Cryptofiction

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Cryptofiction is the name given to stories based on cryptozoology, the study of hidden animals. Also known as cryptids, these undiscovered or unconfirmed species are those considered out of place or time. In other words, either an unknown animal rumored to exist, or a known animal thought to exist where not expected. A dinosaur living in this day and age would be an example of the former, and a big cat in the British Isles would be representative of the other.

Cryptofiction draws upon its subject matter by combining elements of Native legend, historical records and eyewitness accounts concerning a continuing mythical or legendary creature. Drawing the line at dragons and unicorns, as well as other fanciful creatures, this genre of literature seeks to offer possible explanations as to how such an animal might exist. Whether an ice age survivor previously thought to be extinct, or a wholly new species for which no hard evidence has ever been presented, these animals are the subject matter for a growing number of books and films.

Primarily dealing with the likes of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, any creature for which there is enough evidence to warrant study by cryptozoologists may serve as the basis for such entertainment. Originally coined by Craig Heinselman in 1998 as a means of categorizing the type of fiction for which its unusual subject matter may best be grouped, cryptofiction has an archivist in Chad Arment. Although this fairly recent genre includes a growing list of authors and movie makers, there have been many such tales written over the years. This includes works by Jules Verne ("The Mysterious Island"), Arthur Conan Doyle ("The Lost World"), and Edgar Rice Burroughs ("The Land That Time Forgot"), to modern authors such as Michael Crichton ("Jurassic Park") and Steve Alten (The "Meg" series and "The Loch").

Cryptofiction generally seeks to enlighten and educate, as well as entertain. Some novels require a great deal of research into their subject matter and the locale which serves as the backdrop of the story. Some may only borrow the names of either to produce a quick and easy exercize in the rampaging monster themes common to pulp magazines and theater since the original King Kong. Whether the mystery involves the actual species of an encountered cryptid, or who will survive being tormented by such a creature, there is no doubt that the genre has made inroads into mainstream markets.

In addition to the established authors previously mentioned, there are a number of other, lesser-known novelists whose popularity and talents are gaining them notice and accolades from readers and critics alike. Their approach to cryptofiction is as varied as the growing body of works for which they have made contributions to the genre. They take their own opinions on the nature and origin of a given cryptid and expand on it, in much the same manner as cryptozoologists such as Loren Coleman arrive at their own conclusions. Dallas (D.L.) Tanner ("The Cryptids Trilogy") and Lee Murphy ("The George Kodiak Books") are two writers whose novels span both the genre and its cryptozoological subject matter.

While most, if not all, will claim to have never seen anything out of the ordinary, cryptofiction authors take advantage of the fact that humanity lives on 10% of the landmass of the earth, and science estimates it has classified only 10% of the estimated 10 million species thought to live on the planet. This leaves a world in which the aforementioned Native legends, historical records and eyewitness accounts persist in tales of creatures whose existence have yet to be proved. As in ages past, cryptofiction will continue to declare of wild and unexplored places, that indeed "Here There Be Monsters..."

Contents

[edit] List of Cryptids

Main article: List of Cryptids

[edit] See also

Look up cryptofiction in
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[edit] Notes and references

[edit] Further reading

[edit] External links

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v • d • e
Cryptozoology and cryptobotany
Core topics
Cryptozoologists
Books & TV
Cryptids by continent
Africa
Asia
Australasia
Europe
North America
South America
Botanical cryptids