I was introduced to Bigfoot through Charlie Sheen. I was living in NYC, pounding the pavement as an actor, when I read an article about Sheen going to Alaska to hunt the Otterman. “Who is the Otterman and what does Charlie want with it?” I asked myself.
A quick google search identified the Otterman as a cryptid, or a legendary animal that some people think might exist today. A deeper dive opened my eyes to the vast world of these modern-day myths, including beasts such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.
As a kid, I pored through Bullfinch’s Mythology, learning all about ancient heroes and their epic stories. Would kids today be interested in such creatures as the Chupacabra? Little did I know this question would lead to a publishing deal with Macmillan for my debut middle grade adventure, "The Cryptid Catcher," which became a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.
Before I knew it, I found myself working at The Sasquatch Outpost in Bailey where I spent my days talking with visitors about Bigfoot and even did overnight camping trips in the Rockies searching for him, night vision goggles and all. This all led to me creating a school presentation called Cryptozoology for Kids where I use the search for Bigfoot to teach kids about other life sciences. As Loren Coleman, founder of The International Cryptozoology Museum, said, “Cryptozoology is a gateway science for kids.”
I had no idea that a small article about the Otterman would lead me down the publishing path, much less searching for Bigfoot, but I’m so grateful it did. Using fantasy to teach kids about real world things, such as believing in themselves, is such a joy.
For my next book, "The Extraordinary Adventures of the Ordinary Barney Flarff," I’m turning away from Bigfoot, but still staying rooted in the middle grade fantasy adventure world, which is what I read growing up. In "Barney Flarff," I explore how there are many monsters to be afraid of, but not trusting in oneself is the scariest monster of them all.
Feel free to reach out with all of your burning Bigfoot questions! www.lijafisher.com