Every community has its storytellers…. the ones who don’t just observe the world around them, but reach into its quieter corners and bring forgotten tales back to the surface. In the paranormal world, Michele “Shell” Liddle is one of those rare voices.
I first discovered her work the same way many people do: one story, one post, one video that instantly pulls you in and refuses to let go. What struck me wasn’t just the spooky atmosphere she creates, but the care, depth, and humanity woven into every piece of content she releases. Her stories feel lived-in. Emotional. Rooted in the real people and histories behind the hauntings.
Shell has an extraordinary way of turning eerie encounters into beautifully crafted narratives, the kind that stay with you long after the screen fades to black. So when I reached out to her for an interview, I knew her insights would bring something meaningful and powerful to the Mystic Realm Blog.
Below is the full Q&A with Shell, shared exactly as she wrote it, a look into the storyteller herself, her process, her boundaries, and the experiences that shaped Shell’s Spooky Stories into the massive, loyal community it is today.
1. Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Michele “Shell” Liddle, and I’m a paranormal storyteller, creator, and podcaster based on the haunted Northumberland coast in the UK. My fascination with the paranormal began in childhood—I was always aware of things other people couldn’t see or explain. Over time, that sensitivity evolved into a calling: giving voices to forgotten stories and honouring the spirits and histories that linger in the shadows.
2. What drew you into the paranormal niche and inspired you to start your journey online?
I’ve always believed that every haunting has a heartbeat. Behind every ghost story is someone’s life, love, grief, fear, or unfinished chapter. When I started processing my own experiences, my grief, and the stories I grew up with, I realised that storytelling—especially paranormal storytelling—was a way to keep memories alive. Shell’s Spooky Stories became a place where history, humanity, and the supernatural all meet.
Sharing these stories online connected me with people all over the world who feel the same pull towards the unexplained, and that community is now at the heart of everything I do.
3. Of all the stories you’ve posted so far, which one is your favourite and why?
My personal favourite is the Black-Eyed Children. There’s something uniquely unsettling about them because, unlike many hauntings tied to specific places or tragedies, the Black-Eyed Children could appear to anyone, anywhere. Children are usually seen as pure, light, and angelic—but these children are the opposite. Their pitch-black eyes strip away that innocence, leaving you with something that makes you question everything you thought you knew.
That contrast—the familiar turned uncanny—is what makes the story linger.
4. Which story has really freaked you out—the one that still gives you chills?
The ones that truly haunt me aren’t the famous cases… they’re the personal stories shared by people I know and trust. When a friend tells you their experience and you can hear the fear in their voice—the trembling, the change in tone, the way they struggle to find the right words—it hits differently. Those moments stay with you because you’re not just hearing a story… you’re feeling someone relive it.
Personal accounts will always be my favourite, and also the ones that scare me the most, because you can immerse yourself completely and almost experience it alongside them.
5. How do you research and select the spooky stories you share—what’s your process?
My process is a mix of deep research, intuition, and curiosity.
I read constantly—books, archives, old newspapers—and I watch a lot of paranormal documentaries and investigative content. I’ve also built up a small collection of vintage paranormal magazines, which are a treasure trove of forgotten tales and strange reports you won’t find anywhere else.
Social media has opened an entirely new door. People now come to me with their stories, experiences, and family legends, allowing me to share real accounts from real people. When a story speaks to me—emotionally, historically, or spiritually—that’s when I know it’s one I need to tell.
6. Do you have any personal “rules” or boundaries when exploring paranormal content?
Absolutely. Respect comes first. Spirits were once people, and I treat them that way. I never provoke, I always close down properly after anything spiritual, and I protect my own energy with grounding and cleansing. I avoid anything exploitative or sensationalised—my work is about honouring stories, not using trauma for entertainment.
7. For someone new to paranormal stories or just starting to explore the niche, what tip would you give them?
Lead with curiosity, not fear. Check your sources, trust your instincts, and remember that the paranormal isn’t just about being scared—it’s about understanding the echoes left behind. If you’re exploring spiritually, protect your energy. If you’re exploring historically, verify everything. And enjoy the process of discovering the unknown.
8. How do you handle situations where the story may be upsetting or traumatic—for you or your audience?
With care and compassion. When a story involves real-life suffering, I focus on the emotional truth rather than graphic detail. I give warnings when needed, and I always ask myself: Would I want someone to tell this story about my loved one in this way? If the answer is no, I adjust. Respect and empathy guide everything.
9. What are your next aims as you grow in this field?
I’m expanding Shell’s Spooky Stories into a full storytelling and paranormal brand, including:
• Growing the podcast and YouTube channel
• Writing more books—fiction and non-fiction
• Collaborating with paranormal teams and creators
• And one day, opening a small paranormal museum dedicated to preserving local hauntings, folklore, and artefacts
It’s all about keeping stories alive—both for people, and for spirits.
10. Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
If you love haunted history, eerie encounters, and stories that linger long after you’ve heard them, you’ll fit right in with the Shell’s Spooky Stories community.
You can find me here:
👻 Instagram: @shellsspookystories
👻 TikTok: @shellsspookystories
🎙 Podcast: Shell’s Spooky Stories
📚 Books & merch via my Stan store https://stan.store/ShellsSpookyStories
🕯 YouTube: Shell’s Spooky Stories
And if you have a paranormal tale of your own—please share it with me.
I give voices to the forgotten… one story at a time.
Are you a ghost hunter, paranormal investigator, or spiritual seeker searching for a journal that truly understands your work in the field? Whether capturing EVPs, tracking EMF spikes, logging unexplained experiences, or connecting with energies beyond the veil, Echoes in the Dark is your ultimate companion. Designed by a real investigator for real investigations, this gothic-style journal blends practical logging tools with space for spiritual insight, energy protection, and reflection.
Closing Thoughts
Michele “Shell” Liddle isn’t just a storyteller, she’s a curator of emotions, history, and the shadows that linger between the living and the dead. Her ability to breathe life into the eerie and honour into the unsettling is what sets her apart in a space overflowing with content.
Her stories don’t chase shock value. They carry weight. They carry memories. They carry people.
Having Shell on the Mystic Realm Blog is an absolute privilege, and whether you’re new to her work or already part of her incredible community, I hope this interview gives you an even deeper appreciation for the care, effort, and heart she pours into everything she creates.
If you haven’t explored Shell’s Spooky Stories yet, now is the perfect time to dive in.
And as Shell says so beautifully —
she gives voices to the forgotten, one story at a time.
For more Exclusive interviews see here
