No stranger to death, ghosts, hauntings and the occult, Edgar Allan Poe was right at home among the macabre. These morbid themes became great companions of his as he’d write his poems and short stories. His dark imaginings continue to bring readers into realms where the spectral reigns. A few years ago, I wrote a blog post celebrating the birthday of Poe, who was born on January 19, 1809. In it, I dedicated a small portion to interesting facts about the writer. I decided to expand on those and create a special feature to commemorate his birth. While many aspects of Poe’s life remain a mystery, the following are a few pieces to add to the puzzle of his existence.
Continue reading “10 Fascinating Facts About Edgar Allan Poe”Category: Literature
Celebrating World Dracula Day With Dacre Stoker
Every year on May 26th, a marvelous vampiric event occurs annually: World Dracula Day. The occasion marks the date Bram Stoker’s notorious gothic novel, Dracula, was published in 1897. I thought, what better way to celebrate the holiday than with a chat with Bram Stoker’s great grandnephew, Dacre Stoker!
Continue reading “Celebrating World Dracula Day With Dacre Stoker”“Bite Me” Vampire Exhibit Featuring a Special Lecture by Dacre Stoker
Did you know there are descendants of Bram Stoker alive today? One of these family members is Dacre Stoker who is the great grandnephew of the notorious Dracula author. He’s taken up the mantle as overseer of the Stoker legacy and, together with his wife Jenne, manages the Bram Stoker Estate. For years, he’s been traveling worldwide, giving presentations on his ancestor and the creation of Dracula and his other literary works. The Menagerie Oddities Market sponsored his most recent tour across California, and he delivered a fascinating lecture at the SugarMynt Gallery in Pasadena. This was done in conjunction with the gallery’s latest art show, the “Bite Me” Vampire Exhibit. It was an evening fit for the undead, and I’m here to share it with you.
Continue reading ““Bite Me” Vampire Exhibit Featuring a Special Lecture by Dacre Stoker”Spotlight On Rose Sinister: Vampire Scholar & Author
Author and content creator Rose Sinister has been on a mission to explore the question, “Why do we tell vampire stories?” This query laid the foundation for her podcast Rose Sinister: Vampires, which she launched in 2018. Since then, she’s branched off to work on multiple projects dedicated to enriching people’s knowledge of these creatures of the night, plus she’s just released her first novel within the vampire genre titled This Crimson Debt. I had the opportunity to interview the writer and read the story, and it’s fangtastic. Don’t worry; there won’t be any spoilers in the following review.
Continue reading “Spotlight On Rose Sinister: Vampire Scholar & Author”12 Unusual Facts About Mary Shelley
In 1818, Mary Shelley published her first major work, Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus. More than 200 years later, the novel is still popular among gothic horror fans. Not only has it sparked numerous movie adaptations, but the monster of the narrative has been the inspiration behind Halloween costumes, haunts and a Frankenstein-themed bar in the UK. The author also continues to be a prominent literary figure today, inspiring countless contemporary horror writers. There’s even an annual holiday commemorating her birthday and notorious book, Frankenstein Day on August 30th. To pay homage to the author, here are 12 interesting facts about Mary Shelley that may surprise you.
Continue reading “12 Unusual Facts About Mary Shelley”The Vampira Diaries Book Review
Before Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, there was Vampira, famously known as the original Glamour Ghoul. Her pale visage, raven-colored locks, crimson lips, and highly arched brows made her quite the image to behold on late-night television. While she’s revered today as an icon in the underground scene, her claim to fame was short-lived during her time.
In an all-new book called The Vampira Diaries: 1954-1956, author Jonny Coffin gives readers a closer look into the world of the queen of the night. Digging out archives from the grave, he presents a collection of unseen photographs, newspaper clippings and excerpts from her diaries, resurrecting the voice and presence of this dark soul. I recently finished the biography and want to share a bit of what lies on the pages.
Continue reading “The Vampira Diaries Book Review”Midnight Light Book Review: A Poetic Exploration of Life & Death
“The moon appears in the night sky
Midnight Light
Casting our souls into dreams
Endlessly flowing streams of subconscious move over the land”
-Another Perspective
Verse and imagery entwine in Midnight Light, a book that illuminates darkness and uncovers life pulsating in the land of the dead. It is the creation of two dear friends—writer Michael Pace and photographer Brian Paglinco—who wanted to share their artistic vision with the world, as well as pay tribute to their enduring friendship. The pages contain a series of gothic-inspired poems and photos that transported me to different time periods and places as I explored the work.
Continue reading “Midnight Light Book Review: A Poetic Exploration of Life & Death”Richard Delgado’s New Vampire Book Series: The Ancient Chronicles
What would you do if you were forced to lead an existence that required you to forget your past and succumb to bestial instincts? Author Richard A. Delgado tackles this question in the first book of his new series The Ancient Chronicles: The Newborn. In it, readers meet Leonardo Le’ Muerte, a young man who’s suddenly turned into a fledgling vampire. Without fully realizing the implications of this transformation, Leonardo is forced to adjust to a darker side of life and confront many demons, inside and out.
Continue reading “Richard Delgado’s New Vampire Book Series: The Ancient Chronicles”Spotlight On Joseph Vargo: Gothic Fantasy Artist, Composer & Writer
Mournful spirits, brooding gargoyles, blood-thirsty vampires, nightmarish beasts and seductive sirens are a few of the creatures that prowl the creations of Joseph Vargo. The artist has been honing his dark craft for decades and is renowned for the gothic fantasy imagery he portrays. Be prepared to step into a world where pariahs thrive, and the dead pulsate with life.
Continue reading “Spotlight On Joseph Vargo: Gothic Fantasy Artist, Composer & Writer”The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day
On May 26th, 1897, Bram Stoker’s notorious novel Dracula was published. More than a century later, the vampire tale has indeed proven to be as immortal as its protagonist. There have been films, TV shows, music, books, art and entertainment events inspired by the Count. Stoker’s work has left such an indelible mark on, not just the literary world, but the creative world in general that there is a day dedicated to it—Dracula Day. There are many ways to celebrate and following you will find ideas for how to throw a fangtastic vampire soiree, whether alone or with others! Continue reading “The Undead Way to Celebrate Dracula Day”
Vamp Jenn's Corner 