Archival Submissions: OPEN

The interesting thing about the paranormal is that it is expansive, especially through the lens of marginalization. Do not worry if the material isn’t paranormal in nature; if it’s relevant, it’s relevant. 

Paranormal Investigators - Case Files:

Case files are groups of materials (digital and/or physical) attributed to only one event or series of related events. Consider donating your case files, or a copy of your case files, and any relevant or unique materials associated with the case. 

If there is relevant material to your story or case file that isn’t authored by you, please either send the copy, link or a reference to the material so that Lou can include it or annotate it with your materials and make sure to credit the author/creator. 

Paranormal Content Creators - Faves:

If you’re a paranormal content creator, artist, author, or something of the sort–consider donating some of your favorite content, produced works, or exclusive investigation materials (like unedited footage). This might look like your book or manuscript, your blog articles of haunted locations in your state, video files from your recent investigation, spooky zines, podcast episode audio files, etc. If you want to special print your photos, artwork, etc., please see the special printing section for details.

Donating this type of material will allow those who research through the archives exclusive access to relevant paranormal materials created by those who are in the field and/or especially knowledgeable on a paranormal subject. Researchers of the archive will not be able to use archival materials for reproduction until there is internal policy on the matter, which will be established upon opening for research.

Anonymity:

If you would like to remain anonymous with your submission, you may, but please provide the itemized list via email so that Lou can expect what you are sending. Lou will not receive harmful or toxic items! 

Cursed Items:

Please inform and note if a material is labeled as “cursed” so that Skyler Louise can decide whether to take in the item and prepare to store the item as safely as possible. Please inform Lou of the nature of the curse in as much specificity as possible. Lou will not receive harmful or toxic items!

What to contribute:

• books

• diaries, correspondence, travel logs

• biographies, autobiographies, manuscripts

• interviews, speeches, oral histories

• government documents, statistical data, research reports

• a journal article reporting new research or findings

• creative art works, literature, music scores

• newspaper advertisements, reportage, editorial/opinion pieces

• journal articles that comment on or analyze research

• dictionaries, encyclopedias

• political commentary

• dissertations

• newspaper editorial/opinion pieces

• criticism of literature, art works or music

• artifacts, tarot cards

• ephemera

• maps

• photos

• digital files, photos, videos, etc.

Archival submissions will be sorted by paranormal category: 

• Paranormal x Queer Survey Submissions

• Ghost Stories

• UFOs, Extraterrestrials & Abductions

• Cryptozoology & Monsters

• Magic, Ritual & Witchcraft

• Parapsychology

• Tools & Devices

• Spiritualism Movement (1840s-1920s)

• Spirit Communication & Mediumship

• Haunted or Cursed Artifacts

• Tarot, Astrology, Fortune Telling, Seers, Psychics, & Prophecies 

• Major World Religions 

• Culturally-Specific Practices & Multicultural Views of Spirituality Outside the U.S.

• Hoaxes, Conspiracy Theories & Confirmed Conspiracies

• Paranormal Investigations by Paranormal Investigators

• Paranormal in Hollywood

• Paranormal Crime

• Cults

• Rare Paranormal and Supernatural Materials

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Digital Files: 

The archive will store digital and physical materials. Digital materials will not be uploaded to a hosting site; instead, they will be stored on flash drives or hard drives and filed accordingly. Organize the files as you would like but they may be subject to reorganization upon submission. You may also send files via Drive or Dropbox if there is not too much being sent over.

Itemizing:

Please provide an itemized list of your materials so that Lou can check to make sure that nothing was lost in the shipment. Provide as much detail as you can in the list. This can be emailed to Lou upon shipment and/or shipped with the materials. Lou will still receive materials that are not itemized.

Flash Drives or Hard Drives:

If you have digital content important to your submission, please include it on a flash drive or send it through Drive/Dropbox and consider donating a storage drive so that the archive can store printed and digital copies of your story or case file.

Special Printing:

You may need special printing for:

• Digital artwork

• Photos

• Document copies outside the dimensions of 8.5”x11” copy paper, etc.

Arrange for special printing with Lou. They may have extra e-gift cards for special printing through donations to award to folks who may not be able to afford their own special printing. You can have the prints shipped directly to Lou or ship them after you’ve reviewed and/or signatured the print yourself.

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Submission Steps:

1. Think about what you want to submit. Fill out the google form and subscribe to the newsletter. Lou will respond to your form submission within one week to discuss your submission timeline.

2. Organize your submission within the discussed timeline. Create an itemized list of your materials. Name and date everything possible. Use a storage drive when applicable. Use special printing when applicable.

3. Email Lou when you are ready to ship your materials. They will send you their shipping information. Send Lou tracking if possible. Lou will email you to confirm that the shipment has been delivered or picked up.

4. Keep in contact with Lou to submit again and to learn more about when the archives will be open for research. The best way to stay informed is by subscribing to this newsletter. Then, send the archival or survey info page links to those you know who might be interested in participating, too.

5. Consider making a donation, especially if you are donating items that will take up a lot of space or feel inspired to help those with financial barriers to special printing and storing their materials. Find donation needs in The Ultimate Guide.

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