

The center of a corn maze in the Midwest.

This is just one of many corn mazes I have visited in my life. Not one in the center of a downtown, but one that my family visits every year. 

Creation of A Hairy Encounter

While A Harry Encounter is the second published book in the series, it is actually the third or fourth book that has been started and or written in The Curiosity Collection. I started this book in October 2022 and got the first draft completed by end of November 2022. While I planned on having this book published by summer of 2023, some other items in life needed my attention and A Harry Encounter was pushed back. However, In February 2024, I picked the book back up and ended up going through nine revisions in two months before sending it off to my editor. 

Much of this story was influenced by classic black and white werewolf movies, my childhood routines and interests, some activities I have as an adult and a small town I lived in for a few years. A town where I still have family members living. 

The Corn Maze 

The corn maze in the story is influenced by real corn mazes in the Midwest. Each year, my family and I all get together for a “Fall Day”. This is pretty much what it sounds like. A day to celebrate fall and fall like festivities. The location often changes, but the activities are pretty consistent. Pumpkin carving, a craft project, apple cider, apple orchards, outdoor activities, all followed by a corn maze. 

In A Hairy Encounter, you may remember the maze being located in the center of town. While I have yet to find a maze in the center of town, there are a few towns in the Midwest where a corn field still occupies the center of downtown. Blending these two together felt like a fun and unique idea to give the town some charm. 

The Coal Mine

When I was growing up, there were always rumors of abandoned mines and caves in the woods on the outskirts of town. Whether this was true or actually spooky stories intended to scare us kids is a different story. However, later in my years I have found, discovered, and read about old mines that were abandoned and lost deep into the woods. The entrance of the coal mine pictured above is within a state park and takes about a 20-30 min hike to reach. 

In the town where my family still lives, there are also old iron mines deep in the woods that are abandoned. I didn’t know about these until I went to a local museum and read up on the history. Apparently much of the town forgot about the old mines and many of the roads to get there were closed and or restricted. 

This really made me think about how mine shafts and entrances have been forgotten through the states. The lost history and culture of mining and how important it was for small towns to survive long ago. 

Quick Rentals

Quick rentals is a nod to the amazing life and time of movie rental stores long before streaming services and digital movies. These stores had a critical significance and impact to my youth and development as a human. Each week we would head to the nearest rental store (Usually Blockbuster) and pick out a movie or two. On special weeks, we would even be allowed to find a video game to rent. 

Movie rental stores became more influential when my Dad began to work part time at a Blockbuster in the evenings. This allowed our family some extra perks and freebies. I believe at that point, Blockbuster employees were allowed to rent five movies a week for free! Plus, we often got expired candy, popcorn, and sodas. I even received an old Playstation at one point. 

I wanted to share the tradition of Movie Rental stores and the joy it brought along with the traditions and love for movies it created. Even if we no longer have movie rental stores, having a routine, a family tradition, and memories is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. 

What’s Next

Well, I currently have about three to four other novels in The Curiosity Collection in the works and will be aiming to release four novels in the series throughout 2024. After that, I will continue to aim and release four novels a year, all housed in The Curiosity Collection series.

As I continue to write and release these novels, I will continue to spread them throughout the Little Free Libraries for all to enjoy. It may not be the same library you found this one in, then again, it may. It all depends on where I am at and if I spot one. 

The next book should be coming out in August/September 2024 (if all goes to plan). It will either be a magic themed story, or a sci-fi themed story.

Fun Facts

  • This is Agent Abe’s first appearance, but won’t be his last. A series is coming out revolved around him and his adventures in O.D.D.
  • The original name for the twins was Lowell and Lyell, but I changed it in draft two as they were too similar and were becoming interchangeable. 
  • Donny was originally supposed to have some magical and mysterious capabilities, but didn’t work as well for the end story and brought some confusion. 
  • The Fall Festival is a nod to many festivals I have been to in the Midwest as well as The Harvest Fest in the show Parks and Rec.