Arts and Entertainment

“The Ghostly Tales of Haunted Coastal Virginia” Book Signing

September 19 2026

1-6 p.m.
Wells Theatre 110 East Tazewell Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 Price: Free
Author Joe Tennis celebrates the release of his new book featuring tales of the Wells Theatre with a book signing at the theater, 110 East Tazewell Street, in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday, Sept. 19, 1–6 p.m.
“The Ghostly Tales of Haunted Coastal Virginia”
is the 12th book release by Tennis, a Virginia Beach native who has written for magazines and newspapers across Virginia for more than 35 years.
This new book features original photos by co-author Abigail Tennis, Joe’s daughter, as well as illustrations and a map detailing where the wild and wonderful spirits may inhabit Hampton Roads at Newport News, Suffolk, Hampton, Chesapeake and Portsmouth.
Spooky stories of the Wells Theatre are shared among chapters focused on Norfolk. Other stories from the seaside city originate  from the historic Saint Paul’s Church and the ghost of Willoughby Spit, as witnessed in 1968 on a Chesapeake Bay Beach.
What’s at the  Wells? Four ghosts, including “The Lady in White,” witnessed in a chilling account by an actor, as detailed in the new book.
Six more stories come from Virginia Beach, including tales of pirates, witches, vanishing cats, and mysterious noises.
For Tennis, the new book marks his seventh release for Arcadia Publishing, including two more ghost collections. He has also authored “Virginia Rail Trails:
Crossing the Commonwealth,” which features the Elizabeth River Trail of Norfolk. Another book, “Along Virginia’s Route 58, “ contains 15 chapters and dozens of photos in the Hampton Roads area.
Books will be available for purchase at the book signing.
“The Ghostly Tales of Haunted Coastal Virginia“ is also available at Prince Books in Norfolk and the Norfolk Visitor Center.

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