Jon Stojan
Photo credit: JD Barker
Bestselling thriller author JD Barker offers readers a rare opportunity: the chance to spend a night in a real haunted house. As part of the promotion for his upcoming novel, Something I Keep Upstairs, Barker has launched a contest where one winner and three guests will be transported to Wood Island, a secluded and historically eerie location off the coast of New Hampshire.
Unlike traditional book promotions that rely on bookstore signings or media interviews, JD Barker invites readers to step into the world of his novel. The book follows a group of teenagers who uncover unsettling secrets in an abandoned house on an island. The contest, which has already generated significant public interest, allows fans to spend 24 hours in the house that inspired the story.
“The idea came from my writing process,” Barker said. “I visited Wood Island several times to absorb its atmosphere. Something is unsettling about the place, the quiet that makes you feel like you are not alone.”
A Site With a Documented Haunted History
Wood Island is not a fictional setting. Located just off the coast on the border between New Hampshire and Maine, it has a history filled with tragedy and unexplained occurrences. The island was once home to a Coast Guard station, a quarantine facility during the yellow fever outbreak, even a prison during the Spanish American War, and it has long been associated with paranormal activity.
Historical records detail murders, unexplained deaths, and disappearances dating back to the 1800s. Some residents and local fishermen claim to have seen shadowy figures walking along the shore, while others report hearing strange whispers and knocks in the dead of night. In 1972, authorities investigated two bodies found on the island, though the details remain sparse.
Paranormal investigators have explored the house multiple times, documenting cold spots, electromagnetic field anomalies, and disembodied voices. While some scientists argue that environmental factors such as wind patterns and electromagnetic interference could explain these phenomena, others remain convinced that Wood Island is haunted.
The Contest’s Structure and Why It Resonates
The contest winner and their guests will be transported to the island at sunset and left overnight. With minimal furnishings and only period-appropriate amenities, the house remains largely as it was when it was last inhabited. Participants cannot leave until the boat returns in the morning.
JD Barker’s initiative highlights a shift in consumer engagement. Recent data shows that interactive experiences are gaining popularity across entertainment industries. A report by PwC found that the experience economy, which includes immersive events and participatory storytelling, has grown by over 10 percent annually since 2015. With social media platforms amplifying personal experiences, interactive marketing strategies have become more effective than traditional advertisements.
Barker acknowledges this trend but maintains that he aims to connect storytelling with real-world experiences rather than simply attracting media attention. “I wanted to do something that felt authentic to the book,” he said. “It is about allowing readers to step into the story and test their fears.”
How Horror Fans Are Reacting
The contest has already sparked debate online, with readers divided over whether they would accept the challenge. While some see it as an exciting opportunity, others question whether they could endure an entire night in a haunted house on an isolated island. Discussions on forums such as Reddit’s r/NoSleep and horror fan groups on Facebook suggest that even self-described skeptics are intrigued by the psychological aspect of the contest.
Research into fear and human behavior suggests that such challenges appeal to a primal part of the brain. A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that participants in controlled fear experiences, such as haunted houses or horror movie marathons, showed increased dopamine and adrenaline levels, which can create feelings of exhilaration.
“Horror works because it allows us to be afraid in a safe environment,” JD Barker explained. “This contest adds a new layer, it is no longer just a book or a movie. It is real, and that is what makes it exciting.”
Implications for the Future of Book Marketing
While the publishing industry has historically relied on author tours, media interviews, and retailer promotions, JD Barker’s experiment suggests that experiential marketing could play a bigger role. With platforms like TikTok and Instagram driving book discovery, mainly through trends such as #BookTok, publishers may need to rethink how they engage readers.
This type of marketing is not entirely unprecedented. In 2016, Stephen King’s It was promoted with immersive haunted house experiences in select cities, and some independent authors have experimented with live-action book launches. However, Barker’s contest is one of the most ambitious examples.
If successful, this campaign could influence other authors to explore more interactive storytelling formats, bridging the gap between fiction and reality. The response from readers and how the winners fare on Wood Island may determine whether similar initiatives gain traction in the industry.
Details on the contest can be found here.