Inanna Arthen's Talk on Vampires - Complete set of podcast episodes

In a lively talk recorded at Books and Boos in Colchester, Connecticut, on April 20, 2013, Inanna Arthen traced the history of vampires in fiction and debunked some of the common mistakes and misinformation about the genre.

I broke the talk up into three parts to fit the format of my "Vampires, Witches, and Geeks" podcast. All three parts are now posted here:


Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Another Interview Podcast: Scott Goudsward

In this episode I interview writer Scott Goudsward.

Scott's love of vampires began at an early age watching Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing on Creature Double Feature on Saturday afternoons. 

Scott always said he was going to write the massive vampire epic novel.  Trailer Trash was not it.  His first published story, also called “Trailer Trash,” appeared in the anthology The Darkest Thirst.  The novel was based on that story. 

Since then he has penned the screenplay for the short film “Granite Voice” and co-written two non-fiction books with his brother, David (Shadows Over New England and Shadows Over Florida). 

Currently he’s co-editing two anthologies for Chaosium with Rachel Kenley, Once Upon an Apocalypse, volume 1 and 2.  Scott's short fiction has most recently appeared in the Stoker Award-nominated anthology Epitaphs, and the forthcoming Carnival of the Damned and Atomic Age Cthulhu.

You can listen to the podcast directly at www.vampireswitchesandgeeks.com or download it from iTunes.

This series of short interviews are the result of me asking established writers about their vampire fiction. Many of them had written vampire fiction that I hadn't heard about because I was busy with work, night school, or life at the time of publication.

Previous interviewees in this series are writer F. Paul Wilson, who has been writing bestsellers for over thirty years; Heather Graham, guest of honor, New York Times bestselling author of over 150 novels and novellas; Jeff Strand, also guest of honor, who exquisitely mixes comedy and terror, and Hal Bodner, witty writer and bon vivant.

The next interview should be the one with writer Gordon Linzner, editor emeritus of Space and Time magazine.

Another Podcast Interview: Hal Bodner

As the clock ticked toward the end of 2012, I ticked off another To Do item as I posted another of my short interview podcasts. This time it was author Hal Bodner, a fascinating and entertaining person I meet at Necon years ago. (Necon is an annual horror writers' convention in the state of Rhode Island.)

I interviewed Hal about his novel Bite Club, in which Coroner Beck O'Brien teams up with her old friend, Chris, and his flamboyant lover, Troy to find the secret lair of an ancient vampire preying on hot young men. Bite Club is the first in a series of campy, vampy novels set in West Hollywood, CA. Hal was recently a guest blogger on my blog here.

You can listen to the podcast directly at www.vampireswitchesandgeeks.com or download it from iTunes.

This series of short interviews are the result of me asking established writers about their vampire fiction. Many of them had written vampire fiction that I hadn't heard about because I was busy with work, night school, or life at the time of publication.

Previous interviewees in this series are writer F. Paul Wilson, who has been writing bestsellers for over thirty years; Heather Graham, guest of honor, New York Times bestselling author of over 150 novels and novellas; Jeff Strand, also guest of honor, who exquisitely mixes comedy and terror. The next episode should be my interview with writer Scott Goudsward, where we learn, among other things, how to pronounce his name.

More Vampire Goodness

Recently I brought my podcast back from the dead with interviews from this year's Necon. Consistent with the theme of the series, I conducted short interviews with established writers at Necon, asking about their vampire fiction. Many of them had written vampire fiction that I hadn't heard about because I was busy with work, night school, or life at the time of publication. The series began with Jeff Strand, followed by Heather Graham, and just a few days ago, I added Necon frequenter F. Paul Wilson. You can listen to the podcasts directly at www.vampireswitchesandgeeks.com or download them from iTunes. Next up should be Hal Bodner, of WeHo vampire fame.

Interview with Writer Jeff Strand

I've restarted my podcast Vampires, Witches, and Geeks with an enticing series of interviews recorded live at a small gathering of horror writers in Bristol, Rhode Island. Officially named the Northeastern Writers' Conference, most people know it as Necon, and those who know it intimately sometimes call it Camp Necon.

My first interviewee is Necon Guest of Honor Jeff Strand. Jeff Strand is a really nice guy – and funny as hell. You’d notice the funny bit, even if you never had the pleasure of meeting him in person. Just look at the titles of his books: Graverobbers Wanted (No Experience Necessary), Single White Psychopath Seeks Same, Lost Homicidal Maniac (Answers to "Shirley"), and Casket for Sale (Only Used Once). What I wanted to interview him about, though, was the novel Draculas, a collaboration with authors F. Paul Wilson (who I also interview in this series), Jack Kilborn (J. A. Konrath), and Blake Crouch.

So, here's the first in the series, my Interview with Writer Jeff Strand. As always, I try to keep the podcasts short and sweet. Hope this brief introduction is enough to entice you to sample Jeff's works.

Appearing at Heritage Craft Fair in Framingham

On Saturday, March 24, 2012, I'll be at the New England Horror Writers' table at the 39th Heritage Craft Fair in Framingham, MA. Along with me will be other NEHW writers including Stacey Longo, David Price, Kristi Petersen Schoonover, Rob Watts, and K. Allen Wood.

This is pretty exciting for me. I know where it is (no GPS needed this time!) and I know where it is because not only did I grow up in Framingham, but the town, which I renamed Danforth, figures highly in both my novels.

The first novel, Darksome Thirst, starts in Framingham when a lone second-shift computer operator, Alicia Anderson, meets a vampire in the computer room. Yes, the witches who sense the vampire at the same time are in Bristleton (Brighton) and some later are in Fenmore (Boston), but the heart and soul of both Darksome Thirst and the standalone sequel, The Old Power Returns, is in Framingham.

Stop by if you can. It's a fundraiser for the Heritage Chorale, admission is cheap, there will be food for sale, and parking is free.

Saturday, March 24, 2012
10 AM to 4 PM

Keefe Technical School
750 Winter Street
Framingham, MA
Admission:  
   Adults $3.00
   Seniors $2.50
   Under 12 free

Other links for this Saturday's event:

http://www.heritagefair.org/


http://nehwnews.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/the-nehw-will-be-at-the-39th-heritage-craft-fair-this-saturday/

Didn't get a Kindle for Christmas? Have I got a tip for you!

I read a post recently where someone was expressing dismay at not being able to read a book because it was available only in Kindle format.

I knew that there are free Kindle apps available for the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, and Android because I use one on my iPod Touch. I didn't know if she had any of those devices, but I thought it was worth a shot. Being a good netizen, I looked up the web address so I could tell her where to find them.

Surprise! There are also free programs available for the Windows PC and Mac! Check it out:

Free Kindle Reading Apps


Oh, and if you're looking for a good read for your new Kindle application, both of my books are available :-D


Darksome Thirst

The Old Power Returns

Enjoy!

Morven

Using Local Settings in Works of Horror

I will be joining authors Daniel G. Keohane (Solomon's Grave) and Tracy Carbone (The Man of Mystery Hill) for a reading, signing, anda panel discussion on using local settings in their works of horror. (My novels are set in a thinly-disguised Framingham, Boston, and Brighton, Massachusetts.)


This event is for the West Boylston (Massachusetts) Arts Foundation, which is celebrating Edgar Allan Poe's birthday.

All are welcome, and attendance is free.

For directions, visit www.beamanlibrary.org/directions.html


Learn more about the WBAF at www.wbaf.org/.

New England Authors Event in Charlton

I'll be participating in a multi-author event on September 6, 2009 (Labor Day weekend) from 7-10 PM in Charlton, MA

It's part of Charlton's Old Home Day celebration and features 12 authors who write mainstream, literary, and genre fiction. Charlton Library, 40 Main Street, Charlton, MA 01507

I'll have copies of my two vampire novels, Darksome Thirst and The Old Power Returns. Stop by and say hello!

For more appearances, check out my Events page.

This weekend at Pi-Con

I'm going to be a busy person this weekend...

Pi-Con (August 21-23, 2009) - I'll be moderating and participating in a number of panels at Pi-Con, "An Event for Geeks, Nerds, and Dorks" in Enfield, CT, not far from where they usually hold it in Springfield, MA.

Sat 1:00 pm – Not All Vampires Sparkle
Sat 7:00 pm – Autograph session
Sat 8:00 pm – Tech Tools for Writers (Moderator)
Sun 10:00 am – Podcasting 101 (Moderator)
Sun 11:00 am – Podcasting Demo (Moderator)
Sun 1:00 pm – Reading

For details, see http://www.pi-con.org/programming.php

Mary Shelley's Birthday Celebration

(or "My Dates with Frankie")

Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, would be turning 212 on August 30 if she were alive today. If you're a fan of Frankenstein's monster (this person surely seems to be) or a fan of the mother of horror, come celebrate with us.

Mary Shelley's Birthday Celebration
(August 27-30, 2009)

Join New England women writers from the international organization, Broad Universe, as they honor the 212th anniversary of Mary Shelley's birth. Learn about the amazing life and work of a woman whose vision reached far ahead of her time. Hear the truth about the original "mad scientist" and his creation.

• Thursday, August 27th, 6:30 - 8:00
  Jacob Edwards Library, 236 Main Street, Southbridge, MA 01550
  http://www.jacobedwardslibrary.org/
  Vampire fiction writers Inanna Arthen and Morven Westfield and SF/Fantasy author Trisha J. Wooldridge
  
  
• Saturday, August 29th, 10:00 AM to noon
  Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St, Nashua, NH 03060-3475
  http://www.nashua.lib.nh.us
  Vampire fiction writer Morven Westfield and SF/Fantasy authors Elaine Isaak, Phoebe Wray, Trisha J. Wooldridge and Julie Andrews
  
  
• Saturday, August 29th, 2:00 to 4:00
  Toadstool Books, Lorden Plaza, Milford, NH 03055
  http://www.toadbooks.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp
  Vampire fiction writers Inanna Arthen and Morven Westfield and SF/Fantasy authors Elaine Isaak, Phoebe Wray, Trisha J. Wooldridge, Justine Graykin and Julie Andrews
  
  
• Sunday, August 30th, noon - 2:00
  Pandemonium Books & Games, 4 Pleasant Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
  http://www.pandemoniumbooks.com/
  Vampire fiction writers Inanna Arthen and Morven Westfield, past Nebula Award nominee Jennifer Pelland, and SF/Fantasy authors Elaine Isaak, Phoebe Wray, Trisha J. Wooldridge and Julie Andrews
  
  
• Sunday, August 30th, 4:00 - 6:00
  Back Pages Books, 289 Moody Street, Waltham, MA 02453
  http://www.backpagesbooks.com/
  Vampire fiction writers Inanna Arthen and Morven Westfield, past Nebula Award nominee Jennifer Pelland, and SF/Fantasy authors Elaine Isaak, Phoebe Wray, Trisha J. Wooldridge and Julie Andrews

WisCon 33

Going to WisCon this year?

I'll be participating in the Broad Universe rapid-fire reading, where eleven members read from their work, an assortment of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. I'll also be leading a panel called "Tech Tools for Writers" (see description below).

If you're at the convention, stop in. Here are the details, including room info.

Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading

Fri 10:30 - 11:59PM Assembly
Nancy Moore, J. Kathleen Cheney, Tina Connolly, Lori Devoti, Moondancer Drake, Gwynne Garfinkle, Kimberley Long-Ewing, Larissa N. Niec, Kathryn Sullivan, Katherine Mankiller, Morven Westfield, Phoebe Wray

Tech Tools for Writers (moderator)

Mon 8:30 - 9:59AM Senate A
Morven Westfield, Kelly Jones, S. N. Arly, Caroline Stevermer, Alex Wilson

Are you still writing out your manuscripts long–hand, or are you one of those fearless warriors who's using the latest and greatest mind–mapping tool? For some of us, only index cards will do for the outlining phase, whereas others swear by spreadsheets. In this panel, writers will discuss some of the tools they use to maximize the time they have for writing.

The SignOut
Mon 11:30AM - 1:00PM Capitol/Wisconsin
Authors sit around at tables and sign books and chat with readers. Lots of fun because there are so many of us.
Great chance to say goodbye before we all hop on planes or jump in cars and go home.

Multi-Author Signing in Northborough, MA

There's a new bookstore a few towns over and one of my fellow Broads (member of Broad Universe) has arranged a group book signing for us there.

Group signings are always more fun -- the authors get to see their author friends and the audience gets to hear a variety of styles and stories. This event should be even more so as we'll be reading selections of science fiction, fantasy, and horror that includes dystopian universes, magical kingdoms, vampires, and bad-@#$ faeries!

Authors Elaine Isaak, Jennifer Pelland,Trish Wooldridge, Justine Graykin, Phoebe Wray, and I will be reading.


Friday, May 8, 2009
6:00pm - 9:00pm

Jeannie's Book Emporium
299 West Main Street, #4
Northborough, MA 01532

Jeannie's is a new independent book store in the area. Come check it out!