Greetings everyone, my name is Jerrod S. Smelker. I grew up in Ionia Michigan, a quaint small town smack dab in the middle of Michigan between Grand Rapids and the state capitol of Lansing. Now however I live in Grand Blanc.

Fall has always been my favorite season and Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. I have enjoyed celebrating Halloween since I was a toddler. I love and appreciate the folklore behind it, the traditions, the fun, movies, creatures and costumes…and of course, the candy! I’ve always admired and respected the classic tales of Dracula, Frankenstein and the myths and legends told by friends and family…especially real life ghost stories.

When I started writing, I never envisioned myself as a horror or scary story writer…and then, I decided to write one the fall of 2017. Once I did, I got hooked and couldn’t stop writing them. So, I thought I would put them in book form and “The Michigan Monsters & Macabre – Spooky Short Story” books were born. They are (or eventually will be) a collaboration of fictional short stories about Michigan towns dealing with hauntings, creatures, ghosts, monsters, mysteries and the macabre. All stories transpire around the best season of Fall and the holiday of Halloween. I hope to get the first one published Fall of 2018. Check out the website at SpookieStoriesMI.com

I am also a freelance writer, author and blogger and have published several magazine articles, short stories and books. I am always working on several other short stories and book projects to publish. I am the owner and blog writer for Our Michigan Travels, a website dedicated to the trips my wife and I take throughout Michigan…I do the writing, she takes the photographs. I am also the owner/operator for Last Leaf Publishing….dedicated to my writing works as well as other services.

I have always loved history, creating and writing. I enjoy fine cigars and pipes, craft beers, coffee, chocolate, Michigan road trips, the Fall season, good food, get-togethers with friends and family, writing and creating in my craft/woodshop. I currently live in Grand Blanc Michigan with my wife, kids and two cats. I can be reached at jsmelker@hotmail.com.

I am extremely excited to be a new member of the GLAHW.