If Rich Knoblich is to be believed, there are outhouses in West Virginia that have plasma televisions hooked to satellite networks, a car mechanic who doubles as an emergency room diagnostic technician and the possibility that chili and moonshine can be used as an alternative fuel source.

But that's just the thing: Mr. Knoblich can't be believed. And he's the first to admit it.

There are fibbers and liars, and then there is Mr. Knoblich -- an award-winning teller of tall tales who so easily weaves such obviously made-up stories that his audiences can't help but laugh.

Mr. Knoblich was at the Northland Public Library on Monday evening to promote his new book, "Talking 'bout the Relatives."

The book is a collection of stories, many involving his real-life friends and family members.

As part of his presentation, Mr. Knoblich shared some of his best-loved tall tales, including a few that have won him ribbons at the West Virginia State Liars Contest. He took first place in 2002 at the contest and has had five second-place and two third-place ribbons in the same contest during the past few years.

The West Virginia humorist has compiled 17 of those best-loved stories into a book.

"You've heard of mature themes?" he asked the audience. "Well, I do immature themes, and that's all there is to it."

Mr. Knoblich told his audience about the time he was invited to host a comedy roast in the Caribbean. He said it was the middle of winter, and he'd waded through waist-deep snow to get to his mailbox just to retrieve the invitation.

The invitation included a one-way ticket to the roast. But Mr. Knoblich said he decided to cash that ticket in and find his own transportation. A birch plank and slingshot later, Mr. Knoblich said, he catapulted his way to the Caribbean, "Wile E. Coyote style."

But once he got there, he discovered it wasn't a comedy roast, but rather a "health convention.... for cannibals."

The cannibals consisted of Wall Street types who were learning how to cheat investors, he said, drawing laughter from the 40 people in attendance.

He decided to stay when he was invited to relax in the hot tub ...until he realized the hot tub was an oversized kettle designed for cooking, with Martha Stewart stirring the pot.

"It was right about this time, I started to get a little bit suspicious," he said. "So I pulled out that invitation and looked at it again, and it turns out they didn't want me to host a comedic roast. They wanted to roast a comedian. And it suddenly occurred to me why my plane ticket was one way."

Mr. Knoblich went on to describe throwing money into the air from his cashed-in plane ticket to distract the Wall Street cannibals, then making a hasty exit.

The only thing more unbelievable than that story was the one he told next, about his Aunt Annie and her chili-and-moonshine alternative fuel source.

He said the fuel never made it to the public, thanks to Washington big-wigs who put a stop to it.

"This is why, to this day, when you pull up to the pump, you have to pay through your nose for someone else's gas," he said, laughing.

Amy Strickland, a 14-year-old student at Carson Middle School, attended Mr. Knoblich's presentation. She had heard him several times before, including at the Three Rivers Storytelling contest and the West Virginia Liars contest when he won his first-place award in 2002.

"I really love storytelling," she said. "I have an interest in it, but it's mostly just for fun."

Mr. Knoblich's book is available online at Arcadian House Publishing and selected outlets through the West Virginia Book Store.