NOSTALGIC COMING-OF-AGE ADVENTURE MEETS THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS IN THE NEW SUPERNATURAL HORROR NOVEL, ‘WICKEЯИ: ELARA: THE SUMMER OF ’76’

MONTICELLO, KY — March 21, 2026 — History isn’t just a display case; sometimes, it’s a cage waiting to be opened. Author J.P. Hathorne announces the release of WICKEЯИ: Elara: The Summer of '76, a gripping supernatural horror novel that blends the adventurous heart of classic small-town cinema with the creeping, atmospheric dread of modern cosmic horror, all set against the deeply haunted backdrop of Salem, Massachusetts.

Set during the sweltering Bicentennial summer of 1976, the novel follows a trio of twelve-year-old boys known as the "Kings of the Cul-de-Sac." While searching for rumored privateer treasure beneath the historic Derby Wharf, they accidentally shatter a three-hundred-year-old saline seal, releasing Silas Wickern—an unanchored shadow entity from the darkest days of the witch trials.

Armed with nothing but pure maritime cold iron, tuned rock salt, and the guidance of an enigmatic neighborhood outcast named Elara Vance, the boys are forced into a terrifying "Long Watch" to defend their town from an enemy that doesn't just haunt the shadows, but actively weaves itself into the very fabric of their neighborhood.

"I wanted to capture that volatile energy of being a kid in the seventies, where you felt invincible on your bike, but terrified of the dark," says Hathorne. "Salem has this incredible, heavy history. WICKEЯИ explores what happens when that history isn't just a story, but a physical weight that a group of kids suddenly has to carry to keep their families from being hollowed out."

WICKEЯИ: Elara: The Summer of '76 introduces a hard-magic system rooted in real-world maritime folklore and structural geometry, offering horror fans a fresh, tactile approach to battling the supernatural.

Book Details:

• Title: WICKEЯИ: Elara: The Summer of '76

• Author: J.P. Hathorne

• Genre: Supernatural Horror / Coming-of-Age Sci-Fi

• About the Author: J.P. Hathorne is a Kentucky-based author and artist with a sharp eye for dark, intricate designs and a passion for storytelling. Drawing on a background that values resilience and the enduring strength of community, Hathorne crafts worlds where ordinary people are forced to confront extraordinary darkness.