Our Undying Obsession with the Undead

Like the immortal vampire our obsession with the fanged ones never die.

The vampire obsession is currently everywhere thanks in part to the overwhelming success of Twilight. But true vampire fans know there was plenty to love about vampires long before Meyer's teen dream sparkly vamps hit the scene. Because of that success the media has hopped on the vampire bandwagon hoping to cash in on the fang frenzy, some endeavors are worthwhile and others are not.

Some people claim to have vampire burnout thanks to the undead invading everything from fashion layouts in magazines to television shows to the big screen and everything in between.

Not me. I have been a vampire fan for decades, long before Stephanie Meyer ever thought about writing her sparkly vampire stories.

Every generation finds a new story, a new twist, a new vampire tale that gives them a glimpse of forever and a desire to know more about the darker side of life...and death. Today's teens have Meyer's Twilight saga along with a huge collection of other authors that cater to paranormal fans in both adult and young adult genres.

My generation had Anne Rice's vampires. Interview with a Vampire hit book shelves the year I was born in 1976. I found my copy of Interview at a yard sale in the 80s. I had to have been 10 or 11. After reading that I devoured every book in the series throughout the 80s and 90s, along with her Mayfair Witch books and anything else that she wrote. I loved Anne Rice's books and fell in love with New Orleans, the setting for so many of her books.

Since then I have found many other wonderful authors and vampire books. Every author puts their own unique spin on the old vampire tales, myths and legends. Some make vampires the heroes, others make the vampires the villains. I prefer my vampires to be the heroes but depending on the author and the story I can handle vamps being the bad guys, too (like in Colleen Gleason's The Gardella Vampire Chronicles).

Good or bad, vampires have a special place in my imagination, a magical place where love never dies and the blood is the life.

Many revel in the strength of the vampire, or love the appeal of everlasting youth and beauty, or perhaps the thought of immortality is what makes the vampire so popular, for many it is the underlying erotic appeal that draws us into the vampire's lair.

I hope to explore my vampiric obsessions more as I write here at VampChix and at least once a month (probably more) I will be posting here about the vampire authors (and their books) that I love.

Between my postings here you can always find me at my paranormal book review site Fang-tastic Books and my personal blog, Roxanne's Realm where I post info about my writing and where it will be published.

The next guest will be...

Watch for an interview with Amanda Ashley on Monday August 3rd!

Take a gander at the poll to the right. Interesting, eh? Seems some love their vamps strictly dark and brooding. Most like them dark with a touch of humor. But what about just funny? Hmm.... Stay tuned for another poll soon!

Here's a link to a Slate Magazine article about vampires and how they suck (or how they don't suck).

Upcoming Vampire Movies

by Catherine Karp
 
 
Save up your movie money.  Cinematic bloodsuckers are lurching into theaters in droves.  Whether you like your creatures of the night sparkly, horrifying, romantic, or comedic, you'll have no trouble finding a film to suit your paranormal tastes.  Here's a peek at some of the major trends in upcoming vampire movies.
 
1. THE LITERARY ADAPTATIONS.
Unless you never visit multiplexes or glimpse the covers of supermarket tabloids, you probably already know THE TWILIGHT SAGA is the most hotly anticipated vampire novel series hitting the big screen.  NEW MOON will debut in theaters this November, and ECLIPSE is coming June 2010.  Other literary adaptations in the works--from the script stage to postproduction--include CIRQUE DU FREAK (now titled THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT), CARMILLA, THE HISTORIAN, DRACULA, DEAR DRACULA, PRIEST, and the U.S. remake of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN.  In addition, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES will be hitting the small screen on the CW this fall.
 
2. THE SEQUELS AND REMAKES.
A big-screen adaptation of 1960s horror soap opera DARK SHADOWS is scheduled to go in the works soon, with Tim Burton purportedly directing and Johnny Depp starring as vampire Barnabas Collins.  The 1974 Hammer vampire film THE LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES may also receive a remake via Spitfire Pictures.  In the sequel department, get ready for BUBBA NOSFERATU: CURSE OF THE SHE VAMPIRES, LOST BOYS 3, and TWILIGHT WATCH (the third installment of the NIGHT WATCH series).
 
3. THE WILLEM DAFOE MOVIES.
Dafoe earned an Academy Award nomination for portraying silent film actor Max Schreck as a bloodsucker in SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE in 2000, and he continues his growing vampire film tradition by appearing in both THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT and the upcoming sci-fi thriller DAYBREAKERS.  If you need an actor who can radiate bloodthirsty creepiness and give an award-worthy performance at the same time, Dafoe's definitely your guy.
 
4. THE COMEDIES.
If you're looking for vampire humor, your best bet will probably be to head to the indies.  In the works are tales of the undead's escapades with rock 'n roll (SUCK), Shakespearian theater (ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE UNDEAD), and truckers (DEAD SUCKS).  And the romantic vampire comedy angle will be approached in England's HELLO DARKNESS, currently in development.
 
5. THE HORROR FILMS.
In need of vampires that leave a messy trail of blood?  Again, the indies may be the answer.  Filmgoers with stronger stomachs can check out offerings such as VAMPIRE GIRL VS. FRANKENSTEIN GIRL, THE VAMPIRES OF BLOODY ISLAND, and THE REVENANT.  If you prefer a little Victoriana with your horror films, Mary Lambert's HIGH MIDNIGHT promises, "In the Wild West a lot of blood was spilled... but it didn't go to waste."
 
6. THE PRESTIGIOUS FOREIGN FILMS.
Following in the award-winning footsteps of Sweden's LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, South Korea's THIRST made a strong impact on the Cannes Film Festival and garnered the 2009 Jury Prize.  Granted, the category of prestigious foreign films (plural) isn't truly a trend in upcoming vampire releases--but here's hoping that more will be on their way to help earn a little respect for flicks with fangs.
 
For an even more extensive list of upcoming vampire movies, including links to IMDB sites and trailers, head over to my blog, Suburban Vampire--http://suburbanvampire.blogspot.com/2008/12/vampire-films-in-2009-2010-2011-and.html.  
 
You can also join the Vampire Film Series and Festival's mailing list at http://vampirefilmfestival.com to learn about vampire movies appearing this October in New Orleans.  Better yet, head on down to the festival and enjoy sneak peeks of undead entertainment in person.

New stuff coming up.

Just want to introduce two new volunteers to the VampChix blog. Patricia Altner of Patricia's Vampire Notes is going to be keeping us updated on the new vampire releases with monthly postings. And Roxanne Rhoads has agreed to post regularly about various vampire series. Thanks, Ladies!

I'd love to find a volunteer to post once or twice a month on vampire movies. Either review or highlight one movie or list a few every so often.

Michele

Delilah Street: Paranormal Investigator

A sneak peak at Carole Nelson Douglas November release, Vampire Sunrise....

How to Fight Off a Pack of Vampires

Seriously people, this is stuff you need to know. Found this video at IHeartVampires.net, part of their Bloodcast News Network. Great stuff.

Take a bite out of Hulu

If you Hulu, the 1991 remake of Dark Shadows is available to watch free, all twelve episodes. I've never seen the original, and I did like this version. Hey, Ben Cross did it for me back then.




I discovered this when I was in the middle of writing my first vampire romance, so it was fascinating to see a romantic vampire on the screen.

What are your favorite vampire TV series, new or classic?

The Ultimate VampList

I want to introduce you to a list I've been keeping for about 15 years now. Some of you are aware of it, but those new to me might not know it exists. In 1994 or 5 I had a stack of research books on vampires toppling near my desk. I decided I'd make a list so I wouldn't forget a title, and also, I just like to make lists.

Fast forward to now. The Ultimate VampList currently lists over 4000+ vampire titles. But don't worry, it's not just a big ole unorganized list. I've put books alphabetically by authors' last name in the following categories: Horror, Romance/Erotica, Mystery/Action-Adventure, Young Adult, Non-Fiction, Manga/Graphic Novels, TV/Movies, SciFi/Fantasy, Roleplaying, Anthologies, Buffy/Angel, Not-Quite Vamps, and Miscellaneous. Who'd a thought there were so many different genres of vampire stories within the one realm? Cool!

So the list is simply that, a list. I've not tried to make it a bibliography, but rather a list of titles that you can scan through to see what might interest you or what titles you've missed. It lists title, author, pub date, publisher, and if it's available at Amazon I've linked to it so you can go there to read a synopsis or get further information.

This list is my baby, a true labor of love. I must say it fascinates me how many vampire stories are published each year, Romance being the fastest growing genre, but Young Adult not far behind.

So go take a look. www.vampire-books.com There's a pull-down menu at the top of the home page to select categories. The Hot Blood page features covers from some current releases. What titles are you missing? Can you add more to your list?

Michele

ps - I'm looking for someone who would have an interest in posting a once-monthly column here at VampChix about various vampire series. Maybe feature a few series each time, like Jr. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood, or Anne Rice's vamps? I'd like to see new series listed, as well as oldies but goodies. Email me if you have an interest! toastfaery@gmail.com

Daybreakers movie

This vampire movie looks very interesting. In the year 2019, a plague has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher works with a covert band of vamps on a way to save humankind.
Starring Ethan Hawke and Sam Neil, two appealing actors. Release date is January 2010. Could be worth the wait. What do you think?

Guest Vamp: Emma Holly

Emma Holly currently has a vampire trilogy, continuing the Fitz Clare Chronicles, on bookstore shelves.  Set in the 1930s, it follows a family of vampires and their struggles to survive alongside humans.

Miss Holly's previous vampire releases include:

"Luisa's Desire" in the FANTASY anthology

CATCHING MIDNIGHT - Berkley - 3/03

HUNTING MIDNIGHT - Berkley - 10/03

"The Night Owl" in HOT BLOODED - Jove - 9/05

COURTING MIDNIGHT - Berkley - 10/05

KISSING MIDNIGHT - Berkley - 6/09

BREAKING MIDNIGHT - Berkley - 7/09

SAVING MIDNIGHT - Berkley - 8/09

Here are a few questions for Miss Holly...

You  started doing contemporary erotica, what lured you to the paranormal?  Do  you prefer one over the other?
 
The first books I sold were contemporary erotica, but  the first books I wrote were romances with science fiction  settings . . . very bad romances with no doubt very lame science fiction  settings. It's just as well they never saw the light of day, though it is an  indication that I was drawn to the paranormal from the start. I was really  happy when paranormals were "in" again, and  I got the chance to return  to it. I confess, no matter what genre I'm writing, a book has to have  something weird about it for me to enjoy creating  it.
 
Do you prefer doing a series or stand-alone titles?  What about  novellas?  
 
 It depends on the book. Sometimes - as happened  in the Fitz Clare Chronicles - writing a series gives me the room I need to do  the story justice. I conceived the trilogy as an ensemble piece,  what happened to Edmund Fitz Clare's whole family. To pull that off the way I  wanted, I had to write more than one book.

Of course, now that I've  written a couple connected stories in a row, I might welcome the chance to  wrap up the plot in just one!


Why vampires, or upyrs, as you call them?  What is their  allure?
 
 
 
Vampires are the original dark and dangerous bad  boys. Or girls, as the case may be. I sure loved writing the vamp females in  the FCC.

Do you weave in mythology and legend or make a lot of  it up?
 
 I do a bit of both. For my taste, the more "para"  a story is, the more it needs some sort of "normal" to ground it, whether that  be a real world setting or a well recognized mythology. I think that kind of  foundation helps the reader buy into the fantasy. Now that I've written six  upyr books, my own mythology is pretty well established. I have to be  most careful not to contradict myself!

The Fitz Clare Chronicles  is set in the 1930s.  What about that time period appealed to you?
 
 It's all about the clothes. And the cars. And the  cool Art Deco furnishings. I also suspect my fascination hearkens back to my  childhood obsession with Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. As a kid, I'm not  sure I even understood everything that was in those books. Some of them were a  bit racy for their time, as I discovered when I reread a few for research. But  dapper little Hercule was my Sherlock Holmes, and I guess you never  forget your first!


Everyone always asks “what advice would you give to writers” but what  I want to know is ‘what advice do you wish someone gave to you when you were  just starting in the business’?
 
 Interesting question, but truthfully, nothing!  Looking back, I stumbled along plenty, but what I learned really sank in. Half  the stuff that people tell you is nonsense anyway - if not all of the  time, then at least some of it. If you're the sort of stubborn person I am,  it's okay to figure out, in your own way, what works for  you.

Will we see more in the Fitz Clare series, or do you have  new things planned for future books?
 
 Right now, I'm working on a two-book story for  Christian Durand. (Christian was introduced in Breaking Midnight for  those who are keeping up.) After that, who knows?

Here's five quickie questions we ask every guest:
Dark or  Light?
 Absolutely must be both. All dark with no funny  makes Emma a dull girl.
Historical or Modern?
 So far I've only written historical, but I like  to read modern.
Fav Movie or TV Vamp?
 Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer 

Bagged or From The Neck?
 Neck!
Dead or Undead?
 Definitely Un.

Anything else you  want to add?
 
 Thanks for inviting me!

A big thanks to Emma Holly for being the first guest at VampChix!  

VampChix hosts its first guest!

Tune in Monday July 20th for an interview with Emma Holly!  Find out what she's working on right now.

Spread the word!  Tweet it to all your friends!

Vamp Wine and Chocolate

Here's a fun sight, Vampire Vineyards, that you must visit. I've had the vampire wine for years, and haven't opened yet, so I can't vouch for it's flavor. I don't drink, I just like to collect the pretty bottles. :-) I didn't know they had chocolate, though, so you know I ordered some. And what will I do with a 10-pack of vampire chocolate? Well, I just may have to hold a contest or two here at VampChix. Num. Vamps and chocolate...

The Vampire Wire

Much love to Marta Acosta, who has the fabulous Vampire Wire blog, for mentioning this blog today. If you haven't visited the Wire, you must. Add it to your blogcrawl. It features more than just vamps, including most paranormal critters. She's currently got a couple cool contests going. Also, check out her Casa Dracula vamp reads:

Midnight Brunch
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula
The Bride of Casa Dracula

M

Spread the word!

Fellow VampChix and everyone else! Grab the above image and put on your blog sidebar or website with a link to this blog. Spread the word!

Thanks,
Michele

Hot Blood: Breaking Midnight

How's about this for a weekly feature? Hot Blood will highlight one of the latest vampire books. It can be romance, horror, action/adventure, sci/fi, whatever. I'll take recommendations for Hot Blood reads. Or if you'd rather do the post yourself about your favorite and newest vampire read, I'd love to hear from you. I'm also considering a Cool Blood feature which would highlight a favorite vampire classic movie or book.

The second in Emma Holly's Fitz Clare Chronicles, BREAKING MIDNIGHT, is out right now. Set in the 1930s, it begins where Kissing Midnight left off. I read the first book, and it was amazing (but I would expect nothing less from Holly). Just bought this one, and can't wait to begin reading it.

Watch for an interview with Ms. Holly sometime next week right here at the VampChix blog! If you have questions for Ms. Holly, write them in the comments, and I'll see what I can do about getting some answers.

Michele

Do you want to blog?

Do you have an idea for an interesting blog post here at VampChix? A vampire book to promote? Are you willing to add this blog to your blogroll? Email me! (toastfaery@gmail.com)

Michele

Light or Dark?

Do you prefer your vamps funny or brooding? Light or Dark? Give examples of some great reads or movies too.

The beginning...

Just getting started, ideas brewing. Ways to promote vampire books? Ways for vampire readers to tell others about their fav books, movies? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Michele