Vampires Go to College?

Serious about vampires? Looks like they are in the UK. Headlines from today's Telegraph say "University to Hold Vampire Conference." So does that mean vampires from all over the world will be at this conference? Wouldn't that be cool--a whole campus filled with bloodsuckers?

The title of the conference is Open Graves, Open Minds: Vampires and the Undead in Modern Culture. And what will they learn? Most likely they won't be studying calculus or philosophy. Although biology and anatomy classes might be of interest. Or maybe they'll choose from seminar topics. What do vampires need to learn? How to choose the proper victim? How to suck blood without leaving a trace? How to select the proper flatware and distinguish silver from platinum?

Sorry to disappoint you, but it's actually a literature conference about the new sexy teenage vampires in novels and why YAs find them so appealing.That's easy enough to understand: Who doesn't like hot guys, bloodsuckers or not?

So if you find them enticing, you'll want to check out Judith Graves' Under My Skin. Here's a snippet from the book:

    I shifted closer, entranced by the minty scent rising from his blood. Hunger pangs twisted my stomach as if I hadn’t eaten for weeks. I pressed myself against his body. My lips parted. I sighed against his warm skin. Wade turned his face up for me, like he wanted me to take his lifeblood, feed on his flesh.
    I almost fell for it.
    Vamp thrall.
    I gasped, fighting his seductive glamour. His grey eyes stared into mine. Mesmerizing. Inviting…
   Don’t forget devilish. The voice of reason brought me back from the brink.
   And evil.

And kudos to the University of Hertfordshire for coming up with such an appealing subject for a conference.

Team Freaksville vs. Team Redgrave: The Interviews

 This is Kasey Maxwell from Freaksville (left) blogging with Eryn McCain from Redgrave, Alberta (below).

K:   So hiya, Eryn, word has it you have a little vampire problem up in the vast North, eh?” [Note I added a little Canadian flavour. I really dig accents. British is my fav, but Canada is a colony of England, isn’t it…] Oops, sorry, back to the question at hand—VAMPS.

E:  Yeah, we have some nasty bloodsuckers in Redgrave, but currently me and my hunter crew—well, it's Alec's crew really (that's part of the guy problem I was telling you about)—are fighting off a pack of werewolves. I hear you have some wolfy issues yourself…as in potential love interest avec fur. I sure hope you’re not allergic, like some people I know…

K:   So what does a hunter do exactly? Do you get to wear cool boots? I love boots, I think every girl, whether she’s kicking butt or not, should have a pair of cool boots.

E:  Um...boots. Yeah, I have some s#^*kickers, but I still cling to my Vancouver-purchased Mary Janes. I'm completely against snow. (Although, I really don't get why there's zero white-stuff action for the Olympics...British Columbia usually has the best ski conditions—if you're into that sort of thing.) Anyway, Redgrave's been quite the shock to my system, in more ways than one.

K:   Err, Canada grows their guys on the hot side… *fans self* I want to know who do you really want Wade or Alec? Come on we’re friends here.

 E:  Yeah, they're mildly attractive (understatement of incredible magnitude). But there's the whole, one guy might kill me, I might kill the other guy thing. Sounds like I'm taking it lightly, right? Believe me...I'm not. I'm just the laugh-at-a-funeral type, you know?

K:   I recently discovered that I’m a paranorm and, well, after that Freakfest, I’m learning to deal with my gifts. What’s been challenging to you?

E:  I've always known what I am, part human/part shapeshifter. But I've never had the chance to explore my paranorm side. You're hearing me, yes? At least your father never plied you with drugs to keep your "talents" at bay....screwing with your paranorm metabolism....turning you into something unknown and dangerous. And I'm supposed to care about passing my physics exam? Good lord.

K:  I heard you actually had a run in with a werewolf...seems he had a little pet shopping on his mind. Poor Thumper, it’s bad enough people wear  cute bunnies as fashion statement—note, I wear faux fur, not Thumpers---but now they have to worry about being werewolf chow, too?  So not fair! Anyway, what were you really thinking when you slipped and fell in the bunny blood? BTW, were those jeans thrashed? I hope they weren’t cute, because bloodstains are tough to get out of denim.

 E:  Kasey, Kasey, Kasey. *shakes head sadly* You'd have a tough time in my world. Why do you think I keep my hair up in these functional (yet funky and cute!) ponytails? I get messy. Hunting is a gory job. Sometimes I shower three times a day. I'm not kidding. Yeah, that werewolf was in a for a little dine-and-dash at the pet shop. But I handled the situation….with some help from an unlikely source.

But the Contests Continue...

Our authors are finding their way around the globe. Watch for posts in Finland, the UK, Japan... More about those later.

Right now we're highlighting blogger Kate at READ THIS BOOK!, who's been featuring Island Sting this week. She's shared some excerpts and done interviews with the main characters--Kenzie and Angelo--so she has plenty of information that you won't find in the book. She's also posted a scene from Angelo's point of view. So even if you've already read the book, you won't have seen any of this. Check out these exclusives at:

http://readthisbook.wordpress.com/2010/01/16/island-sting-excerpt-and-contest/

But best of all, Kate's running a contest. Win a necklace! If you've read Island Sting, you'll know the meaning behind this special necklace. And if you haven't read it, now's your chance. Check out our online store and take advantage of the BLUE MOON special (see below) for a special price.